> Paloma: Get comforted by Cucali.

-- nitroMerc [NM] began trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 15:29 --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  arrives at Paloma's hive as fast as she can. She unlocks the door, goes in. --
NM: ☼i, birdie! Y☼u in here?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is in her respiteblock, sitting at her desk, head in her hands. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  goes straight to her and pulls up a chair to sit next to her. --
NM: ... hey. M☼ssybl☼☼d.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  *hand SINGULAR ha ha ha!! --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks over to her. Her eyes, her expression - they're somehow empty. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  sees the expression and gets chills up her spine. She holds out her hands. --
NM: Let me see y☼ur hand.
AA: <\ ... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  straightens up in her chair, showing Cucali her left hand - and right hand-stump. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  holds the stump gently, running her fingers over it to check if it's properly cared for. --
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  wound seems to be cauterised and wrapped up properly. She winces a little when Cucali runs her fingers over it, but doesn't complain. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  looks furious. Her free hand clenches. --
NM: I d☼n't get why y☼u'd want t☼ pr☼tect the d☼uchebag wh☼ did this t☼ y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  laughs, weakly. --
AA: <\ Hahaha... />
AA: <\ Don't you see? />
AA: <\ If he dies, the Watcher was right. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  freezes. --
NM: The Watcher came back again?
AA: <\ You really are my pawns, I really am manipulating everyone. Tearing my friends all apart. />
AA: <\ It all comes back to me... I'm poison. I deserved this. />
AA: <\ And now... now it's clear to me...! />
-- nitroMerc [NM] is now an idle chum! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  didn't think that Paloma would actually /believe/ her words. She squeezes Paloma's hand. --
NM: N☼. Y☼u're n☼t.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps, trying to repress tears. She fails, and they fall down her cheeks. --
NM: D☼n't y☼u let them make y☼u think that way!!
NM: D☼n't y☼u dare!
AA: <\ But it's true. I wanted everyone to be happy, but I just kept driving them apart. />
AA: <\ And this... this proves it, doesn't it... />
AA: <\ I'm such an idiot... />
NM: Y☼u're right. Y☼u're the biggest idi☼t I've met. But y☼u kn☼w what?? I'm an idi☼t t☼☼.
NM: We're aaaaaaaall idi☼ts.
NM: Y☼u can't let that get y☼u d☼wn, scumbl☼☼d!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blinks at her tears, shaking her head. --
AA: <\ The, the proof is right in front of me. />
AA: <\ I hurt everyone. />
AA: <\ I hurt Amaloc. />
AA: <\ I hurt you! />
NM: It didn't have anythin' t☼ d☼ with y☼u.
NM: It wasn't because ☼f y☼u.
NM: Get it thr☼ugh y☼ur thick skull.
AA: <\ If, if I'd closed my messages before she saw, if I'd been smarter with Solena, if... />
NM: St☼p it!!!
NM: That ain't g☼nna help y☼u, dumbass!
AA: <\ ... then what will? What could possibly help me, Cucali? What could possibly help someone who destroys everyone they associate with?! />
AA: <\ Please, tell me! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sounds desperate, upset, almost maddened. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  slaps her, then pulls her close to her roughly and suddenly. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  makes a startled sound when she's slapped, and she's dragged out of her chair and into Cucali's lap. --
NM: I t☼ld y☼u t☼ shut up an' st☼p this shit.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks up at her, tears in her eyes. --
AA: <\ Cucali... />
NM: Just shut up an' listen t☼ me.
NM: Y☼u're n☼t resp☼nsible.
NM: I fucked this up. It's my fault, t☼☼.
NM: S☼ st☼p tryin' t☼ be the g☼ddamn matyr.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps as she looks at her. --
AA: <\ But... but I... if it wasn't for everyone trying to protect me, none of this would have happened... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  squints her eye. --
NM: This same shit pr☼bably w☼uld've happened t☼ s☼me ☼ther tr☼ll.
NM: M☼ve the fuck ☼n with it, m☼ssybl☼☼d. Y☼u're g☼nna kill y☼urself if y☼u think t☼☼ much ab☼ut it.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks away. --
AA: <\ ... do you still care? Even after everything I've done? />
NM: After all the fuss y☼u put me thr☼ugh?? Uh, duh?
NM: L☼☼k, I...
-- nitroMerc [NM]  hesitates. She's not used to talking about feelings. --
NM: I hate l☼sin'. An' I'm n☼t g☼nna let myself l☼se s☼me☼ne like y☼u again.
