recolle | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

EVENT

REVERTED.
"Every moment is a fresh beginning." - T. S. Eliot

Happy July, Retrospecters. Can you believe it's been nearly a year since the city was under attack and several of you were pulled and lost in Unreality? Time sure does fly, doesn't it? But don't fret. It seems as though the city is in for a real vacation this time...rest easy.

THE BEGINNING
Recollé has been fully restored thanks to the effort of the citizens working to paint the city back to life and breaking down the layers separating the city from most of its non-Retrospec users. The sky is painted multiple colors (a permanent fixture, it seems) and some buildings and plants are extraordinary but everything appears to be in solid, functional condition. All buildings are where they should be. The roads are safe. And everyone around you appears to be preparing for one of two celebrations...

THE 4TH OF JULY
With the 4th of July tomorrow, citizens of Recollé are preparing for their own celebration. Much like last year, the city will be preparing with a large gathering at Peach Beach, food trucks aplenty, discounts at several stores in Tisse and Enprise, and of course at 9pm sharp the beautiful and historical fireworks display will begin. Street vendors sell glowsticks and lemonade as everyone gathers to watch the show in the sky.

This year, however, while the fireworks display still shows events of the city's history citizens may recognize a few new scenes added to the show. As they look up into the sky they'll notice scenes depicting several of the events that have happened over the last year ranging from the Retrospec bingo games to the nightmare fog to the mistletoe bats and more. This year will also include scenery and displays from the four regions around the city. Perhaps you recognize these events a little too well. Care to share the tale with your neighbor?

TANABATA
It seems as though this week is a non-stop celebration though. As the 4th of July ends, several members of the city are hard at work in preparation for Tanabata. Celebrated on Saturday, July 7th this year, residents are hard at work decorating areas in Tribunal Terrace and Chata with massive colorful streamers and moving in several bamboo plants. Stalls are set up and prepared and carnival games line the sidewalks for citizens to play.

On the evening of the 7th, all are invited to attend the celebration and try Japanese cuisine, play a few games, and most importantly write a wish on a colored sheet of paper to hang on one of the bamboo trees.

No matter how citizens choose to celebrate at this festival, for anyone who makes a wish and hangs it on the tree they will soon receive a Retrospec ticket in their mailbox. While your wish may take time to be granted, good fortune is upon you and a free gift has been provided.

THE NPCS
NPCs are back in the city and all is well. They are unaware of the layers they were caught between but they are grateful and happy to see you again! Professors will be lenient of students whose finals have been delayed, employers will inquire about your vacation time, and your friends and family may constantly badger you for time and attention. Isn't that nice?

In addition, citizens of the city may now place calls to members outside of the city for up to five minutes. While that pesky growling problem still appears at the tail end of all conversations, citizens will be able to reach out to anyone in the world and speak for that length of time. Let's just hope your loved ones aren't too bothered by the previous radio silence.

THE DREAMS
What was that about resting easy? Perhaps you won't be able to as well as you'd like. Though everything appears to be fine, the moment you close your eyes beginning on July 3rd, you may find yourself plagued by strange, unusual dreams. As you dream you'll find yourself experiencing everything from wild scenarios set in space or on a pirate ship to everyday, mundane interactions. Your dreams will reflect who you are, but...maybe in a different light. Perhaps your siblings aren't related to you in your dreams, or perhaps your hair is a different color. Maybe you find yourself dreaming about a whole different lifestyle than the one you currently possess. Why, you could even be one of the lucky ones and dream about those memories you've been receiving since you've joined the app.

Then again, you'll also find that you aren't dreaming alone. When you look, you may find that someone has joined you. It's easy to move in dreams and intrude on other people's dreams. You may choose to watch the scene play out or find yourself able to change scenarios within these dreams. Some of you will recognize what is and isn't real, but...what is real anymore? Aren't you curious what it all means?

The moment you awake, however, these dreams will fade away and simply be dreams.

THE QUESTS
If you're looking for a way to pass the time and bring a little adventure to your life, a new feature on the Retrospec app is the quest hotline! By submitting a request, Retrospec will generate a new task for you to accomplish either in the city or around one of the four regions. While Retrospec cannot claim that all tasks will be exciting, all tasks given are important to the functionality of the city.

Or perhaps you're interested in exploring Mementos or Tartarus...? Just what are these new places anyway? Strange.

Happy questing!

