> Paloma: Chat about the Watchers with Yunato.

-- absoluteAltitude [AA] began trolling nobodysProphet [NP] at 16:18 --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  heads downstairs to fetch something to drink from the nutritionblock, handstump shoved into her jacket pocket. --
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  is quietly sitting in the nutritionblock, reading a book on troll psychology --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pauses when she steps into the nutritionblock, and smiles to Yunato. --
AA: <\ Hello! />
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  looks up from his book --
NP: >[Ah, hello Paloma.]
NP: >[Are you hungry?]
AA: <\ I, I was just going to get some juice... would you like some? />
NP: >[Ah, no thank you, I'm not thirsty.]
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  seems to go back to his book --
NP: >[So, how are you feeling?]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles to him again. It's a little blander than her smiles normally are, still, but it's at least not so /hollow/. She goes to the cupboard to get a glass, and sets it on the bench before going to fetch the bottle of juice. --
AA: <\ I, I'm okay, I guess... />
AA: <\ Thank, thank you for asking. />
NP: >[You're okay you guess?]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pours out her juice, being careful with it. She only has one hand, after all. Once she's done, she returns the jug to the fridge. --
AA: <\ Well, yes! />
NP: >[Hmm.]
NP: >[Well, I'm glad to hear that.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  takes her glass and goes to sit at the table with Yunato. She looks like she has something on her mind. --
AA: <\ Say, Yunato... />
NP: >[Yes?]
AA: <\ Do... do you know about the Black Watcher? />
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  immediately stops and sets the book on the table --
NP: >[Black Watcher?]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods, staring down at her glass. --
NP: >[I wasn't aware there was more than the just the one White Watcher.]
AA: <\ There, there's two of them... at least. />
NP: >[I see.]
NP: >[When did you see this Black Watcher?]
AA: <\ It was after, after I tried to visit Cucali. />
NP: >[And before the incident with Ranigi?]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods. --
NP: >[It talked to you?]
AA: <\ Yeah... it... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  hesitates. --
AA: <\ ... it did. />
NP: >[I see.]
NP: >[What did it say?]
AA: <\ It, it said... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip. Evidently this situation is uncomfortable to her. --
NP: >[...]
NP: >[I understand.]
AA: <\ ... it told me... a new way to look at things. />
NP: >[You don't have to go into detail.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods, gulping down her guilt. --
AA: <\ No, it, it's okay... if, if it will help us fight them... />
NP: >[I admit, knowing more about them is essential.]
NP: >[But I don't want you to have to recall painful memories if it isn't necessary.]
AA: <\ No, I... I can't shield things just because of my own inability. />
NP: >[If you're sure.]
AA: <\ It... told me about how I'd been tearing everyone apart. Pulling them into my cycle of revenge. It... I know I shouldn't listen to it, but... it made sense, Yunato. It made a terrifying amount of sense. />
AA: <\ ... it said there was one way to end it. And gave me a sword. />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks away. --
AA: <\ ... but I couldn't. />
NP: >[I for one am glad you didn't.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip, looking distant. --
AA: <\ ... yeah. />
NP: >[...Do you disagree?]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head. --
AA: <\ I don't, but... back then, that night... in the rain, I... />
AA: <\ ... I thought that maybe it was the best option. I just couldn't do it... />
NP: >[I don't think any less of you for thinking that, Paloma.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles, sadly. --
AA: <\ I, I'm not trying to invoke pity. I'm trying to get this thing's danger across. />
AA: <\ It... it has a way with words. A dangerous way. />
NP: >[I see.]
AA: <\ ... I'm still not sure it's wrong, even, even though everyone's said as much. />
NP: >[So we have a reckless destroyer and a subtle manipulator.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods. --
NP: >[The Brains and the Brawn of... whatever scheme they're trying to pull.]
AA: <\ What... whatever it is, we're involved. />
NP: >[Yes.]
AA: <\ ... and I don't intend to let them win. />
NP: >[I'm glad to hear that.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles a little. --
AA: <\ You don't either, do you? />
NP: >[No, I plan to stop them as well.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods. --
AA: <\ Let's, let's work together when the time comes. I don't know what I could do, but... I'm training my hardest. />
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  nods --
NP: >[I'd be honored to work alongside you, Paloma.]
AA: <\ I'd be honoured to work with you, too... />
NP: >[That's good to hear.]
NP: >[I imagine in order to beat them, we would need all the help we can get.]
AA: <\ At, at least we'll have a lot of backup...  />
NP: >[True.]
NP: >[For now, until we have a plan, we need to keep an eye out for them.]
AA: <\ Y, yeah. />
AA: <\ The Drones can't stop them, so... />
NP: >[And not try and fight them until we actually stand a chance against them.]
NP: >[Yes, that's a very good point and something I have to take into account.]
NP: >[I think it's best we assume that the Black Watcher is just as physically powerful as the White Watcher.]
AA: <\ That's probably right... />
AA: <\ But, what if the White Watcher is just as smart as the Black Watcher? />
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  tents his hands in front of him, resting his elbows on the table --
NP: >[We can't afford to underestimate either of them.]
NP: >[Still, I'm going to give this matter my full attention.]
NP: >[You focus on getting better and training once you get your new hand.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods, her expression serious. --
AA: <\ Okay. I, I'm glad we've got you thinking about this. />
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  puts his hands down and smiles --
NP: >[That means a lot to hear, thank you.]
NP: >[To be honest, I'm glad I've got you and your determination.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles. --
AA: <\ I, I'm not sure what it could do, but... I'm glad to lend it to the cause. />
NP: >[Nevertheless, I appreciate having you on-board for this.]
AA: <\ I just hope I can help. />
NP: >[I have every confidence that you can, Paloma.]
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  smile grows a twinge wider. --
AA: <\ Thanks, Yunato. />
NP: >[Don't mention it.]
AA: <\ Oh, has your stay here been fine? Do you need anything? />
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  HOSTESS SKILLS engage themselves! --
NP: >[Oh no, my stay has been perfectly hospitable.]
NP: >[Thank you for asking, though.]
AA: <\ All right... but, but if there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask! />
NP: >[All right.]
NP: >[Thank you very much, Paloma.]
AA: <\ You're quite welcome! />
AA: <\ Honestly, it, it's me who should  be thanking you. />
AA: <\ You went out of your way to come to my aid again... />
NP: >[It was my pleasure.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles. --
AA: <\ Shall, shall I leave you to your book? />
NP: >[I quite enjoyed speaking with you, but I did wish to finish this book today, so I would appreciate it, yes.]
NP: >[Enjoy your juice, Paloma.]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles and nods, picking herself up. She tucks the chair back in against the table, and picks up her glass. --
AA: <\ Enjoy your reading, Yunato! I, I'll be in the dwellingblock if you need me. />
NP: >[All right, Paloma.]
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  picks his book back up and opens it --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  heads out of the 'block, taking her juice with her. --
NP: >[Oh, one more thing!]
NP: >[For what it's worth?]
NP: >[And I know you've heard it from the others often enough as it is;]
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pauses, looking back at Yunato. --
NP: >[I believe the Black Watcher was wrong about you.]
NP: >[Even if you yourself don't think so, I believe in you.]
AA: <\ I... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles waveringly, touched by Yunato's faith. --
AA: <\ ... thank you. />
-- nobodysProphet [NP]  smiles back and nods, then returns to his book. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  turns and heads out to the respiteblock. Now, is Yunato right... or... --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA] gave up trolling nobodysProphet [NP] at 17:37 --