vivarium | basically another mingle

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basically another mingle

[ On this beautiful Day 68, it's been another one of those days where there is literally nothing going on. Sure, there's that Calhoun Hour tomorrow and there's always something every three days but when they're given downtime like this? It's absolutely boring, like watching paint dry boring. Truly nothing to do, and it's worse when you can't fall asleep (because it is just so exciting to have the next event, oh boy...). It's not as bad as the night of the AB Round, but PTSD is an ass so Jake stays up once again and is absolutely dying of boredom. ]

[ Because the night is so ridiculously long, e'd be just literally anywhere and everywhere, so feel more than free to find him in any of the following locations: ]

[ A) In the Gym: he's not much for using the bikes, and not really in the mood for the weights. If only the mat didn't smell like complete garbage that he would be more keen to using it, but beggars can't be choosers, so if you're that bored and hate yourself, you can wrestle with Jake here, or learn some self-defense nonsense. If not, he's just going to find himself examining the punching bag (yet not use it), or taking inventory of all the medical supplies (or whatever he can use in lieu of them, like extra bedsheets as bandages). Another good time to learn basic first aid? ]

[ B) In the Garden: there's no fire this time. However, there is other nonsense here like making paper boats (yeah, he's that fucking bored), writing nonsense in whatever language he feels like (probably in Ukrainian but English, really basic Chinese fuck if I know, or the language they have here are all possible too; maybe all together for the ultimate nonsensical writing?), or lifting up one of the benches to place it side by side the other bench to make a nice makeshift bed. ]

[ C) In the Lounge: he's not even doing anything but sitting on the couch. It's one of those moments when you're tired but you can't sleep, so you just stare off into space, just thinking about whatever. That's just his state right now, so sneak up on him? Which isn't the best idea, but he's not as jumpy as before, so ehh, it's all right. Just come and stare at the turned off TV or gossip or make of how he slips up his accents here. He should be tired enough for that. ]

[ Be free, test subjects, tag whatever. This idiot isn't going to be sleeping for a while. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Jake swears she seemed smarter near the beginning of the game than now... Luckily for her, since she's just throwing Snackoos at him, it's not going to generate a huge reaction, other than slight irritation when he turns. ]

You know, I didn't get those for you so you could throw them around.

[perhaps it's just that jake's threat level is just falling. ...or both. either way, minor irritation is acceptable; it's too late to get all worked up]

It's called 'sharing'. And if you'd been asleep you wouldn't have noticed in the first place.

[ how dare you, jake's threat level is still pretty high. he's a 6'3" monster, who is also having a ukrainian accent right now instead of his american one, have fun with that ]

Don't know what kind of heavy sleeper you are, but pretty sure anyone would wake up if they were being pelted.

[ he goes ahead and picks up all the snackoos she's thrown at him and just puts them on the couch's arm. feel free to take a seat, he's not that big to hog the entire couch ]

[the couch isn't known for its level of comfort but she'll sit anyway, since that's what you do with a high-threat monster target like jake muller]

[...well, when she actually sleeps it's like the dead so it is questionable, but] You wouldn't be pelted if you were--wait, what'd you say?

I said that you'd be one hell of a heavy sleeper if you wouldn't wake up to being pelted.

[ well, not exactly what he said, but what he was trying to get across. ]

What, losing your hearing already?

[unfortunately for him it's not what he said but the accent he said them in that caught her ear, and she is way too amused to not shitlord a bit]

It wasn't about your new plan to catch moose and squirrel? --You've got an accent! Tell me about the 'nuclear wessels'!

[ he was totally hoping that it would be her hearing that was going bad because ughhhh ]

What is with you and Hershel about this accent?

Well, you don't usually have it. I can't believe Hershel knew you had a cute accent and didn't tell me.

"Cute"? Are you serious?

[ you don't mix jake and cute together, even if it's over an accent ]

[unfortunately that is exactly what just happened. she stares at him so very reproachfully]

I hope you don't think I'd throw around four-letter words lightly. Some of us have reputations to maintain.

[ we might need to get ema's sanity in for a check then ]

Yeah, because you had such a high reputation in the first place. [ aka no reputation ] But maybe I should have broke out the accent a lot earlier if you like it so much.

[wow, what is there even to check?]

[she huffs and crosses her arms, ignoring her (lack of) reputation completely.]

Maybe you should've. Though I guess the hidden nature is part of the appeal...

[ what isn't there to check, lbr here. ]

According to Hershel, it's whenever I'm "tired" so enjoy it while you can. Never know when I'm going to suddenly wake up again and switch accents.

