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maskormenacelogs2016-12-04 10:08 pm
fayzedandconfused) wrote in maskormenacelogs2016-12-04 10:08 pm
( a break from driving. )
( The car's been topped up with petrol, but Sarissa's taking a moment to roll out her shoulders and let her spine crackle loudly as she stretches. Unsurprisingly, she's hungry, and prowling around isn't making her shake and onion rings and fries and everything else under the Sun that it occurred to her to order arrive any faster. She restless, and finally pushes herself up into a handstand that ends with her sprawled across the ground.
It was deliberate. Mostly. Maybe totally mostly. Maybe not deliberate at all. Take your pick, really. Either way she's lying in the dust, and she's waiting for food, and she might be having an existential crisis. Or just have low blood-sugar, either or. )
Please say my feed's ready.
( night time. )
( At some point on one night in the trip, Sarissa tosses her device, hard. Whether they're in one of their rooms and it just flew out the window or into a wall or ricocheted into someone's face (oh god, sorry), who knows. Maybe they're outside and it went sailing into a bush in the dying light. Or crashed into the s'more supplies.
And at other points, she's idly practicing card and coin tricks, running through them slowly as she quietly murmurs the motions to herself, trying to remember. )
( driving lesson. )
Okay, remember. Left foot is mates with the clutch. They go everywhere together. Your right foot, that one'll go between the brake and the accelerator. Just go easy. You don't need to go slammin' down on either of 'em.
( Sarissa's in the passenger seat, Bri is driving, and they've got a whole long stretch of flat highway and an abundance of dust. ) Take your time. We can practice changing gears as long as you need. Donuts'll need to wait until the old ladies are asleep.
( or make your own variation or wildcard me or whatever RUN FREE. )
( The car's been topped up with petrol, but Sarissa's taking a moment to roll out her shoulders and let her spine crackle loudly as she stretches. Unsurprisingly, she's hungry, and prowling around isn't making her shake and onion rings and fries and everything else under the Sun that it occurred to her to order arrive any faster. She restless, and finally pushes herself up into a handstand that ends with her sprawled across the ground.
It was deliberate. Mostly. Maybe totally mostly. Maybe not deliberate at all. Take your pick, really. Either way she's lying in the dust, and she's waiting for food, and she might be having an existential crisis. Or just have low blood-sugar, either or. )
Please say my feed's ready.
( night time. )
( At some point on one night in the trip, Sarissa tosses her device, hard. Whether they're in one of their rooms and it just flew out the window or into a wall or ricocheted into someone's face (oh god, sorry), who knows. Maybe they're outside and it went sailing into a bush in the dying light. Or crashed into the s'more supplies.
And at other points, she's idly practicing card and coin tricks, running through them slowly as she quietly murmurs the motions to herself, trying to remember. )
( driving lesson. )
Okay, remember. Left foot is mates with the clutch. They go everywhere together. Your right foot, that one'll go between the brake and the accelerator. Just go easy. You don't need to go slammin' down on either of 'em.
( Sarissa's in the passenger seat, Bri is driving, and they've got a whole long stretch of flat highway and an abundance of dust. ) Take your time. We can practice changing gears as long as you need. Donuts'll need to wait until the old ladies are asleep.
( or make your own variation or wildcard me or whatever RUN FREE. )
[ Brianna immediately hits the gas and sends the van revving up the road faster than she meant. Well, it's not fast for her, but driving is different than running. There's less control, and for the first time ever, even 40 MPH seems too fast. ]
Oh shit— [ She sends a guilty look toward the passenger seat as she tries to shift into third gear, but it's tricky, and she ends up stalling the van. Ohhhh shit. ] Sorry.
Oh shit— [ She sends a guilty look toward the passenger seat as she tries to shift into third gear, but it's tricky, and she ends up stalling the van. Ohhhh shit. ] Sorry.
[ a. the nowhere all-night diner ]
[The Nowhere - known for its clean bathrooms and trucker discount - has stood on this same stretch of quiet highway for more than half a century, and at ten 'til midnight, the usual suspects are half-sleeping in their booths and sipping their third cups of coffee to Johnny Cash. If the pink-nosed young women crowded into the corner booth are making a bit too much noise, no one shows it. Everyone is in good company here, so long as they don't mind a little extra grease on their hash browns.
