Sleepover

First Hunt- http://pastebin.com/mEVp6rSA
Sleepover- http://pastebin.com/P2rHT0G8
Pep Talk- http://pastebin.com/tU1TBmDx
Early Bird- http://pastebin.com/2knsggFc
Walking Tour- http://pastebin.com/25S4Bm3g
The Keep in the Park- http://pastebin.com/MNTd8tNJ

[21:50] <Jran-Kri> The two magical girls exited out of the portal with little ceremony. Alexa performs a strange little self-examination, as if to make sure she didn't leave anything behind. More interesting, however, is the locale; the streets are made of a rough cobblestone, winding down in several directions and hemmed in by squat, cramped buildings that look to be wrestling for space on the small city blocks. Streetlights cast a dim li
[21:50] <Jran-Kri> lights of skyscrapers are clearly visible, tall, fancy chrome buildings stretching to pierce the sky. Alexa gazes at them for the moment, and then turns on her heel in the opposite direction – west, by the position of the moon. There are impressive buildings this way, too; loping, dark apartment complexes and the ancient skeletons of factories.
[21:50] <Jran-Kri> "Ah. Home sweet home."
[21:55] <@Tangent> Amelia stumbles out alongside Alexa, excitement mixing with...nervousness and uncertainty? She takes in a deep breath of the air- it even tastes different. Urban, with a faint odor of car fumes. She looks around, wide-eyed. She's never been here before...she thinks. "So...this is Belfast, huh?" She takes it in.
[21:56] <@Tangent>  "Is this where you're...from, or..." She knows Puuchu'd dumped her off somewhere else. Maybe...Alexa had the same thing happen to her? There's stuff she wants to ask her, but...
[21:58] <Jran-Kri> Alexa nods slowly, pursing her lips into a thin smile. With an inviting flick of the head, she begins marching down the street.
[21:59] <Jran-Kri> "Yes, I was, ah, born and raised here. It's, um..." She scratches the back of her neck with a faint, wheezy laugh. "It's got a bit of a... colourful history, but I'm quite fond of it."
[22:05] <@Tangent> Amelia trails behind her, uncertain for once. She rests her hand on her belt, listening to Alexa talk. "I...I don't think I ever came to Ireland before...Not really." She glances down at the cobblestone for a moment, brow furrowing in a moment of not-quite-recognition, then shakes her head. "It's nice, actually..." She says unsurely. "Colorful? You mean like...the Troubles? Back in the...um...80s?" She thinks she got the date right.
[22:05] <@Tangent> Her boots are loud as she walks alongside Alexa. "So...what's it like when everyone isn't asleep?" She adds a moment later, trying to cover for her own meaningless blathering.
[22:07] <Jran-Kri> "A-ha, wonderful -- you've read a book," she says, not unkindly, throwing a shy smile over her shoulders. "Yes, yes. My, ah... my dad had, um, some memories of the Troubles. Used to tell me stories..."
[22:07] <Jran-Kri> She falls silent for a moment, a shade passing across her features. She dismisses it with a brisk shake of the head.
[22:08] <Jran-Kri> "It's, ah, it's better now, promise. Pleasant. Lot of... Well, people keep busy. Place is still alive and kicking."
[22:10] <Jran-Kri> "... So, ah, where're you from?" Alexa asks, changing the subject with an almost audible shift of gears.
[22:13] <@Tangent> Something's tickling at Amelia's mind, but she can't quite put her fingers on it. "Eh? Well..." She chews her lip, actually having to think about it. "Oh! Right! I'm from..England. That's right! I...uh...actually...I'mnotquitesurewhere..."
[22:13] <@Tangent> Amelia's lost that train of thought now, and she's actually torn between embarassment and...worry. She knows that's not normal. "Was it...Bristol? Manchester? Maybe? I think? I know I'm...half English."
[22:14] <Jran-Kri> Alexa looks at her, her eyebrows shooting up with some surprise. Wonder and a trace of concern war on her face as she comprehends the lack of information.
[22:16] <Jran-Kri> "... Funny. My father's, ah, family's supposed to have come from London, a long while ago," she comments casually. A second later, however, she slows her pace and drifts closer to Amelia.
[22:16] <Jran-Kri> "You, ah... you really don't remember that much?"
[22:17] <@Tangent> "I moved away when I was..." Amelia swallows down rising panic. It's okay, it's not that important, even if... "Back in...2000? Yeah, it was back when the dome was there..." She remembers that much. "I lived in America."  She adds, more firmly. "Boston. Yeah." She looks around to Alexa. She looks worried "Um. Yeah...What about you? Did you ever leave Belfast before...all this? I...What were things like for you, before?" She stammers.
[22:19] <Jran-Kri> Alexa looks increasingly perturbed. Gulping, she opens her mouth, and is about to speak -- and now it's her turn to freeze, as she pales a shade.
[22:20] <Jran-Kri> "... I... don't think I left," she shakes her head slowly. "I can't remember leaving... No. No, I... probably didn't. Yes. Ah... Forgive me, I'm having a bit of trouble..."
