( IT COULD BE MORE CURSED! actually, since she's bereft of nerf guns to bop rita in the forehead with every time she transgresses socially, a little extra trauma's just gonna have to do the trick instead — )
Skulduggery Pleasant's been screwing the Captain with a fake penis, and now we both have to live with the mental image of it.
( somewhere in the bowels of windjammer, a fresh tray of mashed potatoes is churned out. extra salty, clarke & rita's suffering flavored. )
[If Rita knew anything about the sort of chocolate sculptures Max Maximum has made in the kitchen, she'd be wishing some more cursed content on Clarke right about now: namely, walking into the kitchen when he's working on a chocodick. But she doesn't, so she can't, and instead just makes a protracted noise somewhere between a scream and a disgusted groan--probably sounding like a strangled cat all the while.]
UuuugggggghhstoooOOP-
[She's finally just going to slap a hand over Clarke's mouth. If only that could erase the mental image, but it's too late!! Thanks, Clarke! She's going to have terrible nightmares tonight!]
[Because it definitely wasn't already peak cursed before Clarke had to go into detail. Anyway, Rita gives her an aghast side-eye a moment longer before pulling her hand away, crossing her arms, and proceeding like she's in no way at fault-]
Next time you're going to bring up something gross like that, warn me so I can cover my ears.
( really honest to goodness tried to warn rita off the topic, but now they're way past that point and clarke.... can't help it. her mouth is free, she snorts a little too hard and can't quite bite back a bark of laughter.
Damn, she missed Clarke. Not that she didn't already know that, but hearing the other girl laugh a bit really drives it home all over again--for the second time in a single day. She crosses her arms and looks away, because like hell she's going to cry again when they're not even talking about anything sad!!]
I can't believe you hit me after I just fell down the stairs.
( this belated realization is somehow also hilarious, namely because while the bruises along her arms, torso and legs are really starting to ache now, it isn't like rita hit anything vital or bleeding. clarke's laughter dissolves into silent wheezing, her ribs protesting, but... yanno, she's had to expand her mind relatively quickly in this place. from accepting interdimensional kidnapping and magic and djinn and revival and blood sigils and possessions and shape shifters and vampires and werewolves and omnics — at some point the growing pains had to materialize physically, at some point her psyche had to crack a little.
all in good fun, though. in the company of a valued friend. and if they couldn't laugh about it, all that's left to do is cry. )
And come on, it's a little funny. Some day we'll both laugh about this.
[She bristles a little, flustered and caught between denial and it wasn't even really a hit, I just slapped your hands away to stop the sex miming, thanks!!/i>, but Clarke's wheeze-laughing away regardless and Rita might almost be tempted to let a grin tug at the corner of her mouth despite herself-
But considering the state of things lately, her instinctual reply instead ends up being far more of a mood-killer.]
( oof, yeah, that's a bit of a buzzkill statement. it's more than enough to get clarke to taper off her laughter, but doesn't quite manage to wipe the soft smile off her lips. you know what's more dangerous than a collapsing reality? a bulletproof sense of ego and invincibility. )
I feel pretty confident there will be, Rita. I didn't come back here just to die.
[Rita bites her lip; she'd also hate to have Clarke come back only for everything to collapse shortly after--not that dragging things out by throwing themselves into the torture ring over and over is much better... (But the red string is...a bad idea, isn't it?)
She doesn't feel particularly optimistic about their chances. But Clarke is here. And that is something, isn't it? At length, she finally responds-]
Yeah...that wouldn't be like you. [Dying without a fight, that is.] So, guess we'll be working together again to find a way out of this.
[After glancing Clarke up and down and remembering her stairs escapade, though, she amends-] Starting tomorrow, maybe.
( her ribs already ache when she exhales sharply for emphasis here, and honestly they'll feel even worse tomorrow. rita's lovely offer of sharing her room is being heavily considered, but clarke still has one or two items on her "recently returned from the dead" checklist to tick off before retiring so she doesn't ask in this moment to return home. )
I still wanted to go to the... library. ( there's no real telling if rita knows the importance of that room to clarke, but it's a comfort spot. it's where she'd gotten her hands on real, unblemished books for the first time and where she spent many previous hours hunched over tomes with the likes of one palamedes sextus trying to unravel the mysteries of this place. or at least be better prepared for any upcoming excursions. and it's where she wants to go now, for some familiarity and hopefully peace and quiet. )
Do you mind checking the coast is clear? ( comes the ask, jerking her chin towards the entrance of the arcade. ) And I'll meet you at 110 in a few hours?
( gotta conspire with ari about how the red string is the only idea right now first. )
[On some level she's aware Clarke's gone to the library after trying times--like Vile's rampage--but she doesn't know just how important it is, either. Still, not like she's going to question Clarke's reason for going.
