[ Opening Mingle ]

[randomly_modding]

[Everyone will wake up suddenly, as if having drifted off -- while sitting upright in an uncomfortable office chair. In one hand they're holding the communicator, and in their lap is propped a clipboard with a job application (standard, looking something like this; it requests up to ten years of job history, ) and a pen. The waiting room is also fairly standard, except for being empty.]

[The communicator's lock screen reads, Complete the job application. Time limit, twenty-four hours.]

[There are magazines, fake plants, and computers. There's a staff lounge with food -- tupperware that might have belonged to some of these nonexistent workers, popcorn and cocoa packets, vending machines -- and restrooms. There are exits, but characters will be unable to use them... or make their own, or escape in any way.]

[So the characters are stuck here, until tomorrow morning. Set up a comment telling everyone what your character is doing, and thinking, whether they're obeying the task or not, at any time during the day. Then tag other people! Be sure to check back later in the week, when people are encouraged make threads for the evening as well as the day! Characters that have been claimed are also welcome at this point to join the community, and will be able to make their own posts, which can be tagged by anyone taking part in the event.]

Comments

[emends]

...Lucina.

[ Didn't she already say that? Lucina frowns tinily, still a bit concerned for this girl's health. She clamps down on her immediate desire to escort Buffy to an apothecary, though. ]

[antiapocalypse]

[ yes but we were starting over! the completely blank face tells Buffy you didn't get the memo, though. ]

It's -- an expression. I do those. A lot. [ beat ] Sorry.

I'm pretty strong with the slangy and the using words for things they don't usually mean and the sarcasm. I'm, like, a sarcasm expert.

[emends]

[ The blank face stays, unflinching. ]

I suppose that would be a... useful skill.

[ Lucina is trying to be diplomatic but she really does not understand you, Buffy. ]

[antiapocalypse]

Useful, I don't know. I like to think it helps cut the tension. A good solid pun can really lower your blood pressure when you're fighting for your life.

[emends]

I've never found that fanciful distractions were a good idea in combat, myself.

[ She fought for her life when the Risen sacked her home, burned Ylisstol to the ground, murdered countless soldiers under her command. It was never all that funny to her. ]

[antiapocalypse]

Well, sure, when you put it like that it sounds like a bad idea.

[emends]

[ Don't let it bother you, Buffy. Lucina is just a killjoy, even her comrades think so.

Her tone softens a fraction. ]

I just... have rarely found a reason to laugh or jest while in a fight. That's all.

[antiapocalypse]

[ she's fine, and smiling a little ]

Well, there's definitely a line. Wound so tight you might snap? Bad. So totally off the rails you're endangering everyone around you? Also bad.

[ see: Kendra and Faith. ]

[emends]

I. [ Uh. ] -- Don't feel I'm at risk of "snapping".

[ But, this conversation has also left her more than a little confused. ]

[antiapocalypse]

It's more the general kind of you. Like, you guys. [ vague. how does English work?? ]

[emends]

[ That is a very good question. ]

I suppose I could, ah, try your method for -- diffusing tension in battle.

[antiapocalypse]

Yeah, I wouldn't -- necessary recommend it if you aren't used to it. Maybe with supervision, to start.

[ just tossin' that out there ]

[emends]

I can assure you, I have plenty of combat experience. There is no need to worry, my la— Buffy. [ Over her head, zoom. ]

[antiapocalypse]

[ ... ] Right, but when you're trying to crack wise at the same time, it can get -- complicated...

You know what? I'm sure you'd be fine. [ no, not even a little, because trying to think of jokes would clearly cause you to strain something even if you weren't fighting ]

[emends]

[ True story: Lucina is canonically described as, "the least likely to get a joke." ]

Thank you. [ She appreciates the (false) vote of confidence, at any rate. ]

[antiapocalypse]

You're -- completely welcome. [ aww. she wishes she'd meant it. ]