[22:21] <Jran-Kri> "Before. Before, what was I before...?" She stares off into space. "I... seem to recall my last name causing a bit of trouble... Er... Nevermind. I-I'm sure it'll... come to us, right? Just, ah... shock. Most like."
[22:24] <@Tangent> Amelia seems extremely distracted. She's flipping through that mental book, and she's just starting to realize how many pages have been scribbled over...or just torn out. "I...Yeah..." Something's wrong here and she's just too stupid to see it. "That's...that's right. So...um...let's get going, right?" She looks at Alexa, half-distracted by her own thoughts.
[22:28] <Jran-Kri> "... Right. Right, it's, um... it's not too far," she flicks her head, picking up the pace, her boots crunching gravel along the road. "Yes. Ah... You'll know it when you see it."
[22:32] <@Tangent> Amelia trails along, stumbling slightly as she keeps up with the younger girl without paying attention. If she'd moved in the 2000s...She remembers the little things, but...It's aggravating. She can remember her last words, what she'd been thinking with crystal clarity, but anything else...It's like a book that's been written on, or a file that's been overwritten.
[22:35] <@Tangent> She'd agreed to this. She remembers that much. This'd been a chance to matter, to make a difference. It was her only chance, and it wasn't so different from signing up for the army or something, and she'd get to learn about what the apparently secret world was really like...And all she'd had to do was say yes...
[22:36] <@Tangent> She looks down at her uniform. She'd said yes. She knows that much. She clings to that fact, and catches up to Alexa, looking to her. "Sorry I couldn't tell you more..." She mutters, shaking her head again. Back to normal.
[22:36] <Jran-Kri> Alexa observes her silence, but is unsure of how to approach it. She wonders if she should ask after her home -- she'd never been to Boston (probably). But what if she didn't remember anything? That would be just the worst thing. And yet, maybe it was like lancing a boil... Amelia speaking again rouses her, and she swiftly shakes her head.
[22:37] <Jran-Kri> "N-no, no, don't apologize. I, ah... We seem to be in the same boat," she notes with a grim smile. "I-I'm sure it'll come to us. Or at least, ah... I hope so."
[22:37] <Jran-Kri> "... Why would the Puchuu permanently wipe our memories?" She tries to make the prospect sound ridiculous, but it comes out like a genuine question.
[22:40] <@Tangent> She's not sure it works like that...But she gives a slightly strained smile back. One that dies at Alexa's...VERY good question. "I...I'm not sure..." She looks up. "Hey. Hey, look...Whatever they did, it's done, right?" She tries to keep her voice calm. Reassuring. "So there's no sense worrying about it. We can try and...figure something out later, right? I mean, you're right, I think...something's got to come back if we....just wait."
[22:41] <@Tangent> Her smile twists slightly. "And if you see your Puuchu, lemme know and I'll give it a good kick for you, okay?" And probably set it on fire. What it'd done to her was so much worse.
[22:42] <Jran-Kri> Alexa snickers, trying to smile. She nods resolutely.
[22:42] <Jran-Kri> "I'll be sure to. Haven't seen the little thing since it contracted me... I suppose it doesn't need to hang around," she shrugs dismissively. "Oh well."
[22:44] <@Tangent> "Little?" Amelia sounds legitimately confused. She...Oh. Another blank spot. She swallows again, fighting down that sudden sick feeling that feels like she's missed a mental step. "I mean...Right. Yeah. Mine...He didn't either." She makes a face. "And nothing of value was lost."
[22:45] <Jran-Kri> "Quite right," she agrees with a nod. She falls silent for a few seconds, hesitating; then she looks back at Amelia with a pensive expression. "Speaking of the- the Puchuu... May I ask you a, um... personal question?"
[22:45] <@Tangent> "Go for it."
[22:46] <Jran-Kri> Alexa takes a deep breath.
[22:46] <Jran-Kri> "Why did you... sign up for this?"
[22:50] <@Tangent> "Oh..." Amelia looks to her for a moment, then brightens. "I...I think it was...because I...Oh. I wanted to do something important. And...Puuchu...he told me about the other worlds, that there WERE other worlds and they needed people to fight...and I'd have to say yes or no..." She's thinking as she speaks, the words coming out in a rush.
[22:51] <@Tangent> "And I thought...this is my chance. This matters. I can do something that matters." She actually smiles, looking to Alexa. "See, I remembered something!" She hesitates, finally gauging Alexa's reaction.
[22:52] <@Tangent> There was something else, but she hadn't quite been able to word it in her hurry. She'd wanted to matter, too. And with what the...Puuchu? had told her...everything she'd wanted- and done, somewhat...What did that mean when there was so much more out there?
[22:52] <Jran-Kri> Alexa seems, foremost, considerably relieved that Amelia was not offended or disturbed by the question; once this is out of the way, she's quite intrigued, nodding along.
[22:53] <@Tangent> "I...Um...Probably should've asked more questions..." She adds, embarassed. She's still not quite sure if it'd have changed her answer...but she won't admit to making a mistake.
