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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 20:02:02 GMT -8
"Fair enough. It's nice to meet you, WR. I'm Leif."
She gave them a nod, keeping her attention focused on the waves and the ocean. She was surprised this person managed to calm themself down. The temper and rage was pretty intense, and it took a lot to keep that inside.
"You've got a pretty good sense of self-control. Might not know how to use it real well, yet, but the potential is there."
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 13, 2021 20:18:21 GMT -8
"Right, self control."
They muttered, revealing their arm once more to inspect the wounds. They winced slightly at the discomfort it caused their hand, then shrugged after a moment, tucking it away again.
"Guess it coulda been worse."
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 20:20:39 GMT -8
"Do you want to get those looked at?" she asked, without glancing at WR. At the end of the day, it was their body, and they had a right to do as they wanted to with it. Lord knew she had her own time with self-mutilation, though hers came more in the form of illicit substances.
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 13, 2021 20:26:11 GMT -8
"No," They growled, irritated that the question came up again. It wasn't any of her business, nor was it her problem.
Then, silence fell over them again.
They kept at the cigarette until there was almost nothing left, twisting it harshly into the sand when the final ember disbursed. They stared at it, and sighed.
They hoped their flame never went out like that.
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 20:28:01 GMT -8
"Alright."
Leif let the subject drop, finishing her cigarette about the same time WR did. She put the remainder of the cherry out with her fingers and pulled out the pack, tucking the butt inside. She held out her hand for theirs as well.
"Not adjusting to this new world particularly well? Or are you one of the ones that has been here for years?"
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 13, 2021 20:30:56 GMT -8
"Think about my losses a lot, but I've learned to let them kindle my flame. So, guess you could say I have. Sometimes I fuck up, but that's expected I guess."
They shrugged, dropping the butt into her palm.
"You?"
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 20:37:25 GMT -8
Leif stared at the ocean and gave a slight shake of her head.
"I have no idea what I'm doing here, or what I even want to do. All of this peace and quiet is... unnerving."
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 13, 2021 20:45:28 GMT -8
WR finally glanced at her, empathetically, and a smile touched their lips. Those words... they reminded them of the weak, pathetic little boy that completely lacked direction and always insisted on running headfirst into danger, with no regard for consequence. They really had come a long way since their days on the streets. In fact, it was something they barely thought about anymore, thanks to Gidget.
They exhaled sharply, adjusting their body to face her slightly.
"Been there, done that. Takes a long fuckin' time to find a direction, but trust me, if you look hard enough, you'll find it."
Their nostalgic smile turned genuine, and it lingered for a moment as they thought about their past.
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 21:25:21 GMT -8
Leif glanced at WR as they turned to face her, and she nodded. She wasn't entirely sure if she agreed with them, but to express that disagreement would be pointless.
"What do you do, around here? It's nothing like it was back home... You always had to either run, or fight. There was never this chill and be still option."
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 13, 2021 21:33:02 GMT -8
"Same shit I did back there, really," They chuckled, giving a shake of their head.
"Not much has really changed for me. I mean, a hell of a lot's changed, but like... my pass times? Might as well be a kid again. Otherwise, I guess you could say I have a vigilante act going on. That's... kind of a long story."
They shrugged.
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 21:47:22 GMT -8
"A vigilante act? Like, save the weak, steal from the rich kind of vigilante?"
Leif idly ran her fingers through the sand, not bothering to look at WR. She was allowing them as much or as little space as they so desired.
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 13, 2021 21:51:22 GMT -8
"Yeah, something like that. It's my livelihood, more or less."
They tucked their legs into their chest and crossed their arms over them, staring off into the ocean.
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 13, 2021 21:54:57 GMT -8
"Well, we all have to make it somehow. I'm assuming most of the Qi users around here are trying to find little odd jobs... Not sure what exactly there is out here for some of us, aside from mercenary work or, like you, vigilantism."
The moment she said the word, she wasn't entirely certain that it even was one... but hey, it worked.
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Post by WR Harthe on Jan 14, 2021 18:03:43 GMT -8
WR shrugged.
"Most of us are just trying to find a new norm. Been a hell of a lot harder for some than others, but it is what it is, I guess."
They shrugged again, staring blankly at the ocean. They felt that rage slowly creeping back up...
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Post by Leif Adamson on Jan 14, 2021 18:10:02 GMT -8
Leif fell silent for a moment. It was such a strange world to her... Once upon a time, she knew exactly what was expected of her, where to go, how to do it... how to succeed. The last few years in the old world were filled with traveling, never staying in one place... just her and her motorcycle.
She looked over at WR and cocked a brow. She had no idea what to say to this stranger, but genuinely felt like leaving them wasn't a smart idea.
"What set this whole mood off?" she asked, half expecting them to yell at her again and demand she leave. She was fully prepared for that. However, a little smirk touched her lips as she asked, "Or is this another one of those 'fuck off, you're not my mom' conversational topics?"
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