And while she doesn't mind checking outside, what does give her pause is meet in a few hours.]
Meet... You don't want to stick together until then? Darcy could come sniffing around again.
( clarke doesn't mean to casually spit in the face of rita's concern; no, she cherishes how willing the other girl is to stick by her side, but... she'd almost meant it when saying she didn't want her friend dragged in as collateral damages in this spat. so she smiles, a little forced, and shrugs. )
Darcy would have found me by now if they were actually looking, don't you think? Bloodhound with a bone, that one.
I'll be okay, Rita. And I'll call if I'm not — again.
[Clarke only just came back, which brings with it an odd nervousness of letting go again too soon. What if Rita leaves and something happens? But she shakes her head. Clarke might be good at finding trouble, but it's not like she's helpless, either.]
Alright. But make sure you call if anything happens, okay? Anything at all!
( it's never needed to be spelled out that natsuno is first, right? but still, amongst all the passengers on board the serena eterna, the two clarke reliable ever texts are the flame kitties. they're right at the top of her message history, all it'd take would be a few swipes of the thumb.
and with all the assurances of temporary (revival) invulnerability and good friends, clarke moves to slip past rita out into the hallway. but —
pauses. maybe doesn't go in for a full hug this time around, since they've already had a few of those this day, but does purposefully bump her shoulder into rita's. and smiles. )
( honestly, such a blessing they both steadfastly agree on that point — bonus that it's never been weird. there is a healthy respect for friendships within this group, stretching all the way back to palamedes' restraint in asking clarke to be his cavalier secondary because he never wanted to strong arm her to prioritize him over natsuno.
and while she hadn't been sold on rita right off the bat (they'd squabbled, they'd butted heads, etc) clarke's gotta admit that she sees what natsuno likes about the other girl. long since has, but it's again emphasized when rita goes a little red in response to her thanks. and clarke smiles, almost like she's about to tease — we've really come a long way since you tried to roast me like a marshmallow, haven't we? — but bites it back in favor of something she lowkey imagines the genius mage likes to hear: )
You're right, yeah. Of course.
( but the smile grows slightly bigger.
and then she's off — walking down the hall with the gait of someone who knows exactly where they're going. only pausing to spin on her heel and mime texting on an invisible phone before holding up a single finger, then splaying a whole hand across her heart: first on my speed dial, promise. )
[Rita's always known that Natsuno and Clarke were thick as thieves, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Sure, maybe it could have been a point of contention if the two girls' own relationship hadn't undergone a massive improvement, but--it did, so here they are, all the better for it too. There's a sense of assurance that Clarke brings, to know that even if Rita vanishes or...anything else happens, that Natsuno won't be alone.
Besides, who wouldn't have someone as capable as Natsuno first on speed-dial? Only an idiot, that's who.]
See you later, then.
[She can't but answer Clarke's grin with a small one of her own. At first, she doesn't immediately move, watching just in case Darcy inexplicably pops out of the wall or something. But that doesn't happen, and instead Clarke turns and gestures, and--alright, alright, look, she's totally not worrying! (Not too much.) Rita gives a little huff and waves, then turns and starts making her way for the stairs.]
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Don't say it!! That's enough, I--I get the idea, okay?!
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Skulduggery Pleasant's been screwing the Captain with a fake penis, and now we both have to live with the mental image of it.
( somewhere in the bowels of windjammer, a fresh tray of mashed potatoes is churned out. extra salty, clarke & rita's suffering flavored. )
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UuuugggggghhstoooOOP-
[She's finally just going to slap a hand over Clarke's mouth. If only that could erase the mental image, but it's too late!! Thanks, Clarke! She's going to have terrible nightmares tonight!]
Did you have to make it worse?
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muffled from behind rita's hand: )
There is no way I could have possibly made that information any worse than it already was.
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[Because it definitely wasn't already peak cursed before Clarke had to go into detail. Anyway, Rita gives her an aghast side-eye a moment longer before pulling her hand away, crossing her arms, and proceeding like she's in no way at fault-]
Next time you're going to bring up something gross like that, warn me so I can cover my ears.
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( really honest to goodness tried to warn rita off the topic, but now they're way past that point and clarke.... can't help it. her mouth is free, she snorts a little too hard and can't quite bite back a bark of laughter.
just a little giggle. a chortle, really. )
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Damn, she missed Clarke. Not that she didn't already know that, but hearing the other girl laugh a bit really drives it home all over again--for the second time in a single day. She crosses her arms and looks away, because like hell she's going to cry again when they're not even talking about anything sad!!]
Geez...it's not even that funny.