[22:54] <Jran-Kri> "Very respectable," she says with a faint smile, putting an extra spring in her step. "Perhaps a few more questions couldn't have hurt... But maybe they'd have turned you off -- and then I'd never have met you, and then where would I be?"
[22:54] <Jran-Kri> She banks closer to her again, flashing a good-natured grin.
[22:58] <@Tangent> Amelia smiles back as they pass under a street light shining down on the deserted lanes. In the distance, a dog barks. "Well...maybe you wouldn't have run into that thing..." She says, a bit too seriously to play it off as the joke she meant to...but she shakes her head. "But yeah, I'm really glad we met. So I guess it was for the best after all."
[23:00] <Jran-Kri> Alexa's smile wavers at the mention of their recent encounter, but she staunchly refuses to be perturbed by it.
[23:00] <Jran-Kri> "Quite right."
[23:01] <Jran-Kri> As the two of them walk, there is a slight change in the scenery; what few houses there were give way to apartment buildings of varying length, clustered together like people in an elevator. Most of them look to be in a state of at least mild disrepair; and as they round the corner, Alexa perks up at the sight of one in particular.
[23:01] <Jran-Kri> "There we are! Almost home."
[23:03] <@Tangent> Amelia's thoughts turn back to the...werewolf? No, that's not right...that thing. And her question. Would Alexa have been better off without her? Things could have gone wrong today...She frowns, then shakes her head, forcing that thought away. "Oh, alright!" She looks up, taking in the scene. "So...um..your friend...What's she like?" Amelia asks.
[23:03] <Jran-Kri> The one she indicates is something else. The first thing one notices is that it's taller than the others by a good several stories. The second thing is that it's in the worst state of all; it looks like someone took a Cold War-era Soviet residence and plopped it down in the wrong country, and the journey took its toll. It's almost hard to believe people are living in there.
[23:04] <Jran-Kri> Despite this, Alexa cheerfully strides towards it, though her walk cycle falters a bit at the mention of her friend. She giggles nervously.
[23:04] <Jran-Kri> "She's a bit, um... rough around the edges," she admits, but rushes to her defense a moment later. "I-I mean, she's -- well, she's soft on the inside, I promise. Kind. She's just bad with people, a little."
[23:05] <Jran-Kri> "... Also, she's, um... She's a... I believe the term is 'monstergirl.'"
[23:07] <@Tangent> Amelia nods at each point, "Mmm. Got it, ye-ehhhhh?" Amelia falters, remembering the monstergirls she's seen so far. Some aren't...all that bad, but even then...And then there are the others. She bites her lip. "Well...Okay...If she's a friend of yours...She can't be that bad, right?" She tries to laugh it off.
[23:09] <Jran-Kri> "Just, ah... Give her a bit of time to get used to you, and, um... She'll warm up," Alexa assures her, grinning just a bit too widely. She picks up the pace, tromping towards the apartment. The closer they get, the worse it seems; the entire front entrance is covered in graffiti and boards, windows and all, save a cracked glass door that Alexa politely holds open for Amelia.
[23:12] <@Tangent> "Well...Okay...Thanks." She bobs her head after stepping inside. Alexa lives here...but she can't quite relax. She takes a deep breath, and wishes she hadn't. "Besides, I can't be rude to her...Not sure I could find my way back in the dark..." Or where the portal was, if she's being honest. She takes a deep breath. "Hey, Alexa? Thanks again. You didn't have to."
[23:14] <Jran-Kri> "Oh, nonono, it- it's my pleasure," she insists, slipping in after her. The door shuts behind them. The lobby is lit, at the very least, but appears quite abandoned. Alexa makes a beeline for the elevators, mashing the button for the top floor. "A-and besides, if, um... If she does decide you have to, ah... go... I'll walk you back. It- it'd be the least I could do for wasting your time."
[23:18] <@Tangent> "It wouldn't be a waste...I can say I've been to Belfast now, right?" Amelia's a step behind her. "Besides, it's nice talking to...a friend?" Her last word's a bit hesitant. "I mean, if it's okay to call you that, I know we just met...and...sorry..."
[23:20] <Jran-Kri> Alexa blinks at her as the elevator arrives with a high-pitched chime. She smiles again with a noticeable redness in her cheeks.
[23:21] <Jran-Kri> "... Of course it's okay," she says softly. "If we're not friends now, I don't know what else we have to go through together."
[23:21] <Jran-Kri> She steps inside the elevator with a chuckle, tapping the button at the very top.
[23:22] <Jran-Kri> "Either way, ah... Perhaps I can show the, um, you know. Nicer parts of the city sometime."
[23:28] <@Tangent> "Ah, sorry...I know..." Amelia's looking awkwardly at her own feet before the elevator arrives...then she hears Alexa's reply. She looks up, blinking just a bit too fast, and follows Alexa inside the elevator. "...I'd like that." She smiles sincerely. "I think...I think I remember what London was like too...So I can return the favor, maybe!" She shakes her head. "Magical tourists, the two of us..."
