pc w/ lovelace

[applebough]

kyaa miss lovelace

Comments

[thematics]

[ lovelace is... at least somewhat more prepared for this kind of memory after her little excursion. somewhat. she doesn't totally understand it, but the center of it is wanting to escape.

and that she understands. ]

... You made it.

[applebough]

I... I did.

[ She doesn't look very happy about it. Maybe it's because she just looked at the memory that she didn't want to see again. Maybe it's something else. ]

[thematics]

[ hmmm. ]

Shouldn't that be cause for celebration...?

[applebough]

No... I couldn't even think about celebrating anything. After that, the City branded me as an outcast and I wasn't wanted anywhere. It was hard to sustain myself after that.

[ No work, no money, no food. ]

[thematics]

So out of one awful situation and into another. Hard to enjoy the freedom if you're barely getting by...

[applebough]

It's... yes. It was difficult. It's as if The City didn't want me to live at all.

[thematics]

It probably didn't. That place sounds like hell.

... But some screwed up city that's rotting from the inside shouldn't get to have the final say.

[applebough]

That... isn't my decision to make.

... But I can make it here, while I'm away from The City. I think... it's serving me well, except for the part that people keep dying every week. While I'm used to seeing death around me, these people kept showing me their support... so I got attached.

[thematics]

So all things considered, this isn't actually the worst things could be for you.

[ thinking about this for a moment. ]

Maybe when we figure things out and make sure it's over and safe—maybe you don't have to go back where you came from.

[applebough]

Yes, I don't plan on returning. The senior members said that we could go elsewhere if we wanted to... at the end of all this.

[thematics]

[ she looks so relieved! ] Good.

There must be somewhere better. I know some people have their reasons for staying in a tough situation, but if you don't have to, why would you?

[applebough]

[ Yuri nods. ]

I know that Rodya and Gregor will be returning, but I won't be and that's... fine with me. I also feel that being better than The City is a very low bar when I've heard about other places as well.

[thematics]

That's the impression I've gotten. Place seems awful, and that's coming from me. [ a person who considers everything on this ship 'familiar.' ]

... Right, Gregor mentioned that he had his own reasons. But you have yours.

[applebough]

[ Yuri nods. ]

... What was your place like, Ms. Lovelace?

[thematics]

It was like this. The ship falling apart, the evil corporation, the crew getting picked off one by one, the team bonding exercises.

[applebough]

... Was your ship somehow not an alternate branch of this one?

[ The similarity is... uncanny. Hello?? ]

[thematics]

Broad strokes, it's the same, but... definitely not. There are enough differences, they're just in the details.

[applebough]

[ Yuri nods in acknowledgement. ]

... Even with all this, I hope there's someone that you can talk to here.

[ So that she doesn't feel too lonely. ]

[thematics]

... I don't need to talk about things as much as other people.

A therapist could really raise the morale around here, but I'm fine. [ sure! ]

[applebough]

... I think the closest we have to a certified therapist is Harley.

[thematics]

And I'm sure she's great, buuut not really in a position to be helping us from the same situation we're all in.

[applebough]

[ ... ]

I thought you would have said something else, but I'm glad that you have faith in her skills.

[thematics]

What did you think I'd say?

[applebough]

... That perhaps she doesn't look like someone who would have that sort of certification.

[thematics]

I'd trust a doctor that looks like her more than some bald old guy in a white coat.