CCCP 7

February 22
[19:06]	<[GM]Mary>	Last time, on CCCP!
[19:07]	<[GM]Mary>	Cassie got naked and Christie passed out. We'll leave the details up to you!
[19:08]	* Cassandra	, with Melissa's help, brings Christina inside, setting her on the couch.
[19:10]	* [Kly]Melissa	is apologizing the entire time.
[19:10]	<[Kly]Melissa>	I really thought she looked better... she's going to be OK, isn't she?
[19:10]	* Cassandra	does her ABCs on Christie. Check for airway, breathing, and circulation.
[19:13]	* [Kly]Melissa	stands off to the side, looking timid.
[19:13]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Sorry...
[19:13]	* [Rut]Christina	is breathing and has a regular -- albeit somewhat above average -- pulse.
[19:14]	* Cassandra	sighs.
[19:16]	<Cassandra>	Melissa, go fill my bathtub up with slightly cold water; not too cold, but cooler than lukewarm.
[19:18]	* [Kly]Melissa	nods.
[19:18]	<[Kly]Melissa>	R-right away!
[19:19]	* [Kly]Melissa	then speeds off. Right. Fill the tub...
[19:24]	* Cassandra	sits on her knees by the couch, trying to figure out what to do with Christina.
[19:25]	* Cassandra	bends down to Christina's ear, and whispers softly...
[19:25]	<Cassandra>	Hey, Christie. If you're fucking around, it'll be your ass.
[19:28]	* [Rut]Christina	does not respond, though her breathing seems smoother than it was outside. It has a dull whistle to it.
[19:29]	* Cassandra	slaps her across the face a few times.
[19:32]	<Cassandra>	Nothing?
[19:32]	* [Rut]Christina	's eyelids flex slightly, but do not open.
[19:34]	* [Kly]Melissa	eventually comes back into the room. Not quite running, but much faster than she normally would.
[19:34]	<Cassandra>	Is it ready?
[19:34]	<[Kly]Melissa>	It's... it's full. Are we going to move her into the tub?
[19:34]	<Cassandra>	Yeah. Take her feet.
[19:35]	* [Kly]Melissa	moves over, and grabs hold.
[19:35]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Got them.
[19:35]	* Cassandra	picks Christina up by her arms. She realizes she's probably light enough for her to carry Christie on her own, but it may be a little more awkward trying to get around than it already is.
[19:36]	<Cassandra>	Alright. Lead the way.
[19:36]	<[GM]Mary>	A moment later...
[19:36]	* Cassandra	lowers Christina into the bath with Melissa's help.
[19:38]	<Cassandra>	Whew.
[19:41]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Is she going to be... ok? I'm worried...
[19:46]	<Cassandra>	She should be alright for now. If she's dehydrated or undergoing a heatstroke, the water should help until I can get Tabitha to come home. Keep her head out of the water and keep her cool, I'm going to go make a phone call.
[19:48]	* [Rut]Christina	, as if on cue, starts sliding down the side of the tub.
[19:48]	<[Kly]Melissa>	A-ah!
[19:49]	* [Kly]Melissa	makes a quick grab for her, getting a little wet in the process.
[19:52]	<[Kly]Melissa>	I... I think I can handle it.
[19:54]	<Cassandra>	All right. I'm going to throw something all and call up the clinic. Be right back.
[19:59]	* [Kly]Melissa	finds a small stool and pulls it over, taking a seat next to the tub. This position is much easier to maintain.
[19:59]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Ok.
[20:00]	* Cassandra	goes off to do the aforementioned things, picking up a polka-dotted bikini top and a sarong(one of those skirt things that go with bikinis), tying them on and picks up the phone.
[20:03]	<[Kly]Melissa>	You're going to be ok, aren't you? Sorry, sorry...
[20:06]	* [GM]ClinicPhone	RING RING RING
[20:06]	* Tabitha	looks up from a pile of manila folders. Another phone call?
[20:07]	* Tabitha	wiggles her chair over to the phone and picks it up, still thumbing through papers.
[20:08]	<Tabitha>	"Good day, This is the AccostoAMare Clinic; Dr. Caulder speaking."
[20:11]	<Cassandra>	Hey, Tabitha. Are you in the middle of anything that involves life-threatening procedure?
[20:13]	* Tabitha	rolls her eyes at the speaker's lack of formality, but she knows it's Cassie no harm done.
[20:14]	<Tabitha>	"Nice to hear you too, Cass. No, I'm not in the middle of anything urgent; just paperwork right now. What's on your mind?"
[20:14]	<Cassandra>	Good, 'cause we might have one here.
[20:15]	* Tabitha	was about to casually balance the phone in the crook of her neck, but suddenly straightens up.
[20:15]	<Tabitha>	"What happened?"
[20:17]	<Cassandra>	I'm not exactly sure, but I think Christina is suffering from heat stroke or dehydration. Might be something wrong with her that we don't know about. We filled a tub with slightly cool water and put her in it, Mel's keeping an eye on her right now. Her breathing and circulation is fine, but she won't respond to sound or pain. It might be nothing, but I'd like you to come home and check her out.