[23:28] <@Tangent>  She seems to sober up, just for a moment. "If we're friends, then you can't say you wasted my time if I have to go, okay?" She says mock-sternly. "Because spending time with a friend's never a waste." Her warm smile undermines the lecture.
[23:31] <Jran-Kri> Alexa giggles as the elevator lurches upward. She pauses to glance up at the camera in the upper corner, waving, before turning back to Amelia and half-bowing.
[23:32] <Jran-Kri> "Of course. I'll remember that," she promises. Straightening back up, she rocks backwards on her heels. "And I'll hold you to that offer -- that sounds... lovely, really. I'm sure you're a fine tour guide."
[23:36] <@Tangent> Amelia bobs her head. "Sure! Um. I...ah, think I can remember where the places are..." She looks embarassed at the praise, suddenly finding the camera and the walls overly interesting for a few seconds. "I'll do my best." She promises anyway as the elevator rises.
[23:41] <@Tangent> "What'd you want to see?" She asks.
[23:42] <@Tangent> "Just the sights? The people? The silly hats?" She adds the last one in on impulse. Those...are silly hats, aren't they?
[23:43] <Jran-Kri> "It'll be a grand old time," Alexa says, more sure of this than anything. She taps her chin, glancing up at the ceiling. "Hm... I've always wanted to see Buckingham Palace... Big Ben seems neat... A... Piccadilly Circus? Nelson's Pillar?"
[23:43] <Jran-Kri> "... Silly hats are definitely a must," she decides with a sharp nod.
[23:49] <@Tangent>  She nods mock-seriously. "It's settled then. We're seeing everything and getting silly hats." A pause. "Well...we might need to try fare ducking if we want to ride the subway..." A beat. "Wait, no, it's called the Tube. Oops..."
[23:49] <Jran-Kri> This elicits another series of giggles from Alexa.
[23:50] <Jran-Kri> "Well, you did spend a while in Boston; only natural you'd go native."
[23:53] <@Tangent> "Yeah, I guess..." Amelia raises her head. "Wait, did I lose my accent? Do I have an accent? Oh god, what if I sound like I'm from...I don't know, Texas? I don't sound like I'm from Texas, right?" There's a faint accent to her voice, to be sure...but it's hard to place. It's definitely not Texan.
[23:55] <Jran-Kri> "You... certainly don't sound Texan," she shakes her head slowly, looking somewhere between amused and bemused. "I... um, I don't know. Maybe a... very light Boston accent? I-I've never heard one. I wouldn't know."
[23:58] <@Tangent> "Ah. Right. Sorry, being silly..." Amelia looks sheepish, brushing the hair from her eyes and slightly red-faced. "Um...well, that's something at least."
[00:01] <Jran-Kri> "Um. Quite alright. Ah... yes. That is something." She continues rolling about in place for the rest of the ride, idly glancing around. After only a little while, the elevator chimes again and the doors slide open, revealing the blandly-carpeted, very tastelessly (a putrid green shade, specifically) wallpapered top floor. Alexa steps out with a pleased noise, and begins making her way down the hall, counting off room num
[00:05] <Jran-Kri> *counting off room numbers.
[00:12] <@Tangent> Amelia follows her out, looking around curiously. Then she remembers that her uniform's still torn up. "Um..." She hesitates for a moment. She's still only wearing a third-hand T-shirt and rolled up pants in her untransformed state...courtesy of the guy her...Puuchu'd dumped her off on off the bat. A torn up costume or a bargain bin outfit. Decisions. In the end, she just follows Alexa.
[00:17] <Jran-Kri> Alexa seems quite unconcerned with the fashion situation, and more concerned with making sure that she stops in front of the right door. She keeps counting until she reaches, according to the brass numbers on the door, room number 358. She raps on the door, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
[00:19] <Jran-Kri> The moment her hand leaves the wooden frame, the occupant can be heard practically tearing across the apartment. The sound of footsteps stops just in front of the door. Then there is a brief pause, and another noise: metal grinding against metal, and the chains jingling. It's possible to hear several locks unlatching, one by one; the process takes almost half a minute.
[00:20] <@Tangent> Amelia's standing a step behind Alexa. She blinks at the cacophany, glancing to Alexa then back to the door...Monstergirl. Rough around the edges. Not evil. Bad with people. Got it.
[00:20] <Jran-Kri> At last, the door opens -- partway, kept closed by one last, visible chain. The occupant doesn't appear at first; what does is the black double-barrel of a coachgun, sliding through the crack and stopping just in front of Alexa's face. She understandably pales. Only then does the owner appear; a flash of blond hair and pink eyes hovers through the crack. When the owner speaks, it's like she's gargling gravel.
[00:20] <Jran-Kri> "... Who the Hell is this?"
[00:23] <Jran-Kri> Alexa sputters and stutters, nearly going cross-eyed as she stares at the gun. She takes a step back, lamely gesturing at Amelia.
[00:23] <Jran-Kri> "Th-th-this i-is my, um, my f-friend, she-- u-uh, um, c-can you p-please stop p-pointing that at me, Kreimhild?"
