2. Inside Out [Video]

[_fredless]

[The camera flips on to reveal a brunette, settled on to her bed with a single braid trailing down her back. Her knees are drawn up against her chest, and it's clear that instead of sleeping? She's been thinking. Her chin tilts, and she addresses the screen directly]So there's this thing I do. In new places, or situations or when I don't exactly

Comments

[scarlet_discord]

Hi! You new as well? I'm Wanda.

Look, if you want a place to start besides the standard ones, I'm in 4-3 and like visitors. I've got piles of good music, I've got some Dead Can Dance, buncha books...offer's open, ok?

[Wanda knows about attacks of the shys. She has crippling ones.]

[_fredless]

I'm --- [Fred considers how to answer that] --yes. Yes, I'm still new. And I'm just one floor up from you, in 5-14.

I'll definitely have to take you up on that offer sometime soon.

[scarlet_discord]

Very cool. You got any preferences in music or geekery?

[_fredless]

In music? Well, I grew up in Texas which I know is hardly going to be to everybody's taste. [Another small smile] But I studied physics and run a science division for a law firm, so that pretty much includes every level of...geekery?

video;

[breakmychest]

I'm glad to hear it, love. Been wondering where you were hiding out.

video

[_fredless]

[Spike gets his own smile. He should know the one]

Well, you know how I get. I didn't go far, though.

[Only mostly he didn't. It's too easy, somehow, to forget just how little they go back. Still, he knows enough of the story to understand]

video

[breakmychest]

[It's not something he's ever viewed for himself, so he can't help but be a bit worried about her when he hears it, but he hides it pretty well. Especially as she seems to be coming out again.]

Want to take a stroll on deck with me?

video

[_fredless]

[It's far from her intention to worry anybody. Especially him]

I'd like that.

[goodgrasshopper]

[Have a smile, Fred.] You bet. Going to make it to the dining hall for breakfast? I could meet you there, to give you some incentive to come out.

[_fredless]

[Fred actually laughs. This is something that speaks to her]

I've clearly been hiding away too much if my love of breakfast food hasn't been permanently linked to my name yet.

[goodgrasshopper]

Oh yeah? Breakfast is your favorite?

[_fredless]

It's pancakes. We're talking about pancakes and waffles and...how it isn't everybody's favorite I'll never know.

[inhistorybooks]

Nice to see you're still here. I know this place is kinda weird, but it's really not so bad once you get out and about a little.

[_fredless]

[Hey look, it's big brother. She needs to get out more, if only to shake that image]

Everybody's been more than friendly it's...just something I do. I guess I thought it was past me? But I felt myself settling into it again.

[rass_bestie]

Hello. And I know what you mean.

[_fredless]

Hello.

[A smile, which drifts into something else as the rest of what he says settles]

...really?

[rass_bestie]

I was isolated myself for a while. I tend to revert to hermitage when… changes happen.

[_fredless]

[Oh he...he did understand. So despite memories, or embarrassment or the underlying difficulties in the topic? He's getting just about the widest smile she's got]