Rising Sun [text/action]

[mother_of_god]

[Her last memory is heat and rust and darkness. Now there is light and life and comfort- at least, more comfort than she's felt in seven years. (Or less comfort for part of her that has lived a life free of constant pain.) She sits up with difficulty, blinking in the bright. The air is clean, carrying a fresh smell she'd forgotten after half a life in a basement room. The world is green and dazzling and living. Birds twitter, leaves rustle, a breeze rolls past her ears; no beeps or rumbles or electric hums.

[Dread creeps up her insides.

[A cat meows. She peers at it in surprise, then notices the scroll. A few moments' fumbling with bandaged fingers and it's open. She reads, silently, then turns her attention to the Vine, which unfurls its parchment and stylus helpfully, apparently aware that speaking isn't high on her list of strengths. She reaches for the stylus automatically, before realising that her fingers are too restrained to operate it. But there's another way.

[The Vine offers a new text to the residents. Unusually, the words aren't hand written, but singed into the parchment.]

Is this Paradise?

Comments

[fionna_time]

Cool! I can make ya a meal, or if you want something sweet I got leftover cake!

[mother_of_god]

[Her eyes light up at the mention of cake, though she doesn't give an answer: this might be another Test, after all.]

[fionna_time]

[Fionna watched her, grinning].

Ice cream cake sound all right?

[mother_of_god]

[Another nod, with a little smile. (Followed by a little wince when it hits the burns on her face.)]

thank you

[fionna_time]

Like I said, its what people do for each other!

...

Want some sprinkles on that?

[mother_of_god]

[This is not what most people do for each other, in her experience. Most of it.

[But she does nod for sprinkles. Everything is better with sprinkles.

[She politely waits for Fionna to get started before she tucks in with small bites, savoring the experience.]

[fionna_time]

[Fionna eats with her, her mouth getting a little messy].

Is it ok?

[mother_of_god]

[She nods, smiling. Her eyes are tearing up now.]

[fionna_time]

[Fionna is slightly taken aback by this].

Um, are you OK Alessa?

[mother_of_god]

[She can't seem to answer, just bending over her mostly-eaten cake and letting the tears fall.]

[fionna_time]

[Hmm. What did you do when someone cried while eating cake, even though things seemed to be going ok? Hop on one foot and look stupid, of course!]

C'mon Alessa! Smile!

[And of course Fionna would trip and fall flat on her back].

[mother_of_god]

[wat. She sniffs, staring in complete bafflement.]





i'm sorry. [She wipes her eyes shakily, trying to hold further waterworks back.]

[fionna_time]

Ow...hehe, you don't have to apologize! I just want you to feel happier is all!

[At least she didn't fall on her face this time!]

[mother_of_god]

i do. [Another sniff.] it hurts to feel like this.

[Too much happy all at once. Probably like too much cake all at once.]

[fionna_time]

[It hurt? Whoa. More mind blowing].

Well if it really hurts, just tell me and we'll stop, k? I don't want you feeling uncomfortable at all."

[mother_of_god]

[She nods in reply.]

can i look outside for a while?

[fionna_time]

Yeah, sure! You want me to take you outside, or do you want me to take you to the roof?

[mother_of_god]

just a window...

[fionna_time]

Got it!

[Slowly carried Alessa to a window and sits her down].

[mother_of_god]

thanks

[Just being able to look outside and feel fresh air on her face is unbearably wonderful. She sighs happily, leaning on the sill.]

[fionna_time]

[Fionna smiled. At least she was feeling better. That was good. She just ate, letting Alessa observe in peace].