queenofheartsrp | [action/video]

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[Now that the automaton invasion has been mostly taken care of at the fortress, Jessica's out to catch up with people. She's been around, Bulbasaur in tow, and has settled down for lunch near the ferris wheel. The bulbasaur is occasionally tugging her toward the ride, occasionally walking toward it and looking back at her expectantly. Jessica doesn't move from her seat on a rock.]

I assure you, there is no chance whatsoever that I'm getting on that with anyone, ever. Well, other than physical threats. Sorry.

[She finishes her meal and turns on the vine.]

Hey, is it just me, or has our population kind of... dropped recently?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This place has taken an emotional toll on all of us, but do not let it conquer you.

I doubt that is true. Some might be stronger or better trained, but you do your best to utilize the abilities you do have and help the others here. You have done more than most. Perhaps we can think of some new task for you.

I would be willing to teach you what I know, but you might not enjoy combat. [She smiles faintly.]

Yeah, I have the feeling that the best I'd do is be a punching bag. Setsuko taught me some stuff, but... [Implication: it did not turn out fabulously.]

I might win in a fight against a kindergartener.

[She's quiet for a moment, examining an internal question.]

There's some other stuff I can... kind of do. But I can't really do it. Like, um, how you can't really do reflexes.

[She hazards a glance at Sephiroth's face.]

Learning the ways of combat takes many months of training for an ordinary human. One must begin somewhere. I'd be willing to try to teach you, but there is no need for you to be versed in combat if you do not wish to be. There are others here who can defend you, myself included.

[She nods.] You're referring to some kind of involuntary reaction?

It requires exercise, and I'm lazy, so... At least I have Bulbasaur there for a bodyguard.

[It agrees from the the wheel.]

Yeah. It, uh... has to do with my, um, condition.

[She takes a breath. It's not something she'd normally talk about, but... Sephiroth is different. In several senses of the word.]

Things go through me sometimes. Or I go through them.

It's annoying and I don't really know how it works. But. Yeah.

[She smiles at Jessica's admission of laziness, but not unkindly. It is novel to her. Jessica is quite unlike the people she knows back home, in that respect.] Your animal companion does seem attached to you.

[Sephiroth listens, thoughtfully.] I thought it might be related to your unique nature. Do you pass through things only when necessary, perhaps when you are in danger, as a survival instinct? Or is it something that happens at random which you cannot control?

There are things I can do that others cannot, so I understand.

I don't know why, but I'm not going to complain.

Yeah, I figured... I mean, if anyone could understand, it'd... be you. [Her knees: suddenly very, very interesting. Her face: very, very warm.]

I think it's a little of both? Like... there's been a couple times where it's saved me from serious stuff, but... sometimes it just happens. I can't go to sleepovers, for example. [She's slightly bitter about that.]

According to the young woman I spoke to about them, Pokemon enjoy working with humans. Perhaps they prefer it. [She is interested in the creature, but it is not the primary topic at hand now.]

[She nods again.] Perhaps if you could learn to control the ability, it might be more useful? And less of a nuisance. Using my own abilities safely required training.

[Sephiroth is familiar with the concept of sleepovers, though she's never attended one. She's slept in the company of her fellow SOLDIERs, in the field, but that is not the same.] What happens to you at a sleepover?

I've thought about it, I just... don't really know how. It feels kind of like... trying to control your heartbeat or something.

[Her mouth quirks.] Well... I sort of can do it a little. I just get afraid of trying to, like, go through something and then getting stuck.

Usually when I sleep... everything falls through. [Yep, those knees... they sure are something to stare uncomfortably at! Let's hunch forward to get a better view.]

Everything.

I can see how that would be problematic. [She is sympathetic. Her own lack of modesty does not mean that she is not conscious of others' modesty or social mores.]

It sounds like it is an uncontrolled power, if it activates while you are unconscious. Further training would likely solve the problem, or at least alleviate it.

