closerift | (no subject)

[ Sharon finishes off the liquor in her glass, and smiles, looser now than earlier. There is something lifting about telling that to Cecily, and more so to hear that the feeling is mutual. Friendship has always been such a tough thing for Sharon, so used to pushing everyone away out of necessity, but she finds that for all it's toughness, it's worth it. ]

[ She dips her head in almost shy agreement. ] Me too. [ It can be the one thing she's grateful for about this place (but, in reality, there are many things she's found she cherishes here, many people). She continues on, as she pours another finger of booze into her glass, and offers to pour for Cecily as she returns to their previous topic. ]

Do you think it might have been another god that did them in? It could explain why they're so avoidant discussing it with us.

[ Cecily accepts the fresh pour with a smile, one made more slippery by their continued consumption. ]

It'd have to be one more powerful than the rest of them, don't you think? [ She frowns, considering it after taking a sip. ] To off them all... Though, frankly, if they know who - or what - did it, they should come out with it. We'll be woefully unprepared to face whatever it is if it does show up.

[ Which won't be a good thing for the citizens or the gods. ]

They won't tell us, Cecily. [ even if them knowing could change the stakes. ] We're fucking cattle to them, and no one tells the cattle when the storm is coming.

[ And Sharon knows there has to be a storm coming, or, at the very least, brewing on the horizon. ]

Maybe not to all of them.

[ She frowns harder, raising a hand to her chin thoughtfully. ]

Most of them are indifferent at best, but some - like Delight - might just not understand us. We may be able to get some answers from her.

[ Something telling, maybe, about how best to combat the others. ]

You might be able to get some answers from her, but I don't think she'll trust my intentions. [ The gods have shown a wariness with whom they share sensitive information. A sigh through her nose. ] Do you think you'd be willing to speak with her, maybe build a rapport?

[ start slow, build up. ]

Maybe not. [ After Sharon brought Silent Hill in. ] Though, I've not been exactly supportive of their lot.

[ Both regularly decrying them as a whole and smashing up some temples... ]

I'll try. [ Cecily confirms, nodding once. ] And... the worst that can happen is that she doesn't share much of value, isn't it? 'Delight' doesn't seem likely to inflict a lot of punishment. It'd go against what powers her.

[ Sharon smiles. The other woman has been a bit of a thorn in their side, and while all that they've done has been nothing more than a minor annoyance to their deity overlords, it's been enough to relieve the pressure of rage that builds after all the shit they're tossed into. ]

You're right, the worst I think she'll do is clam up. But she's... she's Delight, I bet if you appeal to that need, she'll open up.

Worth a try, isn't it? [ She replies lightly, with a sideways sort of smile. ] Wish it were as easy as telling her how delighted we'd be to just go back home.

[ If only. ]

Oh, if only things here were ever easy. [ It would be a blessing, but nothing here has ever really been a walk in the park. ]

But if you can handle Delight, I've been talking with Fear, maybe something will come from one of them. [ Eventually. ]

It wouldn't be as interesting if they were, though, would it?

[ Cecily nudges the other woman playfully with her elbow. ]

All right. Just... be careful, with Fear. He isn't like Delight, obviously, and he may be better at manipulating us than she is. I don't want to see you hurt.

[ Sharon laughs. She's right, it wouldn't be nearly as interesting, but sometimes she wonders if easier wouldn't be better for them all. ]

Don't worry. He's... [ She pauses, hesitant, uncertain how to discuss it. She lowers her voice, brows curling down, torn between confusion and concern. ] He told me he likes me. If he's not pulling my leg, then it may give me an advantage with him.

If Fear "likes" you, then I'm absolutely worried. [ People who think they've got a leg up on gods are usually wrong, thinks the pot about the kettle. ] I don't fancy the idea of him have an interest in you.

[ Him of all people. That bastard. ]

Promise me you won't let your guard down around him, no matter what he says?

[ Her expression turns steely, and she lowers her voice a fraction, but the lack of volume does not detract from the edge. ] I don't trust a single fucking thing he says, Cecily. Trust me, he's not going to get the better of me.

I hate him. [ a vicious, violent, bone-deep sort of hate. she swallows the rest of booze in her glass. fuck. ] I hate them all.

[ And she won't trust a single one of them. Ever. Even if they end up right, even if they end up protecting them, or saving them, or freeing them. She won't trust them. ]

Good. [ The resolve is encouraging and she trusts Sharon enough to let it go. ] You know I feel the same way.

[ Even the so-called nice ones. You can't trust any of them. ]

Careful. [ Cecily advises after the other woman downs her drink, quirking an almost-amused brow. ] You don't want to go too fast.

[ It's comforting to know Cecily feels the same, especially as she too often feels alone with her immense distrust of the deities. So many are amicable with them, and it pricks at something dark deep inside of her, breeds a new type of dislike for her fellow Door refugees.

The advice almost gets her to protest, but then she looks to the bottle. She didn't think she'd been drinking so much, but, when she's emotional, she often loses track until well after her limit has been reached. As is, she may regret this in the morning. She burps, and she can taste the strange, sweet mix of alcohol and stomach acid. She's definitely going to regret this in the morning. ]

I didn't really think I was, but... [ She knows she was. She smiles somewhat sheepishly. ] You're probably right. I'll probably wake up in the river if I keep drinking like this.

I wouldn't let that happen. [ Cecily replies, amused, more than a little intoxicated herself. ] So long as I didn't slip into the river first, that is.

[ Look at these two, responsible, adult women. Amazing. ]

Shall we try and stumble our way home together, then? [ The Inquisitor asks, grinning. ]

I would gallantly rescue you. [ And by gallantly, she means drunkenly. And by rescue, she means splash around uselessly.

At the question, she nods. ] Only if we avoid the river. I really don't want to test our swimming skills.

My hero. [ She laughs, rising to her feet with only a little sway. ] We'll work to avoid the river, then. I think we've got enough on our plates, trying to find our way back home like this.

[ She remembers how to get there. Mostly. Probably. ]