Clara doesn't eat, but she still orders bacon and coffee just for the smell, and the warmth between her hands. After leaning in for another whiff, she reaches into her pocket for some jangling change.]
Let's go see what the jukebox has.
[ b. ... and motel ]
[The Nowhere is not known for its adjoining motel, but at $23 a night anyone can put up with scratchy sheets, no TV, and a room that looks as though it may have housed a serial killer at some point.
Clara drops her bag on one bed, and flops down beside it.]
Okay - who's where?
[The Nowhere - known for its clean bathrooms and trucker discount - has stood on this same stretch of quiet highway for more than half a century, and at ten 'til midnight, the usual suspects are half-sleeping in their booths and sipping their third cups of coffee to Johnny Cash. If the pink-nosed young women crowded into the corner booth are making a bit too much noise, no one shows it. Everyone is in good company here, so long as they don't mind a little extra grease on their hash browns.
Clara doesn't eat, but she still orders bacon and coffee just for the smell, and the warmth between her hands. After leaning in for another whiff, she reaches into her pocket for some jangling change.]
Let's go see what the jukebox has.
[ b. ... and motel ]
[The Nowhere is not known for its adjoining motel, but at $23 a night anyone can put up with scratchy sheets, no TV, and a room that looks as though it may have housed a serial killer at some point.
Clara drops her bag on one bed, and flops down beside it.]
Okay - who's where?
( Sarissa has a small food mountain before here, and she tilts her head at Clara quizzically, glancing at her bacon. )
I didn't realise you were into sadomasochism.
( lol j/k yes she probably did. And, in good natured, quiet self mockery: ) I know, six whole syllables. Thank God you're already sitting down.
I didn't realise you were into sadomasochism.
( lol j/k yes she probably did. And, in good natured, quiet self mockery: ) I know, six whole syllables. Thank God you're already sitting down.
The surprises never end, with us.
[She plops one of the pieces of bacon onto Sarissa's plate, where it quickly disappears beneath the heap of deep fried natural selection.]
And I don't really like coffee or bacon - just the smell. My parents would always get up early and cook a big breakfast for themselves, and I'd wake up to the sound of the sugar spoon in their mugs.
[She plops one of the pieces of bacon onto Sarissa's plate, where it quickly disappears beneath the heap of deep fried natural selection.]
And I don't really like coffee or bacon - just the smell. My parents would always get up early and cook a big breakfast for themselves, and I'd wake up to the sound of the sugar spoon in their mugs.
We're a marvel.
( She grins, very briefly, at that. )
I'm not meant to eat meat, still. Not until Christmas. But I'm also not meant to have any oil, so.
( And trying to get something with no oil on a diner diet is an adventure. No dairy or eggs or meat or wine was challenge enough. ) Forty days of suffering for religion. I must be masochistic, too.
( A beat, and: ) What was she like? Your mum. Is that... okay to ask?
( She grins, very briefly, at that. )
I'm not meant to eat meat, still. Not until Christmas. But I'm also not meant to have any oil, so.
( And trying to get something with no oil on a diner diet is an adventure. No dairy or eggs or meat or wine was challenge enough. ) Forty days of suffering for religion. I must be masochistic, too.
( A beat, and: ) What was she like? Your mum. Is that... okay to ask?
Yeah, it's fine.
[She holds the chipped mug up to her face, and closes her eyes, drawing up her mother's face in her mind.
It'll be twelve years, come March.]
Her name was Ellie. She wrote for a magazine, and she made the best soufflés in the world, and she looked like a film star to me. Every night she'd read to me out of travel books, and tell me all about the places I was going to go, and we'd name my stuffed animals after them. And I know she drove my dad mad sometimes, because she'd never lock the door and she was rubbish at money, but I thought she was perfect. All I wanted was to be her when I grew up.
[A pause. Clara clears her throat.]
She died when I was 18. Got shot while we were out shopping in London.
[By an alien in the shape of a department store mannequin, with a blaster for a hand - but really, it's just more trouble than it's worth to get into that.]
[She holds the chipped mug up to her face, and closes her eyes, drawing up her mother's face in her mind.
