[well... she's not NOT a team player, she's worked with teams before, but she isn't sure that she's really cut out for a constant team, especially in the afterlife. she rests a hand on her chest, thinking.]
I get that. [ and he really does sound like he sincerely does? it's not hard for him to think that way. after all, he's the one who'd told alex to cut and run if he was going to be dead weight to her. he was the one who tried to take responsibility for things that could bring them harm to make sure it didn't get to her. so to not want to tie fate to strangers makes sense.
it's part of what makes him uneasy about the teams thing in the first place. alex is different, but having to rely on other people he doesn't even know is...harder. ]
But whoever's running this game is making sure we don't get a choice. It's either tie ourselves up with people and hope for the best, or don't and knowingly screwing over three other people's fates anyway.
shenhe doesn't really care all that much if she screws over three other people - or at least, she wouldn't have. but there have been a few people here who she has enjoyed the company of, and... well. screwing other people over isn't what the traveler would do, is it?
she sighs.]
Have you decided which way you will be going, then?
We're figuring out the other two people we want on our team. [ "we", because he and alex decided right away they'd stick together with no questions. ] I don't exactly like the idea of having to rely on some strangers who might not even care if we win, but if it gives me a shot of--
[ ...he cuts himself off after a moment. ]
It's kind of important to me that we get back. So I'm going to play along as much as I can to make sure of it.
[she doesn't know who he's referring to, but she isn't surprised that he has another person. he's rough around the edges and she can see that, but she's not so bad at being insightful when it comes to that sort of thing. she's also a little rough around the edges.]
Hm. [she says, at first, and then:] You have spirit. Someone like you should have the chance to go back, if we really are dead.
[ fair enough. jonas isn't particularly good at things, or thinks of himself as good in general, but he can be very firm about the things that matter to him. he doesn't know everything about the circumstances from home, but he's very certain that he wants to make sure alex gets out. let her get back to her friends and family.
ideally he'd get back, too, but it's a lesser priority at the moment if push comes to shove. ]
I'm not so sure we're dead either, but I'm not taking a chance and treating it lightly just in case. [ so he understands the sentiment. ] I need to make sure Alex gets back, even though I know she's saying the same about me. Can't force anybody else to play or leave, but I can at least be responsible for us.
[there is a little hamster in shenhe's brain that does all the filing and it scampers to connect alex and jonas as Friends which is the strongest bond you can have with someone, obviously. she will keep this in mind. thank you tiny hamster.]
Mm. [a beat.] She explained to me about fast food. She is reliable.
[shenhe gets the sense that she wouldn't just lie to shenhe for funsies, like. to fuck with her. and shenhe appreciates that in a person.]
[ i love and support this hamster in her brain. like me too. he's listening to this and nodding along because yeah, that sounds about right. ]
She is. She's...a lot more reliable than a lot of the other friends I've had in my life. You can trust her with stuff. [ which is more about alex's character than jonas's opinion, so the reverse question surprises him a little. he actually isn't sure what to say about it, so give him a second. ]
I'm trying to be a good one. Not sure if I'm the best judge of that, but. I'm trying.
[you can tell it was getting close to my bedtime with that tag. what the fuck was i on about.]
Trying is all you can do. [she says, watching him. there is probably too much eye contact going on here.] If you are trying, that is admirable. Some people don't even pretend.
[ me as you yesterday afternoon. okay yes the eye contact is a little intense, but he doesn't seem too bothered just yet. he will hold it...for the time being. maybe that's just a thing people do where she's from? ]
Yeah, some people suck. [ he comes right out to say it. ] Or don't think it's worth trying. Maybe they don't have things or people to try for. But, uh. Thanks, I think. It's not really a thing I'm doing to be admirable. It's just...what I want to do.
Shenhe. [she says, firmly, confidently.] Someone said to me that they wished they would have met me under better circumstances, earlier today. I extend that sentiment to you.
[ he looks a little surprised at the offer. probably because he's spent a good majority of today talking to people for information to figure out teams and less about the getting to know you part.
come to think of it. food isn't a bad idea right now. it's been a while. ]
...yeah, sure. We have the fine dining of McDonald's or Swedish cuisine ala IKEA to choose from. [ his expression falters a little then. ] Except you...probably don't know what either of those are, but uh. Pick what sounds more interesting?