THE REGIONS
Travel is available once more for the regions outside of the city, though do watch out for the common monsters that still linger between districts. It will take three hours by boat southward to Pesgare, an hour underground eastward to Respatrum, two hours west via horseback to Bosuma and seven hours via driving north to Magatus. Depending on where you travel though you may find some surprises waiting for you.

Fishing season is at its prime in Pesgare and it's the perfect place for a seaside getaway this summer. The region remains untouched and stable, and the economy is thriving once more thanks to the repairs after their tsunami and the work of Retrospec users.

In Respatrum, the workers in the mines don't seem to mind the heat and continue crafting and creating. Anyone who ventures into these parts will be put to work, but may be rewarded with small tokens and hospitality from the natives of this region.

Bosuma, however, is a little different. The Swamp Witch is nowhere to be found though the forest is alit with bright, blooming flowers, strange multicolored animals and friendly natives from a nearby village in the woods. Monsters lurk the deeper parts of the woods, but one would actively have to go looking for them.

But should one linger in this region for too long, they may soon discover that they'll start to see things...not just things, but people. Vivid, life-like forms of people you've seen in your memories will appear before you even if you're unaware of who they are. They seem to beckon you to come closer, happy to see you and encouraging you to explore the forest further. Some of these forms may engage in combat if the relationship you remember is a hostile one. Should you follow or fight them, however, you will soon find yourself lost in the woods and it may take days to return to the city. Do keep sight of what's real, won't you?

Finally, over in Magatus, for anyone who has ventured there before they may be expecting the snowy mountains and ski lodge. However, it's summer! Snow isn't fit for the summer and as residents approach the region they'll come to find that the ice-capped mountains have been replaced with cliffs, sand dunes and a desert-esque climate. The iced-over lake is now perfect for swimming and further exploration will lead you to a path in the mountains that's the perfect height for cliff-jumping into waters below. This is the perfect region for you outdoorsy, camping types. Just be careful of the scorpions and rattlesnakes out there.

THE CITY
It's summer vacation everywhere. How are you spending your days? Maybe it isn't such a bad idea to listen to Joanne and plan your days with fun and exciting ventures. Parties and meetings and spending time with your friends...it sounds nice, doesn't it? Even if some of you may notice your friends seem...off.

The city is peaceful. Everything seems to be calm and safe, so much that you may not even notice the difference at first. It all begins in mid-July though. One moment you're sitting in a café and the next you realize you're wearing an apron and you feel as though you should be working behind the counter. One moment you're sitting in your bedroom and the next you look up and notice that the items on your wall have changed. These little hallucinations are minimal and only last a few moments, but they will begin to increase as the month goes on and leading straight into August.

But hey. It's probably nothing to worry about.

Welcome to

recolle's July log! The information above provides loose guidelines of things occurring this month, so please feel free to make your own prompts based on these. You are also free to create your own logs and inbox threads.

Regarding Tanabata! If you would like to claim a free 10-20 point item, please head to the regains page and submit as normal! Please indicate that it is a Tanabata freebie.

Characters are free to travel to one of the four regions this month (Pesgare, Respatrum, Bosuma, Magatus), but keep in mind the effects/changes as listed above.

As a reminder, you may qualify for an additional freebie this month by threading out a dream sequence with at least one person experiencing a new AU! This thread must be at least five consecutive comments from you.

Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here. Be sure to review the mods' question thread on the plotting post for important information as well!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[if this were a different Annalise, a different metaphysical place, she would be appreciating the way Kara looks in a very different way. instead, she respects that Kara is letting her true self shine through like this, even as Annalise herself does not appear remotely dressed for the weather in a white button-down, trousers, and heels to bring her to a full six feet.]

[still, she smiles at the offer and adjusts her glasses. there's something nostalgic about the idea of the two of them standing next to each other and watching some spectacle up in the sky, isn't there?]

Of course. The fireworks are the entire reason I came out tonight. I'd be honored to watch them with you.

{In a different place and time, Kara would be the one in nicer clothing, taking extra care of her appearance. The beer would stay, at least. But the rest? Totally different.

A small smile flickers across her lips and she nods to the taller woman, pointing her bottle further down the beach.]

There's a pretty kickass spot over there. Just behind those rocks? Sheltered from the wind and the festival lights. Should make seeing it all easier. C'mon.

Gladly.

