#V2. POSTCANON VERSE — ANN

[sharpsuite]

@stingslikeabee played: "How did you find me ?" came the question with disbelief, confusion and a sharp pain to Melissa's head; she held it with both hands for a while, lowering the gaze to the floor before steadying herself and looking at the girl standing outside the hospital room, her features so damn familiar. Who was she? Why did she feel like crying?

Why had Melissa said that?

"Have we met?" she asked, frowning while still experiencing some fierce headache, leaning against the doorframe for support but not willing to drop the conversation either. That other lady - she felt important; worthy of the pain, even, "I feel we did. I feel you matter."

ANN'S UNDER INTENSE SUPERVISION WHILE AT THE HOSPITAL. Her recovery is nothing short of a miracle according to everyone else. She has to agree - the medical team is to thank for this. She carries the distinct feeling that she should be dead. Not out of any desire for that, far from it. But there's three scars in her abdomen and thorax that the nurses came from debris and shrapnel and something in her shakes its head angrily. BULLETS. They came from bullets, ripping through her flesh and leaving a bloody mess behind. She knows this and doesn't know this at the same time. Bullets don't make any sense ( not that a meteor does either ) but that feels RIGHT and the official explanation feels WRONG. She's not sure it matters though because either way it doesn't feel like she made it back how she was SUPPOSED to. That too doesn't seem to matter either because the medical team still swarms her, limits her activity, and watches every little thing she does.

She finds herself standing in front of one room in particular with a gut feeling. ANN WORKS AMONG THE POLICE ; SHE TRUSTS HER GUT INSTINCT. But she isn't sure what this one means. Why she's here, the foreign nametag on the door both familiar and not. And then the door swings open and the other speaks.

" I don't know. Chance, I suppose? " Ann hadn't looked for anyone in specific. BUT HERE SHE WAS. Following an invisible string that pulled her here where it had stopped. Her own answer is out before she considers how strange it all is.

She's supposed to remember something. She can feel it tugging at her mind.

Nodding slowly, Ann mulls over the feeling. It stays, as steady as the heart beating in her chest. " We definitely have. " Ann settles for despite how the memories seem jumbled up and DISTORTED. She offers a smile to try to ease the edge from the situation. " To be fair to us both, I think we're both pumped full of hospital grade painkillers and other medications. " Her head tilts slightly to the right, towards the IV bag and whatever else she's had to roll around with her. " I am, the medical staff barely agreed to let me hobble around. "

( Her wounds ache, and she swears she can hear summer crickets. )

" I'm Ann. " She offers, smile still polite and sweet despite the pain the throbs. " You're... Miranda - no. Melissa ? " Ann asks, her voice wavering with uncertainty and something that sounds SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE SHE MIGHT CRY. Her throat clenches and maybe it isn't LIKE she might cry so much as she's close to crying. Ann hasn't cried since she's woken up. She feels very close to it now actually.

[sharpsuite]

She notices the changes because of course she does. The shift in his expression, like a ripple over a puddle. It's her answer even before he says anything, although there is a pinprick of GUILT. For some people it had been a horrific tragedy. Funnily enough, Ann's noticed that it's NOT THE SURVIVORS WHO STRUGGLE THE MOST. It seems to be the family and friends and partners - even if they were entirely unharmed. It's a strange phenomena to have observed while in the hospital. Those who had survived had come back somewhat different if not entirely so.

LIKE SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED, SOMETHING HAD CHANGED.

Then again, Ann had been clinically dead longer. Shrapnel they say - but she can only think, irrationally, bullets and gunfire.

Beads of condensation from her drink clinging to fingertips. HE KNOWS SOMETHING. " I've just noticed some things. And had dreams. " She muses, painted fingertip carving a path through condensation. " The idea of near death experiences, glimpses to another place that maybe the mind access but the physical body doesn't. Science only goes so far before we must accept that human knowledge HAS ITS LIMITS for the time being. " She ponders thoughtfully. " It makes sense then, in near death, only those with an active and intense desire would come back - be it to keep living, to see someone else, to simply WIN. " Win what? She's not sure because Death comes for all - but it feels right the same way that the idea of GAMES feels right.

