Locked in a Room

[dishevelment]

Who: Everyone stuck in Pride HQ
What: This load of crap.
When: Nov. 1-5
Where Pride HQ
Warnings: Pg-13 minimum because Carnies. Tag if it gets over that.


Everyone got the same call-- and now we're all stuck in HQ with no hint of release in sight.

The reason? No one knows.

How are you coping?

Comments

[gunslingerqueen]

Believe me, I know. [Nariko was the complete 'celebration' type and not being able to throw big parties with tons of gifts ... It was just depressing! But it wasn't the sort of thing worth forcing.]

Can you live with a cupcake, and a witness for the new ink?

[traumatizing]

That would be great.

[She can't see his face, but the smile is in his voice.] I was thinking about co-opting a bar downtown. Do an open call on Twitter to see who wants to hang out.

[Something chill and low key. Perfect for Terry.]]

[gunslingerqueen]

That's a good idea, I have to know what directions to give the strippers!

[A pause, and then she tilts her head back to look at him.] Kidding! [This time, anyway.]

But you do realize I'm going to sing for you, even if it's just between us.

[traumatizing]

[He groans and tilts his head forward, pressing his forehead against Nariko's shoulder in faux-despair.]

Nooo. That's too much. I'll die, you'll kill me.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Mock-pouting, she reaches back a little awkwardly to poke his cheek.]

We mark the passing of time with song, Terry! You can't wiggle out of this literally timeless tradition!

[traumatizing]

Traditions are stupid.

[He says into her hair, sounding very much like a petulant teenager.]

[gunslingerqueen]

[She can't help laughing now - he sounds like he's five years old!]

Sorry! [Nariko is not even a little bit sorry.] You want the cool cupcake with your name and a sparkler? You gotta sit through the birthday song!

[traumatizing]

There are sparklers now?

[This is so unfair!!!]

[gunslingerqueen]

And glitter! Multi colored glitter that never goes away!

[So much excitement.]

[traumatizing]

I'm out again.

[He sits up with an exaggerated sigh and gets back to work on Nariko's hair. #2goth4glitter.]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Annnd all that excitement tumbles down into a long bout of giggling that's far more in line with her usual demeanor. But then it rockets up into hysterical, uncontrollable laughter for no goddamn reason, and she awkwardly falls to one side of the bed, just laughing like a complete dumbass.

Be patient with her, Terry. Or laugh along, that might be fun, too.]

[traumatizing]

[What.]

[Still with her hair in his hand, Terry looks down at Nariko on the bed and raises his eyebrows. Laughing a little, but more in confusion than anything.]

You alright down there?

[gunslingerqueen]

[It was funny!

... Okay no it wasn't. It was stupid and illogical but it was one of those things where the timing and normality of it would either make one laugh or cry, and she ends up with the former.]

Sorry! I'm fine, really. [She sits back up.] I just - I think I just needed to laugh.

[No matter how incomprehensible or dumb the reason for it.]

[traumatizing]

[He smiles and brushes a hand through her hair, pausing to scratch her scalp lightly and affectionately.]

I think we all do.

[gunslingerqueen]

[While it might be difficult to classify the noise she makes it's a happy one. If she were a cat it might be a purr, but human lungs just don't work like that, so the nearest equivalent has to do.]

So I should start telling horrible jokes, then? [Because Terry hasn't laughed enough, and she's at least got enough energy to try and rectify that.

Especially if he rewards her with more hair-toying.]

[traumatizing]

God no. Not unless you're trying to make me scream.

[She can have all the hair-toying she wants regardless of whether or not Terry laughs, as demonstrated by the way he spends some time toying idly with the hair at the base of her scalp. Evidently he's done brushing it for her.]

[gunslingerqueen]

Why shouldn't kids watch symphonies on TV?

[Too bad, Terry! She's gonna go ahead and tell the bad jokes while also receiving the best form of platonic attention in the world. She doesn't even care about brushing. She actually only thinks of getting him to smile, and enjoying this moment.]

[traumatizing]

Oh no.

[Terry groans, dreading the punchline already. Why is this his life.]

[gunslingerqueen]

There's too much sax and violins!

[She is funny, dammit!!!]

[traumatizing]

Oh my god.

[There is a laugh in there, but mostly he's groaning in despair at those puns.]

[gunslingerqueen]

That was amazing and you know it!

[She pokes both cheeks gently as if this will somehow yank more laughter out of him.]

[traumatizing]

No, it was awful.

[But he'll allow himself to laugh. You win this time, Nariko.]

[gunslingerqueen]

If it was really that bad you wouldn't be laughing!

[And if nothing else the fact that she's beaming with utter joy has to count for something, anyway. This feels normal and right, so far away from their recent events that she's almost back to normal now.]