[that means no acrid smoke blowing on her as she tries to enjoy a celebratory evening with her friend. she supposes everybody needs some sort of casual outfit, too, and for someone who works as hard as Kara it makes sense that she plays hard, as well. there's absolutely no hesitation in her stride as she begins walking alongside her friend.]

You seem in very high spirits. I trust everything has been going well?

[She does do all of that. And she's 100% about showing off while she plays hard.]

Yeah, absolutely. [...Weirdly she means it. And not just because she's gotten laid recently.] This is the best time of year, really. I've had plenty of work at the shop, and I've been lucky enough to have time to spend with Lina.

[The kid sister.]

What about you?

[mm. perhaps Annalise has forgotten something or other. she's been working very hard lately, after all, and it's not unheard of to let some things go accidentally until they're brought back into the front of her mind.]

Much the same as always. More dissertation work. I think I'm starting to make a serious breakthrough, and I should be ready to defend it soon. [she certainly hopes so, at least. she's spent enough time on it.] You've started another position, then? I'm amazed you have the time.

[she'd rather deal with the embarrassment of having forgotten this than pretend she knows what Kara means and be forced to figure it out later.]

[Uh. Yes, it is pretty clear there's something going on here. Like she's been forgotten.]

New? No, I've just had more bikes to fix, lately. [A short bark of laughter follows as they round the stone and find the hollow empty.]

Which I guess is new, sure. I've only been open since January or so. I guess we haven't really talked much about work, have we? You're always so busy. And hell, I'm always up to no good anyway.

Bikes?

[Annalise's pace slows. is this the sort of thing Nanashi had mentioned? this... no. there must be some sort of rational explanation for this.]

That's how you intend to change the world?

[but the idea of her own memory being affected...]

I'm sorry, I don't think I understand the joke.

[Kara blinks, shaking her head and looking at Anna.]

...I fix motorcycles, Annalise.

[Her eyes flicker towards the rocks and she she walks over to take a seat, looking up at the other woman, brow furrowed a little.]

I want to change the world, but not...I don't know, not through how I make a living.

[She sucks in a breath, and spouts a perhaps ill-advised admission.]

But hell, it's already better now that I've got legitimate business.

[Annalise takes a moment, standing there dumbfounded as she tries to process what's just been told to her. what... what happened to the brilliant mind she was friends with? Kara is some... mechanic now? no, no, this isn't... that can't be right.]

[she walks over and sits down next to Kara almost on autopilot, just because that's what they agreed to do and she's in no position to turn her down now despite the confusion, but the confusion is not minor in the slightest. her shoulders slump once she's seated, the least ladylike gesture she feels she's ever performed, and she sighs. this is... mm.]

Congratulations, then.

[the resignation is heavy in her voice as she slowly comes to realize that... for one reason or another, this is not the Kara she knows. something has happened. something is wrong.]

[Kara's surprise is equally heavy, her eyes widening fractionally as Annalise takes her seat. There is clearly something quite wrong here, and she believes she knows the source. However, she's stunned momentarily by the sound of Annalise's resignation. The short, staccato burst of heartbeats that accompanies the slumping posture, the sigh that rattles the German woman's chest, and the crushing weight of disappointment that seems to settle over both of them.

It destroys the mood, any thoughts of a cheerful, laughing time with a friend dispersed like the smoke after a failed firecracker launch. Kara sets her beer down in the sand and half-turns to look at Annalise, hesitantly reaching her arm out to touch her shoulder. It's brief, and she pulls back almost immediately, realizing that it is likely not as welcome as it once was.]

...You remember me differently too, don't you?

[That's all she can think of that would draw such a response, and it hammers into her heart. Hard. Slumping forward, smearing a hand down her face, the blonde shakes her head.]

Can't say I blame you for the disappointment, if that's the case. Apparently I've fallen pretty far.

[Annalise is silent, or as silent as she can be while the realization that Retrospec has done something and she cannot for the life of her tell what it was crashes over her. that's more distressing than realizing this woman, this doctor, this inspiration in her life to keep reaching for excellence and become a doctor of her own sort... that's not her anymore.]

[Annalise's memory is as fallible as any other's, she supposes. but it should not be this fallible. there should not be entire people she's misremembered, and there should not be events that happened in her own life that she cannot properly remember happening, either. there is only one of her and it has always been her.]