Her dark gaze lifts and fixates on him, listening - noting. A DIAMONDS SPECIALIST THROUGH AND THROUGH. She listens and doesn't scoff or laugh, but listens, really listens, picking up pieces and trying to recall.

His description poises to set this person up as the mastermind behind the idea. Crazy and absurd and yet - yet it feels right. She's never been a very spiritual person, but nor has she ever dismissed the idea either. " I think I saw someone like that at the hospital where a lot of the survivors of cardiac arrest went to. " Her brow furrows slightly. " He didn't seem very concerned. " She muses. " Maybe he falls into the latter. Simply wanting to win, to be victorious. Or not. It's theories. "

The food smells good but it's lost her interest even as she manages a small bite. " Even so. This person, be it him or someone else, uses the meteor and picks and chooses people by some criteria to enter this other space. I think . . . " Her brows furrow slightly. " I wouldn't be mad. Even despite everything. " She gives a quiet little puff with a wry smile. " That must sound insane, but i do mean it. "

“Well. You know what they say.” Sam’s voice is rice paper. He wags a brow. “I don’t just talk the talk. I walk the walk.”

She must see what no one else does, cursed with an irrefutable sixth sense, I see dead people. He huffs a sound halfway to a laugh, and he swallows. 

“How—” His brow pinches, smile skewing. “How— could you know that?” Sam slowly asks. “And what’s it got to do with…”

She remembers. And she’s right. Universal cardiac arrest is a one in a million, a cosmic anomaly, the statistic equivalent of the Big Bang. His brain weaves fledgling possibilities on how she knows. One: she’s met with other survivors. Less likely: they knew before waking up. Amazonian that she is, if anyone were to emerge intact, somewhat immune to the sulfuric acetic bite of amnesia, it would be Ann.

“Alright. So.” Sam takes a breath, unsticking his mouth. “So some guy swoops in, stopping hearts,” he croaks, like making sure they’re on the same page. “And everyone who lost... bought it.”

For real. Not a dream.

It isn’t wrong. Someone did this. It sounds crazy out loud. Village-witch-burned-at-the-stake crazy. The kind of thing rubber rooms were invented for, only that’s the conclusion this is leading to, and no one is laughing. 

Sam clears his throat, running his tongue over a molar. 

“I don’t—” He chuckles, still reeling. “I, uh- met this guy. Had the whole… platinum hair thing?” he says, gesturing nebulously with his hand. “Like Marilyn Monroe?” Sam drops it back down and spins whirlpools into his ramen. “Anyway. Don’t think ‘determined’ is the word I’d use.

“More... don’t hate the player,” he says. “Hate the game.”

[sharpsuite]

" you took a sick day. you NEVER take a sick day. so yeah, i got worried, and i figured i'd come over and keep an eye on you. " (Kuina to Ann)

↳ CARING FOR THE SICK PROMPTS

REAL LIFE is strange to try to adapt back into after the disaster that had struck Tokyo. The city is not the same, but neither is she. Neither are most of the survivors, all who share a similar eerie experience of a single minute of cardiac arrest. Except hers. By all accounts, she's experienced CLINICAL DEATH FOLLOWED BY A COMA. There's second chances at life, and then there's whatever category she falls into. There's the feeling sometimes that by all accounts she shouldn't be here. But she is. With a clinical death on her record and several more scars, but she's alive.

She's never stopped having the feeling that the woman named Kuina plays a large role in that.

Ann has felt the inexplicable draw to her since she woke up and met her. LIKE SHE KNEW HER. And she can't help thinking that the one minute the survivors experienced isn't a coincidence. She's heard plenty of stories and there are nights where HER DREAMS FEEL MORE LIKE MEMORIES. Ann does not say this though, not at the hospital and certainly not once she eventually got released. ( Because it sounds absurd and she also can't explain why Kuina was in a swimsuit - those are details you simply don't admit to because of how it sounds. ) She keeps it to herself in the healing process. MOSTLY.