[20:19]	* [Rut]Christina	's skin has returned to it's normal coloration. She starts to stir.
[20:19]	* Tabitha	bites her lip. A seasoned doctor would be able to diagnose these things over the phone, but Tabby being Tabby, she likes to be precise.
[20:21]	<Tabitha>	"Keep her cool and stationary; I'll be right over."
[20:22]	<Cassandra>	Alright. Be careful.
[20:22]	* Tabitha	says a hurried goodbye and hangs up. It's a slow day over here anyways; if she brings this paperwork with her, no one will mind if she leaves early today.
[20:35]	* Cassandra	goes back to the bathroom.
[20:35]	<Cassandra>	How is she?
[20:36]	* [Kly]Melissa	is sitting there, holding Christina in the same position as she was when Cassandra left.
[20:36]	<[Kly]Melissa>	She's... the same.
[20:36]	<[Rut]Christina>	... mm...
[20:37]	<Cassandra>	Christina?
[20:38]	* Cassandra	gets down to her level, and smacks her around a bit. again.
[20:38]	* [Kly]Melissa	flinches a little at the sound.
[20:38]	<[Kly]Melissa>	I-is that a good idea...?
[20:39]	<[Rut]Christina>	Ugh... bast'uhd, I ain't tawkin even if-- huh?
[20:39]	<Cassandra>	It won't leave a mark, and if she's able to become conscious, it'll wake her up. See?
[20:39]	* Cassandra	sighs.
[20:39]	* [Rut]Christina	's eyes blink open and gradually come into focus.
[20:39]	<Cassandra>	Christina, are you all right?
[20:39]	<[Rut]Christina>	...
[20:40]	* [Kly]Melissa	still has Christina's head supported. This is good, though, right...?
[20:41]	<[Rut]Christina>	.....Whe'uh the hell ah' ya clothes?!
[20:42]	* [Rut]Christina	hops backwards and checks her head on the wall, prompting further shouting in a foreign language.
[20:44]	<Cassandra>	Jesus. Calm down.
[20:44]	* [Kly]Melissa	jumps backwards as well.
[20:45]	<[Kly]Melissa>	A-are you ok?
[20:45]	<[Rut]Christina>	What-- whe'uh's MY clothes?!
[20:46]	* [Rut]Christina	covers her bra with her forearms.
[20:46]	<Cassandra>	You took them off. And then you passed out.
[20:47]	* Cassandra	stands up.
[20:49]	* [Rut]Christina	looks down, placing one hand on the side of her head.
[20:49]	<Cassandra>	Haah. Anyway, you should stay here a moment. Melissa, go get her some cold water to drink, please.
[20:49]	<[Rut]Christina>	Tsk... feels like I got 'chief'd again...
[20:50]	* [Rut]Christina	plops back down in the water.
[20:50]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Right away. Ah, this is such a relief~
[20:50]	* [Kly]Melissa	leaves the room
[20:54]	* Cassandra	sits on the tub's edge.
[20:54]	<Cassandra>	How do you feel?
[20:57]	<[Rut]Christina>	Like I said. Feels like I got 'chief'd. /Again/.
[20:57]	<[Rut]Christina>	What happened?
[21:00]	<Cassandra>	You don't remember?
[21:00]	<Cassandra>	We were playing cards, you won, and then you passed out. Face first into my chest, no less.
[21:01]	* Cassandra	wonders if that was really an accident.
[21:03]	* [Rut]Christina	first raises one brow in incredulity. Then both in realization. Then she drops both and looks away in embarrassment.
[21:03]	<[Rut]Christina>	... Oh.
[21:03]	* Cassandra	smiles.
[21:05]	<Cassandra>	You gave us a bit of a scare, there. I called Tabby home early to check on you, but it looks like I've dragged her home for nothing. You're not allergic to the Sun, are you?
[21:06]	<[Rut]Christina>	She's comin' home just 'cause-- ... I see.
[21:06]	<[Rut]Christina>	... Sahrry.
[21:08]	* [Rut]Christina	's expression is sour as usual, but you get the feeling she's being sincere. She still doesn't make eye contact.
[21:08]	* Cassandra	can't make eye contact anyway, so
[21:09]	<Cassandra>	Ah, it's alright. I thought you'd try to do something stupid like that, but I didn't think you'd pass out. I guess we both went too far with a joke game, huh?
[21:09]	<[Rut]Christina>	..... fo'uh cheating. Sahrry.
[21:11]	* [Rut]Christina	looks up.
[21:11]	* Cassandra	uses Christina's shoulder as a prop for her elbow, leaning in on her a little bit and shortening the Christina's face-to-Cassandra's breasts proximity.
[21:12]	<Cassandra>	There's no cheating in love and war~ You won, fair and square. Even if you nearly killed yourself.