[00:24] <@Tangent> Amelia starts a bit. The sudden flicker of her magic, urging her to let it out, to burn...isn't helping. She quashes it ruthlessly. She nods, stepping closer to Alexa. "Um...I'm Amelia. I'm...I went hunting with Alexa today." Her gaze is on the gun as she takes a step forwards, alongside Alexa. "Can you...Point that at me instead?" She adds.
[00:25] <@Tangent> ...On a scale of one to ten, that's an eleven on the stupidest thing she can remember saying.
[00:26] <Jran-Kri> "I was hoping it'd take you longer to drag something to my doorstep," Kreimhild drawls. Now that she's talking more, you can detect a faint, but clearly audible, German accent. Her piercing, pink-eyed gaze snaps to Amelia -- as does the gun a moment later, much to Alexa's dismay. "You aren't from here. Who are you?"
[00:37] <@Tangent> ...Well, she obliged. Yay? "I-I'm Amelia..."She repeats, brief calm vanishing. "I'm..I'm a new magical girl..." Are gun barrels usually that large or is it just from this angle? She really, really hopes she can heal if it goes off. "I...I met Alexa...yesterday... asked her to...to hun...hunt monsters with me...today..." Terrific! Why not tell her you want to set her on fire while you're at it, or that Alexa nearly died!
[00:37] <@Tangent> "S-she said you were her friend...and...I can pay!" She blurts.
[00:38] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild keeps staring at her in silence for significantly longer than is entirely comfortable. Her gaze flicks to Alexa once; the smaller girl nods emphatically. Kreimhild grumbles.
[00:39] <Jran-Kri> "This is not a boarding house," she glares pointedly at Alexa, who cringes. "I don't know what this girl has told you, but--"
[00:40] <@Tangent> Amelia...feels like she wants to sneeze. Or duck. She...doesn't take her eyes off the gun barrel. She doesn't dare to look to Alexa. She DEFINITELY doesn't dare move. And her magic. NEEDS. To. Shut. Up.
[00:40] <Jran-Kri> "Please!" Alexa cuts her off; Kreimhild seems somewhat surprised. "I-- Listen, can- can you just, um, let me in, and, I... Can we talk about this? Alone?"
[00:41] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild shakes her head, but the coachgun recedes. A moment later, the chain unlatches, and she opens the door a hair further. She glares pointedly at Amelia.
[00:41] <Jran-Kri> "You stay. This won't take long."
[00:43] <@Tangent> Amelia bites down on her lip, but nods. A concerned look to Alexa. There's rough around the edges, and then there's...She just hopes Alexa knows what she's doing...Right now, that haunted motel seems pretty appealing.
[00:45] <Jran-Kri> Alexa slips inside with a harried grin. The two shuts behind her, but they don't go further into the apartment -- it's possible to partially hear them through the door.
[00:46] <@Tangent> Amelia slumps slightly, heart still pounding. The closed door helps a bit with her magic's urging, at least.
[00:46] <Jran-Kri> "Won't take her... What were you thinking? Did you think--?"
[00:46] <Jran-Kri> "We've got the... I can... about paying her way--"
[00:47] <Jran-Kri> "Don't want any money--"
[00:47] <@Tangent> Amelia winces. Sounds like she's just made things worse for Alexa for no reason...Though if she's like this, is Alexa safe, even?
[00:47] <Jran-Kri> "What about this?" That's much louder than the rest; you can hear shuffling, and then a muffled gasp -- presumably Kreimhild.
[00:48] <Jran-Kri> There is a long period of silence -- almost too long. Then, at last: "No. Keep that. You'll need it."
[00:48] <@Tangent> Amelia's never liked dramatic pauses. Her hands are knotted together, white-knuckled.
[00:48] <Jran-Kri> "... no use for it..."
[00:49] <Jran-Kri> Silence again.
[00:50] <Jran-Kri> "You know I'm... keep you safe, you don't know..."
[00:51] <Jran-Kri> "Yes, I do!" Alexa insists; she's almost shouting now. "Trust me! I've trusted you this far, haven't I?!"
[00:54] <Jran-Kri> Her voice lowers again. "... protected me, should've seen her -- promise she'll..."
[00:54] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild sighs audibly. There's a muffled noise that sounds like someone sagging against the wall.
[00:57] <@Tangent> ...This is her fault. She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't have come. She's heard enough. She steps forwards, blood rushing in her ears and heart pounding. She starts to reach for the knocker...but thinks better of it, and pushes the door open. Enough to be heard. "Alexa? Ma'am?" She says quietly.
[00:58] <@Tangent> I...I'm sorry. I...shouldn't have come. It's my fault, okay? I pushed her into doing it. It's not her fault. I'll...find my own way back." She just lets the words pour out. "Alexa...thanks for today. And...sorry."
[00:59] <@Tangent> She shouldn't have done this. Dragged someone else along, and then pushed them into doing it. Friends? What kind of friend is she? She turns away. "See you...see you around, okay?" She's just blinking because of the dust.