AA: <\ ... I... />
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  voice wavers. --
AA: <\ ... but I'm terrible... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sobs. The sound is weak. --
NM: I d☼n't give a rat's ass ab☼ut what the Watcher t☼ld y☼u. An' y☼u sh☼uldn't either.
-- nitroMerc [NM]  strokes her head, trying to calm her down. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  leans against Cucali, resting her head against her shoulder and crying quietly. She thought she'd gotten all her tears out. Apparently not. --
AA: <\ Cucali... wh, what have I done...? />
NM: Y☼u're still a terrible tr☼ll, m☼ssy. Manipulat☼r my ass.
NM: St☼p blamin' y☼urself
NM: *.
AA: <\ But, it feels like my fault... />
NM: It's n☼t!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  says this fiercely. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sobs, wrapping her arms around Cucali and holding onto her tightly. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  lets her, hugging her tightly as well. --
NM: Y☼u can't blame y☼urself f☼r everythin' ☼r y☼u're n☼t g☼nna st☼p. ☼ne fucked up tr☼ll in this quadrant's bad en☼ugh, dumbass.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  murmurs against Cucali's shoulder, --
AA: <\ But, how can I forgive myself...? />
NM: ... y☼u g☼tta teach y☼urself t☼ let it g☼.
NM: That's the first thing I learned ☼n land. Y☼u can't stay ☼n ☼ld mistakes.
NM: Y☼u're g☼nna get eaten that way.
AA: <\ I... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  cuts herself off, shaking her head against Cucali's shoulder. --
AA: <\ ... at least let me say I'm sorry... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  lets her hand run through her hair. --
NM: That's all y☼u g☼tta all☼w y☼urself.
AA: <\ I, I'm sorry, Cucali... I'm so sorry... />
NM: I sh☼uld be fuckin' s☼rry here.
NM: S☼ I'm s☼rry t☼☼.
AA: <\ ... I forgive you... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  shakes a little at that. She's trying to hold back tears because it's been rough, losing her moirail and then hearing that Paloma's been attacked. It's been almost too much for her. And she's kept it inside her the entire time, but now she realizes just how scared she was. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  holds onto Cucali a little tighter when she feels her shaking. --
NM: Y☼u're n☼t all☼wed t☼ change like this, d☼ y☼u hear me?? I'm n☼t l☼sin' an☼ther tr☼ll.
AA: <\ I'm sorry... I'll go back to how I was, so please... don't be troubled... />
NM: Y☼u can't listen t☼ the Watchers, they're filthy liars, b☼th ☼f 'em, y☼u kn☼w that.
AA: <\ I... />
AA: <\ ... I guess... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  doesn't know what else to say and just holds her tightly, burying herself in her hair. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps, holding onto Cucali, wordlessly. Eventually, she speaks up. --
AA: <\ ... what's gonna happen...? />
NM: Fuck if I kn☼w. But I think this is pretty much ☼ver. Y☼u d☼n't have t☼ w☼rry anym☼re.
AA: <\ ... okay... />
AA: <\ ... could you... stay with me a while...? />
NM: ....... fine. But ☼nly because I g☼t n☼thin' m☼re t☼ d☼.
AA: <\ ... thank you... />
NM: Y☼u're c☼min' back with me.
NM: N☼ excuses, I g☼tta keep my eye ☼n y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sounds almost... relieved? --
AA: <\ Okay... />
NM: I'm n☼t g☼nna let y☼u get hurt.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps, almost saying something. The words die on her lips. --
AA: <\ Thank you, Cucali. />
NM: It's the least I can d☼, tch.
AA: <\ I... I'm glad you're here. />
NM: Glad t☼ hear that, because y☼u're g☼nna be stuck with me f☼r a l☼☼☼☼☼☼☼ng while, sweetheart.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pulls back from Cucali a little so she can look into her eyes. --
AA: <\ Do... do you mean that? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  mumbles grudgingly: --
NM: ... yeah. Guess s☼.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  reaches up with her remaining hand to trail her fingers down Cucali's cheek, smiling waveringly. A little life seems to return to her expression when she hears it. --
AA: <\ Despite everything, you still... I'm so glad... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  isn't used to being touched gently. But she lets Paloma do it anyway. The mossblood's fingers are so wonderfully warm that it makes her ache. She forgot how much she missed her. --
NM: Tch. Where else was I supp☼sed t☼ g☼?? Y☼u expect me t☼ bust my ass ☼ver t☼ y☼ur d☼☼rstep anyway whenever y☼u're hurt.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  moves her hand back, to run her fingers through Cucali's hair. --
AA: <\ I wasn't... I didn't expect you to want anything more to do with me. />
NM: Ha! Y☼u haven't been payin' attenti☼n the last few m☼nths, then.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  tries to laugh, a little. --
AA: <\ Ehehe... I guess I was a little blinded... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  slides her hand around her neck, feeling the downy nape where hair and skin meet. --
NM: N☼ w☼nder y☼u g☼t such big glasses!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles again, though it still wavers. --
AA: <\ Y, yeah... />
NM: Heck, it's a miracle y☼u survived this l☼ng with☼ut my help!!