It'll be twelve years, come March.]
Her name was Ellie. She wrote for a magazine, and she made the best soufflés in the world, and she looked like a film star to me. Every night she'd read to me out of travel books, and tell me all about the places I was going to go, and we'd name my stuffed animals after them. And I know she drove my dad mad sometimes, because she'd never lock the door and she was rubbish at money, but I thought she was perfect. All I wanted was to be her when I grew up.
[A pause. Clara clears her throat.]
She died when I was 18. Got shot while we were out shopping in London.
[By an alien in the shape of a department store mannequin, with a blaster for a hand - but really, it's just more trouble than it's worth to get into that.]
No, it's okay.
( Surprisingly - maybe not that surprisingly - Sarissa isn't at all tense or displeased. She just stays calm, kind of on the quiet side. )
We got the whole road. Just try it again from the top. You don't gotta rush, just take a breath between the steps.
( Surprisingly - maybe not that surprisingly - Sarissa isn't at all tense or displeased. She just stays calm, kind of on the quiet side. )
We got the whole road. Just try it again from the top. You don't gotta rush, just take a breath between the steps.
( "Ellie Oswald" sounds faintly like it should be the name of a character from Winnie the Pooh, living in a house on fir tree lane or something, but Sarissa keeps her mouth shut on that count. She'd mean it as a compliment: means she sounds nice, and of immediately endearing and haphazard in the charming way things could be when they belonged strictly in stories and nostalgia over personal experience. It seemed kind of funny to think, too, that maybe a Winnie the Pooh character was related to Paddington Bear.
She's not good at words, but. Lately the "not good at" feels like "is a disaster with," instead.
Sarissa's extra glad that she didn't say anything when she hears what follows the pause. It takes a few moments - she hears the words before she really hears then, so to speak. Sarissa's brow flickers, and she sets down the little cluster of fries that was partway to her mouth. )
I'm sorry.
( Not just about the death. That was horrifying, but there more weight to her apology - it's not a simple expression of sympathy or empathy, but rather a genuine apology. Not the first, mind; Clara by all appearances had forgiven her for the gun incident of their incendiary introduction. )
She's not good at words, but. Lately the "not good at" feels like "is a disaster with," instead.
Sarissa's extra glad that she didn't say anything when she hears what follows the pause. It takes a few moments - she hears the words before she really hears then, so to speak. Sarissa's brow flickers, and she sets down the little cluster of fries that was partway to her mouth. )
I'm sorry.
( Not just about the death. That was horrifying, but there more weight to her apology - it's not a simple expression of sympathy or empathy, but rather a genuine apology. Not the first, mind; Clara by all appearances had forgiven her for the gun incident of their incendiary introduction. )
[ The best thing about the fact that one of your moms doesn't eat at all and the other one is a vegetarian: all of the bacon is for you. Breeze has ordered pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a large orange juice for herself, of course, but that still doesn't stop her from reaching over and picking slices of bacon off Clara's plate whenever she feels the urge (often). She glances over when Clara suggests looking at the jukebox, then shrugs in a dismissive way only a thirteen year old girl can shrug. ]
Just a bunch of old stuff, probably.
Just a bunch of old stuff, probably.
This looked way easier when I saw other kids doing it.
[ She takes a deep breath and starts the van again. This time, when she hits the gas, it's with a bit less enthusiasm, and the van doesn't stall out as she starts to drive down the road. She does seem more hesitant to go above 30 MPH, though, which is probably why. At least she does a decent job keeping the van going in a straight line. ]
[ She takes a deep breath and starts the van again. This time, when she hits the gas, it's with a bit less enthusiasm, and the van doesn't stall out as she starts to drive down the road. She does seem more hesitant to go above 30 MPH, though, which is probably why. At least she does a decent job keeping the van going in a straight line. ]
[Cosima's on food order recovery duty, which means they're all getting way too much food. She has a cardboard carrier tray of milkshakes balanced in one hand and two bags full of food tucked under one arm. In the other hand, she's already digging into a carton of fries. She kneels besides Sarissa's head, dangling a fry right above her mouth.]
Fry?
Fry?