[01:00] <Jran-Kri> Alexa jumps at the sound of the door opening, but Kreimhild doesn't move. The former stares at Amelia with no small amount of dread; without a moment's hesitation, she rushes for the door, all but tearing it open and slipping outside after Amelia. She's shaking her head emphatically.
[01:01] <Jran-Kri> "Nonono, no, no, please, don't leave," she pleads with her, clasping her hands together. She whirls on Kreimhild. "Th-that's not true, it-it was my idea!"
[01:02] <Jran-Kri> "Listen, please, just give it a chance -- a few nights, a-a week at the most. Please." It's unclear which of them she's begging with now, her head ratcheting back and forth. Kreimhild stands in the doorway, gun aimed at the floor and staring at the two impassively.
[01:08] <@Tangent> Amelia falters. "Alexa..." She can't do anything in the face of her friend being upset. "I....This was a mistake..." Damnit, she's...she's just a kid. What does that make /her/, then? And...this was her fault. "It's...it's okay. I...Your friend...she's made up her mind. You...You'll be okay, right?"
[01:09] <Jran-Kri> Alexa looks nothing short of horrified. She shakes her head.
[01:10] <Jran-Kri> "No! No I won't!" She rounds on Kreimhild, but she takes hold of Amelia's arm as if afraid she'll run off. "She's got nowhere to go -- please, she's my friend!"
[01:11] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild glowers. The longer this goes on, the wearier she looks. Yet when she stares at Amelia, there's an odd glimmer in her eye.
[01:11] <@Tangent> Amelia starts as though Alexa's fingers are red hot...but doesn't shake her hand off. She just looks at her friend, not meeting her gaze. shame-faced. She doesn't seem to have noticed yet.
[01:12] <Jran-Kri> "... She says you... protected her," Kreimhild says haltingly, clearly not relishing this. "Is this true?"
[01:19] <@Tangent> "I..." She looks to the older woman. She can't call what she did protection. Not when it was her idea. "It...The monster was right there." She swallows. "It was my fault we were there." She admits, thickly. If she's going to get shot, it might as well be for something she deserves to be for.
[01:20] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild smiles. It's a remarkably pleasant-looking gesture; the stress that has etched its way into her face recedes for a moment, revealing a face that isn't much older than Amelia's. She shakes her head at Alexa.
[01:20] <Jran-Kri> "She is more honest than you are. This much, you can say."
[01:21] <Jran-Kri> The older girl sighs, leaning against the threshold. The gun hangs limply in her hand.
[01:21] <@Tangent> ...Amelia'd probably have been more comfortable with an outburst. She...just blinks, her inner fire guttering.
[01:22] <Jran-Kri> "You speak like a foreigner. You are, yes?"
[01:27] <@Tangent> "I...Yeah." She's still unnerved...at least partially by the switch from yelling to civil conversation. "I...grew up somewhere in England, but...yeah. I was living in America before...all this." It's been a week. At most. She thinks. But she gets the feeling this isn't someone who it'd be a good idea to beat around the bush with. She straightens a bit, still tense. A look to Alexa.
[01:30] <Jran-Kri> Alexa appears hopeful, if unsure. She wrings her hands. Kreimhild raises the gun up and over her shoulder, angling it lackadaisically at the roof. From this new angle, her finger is clearly not on the trigger. She nods.
[01:30] <@Tangent> ...Well, on the bright side, she's just remembered something! She doesn't like guns. Or maybe it's a newly acquired taste.
[01:30] <@Tangent> Either way, self-discovery. Yay...
[01:33] <Jran-Kri> "This is good. Good," she looks her up and down, examining the state of her attire. Kreimhild frowns, clearly thinking. "And tell me, how new are you?"
[01:38] <@Tangent> Amelia shifts uncomfortably as she does the mental tally. "...aweek." She clears her throat, straightening. "A week." She repeats, more loudly- if still not as confidently as she'd have liked.
[01:43] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild nods, not surprised by this answer. Her thoughtful frown deepens. Now that she's in plain view, it becomes apparent that she's not unhandsome; her hair is cut short around her jaw, partially obscured by a metal Stahlhelm. A similarly-themed uniform covers the rest of her. The fabric rustles as she shifts in place.
[01:44] <Jran-Kri> "... Are you opposed to sleeping on a couch?" She asks. She sounds grimly resigned, and she flicks a slightly frustrated glance at Alexa.
[01:45] <@Tangent> Some of the fire's back in Amelia's eyes, even if she's still subdued. She doesn't stare, but she meets Kreimhild's gaze, standing there as the silence drags out. She blinks. "I...Not at all." She glances to Alexa too, unable to hide her surprise at..this actually happened. Or maybe it's being unshot.
[01:50] <Jran-Kri> "Do not make a habit of this," she warns Alexa, but the latter is too busy bouncing in place to pay much heed. She squeezes Amelia's arm, grinning as Kreimhild sighs and creeps back into the apartment.
