(no subject)

[strings_theory]

Network, 7/15

[Shit, this is something she's not sure on how it's going to go, which is exactly why she's remaining on text so she can make sure it's... something.] Yeah, I know, you're all probably sick of me making network posts at this point. I get it.

But I've got some shit to say so maybe hear me out for a minute or something? I dunno, I'm not your parent and can't make you do shit.

So, like, I've fucked up. A lot. Around here. Hell, not even just here, but that's a story for another time entirely. Went... or well, been going through some shit, know that doesn't excuse jackshit but I'm willing to at least try to explain in private if you want the actual reason for that shit. But, uh, yeah. Shit's been out of line and I'm kinda trying to fix it? It's... you know, a process, so it's sure as fuck not gonna be overnight, but I'm fuckin' trying here.

Take it or leave it, I don't expect anyone to do anything, that's up to you or whatever. Also, uh, wouldn't mind looking for an actual sparring partner if someone would be down for that. Either straight up hand-to-hand without adding anything or with enhanced shit if you don't mind Stone Free's extra bit of power.

Legionnaire Quarters

Most probably would have expected to find Jolyne over at the Mythril Cage instead of here, but she's been kind of missing just being left alone and able to be in the water. The beach is going to be crowded and she's not too interested in dealing with people there that are just hanging about.

She's not too hard to find since she's just using the pool for what just doing laps and she sure doesn't seem to notice anyone around unless they want to make their presence known. Her familiar is nowhere to be seen at this point and she's actually wearing something pretty damn modest for her. A rarity, certainly.

Lum 203, closed to Toki, 7/23

How the hell she found out this quickly that Toki was back on campus is mostly questionable, but between her trying to figure her own shit out and wanting to see how he was doing, it was inevitable that she'd end up in front of this door. Again.

For an entirely different reason than the last time.

Taking a deep breath she lightly knocks on the door, shifting her weight between her feet in a small bit of a nervous habit. Something she hadn't really noticed before but it'd been happening far more frequently now that she'd intended for it to.

Where this conversation would go, she wasn't too sure, but it was better to get some things finally said than actually gingerly dance out of the way of them and be as vague as possible.

Comments

Lum 203

[yokeye]

Toki expects the visitor is for Yuya, so he's slower to open the door. When he does, he's holding a black cat who yawns and looks annoyed that her nap was disturbed.

"Jolyne!" it's a good surprise, and he steps back to let her inside. "I'm glad you stopped by! How are you!?"

He'd spent yesterday mostly trying to sort things out with Maverick, and it was exhausting. Today would be better.

[strings_theory]

Cats, man.

She doesn't get to watch that cat for long once Toki's talking and she's managing a small smile of her own, at least there's some semblance of normal here. Or, well, as normal as anything in her life can really be. "Better than I was before. Lots of shit's happened since you've been out." She'll just use that term instead of 'in the hospital' or whatever.

But she's going to head inside with a soft bit of a hum, she can keep this together. And keep to her points. Whether or not it remains calm and collected is yet to be seen. "More importantly, how're you doing since getting back?"

[yokeye]

Toki doesn't want to bring up anything that came from Jolyne's decision to maim someone, but he does wonder how it's affecting her; the aftermath. He will let her choose the subjects and not question things until she's ready.

He deposits the cat on top of his desk. Kuroko can fend for herself for a while. Toki grabs Yuya's desk chair and slides it over for Jolyne before occupying his own.

"I'm... I don't know. I think I'm doing better, but things are still confusing sometimes and it's hard," he's just going to be honest.

[strings_theory]

It might be sooner than he thinks it might be, but for now she's going to take that chair and just rub at her face for a moment. Something's very clearly on her mind, but she'll take his answer first and let it go from there. A lot safer and she's become pretty aware that she likes to make shit about herself if she's not careful about it.

"Not surprised, honestly, but I'm sure it'll fall into place soon enough? Like, people are always going to be confusing and difficult no matter what you do. Or, well, that's my experience with people most of the time. You'll figure it out, I know you will." What the hell, Jolyne.

He's doing better, which is the important part. The part she wanted to make sure of or she was going to have some choice words for those doctors.

"I... kinda wanted to give you a status update on stuff? Things are... better than they were before, still working on it, but it's at least a start? Shit got... kind of crazy and alarming, you know?"

[yokeye]

"Yeah, I'm working on it," a genuine smile comes with that. He has hope.

Though, he's more concerned with her for the moment. Jolyne is oddly subdued, like he's become, and he worries about her. Her update makes that worry fade just a little.

"I'm glad things are better for you, even if it's just a start. That's the most important part; it really is," and he believes this. Everything goes from there, the moment you realize. "I do know; you get to this point where you're almost afraid of yourself, like it's all out of your control. When you recognize that, you're already making progress. I'm proud of you."

[strings_theory]

Almost afraid of yourself... That's exactly how she'd describe it, feeling like you had control until something goes wrong and you go way too far, only to realize it once it's happened. Like you don't control your own body and have no idea what little thing might set you off next. She's taking a deep breath and shifting somewhat, mostly to cross her arms under her chest. It's more of a move to give her some feeling of comfort, not that she'd ever admit it out loud.

"I still have a long way to go, but I'm hoping that I'll figure it out fully at some point. Kinda hard when you've turned down basically any kind of help for years." Whether you wanted the help or not.

This is a bummer of a topic, though. "Also realized I was... really fuckin' vague with you back there. You, uh, hear anything or wanted be to elaborate on stuff? Probably better to talk about this shit, right?"

[yokeye]

He turned down help at first too, before he'd even gone too far in the months afterward. When he didn't even know he needed help.

"It's never too late to try."