[she doesn't shrink away from the touch on her shoulder, brief though it is. instead she's looking forward, her eyes slightly wide behind her glasses, her long hair framing her face, cutting off her peripheral vision.]

You... drove me. More than my parents did, sometimes. You were a clear example of success that I could look up to, that I could... strive for. I knew that I could, one day, become in my own field what you were to yours.

[Kara takes that in, feeling suddenly quite sick to her stomach. The alcohol churning inside isn't helping, all the pleasant effects of it muted by shock. Her hand clutched at her pant leg, shaking slightly, and she tilted to one side and leaned a shoulder against Annalise.

Stunned wasn't quite the word for what she was feeling. Numb, maybe? Hurt certainly, though entirely for her friend. A friend that she remembered quite vividly, someone who she'd talked to about moral quandries and about the complex quagmire of emotions that her memories left in her.
Really, it'd been the other way around, as she saw it. Annalise was so...sharp. So steady and sure of herself. She was brilliant, blessed with a drive for learning Kara wished she had. She knew she wasn't stupid, far from it, but things had gone topsy-turvy at a young age and she'd been forced to grow up quickly. College had never been in the cards, but she had a natural aptitude for machines, so tech school had been the proper path, she felt.

Until now.

Now she wasn't certain of anything at all except that Annalise, like Kei, thought she was some sort of genius scientist.]

Vergib mir.

[That was the first response, a bit of her high school German coming out.]

I...don't think I could ever be that person to you. If anything, I think it's you that drives me. You're like a model of everything I'd want to be, but couldn't. Hell, you're a big part of why I started the shop. Figured I'd at least be able to be the best mechanic in the city instead of some useless thug.

[Puffing a breath up to blow away a stray lock of hair, she tilts her head back to look up at the evening sky.]

...I'm sorry, Annalise.

Es ist nicht deine Schuld.

[she's quick with that because saying something in German comes easily to her. and she's still on du terms with Kara—she's not switching over. why would she? it isn't her fault, she's right. it's Retrospec's, and whatever it did. to change things, as it does, and this time in a way that Annalise cannot ignore quite so easily.]

You could never be useless. Whatever is happening, whatever has been done to change the way I remember you, I am confident that nothing could change you so drastically that you would ever... not be able to do great things in your own life.

[for the first time in years, she sounds uncertain. like she's trying to convince herself that she's correct. she joins Kara in looking up at the sky.]

I suppose this is one way to force me to care about what this app does.

[Kara jolts, and this time doesn't shy away from touching Annalise. She leans over, actually using her for support now. Her gaze remains skyward, but she doesn't see the fireworks starting. Stinging tears begin leaking from the corners of her eyes, unwanted and unbidden, but she has enough control not to break down. That statement is just so incredibly overwhelming.

Annalise. The perfect student. The model girl, the one she often wonders how she's stayed friends with...has that level of faith in her?]

...You didn't know me well, before. But shit. I...don't know what to say to that.

[Stumbling over words is a foreign thing for her.]

You mean it, don't you? You really think I can be more.

[it takes a moment for Annalise to realize what's happening. she glances over, sees tears reflecting on Kara's face as the colors only just start shining from the sky, and she has enough sense not to comment on it. not that she would know what to say if she did. instead, she waits for Kara to ask that question, and that's when Annalise looks back at the sky.]

[behind her glasses' own reflections, her eyes are serious, but her tone is soft. as soft as someone who's spent most of her adult life preparing for a doctorate that has taken too long to become hers can sound, at least.]

I do. I believe most people can be more, if that's what they want. [she's been honest before—she's always honest, but she's never taken quite this level of care in her words. maybe it's because she still views Kara as the kind of person she thought she was yesterday.]

It takes hard work. Dedication. No shortage of aptitude, but if you've managed to run your own business then you have all of those. Which I've known. I've known since I met you that you were capable of great things. [because she was doing those great things. Annalise tries not to sigh. emotional conversations are far from her strength.]

I'm... not certain I'm the right kind of person to be having a conversation like this with. Es tut mir leid. Aber... [is it really easier to say this in German? she hopes Kara understands.] Du hast meine komplette Unterstützung.

[Annalise has good sense. Calling attention to her would certainly put Kara on the defensive, and right now she's allowing herself a certain level of vulnerability. It takes so much for her to get to this point that it's better. Years and years of scrapes, being tough, putting on a front and avoiding weakness...it's good for her. Breaking down a little in front of a nerd, she'd have died of shame prior to the app...]

