011; (voice; english)

[vonkarmic]

(Franziska’s had a lot on her mind lately concerning the arrivals and departures in Discedo, and what sort of system they might run on, but for now she’ll put only one question forth:)

Does anyone know of any common traits those individuals who have departed the city only to later return with their memories intact might share?

Comments

[notmanaging]

[She sounds somewhat sullen when she responds. Someone's been dwelling.]

What about?

[notmanaging]

[...as much as she hates it, those words give her hope. Yet, she knows not to be too hopeful.]

What do you mean?

[vonkarmic]

Well, why would you be?

[notmanaging]

Because...[and there's a lengthy pause as she tries to figure out how much, exactly, she should admit to, and well, considering what's happened so far, anyway, she doesn't have much else to lose. After all, she's already done away with her own dignity.]

...I really like you, Franziska.

[vonkarmic]

(Franziska nods, then remembers that Adrian can't see her:)

Yes, and likewise, but I still fail to see your point.

[notmanaging]

...I meant that I really like you, and I'm scared I'm going to be disappointed if you don't feel the same way.

[vonkarmic]

Oh.

(Franziska would be lying if she said she were completely shocked, but -- having thought Adrian's advances were largely the fault of too much liquor and not enough human contact -- she's still pretty thoroughly surprised, and all she can say is:)

I see.

(While she's aware that it's not the ideal response, both in terms of what she'd actually like to put forth and in terms of what Adrian would like to hear, it is all she can muster at the moment.)

[notmanaging]

...Is that what you wanted to talk about?

[vonkarmic]

Yes, but I -- I realize that I may have overreacted and handled the situation badly ...

(and for that, I apologize is there, unspoken, but despite the fact that her tone carries the apologetic intonation necessary to convey such a statement, Franziska doesn't know whether or not Adrian will pick up on it.)

[notmanaging]

...How else were you supposed to react?

[vonkarmic]

Ideally, with a bit more presence of mind.

[notmanaging]

I think you acted rather calmly for someone who'd just been slobbered on by some drunken fool.

[vonkarmic]

(Annoyed, Franziska sighs. This conversation wasn't going quite as she had planned, and she can't pinpoint why, precisely, this makes her so angry.)

Stop being so self-deprecating.

[notmanaging]

I'm not! It's simply an apt descriptor for my behaviour at the time.

[vonkarmic]

(Privately, she agrees, but she really is making an effort at getting along better, and she knows that includes not slinging insults - however well-deserved (?) they may be - at every opportunity.)

Be that as it may ... I propose that we both completely dismiss the events of the other night.

[notmanaging]

What does that solve?