[21:12]	* Cassandra	lightly backslaps the side of Chris's head.
[21:12]	* [Rut]Christina	shakes her head quickly.
[21:13]	<[Rut]Christina>	Nuh-uh. I cheated, so I lawst. So tell me what ya want me to do.
[21:14]	* [Kly]Melissa	returns, bearing a cup. There's a bit of ice in it. She pauses at the open door, waiting for a break in the conversation.
[21:15]	<Cassandra>	Drink this.
[21:15]	<Cassandra>	Slowly.
[21:15]	* Cassandra	moves aside so Mel can reach Christie the water she sent for.
[21:16]	* [Kly]Melissa	moves closer, handing the drink out.
[21:16]	<[Kly]Melissa>	I'm, um... sorry. I should have been paying more attention and... please drink it.
[21:16]	<[Rut]Christina>	F'uhget about it.
[21:17]	* [Rut]Christina	obeys and drinks from the cup.
[21:19]	* [Kly]Melissa	takes a step back.
[21:19]	<[Kly]Melissa>	I can't. Please try to pay more attention to your body, ok? I was really worried...
[21:22]	<Cassandra>	foe'getta bout it, Mel. Christina will be more careful from now on. Right?
[21:23]	<[Rut]Christina>	Yeah...
[21:26]	<Cassandra>	Alright. Good. Shouldn't be anything to worry about, then.
[21:27]	<Cassandra>	If you're feeling better, you can dry off and get changed now. Mel, could you do me a favor and go pick up all that stuff we left outside?
[21:29]	<[Rut]Christina>	I gawt it. Most of it's myne anyway.
[21:29]	* [Rut]Christina	looks around for an unused towel.
[21:29]	<[Kly]Melissa>	No, no, really... I can take care if it.
[21:30]	* [Kly]Melissa	laughs a little, nervously
[21:30]	<[Kly]Melissa>	You should get dressed.
[21:30]	* [GM]UnusedTowel	appears!
[21:32]	* [Rut]Christina	steps out, using the towel to dry off before wrapping it around herself.
[21:32]	<Cassandra>	Why don't you both do it while I try to convince my fairy to wake up.
[21:33]	* Cassandra	goes off to do approximately that
[21:33]	* [Kly]Melissa	leaves, heading for the back porch.
[21:33]	* [Rut]Christina	also goes out back.
[21:40]	* [Kly]Melissa	works quietly, still a little shaken by the earlier events. The cards should be taken care of, too, and the dishes, and--- oh! My hat. It's good that it didn't blow away.
[22:00]	<[GM]Mary>	A little while later...
[22:01]	* Tabitha	finally wheels up to the house and walks briskly inside. Her carrying bag is bulging.
[22:02]	<Tabitha>	"Cassie? Isabel? Missy? I'm home. Where's Christina?"
[22:03]	* Cassandra	comes out, wearing her sunglasses once more.
[22:04]	<Cassandra>	She's fine. She woke the minute after I got off the phone with you. Sorry for dragging you back home like this.
[22:04]	* Tabitha	gives Cassie a quick hug and a pat on the back.
[22:05]	* Cassandra	returns.
[22:05]	<Tabitha>	"I'd still better check up on her. And don't worry; I wasn't doing much at the office anyways."
[22:05]	* [Kly]Melissa	is currently out back, taking a break.
[22:05]	<Tabitha>	"Where is she?"
[22:06]	<Cassandra>	She's... uh. Hey Melissa, where's Christina?
[22:07]	* [Rut]Christina	peeks her head out from around a corner.
[22:07]	<[Rut]Christina>	Uh... hey.
[22:07]	<Cassandra>	Melissa~ Christina~
[22:07]	* Tabitha	nods. There's the little patient.
[22:07]	<Cassandra>	There she is.
[22:07]	* Tabitha	sets her bag down and kneels on the ground next to Christina.
[22:08]	<Tabitha>	"How're you feeling?"
[22:08]	<[Rut]Christina>	I'm fyne, Doc. Sahrry 'bout that.
[22:09]	* Tabitha	feels her forehead with the back of her hand. Hmm, not too horrible given today's weather.
[22:10]	<Tabitha>	"Do you feel dizzy at all? Finding it difficult to walk straight?"
[22:12]	* Tabitha	pulls out her pocketwatch and times Christina's pulse. A little high, but nothing to worry about.
[22:18]	<[Rut]Christina>	Nah. Like I said...
[22:21]	* Tabitha	pulls out a fountain pen.
[22:21]	<Tabitha>	"Christina, can you follow this pen with your eyes for me, please?"
[22:22]	<[Rut]Christina>	Eh? What is this, anyway?
[22:22]	* Tabitha	moves it back and forth, back and forth.
[22:22]	* [Rut]Christina	complains, but obeys nonetheless.
[22:23]	<Tabitha>	"Just checking all the little things like a good doctor should, don't worry."
[22:26]	* Tabitha	puts the pen away. She's doing fine, looks like. She stands back up, and looks over her shoulder.
