> Paloma: What are you even doing girl, do you have a crush?

-- absoluteAltitude [AA] began trolling nitroMerc [NM] at 13:34 --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  approaches Cucali's hive at the appointed time. Despite herself, she feels a little nervous... the pain in her shoulder might cause her problems when gliding... but she didn't want to miss her appointment with Cucali. --
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  wound is slightly visible under her shirt, a little marking near the neckline, but right now it's mostly covered. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  isn't outside her hive. She's inside, working on some bombs. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pauses, and then goes to Cucali's door. She hesitates... hesitates a little longer... and then knocks. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  peers through the eyehole and... it's Paloma. She wasn't expecting this. What the hell is this greenblood doing back here?? Didn't she get the message already? --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  doesn't answer the door. She's half-tempted to throw open the door and scream at her and half-tempted to just pretend not to be home. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps, feeling nervous. When she calls out, that nervousness is reflected in her voice. --
AA: <\ Hello? Cucali? It's me, Paloma! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  doesn't answer. After a while she shouts: --
NM: The fuck are y☼u back f☼r?
AA: <\ To, to give you your flying lesson! />
NM: I d☼n't have a damn glider.
AA: <\ I brought another for myself, so I still have two. />
NM: ...
-- nitroMerc [NM]  opens the door. --
NM: Why the hell are y☼u still here?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks Cucali in the eye. --
AA: <\ I'm here because I, I want to be here. />
NM: Well, I d☼n't want y☼u here!
AA: <\ Don't you? />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  tugs at her shirtsleeve uncomfortably, to try and get it to stop rubbing against her wound. The action exposes the cut a little further. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  sees the cut and grabs at her arm. --
NM: What the fuck was that?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces, but doesn't pull away. --
AA: <\ A, a seadweller challenged me to a duel a few days ago... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  yanks her closer to get a better look. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  stumbles forward. Her wound looks like it's been recently stitched, and it's still pretty fresh. --
NM: H☼ly shit, d☼ y☼u have a death wish?
AA: <\ It, it's not like I could deny him! />
NM: What the hell is wr☼ng with y☼u!!
NM: Y☼u're such a m☼r☼n!!! First y☼u get y☼urself sliced by s☼me fish-faced assh☼le, then y☼u c☼me crawlin' back here!!!
AA: <\ I, I am not a moron... />
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  cheeks colour a little. Why is she so pleased with Cucali showing concern? --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  jerks her into her hive and slams the door behind her. She practically shoves Paloma toward the sofa. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces, but she lets herself get shoved. She stumbles onto the sofa with a quiet 'ooph'. --
NM: Y☼u will stay right fuckin' there. Wh☼ the hell did y☼ur stitches? They l☼☼k like shit.
AA: <\ Elizan, Elizan did them... and I, I think she did a good job... />
NM: Tch!! At least that pissbl☼☼d's g☼☼d f☼r s☼methin'!
AA: <\ She's not a pissblood... />
NM: Shut up! I d☼n't care!!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  comes closer to examine the wound. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shifts, though she's not sure whether it's uncomfortably or... for some reason reason. --
-- absoluteAltitude, [AA,]  still, doesn't move away. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  has to admit that the job is actually good. She can't see anything wrong with it. She scoffs. --
NM: What'd y☼u d☼, let y☼urself be stabbed?? G☼d, y☼u're stupider than I th☼ught!!!
AA: <\ I didn't let him stab me, he pulled a move I didn't expect... he, he jumped right over me. />
NM: ☼f c☼urse y☼u didn't expect it!! Y☼u're ab☼ut as useful as a r☼ck when it c☼mes t☼ fightin'!!!!
AA: <\ I, I was actually doing pretty well until he pulled out his acrobatics! />
NM: Didn't y☼u learn already n☼t t☼ fuck with seadwellers?? Y☼u're the dumbest l☼wbl☼☼d I've ever met! When d☼ y☼u get a hint!
AA: <\ I didn't want to screw with him! He demanded a duel! />
NM: An' why didn't y☼u refuse then???
AA: <\ It's not like someone like me can refuse a highblood! />
AA: <\ I'd love it if I could, but I can't! />
NM: ☼☼☼☼☼h, s☼ just because he's a fishface means that y☼u g☼tta listen t☼ him??? Why d☼n't y☼u use y☼ur little l☼wbl☼☼d legs and run away? ☼r gr☼vel f☼r mercy??
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip, and raises her other hand, putting it over Cucali's on her injured arm. --
AA: <\ Cucali... />
AA: <\ It, it was a crowded street. If I ran, and he chased me, he, he'd injure a lot of trolls. And... and I... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks away, cheeks a light green from shame and something else. --
AA: <\ I did. I did eventually. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  stiffens when Paloma moves her hand over hers. She lets it linger a bit too long before trying to jerk it away, scowling. --
NM: Wh☼ the fuck cares ab☼ut the ☼ther tr☼lls?
