[ 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

[antiapocalypse]

...Thanks. I think. [ tiny smile, after a minute ] It's nothing against soldiers.

Why, are you one?

[emends]

Somewhat, [ she says, with a tiny smile of her own. ] I am a princess.

[antiapocalypse]

Xena? [ brightly ]

[emends]

[ ... ]

[ Lucina reaches over to the closest kleenex box, plucks out a tissue, and offers it to Buffy. That's what you were asking for, right? ]

[antiapocalypse]

...Xena, it's--

Thanks.

[ let's just take the tissue, Buffy. not everyone has to get your jokes. ]

[emends]

[ Lucina smiles, pleased with herself. (I'm helping!) ]

You are welcome.

[antiapocalypse]

[ aww ]

...So, what is your name, Your Majesty? [ which is not the right word for princess, but she's trying ]

[emends]

[ Being called that makes her flush slightly, and also makes her smile fade somewhat. With both her parents having been killed, it's true that she's expected to assume the throne and has assumed command of Ylisse's military forces.

She's also far from ready to take on the role of Exalt. Keep it away, Buffy! ]

No titles are necessary. I've never been fond of them. I am Lucina.

[antiapocalypse]

[ well, she didn't mean to make you sad. :( hmm ]

I'll keep that in mind. I'm Buffy.

[emends]

Oh, my condolences.

[ Guess who is assuming that "buffy" is the name of a type of illness. ]

Can you complete the examination in your state?

I laughed <3

[antiapocalypse]

[ uh, what? ]

What... state, exactly. [ are you making fun of her name :| ]

Yay c:

[emends]

Your, ah, illness.

[ A bit of sheepishness seems to tinge her otherwise steadfast expression. ]

<333

[antiapocalypse]

... [ okay let's just try this again from the top ] My name is Buffy. I'm actually not sick. Almost ever. Just one of the perks of being me.

And you are?

[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 ]