002.

[reddeadvirgo.livejournal.com]

Characters: [AU1] Kanaya Maryam and yoooooou
Setting: Floor 15, the workshop OR the infirmary, backdated to a few days after returning from the nightmare worlds.
Format: Start prose, can match
Summary: After her first hectic days in the Tower, Kanaya is finally allowed to leave the infirmary (after almost dying of boredom). She about has a heart attack upon realizing that all of the clothes in her trunk show her symbol in red. So, she heads to the workshop, to hopefully remedy this problem.
Warnings: Probably language, and mentions of injury.

[Floor 15]
Kanaya frowned at the expanse of dark gray fabric before her. It had been a long time since she'd really sewn anything. She had patched up the jacket that Vriska made her, but making clothes in their own right was something she hadn't had the time for in what felt like sweeps. Beside her was a small pile of clothing -- things that bore the Virgo symbol in that stupid mutant color of hers. She could paint the shirt again, but...a patch would suffice for her coat. It felt wrong to make too drastic of a change.

Hopefully the skills would come back to her. The white body suit was not exactly the most comfortable thing to wear all the time (though it was effective for hiding all the bandages she was dressed with). She grabbed the pencil that she had set aside and began drawing out the shapes required for a simple tee-shirt. She'd paint the symbol on once it was all put together.

[Infirmary]
Kanaya did not consider her life to be boring. Not in the least. Especially not since she had revealed her blood color. Honestly, her life was pretty exciting, if downright shitty in most aspects.

And yet, medical blocks were still unspeakably boring. She sighed, staring down at the bandages covering her arms. She'd probably need to change them soon, but she always dreaded having to take them off, for fear of anyone seeing her mutation. The blood was mistakable for maroon while it was dry, but usually the wounds required cleaning too.

She'd put it off for a little while longer. Until then, time to count the folds in the sheets on the bed.

Comments

[reddeadvirgo.livejournal.com]

She listened intently to every word he spoke, hanging on each syllable as if it were a tale she'd find in one of Prospit's libraries. She'd...never really met anyone with that attitude before. Much less anyone encouraging her to have that kind of attitude. Or...encourage her much at all, really. She was always the one screwing stuff up by pulling stupid stunts.

She looked down to her freshly dressed arm, envisioning the injuries beneath. Sure, Her Imperious Condescension was here, but they weren't on Alternia anymore. There were plenty of people here that would be on her side. She's seen how many aliens are in this tower, and they won't all have the same ridiculous caste system.

Kanaya tilted her head back to meet Signless' gaze. "...I do not know if I possess the strength of will required to face it yet," she confessed bashfully. She'd always been scared before, but sending everything to hell by admitting it once had made the fear even worse. "But I will do my best. I know that many people already know, due to my connection with..."

Then the realization hit her. That other Karkat... "Your descendent," the younger troll eventually finished. "Many have already drawn the parallels. However, I think I'll actually tell them myself, eventually." Kanaya gave a small smile. "I hope that some day I am able to be like you in that regard."

She wasn't brave enough yet. She'd get there, though.

[benigncancer]

He could see her fear and knew that she was still too nervous to take his advice, but that was all right. He knew how scary and dangerous it was, and he wouldn't think less of her for feeling that way. She was still so young, anyway, and there was time for her to gather her courage.

He smiled and reached out, cupping her cheek. "You're braver than you think," he said. "When you're ready, know at least I'll be there to help you."

[reddeadvirgo.livejournal.com]

She almost couldn't believe what she was hearing. She'd never been called brave before, ever. Stupid, mutant, abomination, coward -- all those lovely words were very familiar. It was so jarring to meet a troll that seemed...peaceful. Troll culture was so violent and hateful. She'd built up a thick skin for it, just as any other Alternian had.

Kanaya blinked a little; memories of Vriska's unquestionable acceptance and attachment surged to the forefront of her think pan, provoking a sting that she knew would segue into tears if she wasn't careful. She unconsciously leaned a little into his touch. Her hand started as if to rest on top of his, but somehow she didn't feel like she had earned the gesture, so the appendage hovered awkwardly for a second before she dropped it again.

The redblood smiled regardless. "Thank you. I cannot accurately articulate my gratitude for your words." That didn't really seem adequate, but it would have to do. She didn't want to actually start sobbing -- that wasn't something she wanted Signless to have to deal with.

[benigncancer]

Signless couldn't be sure, but he suspected the wriggler was blinking back tears. He didn't want to make her feel embarrassed, so he pretended not to see, leaving his hand where it was for a few moments, then patting her hand as he withdrew.

"Words are pretty much inadequate most of the time," he said with a shrug. "You don't have to be grateful."