I think you're perfectly fine for a conversation like this.

[She laughs, a harsh, hoarse thing, turning to look at Annalise, eyes intense even if the other woman's looking up into the stars again. There's a tired, haggard cast to her face, a weak smile tugging at her lips.]

Let's be real. Not everyone's going to take me seriously. And not everyone's see the side of me you have. And...hell, somehow all...this...[she waves a hand at the two of them.] hasn't made us mad at each other despite the differences.

So. Yeah. Ich schätze deine Hilfe.

[Thoughtlessly, perhaps too careless of consequences, she tilts her head to the side and presses a kiss to Annalise's cheek.]

Really. I think...you might be the only one I can talk to like this.

[there are a few things to take away from what's happening here. that her friend is clearly not doing well, that maybe she was expecting things to go worse than they did. that Annalise herself doesn't know what's going on or how to handle it and is just stumbling her way through this in a way that she's never quite done before, but it's apparently working enough that Kara feels better.]

[all the thought experiments in the world can't prepare her for getting kissed on the cheek. she isn't mad at Kara for it—why in the world would she be?—but if the intent was at all to fluster her then the mission has absolutely been accomplished. her face immediately lights up red, blood rushing to it and making her even more uncomfortable in the heat.]

[she turns her head, face still flush with color, and tries not to look as shocked as she is.]

Kara? Is there something you need to tell me?

[realistically, probably not. this was only a kiss and it doesn't have to mean anything. but Annalise has no idea how to handle that since it's never actually happened before; it's very possible that in her head, it means something much greater than that.]

[There's a brief flash of worry that she's overstepped, Annalise's shock registering in Kara's ears as much as her eyes, but with no outraged yell everything seems to be okay. Settling herself back down against the older woman's shoulder, she smiles somewhat impishly...]

There's nothing I need to tell you. There's things I'd like to tell you, but I'd rather not spoil the moment too much.

[Pausing, she closes her eyes, considering how best to qualify that statement. Because Annalise is going to ask. That's just her nature and Kara knows it. Whether she fucked up or not is a matter that seems to be up for debate though.]

I just wanted to thank you for being you. You're an amazing woman, Annalise, and I wanted to show you somehow. And I have often wondered how much more cute than normal you'd look if you were blushing. [Stupidly trying to deflect from her own vulnerability with humor is a hallmark of Kara trying to avoid consequences and disarm people.]

[things she'd—ah. it seems Annalise has become predictable. she's less surprised that Kara has an answer planned out than she expected she would be, and certainly less surprised than she had been at the kiss on the cheek. up until the very last sentence.]

[deflection is a perfectly valid option in most situations, but here, it seems. it's hard to place. the word choice makes it difficult for Annalise to wrangle properly. it seems very deliberate. maybe that's what Kara wants. perhaps this was a deliberate ploy.]

I... appreciate your kindness. Thank you. [she doesn't know what else to say to that, really, and she doesn't like being at a loss for words. the only thing that really comes to mind is a desperately reserved sentence as she stares out in the middle distance and tries to ignore Kara's closeness.]

I've. I haven't been called cute before.

[It is indeed a cunning trap. A clever ploy constructed entirely out of Kara's own inability to deal with certain things, mainly that someone as smart and successful as Annalise would ever possibly be interested in spending any significant length of time with her. Though, that inability is beginning to come apart, after hearing all of what she'd said before.]

...I don't see why. You're severe, but that's not an un-cute trait.

[Her arm hooks around Annalise's, holding tight, but not too tight. She doesn't want to push her away, this is just one of the few ways she knows to show honest appreciation. Compliments, hugs, physical affection.]

Does that bother you? I'm sorry, if I'm making you feel uncomfortable. You just...you really leave an impression.

[there's. it's new. it's new but it isn't uncomfortable. Annalise isn't pulling away, and despite herself she's... trying to hold on a little more tightly? not much. but enough to let Kara know that she is not the only person involved in this. she has absolutely no idea what it means, though.]

It... doesn't bother me, no. [she's been told she leaves impressions on people, but never like this. what she hears usually has the word "icy", and the word "bitch" as well. she'd never repeat it, though.]

I'm just. Slightly overwhelmed by this. You have to understand that being physical with people is not exactly something I have... [a slight tilt of her head as she reorganizes that sentence.] Not something I do, typically. It is not... unwelcome. The opportunity just rarely arises where I'm comfortable enough to express it.