[22:26]	<Tabitha>	"What was she doing when she collapsed, anyways?"
[22:27]	* Cassandra	smiles. Do you want to tell her, or should I?
[22:28]	<Cassandra>	We were playing cards outside. Apparently, the Sun was too much for her.
[22:28]	* [Rut]Christina	stares for a second before waving her hands urgently and shaking her head. 'Don't tell her!' Tabitha isn't looking her way...
[22:30]	* Tabitha	shrugs.
[22:31]	<Tabitha>	"Well, always best to drink lots of fluids on hot days. If you feel thirsty it means you should've taken a drink a half-hour ago."
[22:32]	<Tabitha>	"Speaking of which..."
[22:32]	* Tabitha	walks over to the icebox. Lemonade sounds nice right about now.
[22:34]	* Tabitha	pours herself a glass and leans against the counter. It's so much nicer back at home than at the clinic. Might even make paperwork fun!
[22:37]	<Tabitha>	"Whew, with all this bicycling I'm doing, I might finally build up some physical stamina for once in my life."
[22:38]	<Cassandra>	oh, no. Then you'll be taller and stronger than me.
[22:38]	* Cassandra	takes a seat elsewhere in the room.
[22:40]	<Tabitha>	"There's nothing stopping you from taking up a physical pasttime of your own, Cass. Blindness is a hurdle, not a wall."
[22:41]	* Tabitha	absentmindedly grabs a rag with one hand and starts running it over the countertop. Her lemonade hand is oblivious to this fact.
[22:41]	<Cassandra>	Bah. Too much trouble. I only need enough exercise to maintain my curves, anyway~
[22:41]	* Cassandra	throws her hair about in a imitate sexy fashion.
[22:41]	* Tabitha	mentally scolds herself for cleaning again. Bad OCD, bad!
[22:43]	* Tabitha	smirks at Cassie. Ahh, beauty of the eye's beholder...
[22:44]	<[Rut]Christina>	Ehehe, yeah, uh... again, sahrry Doc.
[22:44]	* Tabitha	waves Christina down.
[22:44]	<Tabitha>	"Quite all right, quite all right; I'm happy that my schooling is of some practical use around here."
[22:45]	<Tabitha>	"There's only one of you; best to take proper care of yourself."
[22:46]	* Tabitha	moves over to the sitting area with Cassie and sits down, pulling a coaster out for her drink (Agh! Condensation rings! Will they never learn?!)
[22:47]	<Tabitha>	"Melissa taking another break, then?"
[22:47]	<Cassandra>	She's out back, I think.
[22:47]	<[Rut]Christina>	Yeah, yeah... Think I'm gonna owe one too many favors around he'uh pretty soon, though.
[22:48]	* [Rut]Christina	groans quietly.
[22:48]	<Cassandra>	So, you're not going back to the clinic today? We were going to go to town later, do you want to come?
[22:49]	<Tabitha>	"Ahh, no, it was shaping out to be a slow day. Mostly reorganizing these patient backlogs; the old secretary was doing a horrible job, I must say."
[22:50]	<Tabitha>	"I wouldn't mind a trip into town, not at all."
[22:50]	<Cassandra>	Ah. So, in the end Christina was a good excuse to ditch work. Good job, Christie~
[22:51]	<[Rut]Christina>	Oh, really? Anytime!
[22:52]	* Tabitha	chuckles and gives Chrisi an elegant golfclap.
[22:52]	<Tabitha>	"Come, sit over here Christina. We've not properly met yet."
[22:52]	<[GM]Mary>	Melissa: Suddenly, a tiger.
[22:54]	<[Rut]Christina>	Uh, if ya want mo'uh tyme awff, I could always stop by an' set it up. I'd just need ta buy some gasoline and--
[22:54]	* [Rut]Christina	stops herself. She turns to Cassandra apologetically.
[22:54]	* Tabitha	skeptical glares through ominous glasses.
[22:55]	<[GM]Mary>	Melissa: It just looks at you and then makes its way into the kitchen.
[22:55]	<[Rut]Christina>	*Ahem* Um. Nev'uh mynd.
[22:55]	<Tabitha>	"Ahh! Our queen of the jungle has returned."
[22:56]	* [Rut]Christina	sits by Tabitha. She grins nervously, trying to break the awkwardness.
[22:56]	<[Rut]Christina>	Huh? Whe'uh?
[22:56]	* Tabitha	headbows to the tiger.
[22:58]	<[GM]Mary>	Christina: You become aware of a very large black and white predator in the room with you. The tiger nuzzles against Tabitha's side.
[22:59]	* Tabitha	strokes the creature's head. Good girl~
[22:59]	<Tabitha>	"A pleasure to have you with us, friend."
[23:00]	* [Rut]Christina	stares at the tiger in shock.
[23:02]	<Cassandra>	Oh, my. Christina, don't freak, she is harmless.
[23:03]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger looks for an open spot on the kitchen floor and lies down.