" Thank you, for everything. " Ann had once murmured to Kuina one time they were in the hospital garden. It could be for the company and her help as they try to recover. BUT IT'S SO MUCH MORE. Deep down, Ann knows this even if she can't say specifics. But they recover together, and the city heals. Gradually, Ann returns back to her work (and takes Kuina on a tour of the lab but NOT the crime scenes). Her life is different than before even with the familiarity of work. There is Kuina to keep her from losing herself to only her work once again. AND, APPARENTLY, APPEAR WHEN SHE'S SICK.

Ann's skin is free of her signature lipstick and light makeup. She's barefaced and flushed, leaning heavily on the doorframe when she opens the door to be met with the surprise of Kuina standing there expectantly. For once the most intelligent question she can muster is How did you know I was home? Kuina's answer is smart because it's true. ANN NEVER MISSED WORK. Not before the disaster, and not afterwards either. But today she had. And she'd probably missed quite a few texts and calls from both Kuina and her work.

At least Kuina has a facemask on. " I'll be okay. " Ann tries to reassure with an exhausted smile. It's a bit harder though when her scars are aching and she hasn't been able to sleep and she feels like she's burning up, skin flushed with fever. EVEN SO, if her poor health at the hospital hadn't dissuaded Kuina, she doubt this will. So Ann opens to the door to her home to let Kuina in. Cozy and elegant, modest and functional. Much like its owner. " Please feel free to help yourself to anything while you're here.

Her legs tremble slightly with the effort. It feels a bit pathetic that whatever she has is taking her out. SHE'S SURVIVED WORSE. Still, an apologetic expression creeps up to her features. " I'm sorry to worry you. I must've ruined your plans, huh? " Shame makes her chest ache at the thought of being an INCONVENIENCE. The old worry of burdening others with her troubles threatens to creep back up. But that's what people who mattered did, right? They shared their burdens, helped through thick and thin. "...Thank you for coming to check on me. " She manages to croak out, the smile GENUINE despite her poor health. / @musingmemories

[sharpsuite]

" right, where do you keep your saucepans? i'm going to make you my famous noodle soup. it's a cure-all, i'm telling you! " (either or)

↳ CARING FOR THE SICK PROMPTS

Ann doesn't get sick easily. She never has, not even when she was a little girl. A naturally if unusually strong immune system. Maybe that should have been the first sign of how much of a fighter Ann was. And her time in the field and during various rough weather had only helped that. On the down side, when she got sick, she really got sick.

She had curled up on one of the couches in her living room, head resting against the pillow and a blanket tugged around her. " You really don't have to- " Ann attempts to protest despite how weak and hoarse her voice is. Not like that's going to deter Sam. Not that he has his mind set to this task. She fumbles to grab the water bottle on the coffee table to take a sip before she clears her throat and tries to speak up. " They're in the bottom cabinet on the right side of the stove. The larger pots are on the bottom shelf. " Because of course Ann knows exactly where everything in her house is. She's organized like that.

It's strange to be being cared FOR. The thought rolls over in her mind as she watches Sam move around her kitchen. ( She's rather thankful she always keeps her fridge and pantry well stocked.) So often Ann is the one caring for others while her own needs take a lower precedent and go unacknowledged even by herself. She doesn't mind that, but there's something almost like GUILT at seeing Sam doing things for her when she's certain he could be doing countless other things. He seems quite enthusiastic about making soup for her though, so it's not all so bad.

" I'm looking forward to your miracle-working famous soup in that case. " Her smile, though tired, is no less genuine even in her sickness. " I'm sure it will certainly help. Thank you, Sam. " / @samuhelll

[sharpsuite]

❝ did you hear that? ❞ / for ann

↳ AUTUMN / HALLOWEEN SENTENCE STARTERS

Ann's steps slow to a HALT as she tilts her head to side and strains her ears to listen to any sounds. She hears the normal sounds that she would expect in the corn maze - the gentle rustle of corn stalks waving, some bugs in the early night hours. It's rather IMPRESSIVE how quickly Halloween spooks and scares have started to take hold in the Japanese culture - one of many signs of modernization.

" I don't - "

A pause. THERE! There's a rustle that doesn't sound like the rest somewhere behind them and to their right.