[then what does that mean for her right now?]

[Kara calm help but smile. Not because she expects anything out of this. Far from it. But it's the right night, the right time, and it's hard not to fall into a sweeter mood than usual after their much, much more emotional exchange moments ago. Slipping her hand down Annalise's arm, she tries to curl her hand around her friend's own.

Funny that. Thinking of her as a friend. It's complicated, made more so by the obvious gaps in one or both of their memories. But it's nice.]

And you are comfortable...with me?

[Surprise edges into her voice, her free hand awkwardly shifting, checking the hem of her top to make sure it's properly in place while she waits for a response.]

[there's an answer here that she could say with her words, but while she's still having difficulty trusting her own mouth, Annalise decides to answer nonverbally and hold Kara's hand for... at least a moment. this touch is more certain, if only because she's held hands with other people before. everything about Annalise down to her fingernails is carefully maintained and neat and tidy and nothing at all like the Annalise Kara might have known before whatever happened to change things.]

I am comfortable enough. [she's quiet, thinking about the myriad things she could say next and trying to come to grips with the way this entire interaction is making her feel. it isn't bad, by any means, but it's very. confusing.]

Something has happened to change things as they are now, but it cannot change the way we have each come to feel about each other. The regard we hold each other in. [hm. she must be flustered.] You may not have the same... experiences as the Kara I hold within my memories, but I still hold that same level of respect for you. What you have earned cannot be taken away that easily.

[Annalise is almost disgusted at the words coming from her mouth. nothing seems right. nothing seems like it has the right amount of... care to it. she's out of place here, out of touch with gentle emotional moments like this. but she's still sitting there quietly, holding Kara's hand, letting it all happen.]

I am not... liked. Outside of academia.

[It is confusing. And it is a little odd, hearing Annalise talking like this. It's still cute, and she appreciates how hard the older woman is trying, to be personable. To show care. Kara herself isn't sure exactly how she feels about all of it, but she likes it. Annalise loosening up even a little is a positive, welcome thing and the fact that she's willing to do so with Kara is something that she can take some pride in.

Flustering her, of course, isn't the entire goal. She does like Annalise, and she's not at all shy about showing or initiating any sort of physical affection. It does occur to her, at least momentarily, that she might be taking this as a romantic overture or a statement of interest, though. That doesn't stop Kara, because she's not sure how she feels about all of that.

She does enjoy Annalise's company a great deal, but she's not sure they'd work. At least...she's not sure she could make Annalise happy. This isn't enough to dissuade her, because she's already off balance enough by the care she's clearly putting into her words and this interaction. For now, though, quietly holding her hand? That's enough. There's nothing more complicated going on than that, and friends can hold hands.]

I don't...think I count as a part of academia. and I like you. That makes that a lie.

[Leaning her head down, resting it on Annalise's shoulder, Kara breathes in, concentrating long enough to memorize her friend's heartbeat.]

I'm glad we can connect like this. It might sounds stupid, but I'm glad we have time to share a moment. I don't like thinking of you alone, and of you feeling alone. I know you must feel pretty isolated, given your work, and maybe I'm not the person you remember but I still want to help you. Even if all I can do is give you a way to relax some.

[if this were... romantic, Annalise thinks (or has thought, somewhere in the midst of all her other bewildered musings over the past few minutes), surely Kara would have made a stronger move. kissed her on the lips rather than the cheek. but she's keeping this... chaste. and Annalise can handle that, or so she's convinced herself she can. the heartbeat that Kara's memorized is still faster than it should be, but slower than it was a moment ago. getting closer to normal.]

[she tries to let herself exhale. to let the tension drain from her shoulders, as much as she's ever let it out like that. the idea of feeling alone has never really... well. maybe Kara deserves to hear her say that with her words.]

Being alone has never felt like a concern for me. [she has to be very, very careful with the words she chooses next.] With you here... [and they're failing her again. this is terrible. despite their situation, with the weight of Kara's body against her, with the sky lighting up and the smell of fireworks tinging every breath she takes, Annalise frowns. best to just be out with it.]

I feel very aware of what it's like without somebody else. I've spent so much of my life in self-imposed isolation that I've... never had a moment like this. With anybody. And I don't know how.

[her hand squeezes Kara's.]

independence day ID4

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject