Week 4

[pleasureislanders]

[Well that was a fun trial, wasn't it? An innocent man got brutally killed by everyone, and while you found out more about the person responsible of all this all it really amounts to is "The Genie is insistent that you don't want to meet him".

And yet you took this warning from a powerful being to go "yeah we can take them!". Y'all oughta be ashamed of yourselves.

On the bright side though, when you wake up you will find out that more of the island has opened up! It's not much but at least you can wash your clothes.

... There is a nonzero chance that the Genie quickly built that as an apology for all that blood. Whoops.]

[ SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY ]
[ LOCATIONS | REGAINS | BIOS ]
[As a reminder, please submit your Week 3 activity check before July 15th, 1 PM EST! Dead characters just have to check in.]

Comments

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[That's fine. This is fine. This water is fine.]

I get it.

[They could just sit like this, in silence forever, if they felt like it. Which was very tempting. But even Cassandra knew when something was a problem, you needed to speak up.]

If you want to talk, I'm a pretty good listener.

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

[ She takes a deep breath. Pushes the claws out and pulls them back in to focus. ]

I just keep hearing HYDRA scientists.

[ She draws her knees up to her chest. ]

They keep telling me what a good job I'm doing.

[ "The one thing you never want them to tell you" isn't always disapproval! ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[It's amazing the kinds of things that Cassandra's grown used to by now. The claws don't even faze her.]

The scientists that made you.

[She could recall their past conversation, the talk that had left X-23 in tears and Cass allowing herself to be put in someone else's shoes. It's what she says next that brings some uncomfortable feelings to churn in Cass's stomach.]

Good job? Doing what?

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

[ X-23 swallows. ]

Getting you all to let down your guard. Making you trust me.

[ She draws her knees up tighter. ]

Pretending I have emotions.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...Well, tell your scientist voices that they suck.

[That's... probably not what she expected to hear. But hearing that the voices were congratulating her on getting close to people, not because she was coming into her own, but because they still treated her like a weapon... It burns something fierce in Cass's chest.]

They don't get to say why you do what you do anymore. [Her hand reaches out, unafraid, and gently finds X-23's shoulder.] I've never been good at expressing myself either, but I know that you have emotions.

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

But... what if they're right? You wouldn't know, that's the point of tricking people!

[ A sniffle. ]

I might not even know.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...You know, I have a pretty good intuition when it comes to people. Usually, I think something's up, and it turns out that I'm right. [Take that, Adira.] And I don't think you're trying to trick me.

[The sea is nice right now. Her feet were firmly sunk into the wet sand.]

But other people can tell you how to feel, and only you can say if they're right.

[The story of her life, something she'd had to work with more and more over the last few years. Only recently had she come into a sound mental state.]

So, do you think your emotions are fake?

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

[ X-23 turns that over in her head. Ignoring the voices, as best she can. ]

I... don't want them to be.

[ She sounds a little startled at. The way she herself worded that? Her resolve visibly firms up a little. ]

And if they're mine, then... I guess that means they aren't.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[She's never given this sort of advice before, and honestly, who would she give it to outside of this instance? But, she's trying, and there seems to be an effort going on in X-23's case as well.]

If you want them to be, then I think that's a pretty good sign that they are real.

[She'd rather that the kid look more confused and startled at herself than breaking down in frustration.]

"There is more in you" remember? What they wanted you to be, that's not who you are now.

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

Yeah.

[ The thing both Cass and Rapunzel said to her. She holds onto it, and... it really does help. She nods. ]

Yeah. I'm... me. Whoever that is.

[ She's not confused when she says it, more... determined? ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[A phrase like that really helped both girls through their respective adventures. Rapunzel learning that there's more outside of her new life in a castle, Cassandra realizing that there was more inside her than anyone could say and learning new inner strength. Now, hopefully, it can do some good for another girl.]

Yeah, you are.

[Claps her on the shoulder. Gently! Of course.]

...Speaking of whoever 'you' are... Have you ever thought about maybe... calling yourself something else?

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

[ There's that question again. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't put some thought in, but... it's sure been the furthest thing from her mind today so far. ]

... A little. Rapunzel asked me on the first day here, and... thinking about it doesn't scare me nearly as much anymore, but... I still don't know what I'd pick. Most of the names I know are taken by people I know.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Hey, it's better to focus on something like this than the nightmare happening, right?]

Honestly? [A single (1) chuckle.] You could name yourself anything. Did Raps tell you about the Pug Thugs back home? Two of them are named 'Hook Foot' and 'Hook Hand'.

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

[ Well, that. Takes her by surprise. ]

Did their parents name them that?

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Shrugs!]

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

... I don't want to be named "Claw Hands," I don't think.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

I'd advise against it. But hey, you have options.

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

I think I want a normal person name. Like... Jessica, I guess?

[ ... has she been driven to this point. Has the world finally attacked her enough.

Perhaps. She shrugs. ]

I could always just go with Cassandra, that wouldn't be confusing for anyone.

[ The delivery is. It's not good, but.





Good news, world, X-23 did in fact just try to make a joke. ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[She did and Cassandra is... actually pretty proud once she realizes.

'Jessica' earns a contemplative chuckle.]

No, I don't think that would be confusing for anyone.

[She shakes her head.]

Whatever you want. Raps would say there's no rushing this decision.

[nobodylikesyouwhen]

[ You know what, she'll take it. ]

I'll figure it out. Eventually.

[ Give her til like. The final log of the round, maybe. ;) ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

If you don't, I'm sure Raps would love to help. Helping is kind of her thing.