NM: Y☼u sh☼uld w☼rry ab☼ut y☼urself!
NM: Hell☼☼☼☼☼??
NM: Basic survival skills 101!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is a little disappointed, but on the other hand, she expected it. She lets Cucali's hand go, and gently rests her own hand where it was. Her skin's so cool... wait, what is she thinking?! --
AA: <\ I, I guess I should just worry about myself. />
AA: <\ But... />
NM: But what?!
AA: <\ I, I guess I just worry too much. />
AA: <\ Heh... he even offered me an out because he wanted other trolls to hunt, but I couldn't do it... />
AA: <\ ... I'm really hopeless, huh... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles, bitterly. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  scoffs. --
NM: Y☼u're damn right y☼u are.
NM: Y☼u're ☼utta y☼ur mind f☼r c☼min' back here.
NM: I d☼n't even kn☼w what the fuck t☼ d☼ with y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  colours a little, looking away. --
AA: <\ I... I really want to be your friend, Cucali. />
NM: An' I keep tellin' y☼u that I d☼n't. S☼ fuck ☼ff an' just leave me al☼ne!!
NM: D☼n't y☼u have y☼ur little sweetheart redbl☼☼d f☼r that??
NM: G☼ run t☼ him if y☼u want a friend!!!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip, blinking heavily. --
AA: <\ But... I think you need a friend. />
AA: <\ ... and I think you do care at, at least a little bit. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  violently shakes her. --
NM: That's a fuckin' lie!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces, gritting her teeth as she's shaken. --
AA: <\ But - but, but - />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  jerks her off the sofa. --
NM: I d☼n't give a shit ab☼ut y☼u!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  hits the ground, landing on her wounded shoulder. She groans in pain. --
NM: I d☼n't want t☼ be y☼ur friend, I d☼n't want t☼ be... whatever the hell y☼u're tryin' t☼ make me ☼ut as!!!!
NM: S☼ y☼u can keep y☼ur g☼ddamn sympathy an' tears t☼ y☼urself, because I d☼n't care!
AA: <\ ... Cucali... />
AA: <\ If... if you didn't care... why'd you react so badly to me getting hurt...? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  stares down at her, breath hitching. Her voice is now low and even. --
NM: D☼n't try t☼ play this game with me.
NM: I g☼t a m☼irail.
AA: <\ I'm... I'm not trying to be your moirail. />
AA: <\ I just want to be your friend... />
NM: St☼p sayin' that!!!!!
AA: <\ No. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  kicks her. --
NM: St☼p it!
NM: H☼w the fuck can y☼u say that when I'm beatin' the shit ☼ut ☼f y☼u?? H☼w fuckin' stupid can y☼u p☼ssibly be???
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is rolled across the floor from the kick. She curls up a little, and shakes her head. --
AA: <\ I guess... I'm pretty stupid... />
AA: <\ But I won't stop saying it. I won't stop believing it. />
NM: Y☼u're g☼nna die because ☼f it!!!
NM: Is it w☼rth that much t☼ y☼u, huh??
NM: Y☼u sad, s☼rry, shitsack!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces. She pushes herself to a sitting position, staring up at Cucali. --
AA: <\ I... I believe in you, Cucali. Maybe it's because I'm an idiot... just some stupid fool... />
AA: <\ ... but I believe in you! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  is speechless. She doesn't know what to do to this troll to make her stop saying such stupid, stupid words. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  finally regains her bearings: --
NM: Why.
AA: <\ Because you do care about me. I know you do. You wouldn't keep saving me in the middle of killing me if you didn't... you wouldn't have been so worried about my injury if you didn't. />
AA: <\ You wouldn't have invited me back after the incident in the water if you didn't. />
AA: <\ I know you care, Cucali, so you might as well give it up. />
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  words are brave, even if she doesn't quite feel that way. --
NM: ... I sh☼uld kill y☼u.
NM: I sh☼uld kill y☼u, just t☼ pr☼ve h☼w fuckin' wr☼ng y☼u are!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  meets Cucali's eye, breathing in. --
AA: <\ Am I wrong? />
NM: I d☼n't need y☼u. I d☼n't need any☼ne! I never needed any☼ne!! I can stand by myself!!!
NM: I d☼n't need y☼ur pity! I d☼n't need any☼ne's pity!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  colours when Cucali mentions her pity, but she doesn't look away. --
AA: <\ I'm not saying you need me to stand up. I, I'm not saying anything like that. />
AA: <\ I just want to stand with you... />
NM: I d☼n't want y☼u!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip, hurt crossing over her face. --
AA: <\ If you don't want me, why'd you open the door...? />
NM: I ☼pened it because I knew y☼u w☼uldn't leave!