AA: <\ I'm glad you're here to defend me... />
NM: That's what matesprits are supp☼sed t☼ d☼, dumbass. What'd y☼u expect??
NM: Besides, if I dumped y☼u y☼u'd pr☼bably just c☼me d☼ggin' after me.
AA: <\ You, you're right... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  slides her hand into her hair, pulling her closer. --
NM: Duh?? When have I ever been wr☼ng, m☼ssybl☼☼d?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks up at Cucali, smiling waveringly. --
NM: C'm☼☼☼☼☼n! Y☼u kn☼w that I'll take damn g☼☼d care ☼f y☼u. Fuck th☼se Watchers. Y☼u can't hurt any☼ne, just l☼☼k at y☼ur damn self.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  falters, there, but just for a moment before she smiles again. --
AA: <\ ... I guess I couldn't even hurt someone if I fought them, huh... />
NM: Exactly, see? S☼ st☼p thinkin' that y☼u're p☼is☼n ☼r whatever shit y☼u're sp☼utin' ☼ff.
AA: <\ ... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  has pain cross her face again, briefly, before she shakes it off with a little shake of her head. She smiles. --
AA: <\ Y, yeah. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  notices the stutter. --
NM: I mean it, I'm g☼nna make sure y☼u're fuckin' ☼kay. I'm n☼t lettin' s☼me l☼usy aliens screw with y☼ur thinkpan like that!!
AA: <\ Cucali... />
NM: What??
AA: <\ I... I don't know if... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head. --
NM: Kn☼w if whaaat?
AA: <\ ... no, it, it's okay. />
NM: If y☼u g☼t a pr☼blem y☼u g☼tta tell me here!
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  voice is small when she says: --
AA: <\ ... but you'd... you couldn't stand me if you knew. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  stares at her. --
NM: Y☼u kiddin' me?? What the hell c☼uld y☼u say? I've heard it all in my line ☼f w☼rk!
AA: <\ ... I got Ranigi killed. />
AA: <\ I knew what he'd do, Cucali. I knew what he'd do and I needed to know. />
AA: <\ I needed to know whether it was true. />
AA: <\ ... it... />
AA: <\ ... was. />
NM: ... y☼u /let/ him maim y☼u t☼ d☼ this??
AA: <\ I didn't let him. But I knew he'd try. />
AA: <\ I didn't want this to be true... I didn't... really I didn't... />
NM: ☼f c☼urse he g☼t killed! Y☼u invited him t☼ hurt y☼u an' it's ☼bvi☼us that s☼me☼ne's g☼nna flip a lid ☼ver that!!
NM: That's h☼w it usually w☼rks, m☼ssybl☼☼d.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  barks out a hollow laugh, looking absolutely devastated.  --
AA: <\ So can you still stand me, knowing that? />
NM: I've had a l☼☼☼☼☼tta practice ☼ver these few m☼nths in t☼leratin' y☼u, let me tell y☼u that!
NM: S☼ I think I can take that. Y☼u killed a tr☼ll. Big deal. Tr☼lls die aaaall the time, an' y☼u weren't thinkin' straight, as usual.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  gulps, looking up at Cucali. --
AA: <\ But he was my friend... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  tries to sound nonchalant. --
NM: ... I've killed friends t☼☼. Ain't n☼ big deal.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  tightens her grip on Cucali, burying her head against her shoulder as she sobs. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  awkwardly strokes her head, shooshing her the best she can. --
NM: C'm☼n, it's n☼t anythin' t☼ be upset ab☼ut, scumbl☼☼d.
AA: <\ But I really am... scum... />
NM: Hey!!!! Y☼u're n☼where near scum-level!
NM: If anythin', y☼u're disgustingly unscummy!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  laughs a little, waveringly. At least it doesn't sound so hollow. --
AA: <\ You really think so...? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  raises a hand to mock-swear. --
NM: I pr☼mise I d☼!!!!!