That, he's uncertain about. He thinks Jolyne's issues mostly stem from being hurt in the past and lashing out in ways she thought gave her more control. It's different for him, he thinks, and he doesn't want to give her advice that may not work for her.

He's curious about what happened, but he won't ask. He won't take control of the conversation from her; it's what some people try to do with him and hates it.

"I don't need to know if you don't want to tell me. It's your choice who you want to talk about it with."

un: scythemaster3000

[rwbyrose]

Jolyne! It's Ruby!
I hope you're recovered now? :(
If you ever wanna talk, you can send me a message. I'll be here.

[strings_theory]

Depends on what you mean on recovered. Physically? Yeah. The other shit? Working on it.

I don't even know what to really say, honestly??? So dunno if that's actually useful right now? But thanks.

[rwbyrose]

Physically, yeah. Glad to hear that, at least!

It's ok! I just wanted to let you know the offer's open.
I'm glad to hear from you again! :)

[strings_theory]

Thought after everything you wouldn't wanna say shit to me or hear from my stupid ass.

So, seriously, thanks? Fuck, I'm bad at this.

[rwbyrose]

Nah, I knew you were going through a hard time. So it's ok! No hard feelings, right?

I'm just glad you're feeling better.

[strings_theory]

Yeah. Weirdly enough, I don't tend to hold that many grudges even before all this shit?

Something something at school to learn something something? Not what I expected to fuckin' learn here, though.

UN:Dogbackwards

[fullthrottleammy]

I'm new here, so I have no clue who you are, but I've never backed down from even a potential fight for millennia and I don't intend to start now!

[strings_theory]

[Millennia. Oh fuck her life, this is going to be messy as hell.]

It's literally just sparring, so that means not causing any actual long term damage. You get that, right?

[fullthrottleammy]

I understand, nothing beyond bumps and bruises, right? I can do that, Cherry Bomb is even specifically incapable of seriously hurting mortals. Bakugami always was a sweetheart that way.

[strings_theory]

You know, something with the word "bomb" in it immediately makes me not believe that in the slightest. Just sayin'.

Also dunno how the hell that kinda shit works with physical fighters, but okay? I guess we can see where that goes.

[fullthrottleammy]

It's fine, it's fine, I used to mess with people with Cherry Bomb all the time and they never got anything worse than some soot in their mouth.

[strings_theory]

[SOMEHOW SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE HER.]

If I die, I'm coming back to haunt you specifically.

Legionmaire's Quarters 7/26ish

[marmoron]

[Kay, so there was a point in time when he actually kinda had Jolyne's damn gym schedule memorized because they were both in here on a regular basis and like fuck was he about to get into random altercations with her. Unfortunately, he's been spending way more time in the Outlands of late and shit like when it's Jolyne o'clock at the pool stopped being relevant.

So basically he's opening the door to get to the pool area aaaaaand ah. But of course.

He lets out a goddamn sigh, but you know what? Whatever. He was goinng to talk to her eventually.]

Hey. Strings.

[strings_theory]

[Most people just left her the hell alone when she was in the pool and it takes her a moment to finish one last lap before she's bothering to acknowledge him. Slowly she's moving to the edge of the pool to pull herself out and perch on the edge of it, she also has her hair tied back in an actual ponytail instead of the normal buns.

He might notice the scars from their little altercation, or maybe some light bruise marks along her neck. Or, hell, the fact she's being ginger with her left wrist.]

Thought you were avoiding me on purpose. [There's no real anger there, more fakely adding it as an afterthought. Getting complacent isn't a good look.]

[marmoron]

[He notes the scarring on her arms. Knows that's his doing and doesn't feel much pride over it at all. The hickies though? Christ, what the hell he was only half serious about this Toki and Jolyne shit -- assuming it's Toki who put those bruises there anyway. In the end, he doesn't really care. He brings his eyes back up to her face, but there is decidedly a raised eyebrow.]

Didn't feel like getting punished by the faculty for you not keeping your shit together.

[That's stated so nonchalantly that the shrug is practically audible even though he's not shrugging.]

Been picking new fights or uh... you and Toki an actual thing now?

[strings_theory]

[If she noticed his eyes roaming on specific spots, she's not going to acknowledge it. She is grabbing for her towel to start drying her hair, switching between both hands to just her right after a moment. This works out better for her right now and she can pretend to ignore him if the need arises.]

Working on my shit, actually, but nice fuckin' try. [She still has a mouth to make a sailor blush, which wouldn't ever change in the long run.

She is pausing on that question, goddammit all.]

I don't see how that's any of your business, actually. Who am I or am not dating is literally none of your concern, is it?

[marmoron]

None whatsoever.

[Again, the audible shrug. It's not like he specifically cares if Jolyne is in a relationship or not, though the defensive answer kinda spells that one out so.... uh, nice job there.]

Congrats if so, I guess. Irrelevant though.

[A beat.]

You ever gonna tell me why you attacked me in the first place? And don't give me that "I deserved it" crap, that's not it. You were looking for a fight and that was just your excuse to pick one.

[strings_theory]

[It could be so much worse and she's honestly not too keen on giving Keith what she considers as possible ammo. Or more like she doesn't trust him in the fucking slightest.

His question, though, has her sighing and glancing around the place to see if they're alone right now. They are, mostly, since everyone else seems to be on actual vacation, whatever.]

Kinda the truth, actually. [Stop that, oh my god.] Do I look like the kind of person that really thinks any shit through before doing it? Like, honestly. [... Is she jabbing at herself?]

But seriously, dunno, guess I'm used to either starting a fight or getting jumped instead. Not that you probably fuckin' care about my reasoning, let's be real.