driftfleet | [Open Moons Mingle Log]

Yes, we talked when I first arrived here. I didn't know he and you knew each other either, until recently...you're aware of what happened to him, aren't you?

[Shirley's being direct, but she's also trying to be soft about it and her tone reflects that. She wants to have a talk with Nel, not hurt him.]

[oh, the hopeful edge is beginning to turn into worry. thankfully, his glitch is keeping it from jumping to panic, but he's still immediately concerned.]

What do you mean?

Robin...got into some trouble.

[To put it lightly. She may not know all the details, but she's heard enough. It's strange that Nel wouldn't have, if he's so close to Robin.]

You really don't know?

Edited 2015-02-15 21:21 (UTC)

[it's like people have been trying to keep things from him or something. funny how that works.

...he also doesn't know how much she knows, and so he's also trading carefully there.]

What kind of trouble...?

Nel...

[Shirley's caught between Robin's wishes and the lessons of her own experience. Robin asked her to look after Nel and make sure he was all right; telling him what happened will certainly upset him. But on the other hand, even if Nel doesn't find out from her he may hear from a different source and it's impossible for Shirley to forget how she felt the last time she found out people had been keeping secrets from her. And of course she's already told him that something happened, so she can't just pretend everything's fine.

She tries to settle somewhere between the two.]

He's all right now, but he was attacked a little while ago. When I talked to him, he seemed to be more worried about you than he was about himself.

Attacked? ...By that elf guy?

[his voice and expression are a little stressed, and he's really looking at her face. watching for lies or sincerity, maybe.]

...Was it bad? Are you sure he's okay?

[So he does know, a little bit. Shirley's face falls a little more - this is a situation she doesn't want to put anyone through, really, and she can see the effect it's having on Nel. She can't be dishonest, though, so the only thing to do is try and alleviate his worries.]

He was fine, when I last saw him. He was trying very hard to figure something out. I don't know exactly what happened to Robin, or what's between him and you, but I meant it when I said he seemed more worried about you.

[Is that the right thing to say? She has to hope so.]

[he looks away, retreating into his own head and thinking hard, gnawing a little on his lip ring. with his augment dumping good chemicals into his system, it's hard for him to get as upset as he feels like he should be, which saves him, really.

instead of freaking out, running off to try and drown his worries somewhere, he stays and tries to think.]

...Is he still in danger?

No, I don't think he is.

[He's not exactly popular, but Shirley's not going to deny he deserves that. Like Robin, she's worried more about Nel so she's watching him carefully as he thinks.]

Well, that's good at least...

[he says it as he's distracted in thought. and those thoughts wander around in some loop that either fails to reach a conclusion as he shoves it to the back of his mind, or gets pushed onto some shelf because there is someone else standing right there.

he's got to smile all the time, if he can. it's easier to deal with than the alternative, so... when he finally turns back to her, he forces his expression brighter.]

And he's good at taking care of himself.

Is he?

[The question is honest rather than sarcastic. Shirley really isn't sure how Robin handles things.]

I suppose you would know better than I do. You two were close, weren't you?

Yeah...

[but he doesn't elaborate, because half of the things that Robin can do are too confusing to think about, let alone try to explain. so, he just leaves it at that and glances away again.]

And yeah, we were. ...We worked together and stuff.

[Shirley's...not quite sure what to say next. She doesn't have a lot of experience with helping people separate, unless her and Senel count - and that's not quite the same thing.

So instead she tries to get a better look at him, sees the signs of sleep deprivation and tries to think of something to do. She glances down at the kiosk and checks the time.]

Do you want some company? I'm still working, but I should be done soon.

[he's got another perfectly adequate smile on when he glances up again.]

I'm fine. And I wouldn't want to bother you just out of work and everything.

You wouldn't be bothering me at all. Just the opposite...I like it more, being with others.

[She pulls back a little there, staring down the kiosk desk for a second before turning her attention back to Nel. It's a truth that makes her think for a bit, but now isn't about her.]

Well... [he scratches at the back of his neck and glances away to think, for a moment.

and he's shifting gears a little better, the further they get away from topics that he doesn't want to think about. he manages a better smile, then.]

Sure, if you want company.

Yes, I'd like that.

[She checks the time again - still a little time left...and she probably ought to do her job in that time.]

I'm off in about twenty minutes. Can you come back then?

Oh, sure. [and he steps back away from the desk, politely bowing out.]

Sure, yeah. I'll see you then.

[he won't linger. just a little wave as he excuses himself from the space and sets off to wander the streets for a little while.

...and, unfortunately, by the time twenty minutes finally rolls around, he'll be somewhere else--entirely distracted, having forgotten he'd ever made the promise in the first place.]

[Shirley gives Nel a little over thirty minutes before accepting that he's not coming. Has something happened, or did he not want to come after all...? Either is unsettling in its own way, so she goes out in search of him - although she may or may not be successful.]

[unless she decides to poke around inside the nearby bars and shady places, she might not find him again that whole day.]

[Yeah, she's not finding him. After an hour or two of that, Shirley sees she's not getting anywhere and gives it up.]

[Open Moons Mingle Log]

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I'm sorry, shirley...

Nel why.

He sucks...

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