[23:04]	* [Rut]Christina	relaxes her muscles, having tensed them instinctively upon sighting the wildcat.
[23:04]	* [Kly]Melissa	enters the room, looking a bit frightened herself. She creeps over to the others.
[23:04]	<[Kly]Melissa>	T-this is the tiger I shouldn't be afraid of, right?
[23:04]	<Tabitha>	"Well... Harmless in personality. A tiger is a tiger."
[23:04]	<Cassandra>	It is.
[23:05]	<Cassandra>	Sorry I haven't told you about her. She occasionally comes out like this.
[23:05]	<[Rut]Christina>	I dunno, bawss... cats ah' cold-blooded kill'uhs, and the bigg'uh the mean'uh.
[23:06]	<Tabitha>	"Look at it this way, Christina..."
[23:06]	* Tabitha	focuses on the tough girl.
[23:07]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger looks up at Christina after hearing being referred to as a "cold-blooded killer."
[23:07]	<Tabitha>	"I grew up with this big girl when I was as thin as a twig and couldn't heal a cut to save my life. And she was the best friend I even had."
[23:07]	<[GM]Mary>	It... sort of looks offended.
[23:08]	<Tabitha>	"Hasn't killed me yet, and let me tell you I'd be the first to go."
[23:08]	* Tabitha	smiles, not really joking all that much.
[23:08]	* [Kly]Melissa	notices Tabitha.
[23:08]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Ah, you're the doctor? Is Christina really ok now?
[23:08]	<[Rut]Christina>	Hah... good thing I'm he'uh, then.
[23:08]	* Cassandra	a moment of strange nostalgia strikes her. Did she not say the same thing herself five years ago?
[23:11]	<Tabitha>	"Indeed, Chris. I must say I'm impressed. Half my height and thrice my strength."
[23:11]	* [Rut]Christina	stands akimbo, facing the tiger.
[23:12]	<[Rut]Christina>	... Bett'uh not make a move, cat...
[23:12]	* Tabitha	was about to answer Missy, but holds off. What's Chris planning now?
[23:13]	<Cassandra>	-Don't taunt the tiger.-
[23:13]	* Cassandra	says each word loud and clear.
[23:14]	<[Rut]Christina>	But he stahted it!
[23:14]	* Tabitha	corrects.
[23:14]	<Tabitha>	"She."
[23:15]	<[Rut]Christina>	Yeah, she! She stahted it!
[23:15]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger swishes her tail around.
[23:16]	* [Kly]Melissa	looks at the tiger, and gives it a little smile. It doesn't seem that bad.
[23:16]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Does it... um... want anything?
[23:16]	* Cassandra	shrugs.
[23:17]	<Cassandra>	If she wants anything, she'll tell us.
[23:18]	<[Kly]Melissa>	I--she talks?
[23:18]	<Tabitha>	"...In her own way."
[23:19]	* Tabitha	sips her drink, smiling.
[23:19]	* [Rut]Christina	spins on her heels and crosses her arms, turning her back on the tiger with a 'harumph.'
[23:20]	* [Rut]Christina	sits back down, still tracking the black-and-white-beast in the corner of her eye.
[23:22]	<Tabitha>	"And yes, Missy, Christina is fine. Just a little too much sun, I expect."
[23:25]	<[Kly]Melissa>	That's good.
[23:25]	* [Kly]Melissa	can't seem to take her eyes off of the tiger.
[23:26]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Can I... touch her? She looks so soft...
[23:26]	* Cassandra	smiles.
[23:27]	* Tabitha	smiles at Melissa, then at Cassie.
[23:27]	* [Rut]Christina	's body tenses up again as she watches Melissa's movements relative to the tiger's.
[23:27]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger looks at Melissa for a moment then lays her head down.
[23:28]	* [Kly]Melissa	looks to the others and then back, with a quizzical look.
[23:35]	* [Rut]Christina	returns Melissa's glance forebodingly.
[23:38]	<Cassandra>	It's okay, Melissa.
[23:42]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Oh, that's good~. I like how fur feels.
[23:42]	* [Kly]Melissa	moves closer, and slowly reaches out a hand to rub it on the head. Behind the ears, too.
[23:43]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger lets out a low purring sound.
[23:45]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Ahaha~
[23:46]	* [Kly]Melissa	continues to pet the tiger for a while.
[23:53]	* [Kly]Melissa	is finally satisfied after a while.
[23:53]	<[Kly]Melissa>	Well, I have to get back to work. It was nice meeting you~
[23:54]	* [Kly]Melissa	makes her way into the back rooms for cleaning. And things.
[23:54]	* [Rut]Christina	relaxes.
[23:56]	* Cassandra	yawns.
[23:56]	<Cassandra>	Hey, Christina. Why don't you go give Melissa a hand?
[23:57]	<[GM]Mary>	[and, apparently, she does, though we may never knooooow!]
[23:59]	<[GM]Mary>	a few moments later...
[23:59]	* Cassandra	yawns.