[01:53] <@Tangent> Amelia half-jumps, then grins weakly at Alexa, putting her hand over Alexa's. "I...ah...I can't believe that she didn't...Your friend's...kind of scary, you know that?" She lets out a nervous laugh, but Alexa's enthusiasm is contagious. "She...gun?" Amelia explains weakly. She's not shaking a bit. Nope. Not at all.
[01:53] <@Tangent> "Sorry about that..." She adds. "I...uh, nearly got you in trouble, didn't I..."
[01:53] <Jran-Kri> Alexa nods with an embarrassed smile, giggling nervously. Then she shakes her head.
[01:54] <Jran-Kri> "No, no, I-I'm sorry. I, um -- I didn't think she'd pull that out," she says, scuffing her boot on the carpet. She tentatively leads Amelia inside. "She, um... She means well, really. She's just a bit... paranoid."
[01:56] <Jran-Kri> "It's not paranoia when it's justified!" Kreimhild's sharp voice rings from the next room. The main room appears weirdly spacious for some reason; there is a TV next to the door, and a red couch against the opposite wall, with a painting over it. There's a door leading into what looks like a kitchen, and the other two walls seem strangely far away. The whole apartment seems unreasonably large until it becomes apparent wh
[01:57] <Jran-Kri> The sledgehammer against one wall and the gaps in the carpet tell the full enough story. Kreimhild tore down the walls and annexed the surrounding apartments. She really is German.
[01:57] <@Tangent> "She really cares about you, doesn't she?" Amelia says quietly, then rolls her eyes. "Just a bit..." A beat, and she follows Amelia inside. Huh, she really thought it'd be more...Oh.
[01:58] <@Tangent> For some reason, Amelia'd half expected magic, after the past few days.
[01:58] <@Tangent> She follows Alexa gingerly inside, not really at ease. "Cozy..." She comments though. It does seem like a home.
[01:59] <Jran-Kri> "Well, in her own way. I think she..." Alexa trails off, glancing around. A moment later, she giggles. "Ah yes. A bit... unconventional, but... Well, it's livable."
[02:00] <Jran-Kri> She huffs at the sight of one of the opposing apartments, shaking her head. "There were three beds, but she sold one and was in the process of getting rid of the other when I... ah, it's a long story."
[02:02] <@Tangent> "Hmm?" Amelia tilts her head a bit at that, but doesn't press further. "Well, I don't mind a couch for a change...I'm pretty sure the bed at the motel was alive..." She shudders. "I mean, I might not remember everything, but what kind of bed has EYES?"
[02:05] <Jran-Kri> "That... would be a bit unusual," Alexa agrees, leaning away with a repulsed look. "I, ah, I mean, unless it was some kind of... novelty bed. I've seen a few of those. Although, actually, speaking of beds, um... perhaps, instead of the couch, you could, um, uh--"
[02:05] <Jran-Kri> Alexa's stuttering offer is interrupted by Kreimhild, who leans into view from the kitchen, a long green can in one hand.
[02:05] <Jran-Kri> "Blue girl! Do you drink?"
[02:10] <@Tangent> It takes a moment for the nickname to register. Well, it's not like Amelia was her original name. She shakes her head. "Uh, not really..." She replies, only slightly awkwardly. "Thanks..." She remembers to add. Yep, she's being a real social butterfly right now...
[02:12] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild shrugs unconcernedly, stepping out of the kitchen and cracking open the can with a distinct hiss. She immediately takes a long drag from it.
[02:13] <Jran-Kri> "A pity. It is the best way to... what is the term? Break the ice."
[02:20] <@Tangent> Amelia bites her lip. "On the other hand, I...don't have anything against it. I think." She just...wasn't much of a drinker? Maybe? "If you're offering..." That feeling's settled down to a background buzz, like a stubbed toenail.
[02:20] <@Tangent> ...Who knows, maybe it'll help with that feeling of wrongness.
[02:23] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild arches an eyebrow, taking another sip. She appraises her carefully. Then, with a shrug, she turns back into the kitchen and reaches into the fridge, retrieving a matching green can. She closes the distance and offers it to her with an ambivalent expression. Alexa opens her mouth, but Kreimhild shushes her.
[02:23] <Jran-Kri> "Not yet."
[02:29] <@Tangent> Amelia...takes the can. A moment's consideration. She...doesn't recognize it- but right now she's not sure if that's a hole or just her not knowing what kinds there are in the first place. She...fiddles with the lid. At least THAT isn't beyond her. A crack. She...takes a gulp...and almost chokes. Uh. She's DEFINITELY sure she wasn't much of a drinker now. She swallows with a cough. "T-thanks."
[02:31] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild has a grin on her face that indicates a certain smug satisfaction; she nods shortly and raises hers in a short salute before taking a much more casual swig from it.
[02:31] <Jran-Kri> "Do not puke on anything," she cautions, but there isn't as much force behind it as before.
[02:33] <@Tangent> "Sure thing..." She's not sure if she's passed or failed some kind of test...but even if this stuff tastes...urgh, she's just realized how thirsty she was. She drinks.