If it is triggered by instinct when you are in danger, it is probably unlikely that you will become stuck.

Yyyyeah.

I guess that makes sense. I'm just never sure, since it's so... tricky. And it gets kind of weird if I have to explain to anyone that walks in why I'm not wearing any clothes.

Of course, since there's nobody to walk in here... at least not without knocking or anything.

It's important to have complete control over yourself. Perhaps practice and focus would also increase your understanding of your unique nature.

Our situations are not identical, but when I was young, I inadvertently caused damage before I was able to control my powers fully.

There is certainly no lack of privacy here.

Hm, yeah... I've been slipping a lot in that area, lately... [This is THE WORST THING.]

[She turns slightly, looking at Sephiroth from the corner of her eye.] Really? How'd you learn to do it?

You've been slipping? How do you mean?

As I said, practice and focus. For me, it was a matter of necessity, as others' safety was endangered, so I had to learn quickly.

Y'know... just... not controlling myself, I guess. [Fidget, fidget. Particularly distressing is that Sephiroth has been present for most of these incidents.]

How old were you? Uh, if that's OK to ask... [Someday, she might figure out that Sephiroth gives no fucks. Today is not that day.]

Do you mean you have gone through objects inadvertently? Or something else?

You may ask. I was approximately six years old, though as I previously mentioned, I do not know when I was born.

Oh, um... no, I meant... something else. Like. Emotionally. And stuff.

Wow... you've been working at it for a while, then. I, uh, guess I've got a lot of catching up. Kind of.

Yes, my own emotions have been unsettled here as well--that one time with the chocolates, as well as the side effect of building my Headquarters. It is one of the most distressing aspects of the Gardens. [Emotional matters are not Sephiroth's strong suit.]

I was being trained, so I did have external guidance, whereas you do not, if my assumption is correct. Fortunately, no one is endangered by your ability, but I imagine it would benefit you to have greater control.

Well, there's that, too... I dunno, I guess I'm just really shaken up here in general. I gotta try harder to keep myself in check.

Trained, yeah... [She nods.] I dunno if I'd really want, um, external guidance. Since. Y'know. [Clothes falling off: Not Jessica's top choice for a fun time.]

It's a good thing you had someone to watch out for you, though. Must've been pretty scary.

The Gardens can be unnerving, but you seem able to control yourself for the most part.

If you would like me to oversee your training to ensure that you are safe, I would can do so. Even if you became stuck, I could free you and heal you instantly if you were injured in some way.

I was not frightened. As a small child, I enjoyed fighting above all other pursuits, and I did not understand the consequences of my actions or the full extent of my abilities.

You think so? I feel like I'm more out of control than ever...

[That sound you hear is the sound of Jessica's brain blowing a fuse. And a strangled squeak from her throat.]

That's... all right. I mean... I appreciate the offer and normally- um. I'll

I'll get back to you on that.

[It may be possible to fry an egg on Jessica's face right now.]

I have not encountered you in your usual environment, so I cannot compare, but considering the strangeness of our situation, you seem composed enough.

[She nods. She notes Jessica's reaction but is too polite to comment on it.] As you like. I found guidance and supervision to be invaluable. Now I can judge opponents' strength and my own powers precisely, and no one is injured unless I wish them to be.

Imeanit'snotlikeIdon'ttrustyouandallbecauseyou'rereallycoolandsmartandIknowyoucandoitit'sjustthat

naked

[She holds her face in her hands and hopes for a fissure in the earth beneath her.]

OK let's pretend like I have any dignity left now.

Ah, modesty is your concern. You don't have to worry about my reaction. To me, a human body is simply that, clothed or otherwise. Though if you are reluctant, I do not judge you for it. There's no need for embarrassment, in any case.

[weakly:] Yeah. [She's just going to leave it at that.]

I'll... think about it.

[Sephiroth does not press. She nods, accepting Jessica's decision.] Very well.

But we still have not found an occupation for you. Can you think of anything you might enjoy doing here?

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