[00:00]	<Cassandra>	By the way. I read your letter.
[00:00]	* Cassandra	says, as if it could've been a bill or ad in the paper
[00:01]	* Tabitha	nods, acting equally casual.
[00:01]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"You got one too?"
[00:02]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Oh boy..."
[00:02]	* Cassandra	. o ( oh, right. She didn't know about that. Whoops. )
[00:02]	<Tabitha>	"I'm glad you found it, personally. It was such an indirect method."
[00:03]	<Tabitha>	"Ahh, you found yours too? I was afraid the wind might have picked it up or something. A silly fret, I suppose."
[00:04]	<Tabitha>	"Well... I suppose I'm on the spot then. Make your peace."
[00:04]	* Tabitha	sips her lemonade quietly.
[00:04]	<Cassandra>	Yeah, I did. Do you two want to talk about it?
[00:04]	* [Pyg]Victoria	scratches her cheek. How does she even respond to the words in that letter.
[00:05]	<Cassandra>	Alone, I mean. I have something to say on the matter, but with all due respect, it's for my sister's ears only, for now.
[00:06]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Oh, uh, sure..."
[00:06]	<Cassandra>	You know what? I think I need to make myself scarce, anyway. I'll be right back.
[00:06]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Huh?"
[00:06]	<Tabitha>	"Fair enough, Cass. I'll be right here."
[00:06]	* Cassandra	leaves Victoria and Tabitha alone in the living room. She doesn't seem upset or anything.
[00:07]	* [Pyg]Victoria	is still a little confused and feeling a teensy bit awkward.
[00:07]	* Tabitha	taps her fingers on the drinking glass.
[00:07]	<Tabitha>	"Well... do you want to say something, or should I?"
[00:09]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Maybe...you should, uh, talk first."
[00:09]	* [Pyg]Victoria	wasn't really expecting this sort of thing to be discussed so soon.
[00:10]	* Tabitha	remains fairly calm. Most of her anxieties over the matter were bled out onto those letters.
[00:11]	<Tabitha>	"Well, what I wrote in the letter... I meant it. Every word. It took me the better part of last night to write it."
[00:12]	<Tabitha>	"I'm sorry I had to explain it like that, but in person... Well, let's just say I wanted to make sure I communicated clearly."
[00:13]	<Tabitha>	"I just hope you're... not taking it the wrong way."
[00:14]	* [Pyg]Victoria	leans forward on the table.
[00:15]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Then...how should I have taken it?"
[00:16]	* Tabitha	sighs.
[00:17]	<Tabitha>	"As me, trying to get the last of this old clutter out of my head. As crazy as it sounds, it's the truth."
[00:18]	<Tabitha>	"It's just... you and me, it's the only thing I never truly resolved with myself from our days in the old country."
[00:19]	* Tabitha	twiddles with her hair. She wishes Vickie would be a little more direct. Then again, the real world is never as easy as that.
[00:22]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Then let me ask you this..."
[00:23]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Are you satisfied with just this?"
[00:26]	* Tabitha	waits for a few seconds, making sure she's hearing the question right, and then nods.
[00:27]	<Tabitha>	"The life I've had with you... with all of you... I couldn't ask for anything better. It's a miracle, a true miracle I can see and feel."
[00:28]	<Tabitha>	"I don't need to chase after something like 'true love' just because I think it MIGHT work. When I find it, I'm sure I'll know."
[00:30]	<Tabitha>	"We've always been friends, Vickie. You used to be the only one I ever had. I don't want to lose that over something like a confused heart."
[00:35]	* Tabitha	leans back a bit and waits for Vickie to answer.
[00:39]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Five years... you're pretty good for keeping that quiet for so long. Though maybe I'm just a bit dense."
[00:43]	<Tabitha>	"No denser than I, Vickie. It took me this long just to finally make up my mind."
[00:43]	* Tabitha	blushes, a little ashamed of her delay.
[00:47]	<Tabitha>	"But... are YOU satisfied with this?"
[00:49]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"I...well...I can't say for certain that I'm not a little curious."
[00:51]	* Tabitha	takes another drink to avoid another nervous tic.
[00:51]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Everytime I came back from a trip, you seemed like a different person each time. Improving."
[00:53]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"I have to admit, you've become a lovely young woman. Both in brains and looks."
[00:54]	* Tabitha	can't help but blush. Despite trying to be modest about it, she can't deny that it's true. Cassie's many coy accolades might have something to do with that.
[00:54]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Quite some steps up from the bitter girl I brought into the house five years ago."
[00:55]	* [Pyg]Victoria	chuckles to herself a bit, grinning at Tabitha.
[00:56]	<Tabitha>	"And I never would have changed if it wasn't for you and Cassie and Izzy. I lived a life without friends... never knew how much I needed them until I finally had them."
[01:04]	* Tabitha	searches for words, but it's every bit as hard as she thought it was going to be. Hence the letters in the first place.