[hey there is still a non-critical amount of sanity points remaining! ...probably]

Say some more stuff, then. Unless you're planning on becoming un-tired in the near future.

[have you heard a more roundabout way of asking if someone wants to be left alone to sleep? honestly]

[ ... "probably", you say. i don't feel a boost of confidence from that ]

I don't think I'm going to get some sleep anytime soon with you around, so any requests?

[don't worry about it!]

A bedtime story seems appropriate. ...Or you could read your note. I don't know how to pronounce it correctly.

[pause.]

Or, I could get out of your hair so you can sleep. Heaven knows what time it is.

[ ... worries more about it.

]

It's fine. I'm not going to manage to sleep anyway, even without you here. [ He just waves it off. He was just teasing with the previous line, how he couldn't get any shut eye with her around. ] But fine, I'll read it just once, so you ready?

[ Get your note out ready or whatever. He already has his original copy out. ]

[:'D]

Fire away. [she pulls her copy from her vest pocket, though she's more interested in seeing what she can glean from his reading]

[ Focusing on how he's reading the note is definitely much more helpful than trying to figure out what he's saying, since it'd at least give her an idea of the tone of the note (or what he thought of it) if she didn't understand a lick of Ukrainian. What he's reading is this note (which his mom left before she died or something, RE is melodramatic), so Jake, unsurprisingly, reads it in a rather sullen tone. When he reaches the part about his father though, he shifts on the couch and frowns deeply. He tries not to scoff, since he doesn't want to mock his dead mom, but he's clearly does not agree with these last few sentences because dad can go fuck himself. ]

[ Once he's done, he just folds up the note then stays quiet, waiting for whatever response Ema might give. ]

[another pause. then, mildly]

What are you looking at me for? You think I have any idea what you just said?

[in point of fact, she has many ideas, some of which even have some degree of accuracy. what she's short on is reasons for the--contempt in the last few sentences. and she'd rather be a flippant jerk than force him onto an obviously unwelcome topic.

still, her expression softens. perhaps it's the hour but she doesn't want to come off as dismissive, either]

...I know you hate letting people into your business. I appreciate it.

[ Well, that's surprising. He didn't expect her to express appreciation. It really must be the hour, but he's not going to complain. It's actually thoughtful. ]

What can I say? Guess I'm just getting soft.

[ He wouldn't have shared anything like this back during the beginning of the game, but after 2+ months stuck with Ema, he's more open about things (though not as much lbr). ]

Maybe you can show me that textbook you got in return. See why you're so obsessed with science.

[ Trying to move away from this gloomy atmosphere as he tucks away his note. Less angry and sad parent issues, onward to crazy science. ]

[if only more situations would strap themselves in for a ride to crazy science town, it is a wonderful place, scientifically speaking]

[Anyway, she pulls the book from her bag, offering it to him. It looks like an old and well-used college textbook, Introduction to Forensics; 'Lana Skye' is written in neat script inside the front cover. The same handwriting flows through margins throughout the book, extra information ostensibly from whatever lectures were presented, and in places that is supplemented with notes in a messier scrawl. Basically it is literally what it says on the cover, just awaiting others to read it and unlock its scientific secrets]

Apparently I studied in Europe for a while. I don't remember anything about classes or being abroad, though. ...Luckily this starts at the beginning. DNA, fingerprints, autopsies, toxicology...nothing's in depth, but it's all here.

[ ema, you gotta leave crazy science town eventually. you can't live there forever ]

[ Jake takes the textbook, noting that it has seen better days, so he takes extra care while flipping through. He sees the name on the front cover, but he doesn't say anything about it. He doesn't know who it is, but since he knows that Ema has this sister-facing-execution thing, he doesn't want to bring it up on the off-chance that Lana is that sister. So, he just skims quickly through, not really reading it besides a sentence here and here. ]

Nothing like a good refresher. So, you think you were some forensic scientist?

[crazy science town is the sort of place you check in but don't check out. There are lots of chicken nuggets and other foods created by scientists]

[she shrugs, unsure if she had expected (or wanted) to be pressed more on the book's true owner or not]

I know I wanted to be one. I haven't remembered much about being an adult. I haven't remembered that much, period. ...Guess if there's a puzzle room about crime scene investigation I can have an edge.

[ chicken nuggets do sound rather tempting... but the true question is whether or not you will ever get tired of them ]

[ hey, if she wants him to ask about the textbook owner, he will, but he just figured that it was in a no-jake territory. ]

Tell me about it. It's like they're trying to keep any recent memories from us. [ the most recent one was when he was 15 and the whole beginning merc nonsense ] And maybe, assuming they'd give us something fun like a crime scene. Playing cops and robbers might not be up their alley.

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