voice; @elena » open

[otrazhenie]

Has anyone found a way to burn things yet?

[ The voice that comes over the network is clearly exhausted, an almost husky rasp to the words that are slightly muffled, as if her mouth might be covered by a layer of fabric. ]

Because I'd love to get rid of these damn flowers and burning them sounds really cathartic right now.

[ She sounds weary, frustrated, and a little bit sick. And for good reason: one of the perks of being a vampire is an enhanced sense of smell. ]

Alternatively, are there any magic users out there who could set up a ward or something to keep this smell out?

Comments

[worthallthis]

[It'll get there probably. So far there's only a very small handful of people who even know, and most of them only know because they experienced dealing with the problem while it happened, or had one of their own in front of it. The Soldier does look a little surprised at her statement, though.]

Me?

[What could she think they'd need it around for? It's been pretty sure that killing the spirits or each other would be a bad idea, and that's basically what it's made for.]

[otrazhenie]

[ It's not surprising that he doesn't understand what she means. She's been told before that she sees the good in people, even when they don't see it themselves, and... it's something she hopes to hold on to through all of this. Despite all of this. ]

Yes, you. You're trying [ said with a little gesture of the herb package ] and you care. That's more than can be said for some of the people here, and it's what we need if we're going to things together.

[worthallthis]

[Now it realizes, belatedly, that Elena must not know. No wonder she thinks it's going to be good to have around. It looks away (not that it had been meeting her eyes directly anyway, but now it looks past her), expression a little guilty.]

Elena. I'm the one who crashed the ferry. You know that, right?

[otrazhenie]

[ She stares at him for a long moment, trying to decide if it's a joke or... No, he's being serious, and that look of guilt is completely genuine. ]

Okay, but... Why? [ There's no anger in her voice or expression, just a whole lot of confusion. ] And I know someone else was involved because that wasn't you yelling when the engine started.

[worthallthis]

Crowley.

[That's almost a cringe. Because that yell was downright embarrassing. It's very attached to Crowley, but it also is well aware of the demon's various flaws.]

But it was my idea, to take the ferry back to where we came from, and I was the one to try and drive it. I didn't think it would work, so I wasn't careful enough.

[otrazhenie]

[ Crowley. The name doesn't mean anything to her — if the man has been around or on the network, she's missed it. But that's not the important part. Crossing her arms, she tilts her head slightly to the side, studying the man in front of her like she's trying to uncover the solution to a puzzle. ]

If you didn't think it would work, then why do it at all?

[worthallthis]

I had orders. A handler wanted to go home, so I had to try.

[It can't just say no to that kind of thing. Even if it's dumb. Thankfully, that particular handler decided not to keep the status, so at least Crowley's might stupid ideas get a fair consideration instead of instant obedience, now.]

[otrazhenie]

[ Aha. There it is. She knew it wouldn't have been his idea. ]

I'm guessing you're talking about this Crowley?

[worthallthis]

Yes.

[Technically, it was the Soldier's idea. The ferry was the most logical means of escape. Of course, that was its very first day here, and it had been basically running on terror and panic rather than reasoned decision-making skills. Possibly also why it wound up deciding on Crowley as a handler.

It also feels like it ought to say,]

He's since decided he doesn't want to be my handler. Which is probably for the best.

[otrazhenie]

[ There's a difference between trying to do something nice for someone else and that person ordering them to find a way to do it. It's a fine line of distinction that Elena has often walked, her internal bias swaying her to always side the people she cares about, whether they're in the right or not. Just look at all the times she'd defended Damon over the years. ]

Yeah, it probably is.

[ She crosses her arms, still holding the little parcel in one hand, her fingers moving across the material and gently releasing more wisps of that wonderful scent. It's not very strong with the overpowering stench of the flowers, but it's still an incredible relief. ]

Do you feel guilty for your part in the crash?

[ Because it most certainly was just a part. There's no way she'll ever consider him solely responsible. ]

[worthallthis]

[The look it gives her is, for once, entirely clear and readable, and that look is "are you crazy".]

Yes.

[It not only failed the mission, it hurt a bunch of other people in the process, and lost some of their supplies. Of course it feels guilty.]

I should be getting punished for this. But no one seems to want to.

[Frankly, that almost makes it feel worse.]

[otrazhenie]

[ Hey, it doesn't hurt to check. She's known plenty of people who made disastrous mistakes and never felt guilty for them. ]

Well, of course not. You were trying to do a good thing and just... went about it the wrong way. We've all been there.

[ And really, the idea of punishing him for it makes her want to be physically ill in a way that even the flowers haven't managed. Because from what little she knows about him, she's fairly certain that whatever 'punishments' he might have received in the past have bordered on the inhumane. ]

But if you feel guilty about it and like you need to atone for that, then why not help fix what you broke?

[worthallthis]

I'm going to. Robin suggested I help rebuild the docks, and I spent all day after it sank trying to get as much out as possible. And Misty is making a garden to grow more food. I'm helping with that.

[It's trying, it really is. Doesn't feel like enough when it knows it should be getting punished... but it's at least something. (And she's right about the punishment, though the Soldier doesn't really realize it. Electrocution is normal, right?)]

[otrazhenie]

That's good, then. You're doing good.

[ She feels like it's important to impress that upon him, that's he's doing the right thing by trying to help fix the situation he helped to create. ]

I'm hoping to be able to help too when these flowers go away. [ If they go away. ]

[worthallthis]

[The Soldier ducks its head a little at the praise, as if unsure how to really respond. It finally settles on,]

I'm trying. It's hard when I don't have a lot of instruction.

[otrazhenie]

[ She tilts her head to try meeting his gaze, or at least keep an eye on his expression as she makes her offer. ]

If you ever need anyone to help with that, or to weigh in on whether something might be a bad idea, I'd be glad to help. I'm not the best judge of things sometimes myself, but I'd do my best.

[worthallthis]

[And that's why she'd been a handler, before the blood-drawing. Even a technician could give instructions. It doesn't quite meet her eyes, but does focus on her face a little. Try to smile.]

Okay. I'll remember that. Thank you.