[01:08]	<Tabitha>	"I just... I can feel in my heart that, right now, I don't need true love. I just need true friends."
[01:09]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"For what it's worth, Tabitha, I wouldn't have refused you."
[01:09]	* [Pyg]Victoria	reaches out to touch Tabitha's hand.
[01:09]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"I'll be whatever you need me to be."
[01:11]	* Tabitha	takes solace in the touch. The hand of a friend... would it really be vastly improved as the hand of a lover?
[01:13]	<Tabitha>	"No matter how tall I get... I think I'll always need someone who's bigger than me."
[01:13]	* Tabitha	smiles, and put her other hand on top of Vickie's.
[01:23]	* Cassandra	knocks on the wall, nearby.
[01:23]	<Cassandra>	Hello? Any Cassies allowed yet?
[01:24]	* Tabitha	looks at Vickie. Yes? No?
[01:24]	* Cassandra	Maybe so?
[01:24]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Ah!"
[01:24]	* [Pyg]Victoria	lets her hand off of Tabitha's.
[01:25]	<Cassandra>	If your clothes are off, don't forget that I can't see your nudity.
[01:25]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Sorry, sorry. I guess I should go, huh?"
[01:25]	* [Pyg]Victoria	would spittake, but she hasn't had a drink yet.
[01:26]	* Cassandra	would scold herself for joking at such a delicate subject, but it's just too damn funny.
[01:27]	* Tabitha	would do a spittake too if she would have been drinking right then.
[01:27]	* Tabitha	whispers to Vickie.
[01:28]	<Tabitha>	"...Don't rush you own feelings. Heavens knows I didn't want to rush mine."
[01:29]	* [Pyg]Victoria	scratches the back of her head.
[01:30]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Uh, yeah, sure. Okay, I guess I'll be around then."
[01:32]	* [Pyg]Victoria	gets up from her seat and leaves the kitchen door leading to the outside.
[01:32]	* Cassandra	steps in, heaving a sigh.
[01:32]	<Cassandra>	That didn't sound so great. Is everything all right?
[01:33]	* Tabitha	shrugs.
[01:33]	* Cassandra	still can't hear a shrug!
[01:34]	<Tabitha>	"Better than I'd hoped, worse than I'd dreamed."
[01:34]	<Tabitha>	"I think we'll be just fine, though."
[01:34]	<Cassandra>	Hmm.
[01:34]	* Cassandra	steps forth and finds a place to sit next to Tabitha.
[01:35]	<Cassandra>	Oh, well. There's nothing to worry about. Vickie won't love you any less than she already does, for any given reason.
[01:38]	<Tabitha>	"And for that I'm thankful."
[01:39]	<Cassandra>	I'm a little disappointed, though.
[01:39]	* Tabitha	frowns a bit.
[01:39]	<Tabitha>	"Eh?"
[01:40]	<Cassandra>	You felt this for five years now, yes? Even still, I wager you do. I had hoped you would pursue it, but that's just my... opinion, on the matter.
[01:41]	* Tabitha	scratches her chin. Sounds like a very Cassie-ish thing to say.
[01:43]	<Tabitha>	"I love her, Cassie. Just like I love you, just like I love Izzy. But I stayed up for plenty of last night thinking about this, and it's my... opinion, that I don't want to try and love one of you more than any other."
[01:44]	<Tabitha>	"Even if it took me five years to realize that."
[01:44]	* Cassandra	smiles.
[01:44]	<Cassandra>	We're more alike than you may think, Tabitha. But, you assumed a few things in that letter of yours.
[01:46]	<Tabitha>	"I don't deny it. In retrospect, I was pretty tired when I wrote them."
[01:48]	<Cassandra>	Tired enough to assume I'm a homosexual?
[01:48]	* Cassandra	easily slaps Tabitha's leg with her calf.
[01:49]	<Tabitha>	"Awake enough to at least know you're more open to the idea than me."
[01:50]	* Cassandra	chuckles.
[01:50]	* Tabitha	gives a half-hearted slap back.
[01:51]	<Cassandra>	There's another thing, though... There's someone I love more than Victoria.
[01:51]	* Tabitha	feels like she knows where this one's going, but best to be prudent.
[01:52]	<Tabitha>	"And that someone is...?"
[01:53]	* Cassandra	is silent for a moment. She thinks of this person, and smiles.
[01:53]	<Cassandra>	Oh, you know them.
[01:53]	<Cassandra>	But not as well as I do.
[01:56]	* Tabitha	squints skeptically. Oh...thaaaaat. Okay, yeah, she was off the mark on that one.
[01:56]	* Tabitha	rolls her eyes instead. Cassie will be Cassie, after all.
[01:58]	<Tabitha>	"You always seem to be one step ahead of me, don't you Cassie? Even when I think I'm smart, I'm stupid."
[01:58]	* Cassandra	is silent, and her heart misses a beat in the silence. So, she breaks it.
[01:59]	<Cassandra>	Eh. You're not that dumb.
[01:59]	* Cassandra	puts an arm around Tabitha, and smiles.