Where I come from, we call 'em chips. Although there's this sweet as chain in Melbourne, Lord of the Fries? It's sneaky vegetarian. Sneaky vegan, sometimes.
( Her voice is still flatter than it usually is, though there's a gentle sort of sarcasm and playfulness that sometimes winds its way through her tone, and both surface now. Obligingly, she opens her mouth for the fry. )
( Her voice is still flatter than it usually is, though there's a gentle sort of sarcasm and playfulness that sometimes winds its way through her tone, and both surface now. Obligingly, she opens her mouth for the fry. )
It does. You get so used to doing it that you don't even really think— I'm probably forgetting to tell you stuff 'cause I'm used to it. Oh, uh, don't feel like you gotta have your foot on the clutch or the accelerator. I made that mistake when I started, trying to bounce off one and on the other? It makes stalling more likely. Just ease it on or off, yeah?
( Sarissa is happy to just wait and see how they go. ) We can try goin' faster, if you want. You're doing good.
( Sarissa is happy to just wait and see how they go. ) We can try goin' faster, if you want. You're doing good.
Faster? Okay.
[ She pushes down on the accelerator a bit and grins when she hears the engine growl. Super speed is the best thing that's ever happened to her, but there's something to be said about not ruining a pair of shoes on the road, or not busting her wrists every time she trips, or not needing to eat a full meal after a short trip. Of being in control of something powerful and heavy. ]
My mom would kill me if she could see this.
[ She pushes down on the accelerator a bit and grins when she hears the engine growl. Super speed is the best thing that's ever happened to her, but there's something to be said about not ruining a pair of shoes on the road, or not busting her wrists every time she trips, or not needing to eat a full meal after a short trip. Of being in control of something powerful and heavy. ]
My mom would kill me if she could see this.
Nah. She'd probably give you a bunch of really confusing advice in a high pitch.
( Gently, she elbows Bri's side, before she reaches, looking up and opening up the sunroof. )
Just watch you don't drift too close to the centre of the road. It's easy to overcompensate - go too close to the centre line or too far into your lane so you go into the next one, or onto the side of the road. Remember you aren't in the middle of the car, I guess.
( Gently, she elbows Bri's side, before she reaches, looking up and opening up the sunroof. )
Just watch you don't drift too close to the centre of the road. It's easy to overcompensate - go too close to the centre line or too far into your lane so you go into the next one, or onto the side of the road. Remember you aren't in the middle of the car, I guess.
No, she'd kill me.
[ She turns the wheel and sends the van swinging closer to the side of the road, then the other way, and slams on the brake at the same time, which almost sends her (and everyone else in the van, sorry fam) lurching forward. ]
Whoa!
[ She turns the wheel and sends the van swinging closer to the side of the road, then the other way, and slams on the brake at the same time, which almost sends her (and everyone else in the van, sorry fam) lurching forward. ]
Whoa!
It's your first big American road trip, you're calling them fries.
[Cosima carefully drops the fry into Sarissa's mouth before taking a seat on the ground next to her. She looks more relaxes than she has in weeks as she stretches out her legs, leaning back on her elbows and squinting into the sun.]
There's nothing wrong with sneaky vegetarian restaurants.
[Cosima carefully drops the fry into Sarissa's mouth before taking a seat on the ground next to her. She looks more relaxes than she has in weeks as she stretches out her legs, leaning back on her elbows and squinting into the sun.]
There's nothing wrong with sneaky vegetarian restaurants.
[Cosima immediately flops down on the bed beside Clara, snuggling close to her.]
I call dibs on this spot.
[She's smiling, but there's a certain tiredness to it. Even with her powers, but the end of a long day Cosima's condition starts to wear on her. She's healthy enough, there's no danger of her clone disease manifesting in its worse form, but by the end of a day on the road and sightseeing, she's very tired.]
I call dibs on this spot.
[She's smiling, but there's a certain tiredness to it. Even with her powers, but the end of a long day Cosima's condition starts to wear on her. She's healthy enough, there's no danger of her clone disease manifesting in its worse form, but by the end of a day on the road and sightseeing, she's very tired.]
a. dinosaurs!!!
