Blue Fish Mingle!

[save_the_souls]

Who: Blue Fish Crew + Visitors!
Broadcast: If you'd like?!
Action: The Blue Fish!
When: Month of May!

[Get in here Blue Fish! It's time for a mingle post! Visitors are welcomed, but anyone who requires doors will need to know someone from the crew that can let you in thanks to the passcode on the door.]

Comments

[dancingmd]

[It's partially what she meant at least.]

Good. Do you need any more meds? Any lingering headaches or anything?

[bryces_pup]

Ah, no. My appetite is still a little absent but I think it will return tomorrow.

[dancingmd]

Nevertheless, I want you to make sure you eat something today.

[She looks Riona up and down, a doctor's gaze, but a friend's too.]

I'm glad you're physically okay.

[bryces_pup]

Later I may try to eat some soup.

[The gaze is a little unnerving, more so than usual. Likely because she's honestly trying to keep her thoughts to herself, and that look - and those words - indicate Beverly wants her to do otherwise.]

As am I. Believe it or not, it's not the worst hangover I've ever had.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly makes a soft humming noise. Not that she doesn't believe her, but the hangover is not at all what she's concerned about.]

And emotionally?

[bryces_pup]

...

[Knew that was going to come up.]

I'm fine, if not a bit embarrassed. [Liar liar, pants on fire.]

[dancingmd]

[She knows Riona is not telling her the whole truth, of course, but it's a start anyway. Her expression softens.]

You shouldn't be. At least, I'm not upset with you.

[bryces_pup]

Then you're being far too kind. My behavior was atrocious.

[dancingmd]

Not towards me, it wasn't. Towards yourself, yes.

[bryces_pup]

I may have been a bit harsh, but there was truth to it.

[dancingmd]

Maybe there is, but letting yourself get bogged down in self-hatred and regret is not going to help anyone, including yourself.

[bryces_pup]

[Maker she feels like a sorry child right now. Not that she has anyone to blame but herself.]

It won't happen again.

[Nope. She's just resolved to keep her issues to herself from now on. And no alcohol.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly hums softly, skeptical.]

If you do start feeling like that, you can always come talk to me. You know that, right?

[bryces_pup]

Thank you for your offer. It is appreciated.

[Notice that that's not a "yes".]

[dancingmd]

[She does notice, and it's nothing she hasn't pulled herself before. She sighs.]

Riona, I know you're embarrassed, and I know you don't want to talk to me about it, which is fine, but you ought to talk to someone. Keeping things bottled up will make it worse, believe me.

[bryces_pup]

[This goes beyond simple embarrassment.]

Talking about it made it worse, too. So my options are a bit limited.

[It isn't that she doesn't want to talk about it with Beverly. She just doesn't want to talk about it at all.]

[dancingmd]

[She gives her a pointed look.] You weren't exactly a sober state for talking things through.

[bryces_pup]

That's not what I was referring to. [In fact, she's referring to what's partly responsible for that drinking binge.]

[dancingmd]

Then what were you referring to?

[bryces_pup]

[Dead-eyed look. Nice try, doctor.]

Something which I already tried to talk about and it accomplished nothing.

[dancingmd]

So you try it once and it doesn't work and that's it? It's hopeless?

[Deep breath, Beverly. You're getting worked up. She rubs her temple.]

I can tell we're going in circles here so. Just. Don't cut yourself off.

we can wrap this up here if you want?

[bryces_pup]

[...sorry, Bev, that's precisely what she plans to do.]

I will be fine. Thank you.

[She does not want to argue, so it's time to make a getaway.]

Forgive me, but I need to get to my duties. I've neglected them the past few days. [With a forced smile, she gets up and nods to Beverly as she goes to leave her room.] Thank for you stopping by.

sure!

[dancingmd]

[She'll give Riona the out, for now. This is hardly over, however.]

No. [Beverly holds out a hand and opens the door.] I'll go.

[She steps out but can't resist saying one last thing, though she doesn't turn around to do so, afraid that if she does, it'll only engender a possible argument that neither of them want.]

You're not a horrible person, whatever you may think right now. And... I'm really glad to have you as a crewmate, and my friend.

[With that and a small sigh, she heads out down the hall.]