Edited (no my double icons) 2023-06-12 02:46 (UTC)
[walkies!!! she follows easily enough. she - what thread is this oh my god is this friday SHE DOESN'T HAVE HER STOP SIGN YET I GUESS. she just looks at it mournfully. goodbye. she will come back for you.]
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That seems unfair. [she doesn't like the idea of that.] I have already been asked about joining teams and I have declined.
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I would not tie anybody to my fate.
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I get that. [ and he really does sound like he sincerely does? it's not hard for him to think that way. after all, he's the one who'd told alex to cut and run if he was going to be dead weight to her. he was the one who tried to take responsibility for things that could bring them harm to make sure it didn't get to her. so to not want to tie fate to strangers makes sense.
it's part of what makes him uneasy about the teams thing in the first place. alex is different, but having to rely on other people he doesn't even know is...harder. ]
But whoever's running this game is making sure we don't get a choice. It's either tie ourselves up with people and hope for the best, or don't and knowingly screwing over three other people's fates anyway.
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shenhe doesn't really care all that much if she screws over three other people - or at least, she wouldn't have. but there have been a few people here who she has enjoyed the company of, and... well. screwing other people over isn't what the traveler would do, is it?
she sighs.]
Have you decided which way you will be going, then?
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[ ...he cuts himself off after a moment. ]
It's kind of important to me that we get back. So I'm going to play along as much as I can to make sure of it.
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Hm. [she says, at first, and then:] You have spirit. Someone like you should have the chance to go back, if we really are dead.
[she respects it.]
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ideally he'd get back, too, but it's a lesser priority at the moment if push comes to shove. ]
I'm not so sure we're dead either, but I'm not taking a chance and treating it lightly just in case. [ so he understands the sentiment. ] I need to make sure Alex gets back, even though I know she's saying the same about me. Can't force anybody else to play or leave, but I can at least be responsible for us.
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a pause.]
Alex from the West Coast. [she knows that one!!!] She is kind.
[she glances out at the city, and then back at jonas.] Is she your friend?
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Yeah, that's her. [ there's a half-smile at that. ] She's been...really cool about a lot of things, especially lately. She's not a bad friend to have.
[ he's downplaying it but yes, alex is a friend and he's both lowkey glad and losing his mind that she's here in the first place. ]
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Mm. [a beat.] She explained to me about fast food. She is reliable.
[shenhe gets the sense that she wouldn't just lie to shenhe for funsies, like. to fuck with her. and shenhe appreciates that in a person.]
And are you not a bad friend to have?
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She is. She's...a lot more reliable than a lot of the other friends I've had in my life. You can trust her with stuff. [ which is more about alex's character than jonas's opinion, so the reverse question surprises him a little. he actually isn't sure what to say about it, so give him a second. ]
I'm trying to be a good one. Not sure if I'm the best judge of that, but. I'm trying.
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Trying is all you can do. [she says, watching him. there is probably too much eye contact going on here.] If you are trying, that is admirable. Some people don't even pretend.
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Yeah, some people suck. [ he comes right out to say it. ] Or don't think it's worth trying. Maybe they don't have things or people to try for. But, uh. Thanks, I think. It's not really a thing I'm doing to be admirable. It's just...what I want to do.
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I don't do what I do to be admirable either. [common ground!] I am just me.
[a pause.]
What is your name?
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About all we can do, huh? [ weird that this is where they connect, but he's not going to discount it. ]
It's Jonas. Yours?
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Yeah, likewise from me. The circumstances could definitely be better, but...nice to know some of the people aren't so bad.
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... I would like to get to know you a little better. Would you like to find something to eat?
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come to think of it. food isn't a bad idea right now. it's been a while. ]
...yeah, sure. We have the fine dining of McDonald's or Swedish cuisine ala IKEA to choose from. [ his expression falters a little then. ] Except you...probably don't know what either of those are, but uh. Pick what sounds more interesting?
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[this is said so seriously.]
Perhaps we can try the IKEA.
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IKEA's probably a little better anyway. Come on. It's not far from here.
[ walkies! ]
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The...there's a lot more here than at McDonald's, so you can pick whatever looks good. I'm not sure what kind of food exists in Teyvat.