[02:37] <Jran-Kri> Alexa seems quite jealous, crossing her arms and sighing. Kreimhild's grin only widens, and she just shakes her head.
[02:38] <Jran-Kri> "Kids. Always in such a hurry."
[02:39] <@Tangent> Amelia shrugs apologetically at her, but keeps drinking. "Well, if it's worth doing..." She chips in between slurps. "Why wait?"
[02:41] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild laughs; a single bark, rough and scratchy.
[02:41] <Jran-Kri> "This is true -- but some things, you must wait for, else they are not special, no?"
[02:50] <@Tangent> "Eh. I guess." She says, more out of diplomacy than agreement. "I guess...special's more what you make of it...If that makes sense."
[02:51] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild arches an eyebrow, but seems to accept this with a short nod. She takes another long swig, and turns away.
[02:52] <Jran-Kri> "It is late," she observes, nodding at a clock above the couch. "When you finish that, please dispose of it properly. Then..."
[02:53] <Jran-Kri> She makes a sharp gesture at the couch. At this, however, Alexa clears her throat.
[02:53] <Jran-Kri> "... A-actually, ah," Alexa turns to Amelia with a crooked smile. "I-If you don't want to, um, sleep on the couch, we could... share my bed."
[02:54] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild stares, and takes another long, slow drink. Then she mutters to herself:
[02:54] <Jran-Kri> "Ah. Is that it? Should have just said so."
[03:06] <@Tangent> Amelia blinks, then shakes her head gently. "Alexa...It's okay, really...I mean, if it wasn't for you, I...I'd probably be bunkmates with a vampire or something...It wouldn't be right to impose on you again." She nods. "I'm okay with the couch...really. But thanks." She shoots a nervous side glance at Kreimhild. "Ah...and my clothes...kind of...aren't that...Um. Yeah." she mumbles reluctantly.
[03:07] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild's smirk widens, while Alexa looks mildly concerned. However, she accepts this with a short nod, taking off her hat.
[03:07] <Jran-Kri> "A-alright, if you're sure..."
[03:08] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild takes another drink, and then gestures towards what was once a separate apartment.
[03:10] <Jran-Kri> "I am sure your friend will be fine. Now, to bed."
[03:10] <Jran-Kri> Alexa rolls her eyes.
[03:10] <Jran-Kri> "You could say 'please.'"
[03:11] <Jran-Kri> "I could, but I will not, because this is my lair."
[03:13] <@Tangent> Amelia tries and fails to repress a slight smile. "Good night, Alexa." she calls.
[03:14] <Jran-Kri> Trying to suppress a yawn, Alexa turns back as she tromps off, smiling. "Goodnight. See you in the morning."
[03:20] <@Tangent> "Night!" A wave, and she's alone with the monstergirl. Amelia shakes the empty can and throws it away as instructed. She's slightly unsteady, but her magic's pulsing reassuringly. Somehow, she knows she could burn away this buzz, just like she healed herself earlier. She waits a long moment, then looks to Kreimhild. "...You didn't have to say yes, Mrs...Kreim..." She trails off. She...She definitely doesn't speak German, and she barely heard her name.
[03:21] <@Tangent> and she barely heard her name...at gunpoint too.
[03:23] <Jran-Kri> "Kreimhild," she corrects firmly. "Kreimhild Gerhardt."
[03:23] <Jran-Kri> The monster girl finishes her can with a satisfied sigh, offhandedly tossing it into the small bin. She lounges against the couch, staring at Amelia intently.
[03:28] <Jran-Kri> "No. I did not. And I was very tempted not to," she confesses without a shred of guilt. She glances in the direction Alexa slinked off in. "However... I see you are no danger."
[03:29] <Jran-Kri> There is clearly something more she's holding back, but she doesn't appear in a hurry to share. She rises all at once, slapping the armrest of the couch.
[03:29] <@Tangent> Amelia just nods. She's not sure if she should be offended by that last bit...but gift horse. Mouth. "Fair enough. I...I can guess why you let me stay...but you still didn't have to. So. Thanks. And...I'll pay, as soon as I can."
[03:30] <Jran-Kri> She shakes her head, sticking her hands into her uniform's pockets.
[03:30] <Jran-Kri> "I have no need of your money," she says. "I have... arrangements."
[03:31] <Jran-Kri> "Now. To bed with you. You have had a long day. Hunting. Very bold."
[03:33] <@Tangent> Amelia's not quite done...but that has the force of an order. Even with...is mockery at the end? "Good night...Kreimhild." She nods. She wasn't kidding about looking forward to the couch. Every footstep's heavier than the last.
[03:33] <@Tangent> At least here she's slightly LESS worried she might not wake up. And she was nearly shot at the door.
[03:35] <@Tangent> *is that mockery at the end?
[03:35] <Jran-Kri> Kreimhild smirks at her, and slips away. She's surprisingly light on her feet for someone in steel-toed boots. She pads away, creeping off into the apartment, and does not return.
[03:37] <@Tangent> As Amelia collapses bonelessly onto the couch, her last, stray thought is of how to get a bearskin hat.