AA: <\ You could have pretended not to be at your hive... />
NM: I keep ☼n kickin' y☼u ☼ut, an' all y☼u d☼ is c☼me back t☼ me!! What the hell am I supp☼sed t☼ d☼?
AA: <\ I... />
AA: <\ I don't know... />
NM: I sh☼uldn't have let y☼u trick me. I knew that fr☼m the m☼ment y☼u tried t☼ get me ☼ff my c☼ntract y☼u were g☼nna be n☼thin' but tr☼uble!!!!
AA: <\ I - I wasn't trying to trick you! />
NM: Shut up!
AA: <\ But Cucali-! />
NM: I said t☼ shut up!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is silent, biting at her lip. She raises a hand to her chest, as if to shield herself. --
NM: I want y☼u t☼ get ☼ut ☼f my life!! Get l☼st and st☼p runnin' after me like s☼me stupid puppy!!!!
NM: I'm n☼t g☼in' t☼ feel any pity f☼r y☼u y☼u selfish scumbl☼☼d!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  feels tears stinging at the corner of her eyes. She shakes her head. --
AA: <\ Stop it... />
NM: I w☼n't! N☼t until y☼u get it thr☼ugh y☼ur thick skull that I d☼n't want anythin' t☼ d☼ with y☼u!!
AA: <\ But... />
AA: <\ But you do, Cucali. I know you must! />
NM: What the fuck did I say ab☼ut talkin'?!
AA: <\ I, I'm going to keep talking until you realise you don't have to put up all this bravado! />
NM: I'm warnin' y☼u!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  balls her hands into fists in her lap. Darnit, why is she putting so much into this...?! --
AA: <\ Warn me all you like! I, I won't accept it! />
AA: <\ You need a friend, and I, Paloma Friede, will be the one to be there! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  kicks her again, harder this time. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  goes flying across the ground. She cries out, quietly. --
AA: <\ Ah-! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  goes after her, waiting for her next move. --
NM: I d☼n't need y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pulls herself up into a sitting position again, staring at Cucali. --
AA: <\ You don't need anyone, do you? All alone in your happy little world, all you've gotta worry about is your next mark. />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  spits out the words, acidic. --
AA: <\ Look, I believe you don't need anyone! />
AA: <\ You could probably take on the world if you wanted! />
AA: <\ But that! Doesn't mean! You don't WANT anyone! />
NM: And wh☼ are y☼u t☼ tell me that, huh?! Y☼u're just s☼me scumbl☼☼d wh☼ d☼esn't even kn☼w what she's talkin' ab☼ut!
AA: <\ Cucali, believe me! Please believe me! />
NM: Why can't y☼u understand that?! Why can't y☼u just leave me the fuck al☼ne?! Is this fun f☼r y☼u? Is that it??
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  glares with sudden anger. --
AA: <\ Do you think it's fun to be kicked around by someone who can't admit they care?! Do you think it's fun to be yelled and and called scumblooded?!  />
AA: <\ I'm not doing this because it's fun! />
AA: <\ I'm doing this because! I! CARE! />
NM: I can't admit I care because I d☼n't!! I just d☼n't care! I d☼n't care ab☼ut y☼u, ab☼ut any ☼f this shit! Ab☼ut y☼ur shitty ☼live branches y☼u keep extendin' ☼r y☼ur pity ☼r anythin' ab☼ut y☼u!!
NM: The ☼nly thing I care ab☼ut is gettin' y☼u the hell ☼utta my life!
AA: <\ If you wanted me out of your life, why did you drag me inside?! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  leans close to her face and grabs it tightly. --
NM: S☼ I c☼uld see the fuckin' l☼☼k ☼n y☼ur face when y☼u realize that y☼u're dead fuckin' wr☼ng.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  stares at Cucali, wide-eyed. She draws in a shuddering breath, and tries to blink away the green tears which threaten to fall down her face. --
AA: <\ I... I don't think that'll happen... because... />
AA: <\ ... if I meant nothing, I'd be dead by now... wouldn't I? />
-- nitroMerc's [NM'S]  grip tightens. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  swallows, trying to stifle the fear in her eyes. --
NM: I WILL kill y☼u. I'll kill y☼u right n☼w!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  doesn't sound so certain, though. --
AA: <\ Cucali... I, I just want to be your friend... is that so bad? Will it hurt you that much to have a friend...? />
NM: All I d☼ is hit y☼u an' all y☼u d☼ is keep parr☼tin' that line.
NM: What the fuck is wr☼ng with y☼u?