[They let Cosima choose the route for their trip, mostly because she makes a much better navigator than a driver so of course she planned a stop at an amazing roadside tourist trap featuring giant dinosaurs. Cosima's clearly in heaven, staring up at the towering concrete creatures with wonder and eyeing the souvenir shop with a dangerous grin. She has her phone in one hand and is gesturing people toward her.]
Come on, come on. It's not every day you get to take a selfie with a dinosaur!
b. disneyland!!!
[Disneyland was another stop chosen specifically by Cosima. She seems more excited about it than the actual child that they've brought along, skipping down main street and looking over a map to plan their attack for the day. She has a long lists of rides to go on and snacks to try and she's already contemplating buying them all overpriced balloons.
One thing she's definitely buying is mouse ears, each with their name engraved on the back. They're barely there ten minutes before she's approaching each of the members of their traveling group, a pair of mouse ears balanced on her head and another pair of mouse ears hidden behind her back.]
Guess what I have for you...
[They let Cosima choose the route for their trip, mostly because she makes a much better navigator than a driver so of course she planned a stop at an amazing roadside tourist trap featuring giant dinosaurs. Cosima's clearly in heaven, staring up at the towering concrete creatures with wonder and eyeing the souvenir shop with a dangerous grin. She has her phone in one hand and is gesturing people toward her.]
Come on, come on. It's not every day you get to take a selfie with a dinosaur!
b. disneyland!!!
[Disneyland was another stop chosen specifically by Cosima. She seems more excited about it than the actual child that they've brought along, skipping down main street and looking over a map to plan their attack for the day. She has a long lists of rides to go on and snacks to try and she's already contemplating buying them all overpriced balloons.
One thing she's definitely buying is mouse ears, each with their name engraved on the back. They're barely there ten minutes before she's approaching each of the members of their traveling group, a pair of mouse ears balanced on her head and another pair of mouse ears hidden behind her back.]
Guess what I have for you...
( In a moment her hamd is on the wheel, swinging or steadying it ti help ensure they don't go out of cobtrol.
Internally: ASDFHJKLLJHGDSA
Externally, quietly:) Oh, shit. You okay?
Internally: ASDFHJKLLJHGDSA
Externally, quietly:) Oh, shit. You okay?
( Her smile is understated and gently bemused. )
I guess driving about with the mercs doesn't count as a road trip, 'xactly.
( And then she's quiet as she munches on her fry, swalowing before adding, ) Nah, it's heaps good. Conned my cousin into eating vegan food and liking it.
I guess driving about with the mercs doesn't count as a road trip, 'xactly.
( And then she's quiet as she munches on her fry, swalowing before adding, ) Nah, it's heaps good. Conned my cousin into eating vegan food and liking it.
[ Brianna takes her hands off the wheel and flinches back as Sarissa reaches for it. It's a super quick movement, barely noticeable, and then she yanks up the parking brake and looks down at her lap. ]
Sorry. Sorry.
Sorry. Sorry.
[ Disneyland is a strange experience for Breeze. She'd lived so close to it before, within driving distance, that she and her mom had gone lots of times. Then, after the twins were born, they came along too. Even her stepdad could be a tiny bit less of a jerk when they were at Disney. Being there without her family is... weird. She's alone, but not alone. She has another family, but it's not the same. She's still standing and looking out at the rides with a strangely pensive expression on her face when Cosima approaches, but at the sound of her voice, she turns and plasters a big smile on her face. ]
Is it churros?
Is it churros?
( Sarissa's familiar with flinches, even small ones, and she just lets the silence hang for the moment, makes sure her voice is quiet and calm when she speaks. ) Hey, it's fine. You didn't do anything wrong.
( She offers Brianna a smile, and takes her hand off the steering wheel. ) Just wanted to make sure we didn't go all topsy turvy. It can happen, heavy vehicles and that.
( A look over her shoulder; the others are asleep, still. ) You're learning quick. I was starting on dirt roads, less to worry about. You're doing good with having to concentrate on so many things at once.
( She offers Brianna a smile, and takes her hand off the steering wheel. ) Just wanted to make sure we didn't go all topsy turvy. It can happen, heavy vehicles and that.
( A look over her shoulder; the others are asleep, still. ) You're learning quick. I was starting on dirt roads, less to worry about. You're doing good with having to concentrate on so many things at once.
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