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( this belated realization is somehow also hilarious, namely because while the bruises along her arms, torso and legs are really starting to ache now, it isn't like rita hit anything vital or bleeding. clarke's laughter dissolves into silent wheezing, her ribs protesting, but... yanno, she's had to expand her mind relatively quickly in this place. from accepting interdimensional kidnapping and magic and djinn and revival and blood sigils and possessions and shape shifters and vampires and werewolves and omnics — at some point the growing pains had to materialize physically, at some point her psyche had to crack a little.
all in good fun, though. in the company of a valued friend. and if they couldn't laugh about it, all that's left to do is cry. )
And come on, it's a little funny. Some day we'll both laugh about this.
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[She bristles a little, flustered and caught between denial and it wasn't even really a hit, I just slapped your hands away to stop the sex miming, thanks!!/i>, but Clarke's wheeze-laughing away regardless and Rita might almost be tempted to let a grin tug at the corner of her mouth despite herself-
But considering the state of things lately, her instinctual reply instead ends up being far more of a mood-killer.]
Assuming there even is a "some day", you mean...
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I feel pretty confident there will be, Rita. I didn't come back here just to die.
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She doesn't feel particularly optimistic about their chances. But Clarke is here. And that is something, isn't it? At length, she finally responds-]
Yeah...that wouldn't be like you. [Dying without a fight, that is.] So, guess we'll be working together again to find a way out of this.
[After glancing Clarke up and down and remembering her stairs escapade, though, she amends-] Starting tomorrow, maybe.
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( her ribs already ache when she exhales sharply for emphasis here, and honestly they'll feel even worse tomorrow. rita's lovely offer of sharing her room is being heavily considered, but clarke still has one or two items on her "recently returned from the dead" checklist to tick off before retiring so she doesn't ask in this moment to return home. )
I still wanted to go to the... library. ( there's no real telling if rita knows the importance of that room to clarke, but it's a comfort spot. it's where she'd gotten her hands on real, unblemished books for the first time and where she spent many previous hours hunched over tomes with the likes of one palamedes sextus trying to unravel the mysteries of this place. or at least be better prepared for any upcoming excursions. and it's where she wants to go now, for some familiarity and hopefully peace and quiet. )
Do you mind checking the coast is clear? ( comes the ask, jerking her chin towards the entrance of the arcade. ) And I'll meet you at 110 in a few hours?
( gotta conspire with ari about how the red string is the only idea right now first. )
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And while she doesn't mind checking outside, what does give her pause is meet in a few hours.]
Meet... You don't want to stick together until then? Darcy could come sniffing around again.
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Darcy would have found me by now if they were actually looking, don't you think? Bloodhound with a bone, that one.
I'll be okay, Rita. And I'll call if I'm not — again.
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[Clarke only just came back, which brings with it an odd nervousness of letting go again too soon. What if Rita leaves and something happens? But she shakes her head. Clarke might be good at finding trouble, but it's not like she's helpless, either.]
Alright. But make sure you call if anything happens, okay? Anything at all!
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( it's never needed to be spelled out that natsuno is first, right? but still, amongst all the passengers on board the serena eterna, the two clarke reliable ever texts are the flame kitties. they're right at the top of her message history, all it'd take would be a few swipes of the thumb.
and with all the assurances of temporary (revival) invulnerability and good friends, clarke moves to slip past rita out into the hallway. but —
pauses. maybe doesn't go in for a full hug this time around, since they've already had a few of those this day, but does purposefully bump her shoulder into rita's. and smiles. )
Thanks for coming when I needed you.
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Anyway, Clarke's ready to set off and Rita's at her side before they separate into opposite directions when the shoulder bump comes, and--
Her cheeks flush immediately in the face of such sincere, heartfelt gratitude, and she shakes her head.]
As if I wouldn't. That's what...friends are for, after all.
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and while she hadn't been sold on rita right off the bat (they'd squabbled, they'd butted heads, etc) clarke's gotta admit that she sees what natsuno likes about the other girl. long since has, but it's again emphasized when rita goes a little red in response to her thanks. and clarke smiles, almost like she's about to tease — we've really come a long way since you tried to roast me like a marshmallow, haven't we? — but bites it back in favor of something she lowkey imagines the genius mage likes to hear: )
You're right, yeah. Of course.
( but the smile grows slightly bigger.
and then she's off — walking down the hall with the gait of someone who knows exactly where they're going. only pausing to spin on her heel and mime texting on an invisible phone before holding up a single finger, then splaying a whole hand across her heart: first on my speed dial, promise. )
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Besides, who wouldn't have someone as capable as Natsuno first on speed-dial? Only an idiot, that's who.]
See you later, then.
[She can't but answer Clarke's grin with a small one of her own. At first, she doesn't immediately move, watching just in case Darcy inexplicably pops out of the wall or something. But that doesn't happen, and instead Clarke turns and gestures, and--alright, alright, look, she's totally not worrying! (Not too much.) Rita gives a little huff and waves, then turns and starts making her way for the stairs.]