AA: <\ I understand... you've got your pride... you can't just accept this sort of thing. />
AA: <\ But I... I'm going to keep trying, okay...? />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  can't hold back her tears any longer. They trickle shamefully down her face. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  feels the tears run down her fingers. She lets go and scoots back. --
NM: N☼. Y☼u have t☼ st☼p.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head, her chin and her gaze dropping downwards. --
AA: <\ Why...? />
NM: Because I want y☼u t☼.
AA: <\ But... but you... />
AA: <\ ... you care, I know you do... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sniffs, feeling angry at herself for even thinking of crying in front of Cucali. She covers her face with a hand. --
NM: St☼p sayin' that shit!
NM: Why can't y☼u fuckin' accept it?!
AA: <\ Because... because I care about you, Cucali... />
NM: I'm just a pissed-☼ff highbl☼☼d wh☼ d☼esn't need this kind ☼f pity!
AA: <\ That's... that's exactly why I want to give it to you... />
NM: If y☼u care ab☼ut me s☼ much, get ☼ut!
NM: Get ☼ut and d☼n't c☼me back!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps, hugging herself with an arm. --
AA: <\ And just leave you... forever...? />
NM: ... yes.
NM: G☼ run t☼ y☼ur little redbl☼☼d friend and bitch t☼ him ab☼ut h☼w badly I treated y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head, still hidden by a hand. --
AA: <\ I... I don't want to... />
NM: G☼! Why d☼n't y☼u run int☼ his freakish arms and c☼llapse int☼ ☼ne happy freakish embrace, huh?!
NM: G☼ have a huge carefest with each ☼ther!!
AA: <\ No... I, I won't. />
AA: <\ I won't even mention this, if you don't want me to... />
NM: N☼. G☼ ☼n!
NM: Tell y☼ur little friends!
NM: Have a g☼☼d fuckin' laugh with them!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head. --
AA: <\ I, I don't laugh at you. />
AA: <\ I wouldn't. />
NM: Ha ha ha, y☼u escaped the big bad seadweller! It's ☼kay, y☼u're safe n☼w!!
AA: <\ You might be a big, bad seadweller... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  wipes her face and looks up at Cucali. --
AA: <\ But I know you were worried back there. I know you care! />
NM: Y☼u d☼n't want me t☼ care! Y☼u d☼n't kn☼w what the hell y☼u're askin' f☼r here!
NM: My carin' never saved anythin'! Why the hell sh☼uld I start n☼w?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  laughs, bitterly. --
AA: <\ So you won't do it because it never worked? />
AA: <\ What's with that logic? />
AA: <\ You've drowned me, you've choked me, you've kicked me around... I think I know a little of what I'm doing. />
NM: If s☼mething's br☼ken in my line ☼f w☼rk, y☼u t☼ss it ☼ut.
AA: <\ Your caring might save something, you know... />
NM: I can't fuckin' save anythin' with my carin'.
-- nitroMerc's [NM'S]  voice has flattened. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  picks herself up, and moves to Cucali. Cautiously, she reaches out, touching her arm with a hand. --
AA: <\ Cucali... it's okay. I won't hurt you if you care. />
-- nitroMerc's [NM'S]  shrinks away, as if Paloma's trying to touch her with a red hot poker. --
NM: D☼n't make these g☼ddamn pr☼mises y☼u can't keep.
NM: Just get the fuck ☼ut ☼f my hive.
AA: <\ Please... trust me... />
NM: GET ☼UT!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces, and steps back. --
AA: <\ I... I'm sorry... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  advances, pushing her back and back. --
NM: I d☼n't want y☼ur s☼rrys, I d☼n't want t☼ hear anything fr☼m y☼u!!!
NM: Just. Get.  ☼ut!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  stumbles backwards, a hurt expression crossing over her face. --
AA: <\ I... I... />
NM: Just leave me al☼ne!! What the hell is s☼ hard t☼ understand ab☼ut that?!
AA: <\ I'll... I'll be around when you want to see me. />
AA: <\ You know how to reach me... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  musters as much venom as she can in her words. --
NM: Like I want t☼.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks as if she'd been struck. --
AA: <\ I... I know you're just saying that... />
AA: <\ Goodbye, goodbye for now... />
NM: Tell y☼ur dumb sweethearts I said hell☼.
-- nitroMerc [NM]  slams the door shut. --
AA: <\ But... you're... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  can't finish her sentence - her voice hitches, threatening more tears. She stares at Cucali's door for a while, and then turns and begins walking away. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  sits down on the sofa, staring intently at the door. She isn't sure what she's waiting for. She realizes that she's shaking. --
-- nitroMerc [NM] gave up trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 16:19 -> Paloma