NM: There, that g☼☼d en☼ugh f☼r y☼u, girlie?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  raises her head so she can smile to Cucali. It's still a weak smile, but... she's trying. --
AA: <\ Heheh, yeah... />
NM: S☼ st☼p thinkin' that way, y☼u hear??
AA: <\ I... I'll try... />
NM: Y☼u aren't g☼nna try!
NM: Y☼u're just g☼nna d☼.
AA: <\ ... o, okay. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  grins. --
NM: G☼☼d!
AA: <\ Cucali... I'm so glad you're on my side... />
NM: Yeah, well it w☼uldn't l☼☼k g☼☼d ☼n my rec☼rd if I agreed t☼ try this shitty redr☼m ☼ut an' just dr☼pped ☼ut like a wuss.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  runs her fingers through Cucali's hair, shaking her head. --
AA: <\ You, you're definitely not a wuss. />
NM: Which is why I'm stickin' thr☼ugh with this, m☼ssy.
AA: <\ ... I'll be staying with it, too. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  scoffs, as if amused, and rests her head on her shoulder. --
NM: Y☼u damn well better be.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  rests her head gently against the side of Cucali's, horn against horn. --
AA: <\ I, I have no intention of losing you, not now. />
-- nitroMerc [NM] is now an idle chum! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  runs her fingers down Paloma's spine. --
NM: Geeeez, n☼w y☼u're startin' t☼ s☼und like y☼ur sappy self!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  arches her back against Cucali's touch, breathing out. --
AA: <\ That's, that's good, right? />
NM: Better than hearin' y☼u whinin' like s☼me sad s☼d, yeah.
AA: <\ I, I'm sorry if it worried you... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rubs her back, up and down, up and down. --
NM: ... me, w☼rry? Ha!
AA: <\ Ehehehe... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  relaxes a little under Cucali's touch, resting her head against her shoulder. --
NM: Y☼u're g☼nna have t☼ try a l☼☼☼☼☼☼t harder than that t☼ make me w☼rry!!
AA: <\ It, it's a good thing I don't want to try, then... />
NM: Y☼u g☼nna keep it that way?
AA: <\ With me not, not trying to worry you? />
NM: Just stay ☼utta tr☼uble, that's all I'm sayin'.
AA: <\ I, I'll do my best... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  lets out a relieved sigh. --
NM: That's what I'd like t☼ hear.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nestles against Cucali. --
AA: <\ Thank you... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  presses her face against her head, relaxing. --
NM: Tch, I'm just d☼in' what I g☼tta d☼.
AA: <\ And... and I'm glad for it. />
NM: Yeah, yeah, every☼ne's glad t☼ be ar☼und me. Y☼u sh☼uld be feelin' especially lucky!!
AA: <\ I, I am lucky... />
NM: Then start actin' like y☼u are.
NM: Because y☼u really fuckin' are.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles sadly against Cucali's shoulder. --
AA: <\ I'll try to remember just how lucky I am... />
NM: Y☼u better!! ☼therwise I'll have t☼ make y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  laughs quietly. --
AA: <\ Oh, oh dear! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  chuckles. --
NM: D☼n't d☼ubt that I w☼n't!!
AA: <\ I don't doubt it at all! />
NM: Then we're ☼n the same page!!!
AA: <\ Yeah... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sighs, resting against Cucali. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  slides her other arm around her, clutching her close. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  hugs Cucali to her, with her one good hand around her shoulders. --
AA: <\ Cucali... I still... I really pity you... />
NM: ... I d☼ t☼☼. Just a little. D☼n't mind the fuckin' shit I say, y☼u g☼t it?
NM: Y☼u're n☼t p☼is☼n.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  holds Cucali tighter, swallowing down her negative feelings. She can't show them. Not here. Not to her. --
AA: <\ I, I'll try not to put too much weight on those types of things... />
NM: N☼, y☼u're n☼t g☼nna put ANY weight ☼n 'em. At all.
AA: <\ Okay... but I... />
AA: <\ ... I care about what you think, so... />
NM: I kn☼w y☼u d☼. Y☼u've been talkin' ab☼ut it since we've met, dumbass.
AA: <\ Yeah, that, that's true... />
NM: Just shut up and let me d☼ the c☼mf☼rtin' here. Y☼u d☼n't have t☼ say anythin', sheesh.
AA: <\ ... okay... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  breathes out, relaxing against Cucali. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  is glad to feel that. She closes her eye and tries to relax as much as she can, letting Paloma's warmth wash over her. --
-- nitroMerc [NM] gave up trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 12:58 --