defyingfrigidity | [ryslig IC Inbox]

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, QUEENOFICEOLATION. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 013.11.221.20 * QUEENOFICEOLATION has joined 013.11.221.20 <QUEENOFICEOLATION> I think I've finally gotten the hang of these devices. <QUEENOFICEOLATION> So! <QUEENOFICEOLATION> There's no harm in setting up one of these, yes? <QUEENOFICEOLATION>** (Thanks to those of you who helped me do so and I'm sorry if I frustrated anyone)

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[Juno's been lurking in his apartment after that forest fiasco, but as the days pass, the loneliness gnawing at his chest has just been growing and growing. It's not quite as bad as earlier this year, when he was still on Mars, but...hell, he can't just stay like this, lying listlessly on the couch for hours at a time and drowning his feelings in alcohol until he passes out. He wants to get better, he really does, but Ryslig isn't offering much in terms of respite.

You're supposed to feel better by talking to other people, right? At least, that's what people have told him in the past. But who is he supposed to talk to? Half of the people he's acquainted with are teenagers. Turn to Rita? Maybe, but he hasn't really talked to her since she arrived. Nureyev? Forget it--he might find it to be an act of desperation.

That leaves one relatively put-together adult that Juno considers a fr--that is, someone that Juno doesn't mind talking to. Besides, she offered him an invitation, didn't she?]

this is juno. mind if i drop by later today?

[He feels stupid as soon as the message is sent, but there's little he can do about it now.]

[Curious. Elsa and Juno always chatted on the network or in person, but this is the first time he's contacted her privately. So being the person she is, Elsa can't help but worry over this sort of vague requeat.]

Of course.
Is everything all right?

[Christ. The part he dreaded--answering questions.]

nothing, it's just
i would rather not be alone right now

[That probably sounds weird. Does it sound weird? He doesn't know. He's never really partaken in healthy coping mechanisms before.]

[It's... weird, but not in a bad way? Weird because this just doesn't seem like the Juno she's known up until now. And as someone who's dealt with so much anxiety and depression through her life, she knows "i don't want to be alone right now" is a huge red flag.]

I see.
Do you prefer coffee or hot chocolate?
I'll have some ready for you by the time you arrive.

i'll be over in about ten minutes.

[There's a few minutes before another message is sent.]

coffee

[He's never really been one to go to other people when he's having trouble dealing with...just everything. More of the "sit alone in your apartment and catch your reflection in the bottom of the glass and feel sick" sort of type. Despite his thoughts coaxing him to grab another bottle of whiskey and ignore his obligation, he manages to pull himself off the couch and make his way towards Elsa's place.

What is he even supposed to say to Elsa? "Hey, I was feeling really lonely the last few days and I don't feel like I can even trust my friends from home right now, uh, can I just hang out for a few hours?" Stupid. That's stupid. By the time he walks up to the front door, his thoughts still haven't stopped screaming at him, that this is a terrible idea and he should just turn around and leave. Instead, he grits his teeth and knocks, taking a small step back.

When she answers the door, he jumps back a little at her floral appearance before realizing--]

Ah! Plants. Right. Plants are normal for you. [He clears his throat.] Hey.

[Elsa managed to avoid the most recent chaos of the month, so for a moment, she looks just as startled as Juno is when he jumps back. But the shock melts quickly into the worry that was so obvious even in her responses over the network.]

Right... [Oh god, did a nymph do something terrible to him?? But the ones she knows are so nice... something else, then?] Um! If you're.... worried about plants, we can go right to the kitchen. They don't really like it in there.

[Juno sighs, shaking his head and waving his hand dismissively.]

No, no, it's...it's fine. It's just-- [He hesitates, trying to find the words to say.] It's been a long week.

[He runs a hand through his hair, glancing over his shoulder before turning his attention back towards Elsa.]

In. I mean...shit, inside.

I- Yes. Of course.

[She doesn't look any bit reassured, but she still steps aside to let him in. Once the door is closed, she leads him through her home, pausing before she steps into the kitchen - always filled with herbs in various pots - and instead moves into the much less flowery dining room. Thankfully it's small, so no need to intimidate poor Juno with anything extravagant.]

Is there anything I can do? I mean... aside from this.

[Juno follows Elsa, his hands shoved in his pockets and his posture slightly hunched over. It's been a few months since he's come here, back when he first was trying to get his footing in Ryslig.

He rubs his face, leaning against the wall and suppressing a sigh. He doesn't want to unload all of his problems on Elsa.]

Just.... [He pauses. It's hard not to feel like a child when he says this.] This probably sounds stupid, but...I'd appreciate it if you could just...stay here or something.

[Another pause. He grips his arm.] Let's talk about your day. How was your day?

[He's making a poor attempt at trying not to have her ask questions about why he's here in the first place--he's not sure if he's capable of getting into that right now.]

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