[02:01]	<Cassandra>	At least, now, you can find a man and have lots of babies for me~
[02:03]	* Tabitha	puts her arm around Cassie as well, and hugs.
[02:04]	<Tabitha>	"If any man could put up with me long enough to have that many babies, now THAT would be the next true miracle of my life."
[02:04]	<Cassandra>	I guess I'll pray, then.
[02:05]	* Tabitha	sighs and leans a little into Cassie, more out of relaxation that trying to be annoying.
[02:05]	* Cassandra	accepts her fully.
[02:08]	<Tabitha>	"You know, I actually DID have a boyfriend back in my second year at CMU. Woulda told you, but I thought it'd have been funny to keep him secret at the time."
[02:09]	<Cassandra>	You what!?
[02:10]	* Cassandra	looks shocked.
[02:10]	<Cassandra>	You had a BOYfriend and you didn't tell me?! You... you...
[02:12]	<Cassandra>	...I don't know what to say. There's some secrets to be kept among sisters, Tabitha, but boys aren't one of them!
[02:12]	* Cassandra	feels cheated, being cut out of potentially juicy details of her sister's love life. Nosy punk, isn't she?
[02:14]	* Tabitha	fails to hold back a sly smile. What happens at school stays at school...?
[02:15]	<Tabitha>	"Ohh, in the end it was nothing. Met him in the middle of the first trimester, and we'd broken up by the end of the third. Haven't talked to him since."
[02:15]	<Tabitha>	"Cute guy, though."
[02:16]	* Tabitha	remembers the good ol' days. Fun times.
[02:18]	<Cassandra>	Still doesn't mean I wouldn't want to hear about it. How many other boyfriends are you hiding from me? I'm sure there isn't just one over the last few years, the men here aren't that deflated.
[02:20]	* Tabitha	thinks.
[02:20]	* Cassandra	crosses her legs, the raise one of which bobs up and down with a little excitement as she pesters Tabitha over these things.
[02:21]	<Tabitha>	"Well... the graduate assistant was just looking for a girl with long legs, we both knew it, and he was a total lecher and buffoon so he doesn't count."
[02:22]	<Tabitha>	"There was that first-year who make a pass at me in my senior year, but he was drunk out of his mind, so he doesn't count."
[02:24]	<Tabitha>	"Aaaaand... I dunno, does a two-month research project where both of us ended up seeing each other naked count? That's a loooong story, though."
[02:25]	* Tabitha	finished ticking off her fingers. Considering her personality, this many so-called "relationships" is actually pretty impressive.
[02:25]	<Cassandra>	You've got to tell me about that one.
[02:26]	* Tabitha	clinks her glass so Cassie can hear it.
[02:26]	<Tabitha>	"A different day, with a different drink, maybe."
[02:27]	<Tabitha>	"So... are we copacetic, then?"
[02:27]	<Cassandra>	Indeed. But among all these college boys you've been so callously hiding from me... Did yooouuu...
[02:28]	<Tabitha>	"No. No I did not."
[02:28]	* Tabitha	heads that one off, whatever the question might have been.
[02:28]	<Cassandra>	Bah. Such a boring girl, you are.
[02:28]	* Cassandra	in spite of that, is a little relieved.
[02:28]	<Tabitha>	"I was very busy. An eight-year course in four years takes it out of you, Cassie."
[02:29]	<Tabitha>	"Even if I'd have wanted to, I wouldn't have had the energy at the end of the day."
[02:30]	<Cassandra>	That's bull. I'm a woman too, you know. Maybe not as much as you are, but the mind is curious and the body is savage, and the soul longs to touch another.
[02:30]	* Tabitha	nudges Cassie.
[02:31]	<Tabitha>	"You've got Izzy for that, though."
[02:31]	<Cassandra>	Ugh...
[02:32]	* Cassandra	turns her head, but says nothing.
[02:32]	<Tabitha>	"And actually... all those classes about human organs sort of desensitized me to the idea."
[02:32]	<Tabitha>	"It's hard to look at anything our bodies do in the same way again..."
[02:33]	* Tabitha	shivers a little. Eyeballs... gleh...
[02:34]	<Cassandra>	Don't be so analytical. For the sake of my nieces and nephews, if not for me.
[02:34]	* Tabitha	tussles Cassie's hair (too long to ruffle).
[02:35]	<Tabitha>	"Que sera sera, Cass. Que sera sera."
[02:35]	* Cassandra	ruffles Tabitha's hair(no hair is too long to ruffle!).
[02:35]	<Cassandra>	You like that phrase, don't you?
[02:35]	* Tabitha	smiles.
[02:36]	<Tabitha>	"It's been my motto ever since I realized how true it was."
[02:37]	* Cassandra	has a dark thought cross over her. But it quickly lights up again.
[02:37]	<Cassandra>	Personally, I prefer "Hakuna Matata".
[02:39]	<[GM]Mary>	[No worries! For the rest of this session~]