" Pat. . . " Ann's grip on the flashlight tightens as she glances over their shoulder. The moonlight doesn't offer much and frankly, she's not sure whether she should face FORWARDS or BACKWARDS. " Pat, you did check this was just a normal night corn maze and not a horror, scare-zone corn maze, right? " Ann asks after a moment, her eyes briefly flicking away from their surroundings to look at her.

There's footsteps. Logically, Ann is aware that this is nothing but Halloween fun. But her ADRENALINE doesn't seem to particularly care about if the threat is real or fake. ( And how exactly can she blame it considering everything they've endured? ) Her hand darts out to grab Pat's as she starts to walk quicker. / @cartelheir

[sharpsuite]

" I'll be careful. " Ann agrees with a small smile as she grabs her own coat. " It'd be rather hypocritical of me to forget my own. I'll be just a moment. Feel free to watch tv or anything else, make yourself comfortable. " She gives a small wave before she steps outside and heads towards the closest convenience store.

SHE ISN'T GONE LONG. It's funny how time can change depending on context ; ten minutes can seem like a blink of an eye or all of eternity. But she manages it and gets back to her place with only a red, chilled nose as any sort of damage. " It's definitely getting colder out there. " Ann remarks as she opens the front door and slips into the warmth. " But - " She lifts the bag with a smile. "Goods have been acquired. I wasn't sure if you had a favorite brand so I grabbed two. " And if not? Well then more for him in the future. " Do you want to show me how much you like on your sandwich? " Not too much or too little could be vastly different depending on the person.

his walnut gaze flashes to the refrigerator. “ apples are good. and oranges are okay. ” it was decided, then. and she isn’t tricking him. (however, august could have relied upon stubborn streak. when situation called for it.) his expression goes serious but soft.

“ be careful, okay? ” the boy hums, voice a hush. “ i know the store ain’t far, but still. ” he’s showing concern. “ don’t forget to bundle up, either. it’s chilly. ” he slumps back into his seat, letting the sweatshirt sleeves curl across his hands.

[sharpsuite]

(listen i wanna send both of these..... but i can't decide which muse for each so i'll leave that up to you) " hey, wait a minute, you're hurt... how long have you been hiding this?! "

↳ HIDDEN INJURIES PROMPTS

It's a lonely day ; the sun is out but fall offers a comfortable temperature to sit outside a small café with drinks and snacks. It's nice for a time, but she notices something seems to keep catching Pat's eye. Pat doesn't ask though and Ann doesn't press. Ann lowers her coffee as soon as she hears Pat's voice and the concern that was lurking within. Ah. Her own gaze drops to her leg, left leg crossed atop the right - a gesture that had caused her sleek pant suit to ride up a bit and show the heavy bandaging wrapped tightly around her leg. ( Well that explained what Pat seemed distracted by. She'd probably caught glimpse of it but not enough to fully see what it was till now. )

Ann CONTEMPLATES trying to wave it off as something minor. But normal people don't go about their everyday lives with bandaging like that. She picks at the cake roll on her plate for a moment. " TECHNICALLY last night, although it wasn't TENDED TO until five after midnight this morning. " She admits. " It looks worse than it is and the painkillers are doing their job. "

Of course there's bound to be questions. " It was from work. Usually I'm in the lab these days but sometimes I still get called out to the field. A trap was left behind that no one noticed, though it thankfully malfunctioned. " She explains quietly. It feels almost wrong to talk about something so dark in the CHEERFUL SCENERY of this pretty cafe. Other people are chatting cheerfully with friends and there's some school kids in the back giggling. DEATH and DARKNESS feel taboo to bring up but here they are. " Just a couple pieces of debris hit me. We've survived worse. " Ann lifts her coffee back up to take a sip, finally glancing towards Pat to watch her expression.

" The doctors said I was fine to walk, just to avoid swimming or anything like that until it heals fully. So fortunately, it doesn't interfere with our plans now. " She would have felt terrible to have to cancel on Pat if that had been the case. / @cartelheir

[sharpsuite]

you must think i’m crazy. / in the hospital post-borderlands maybe?? for either

↳ NORTH AMERICAN LAKE MONSTERS SENTENCES

   “ I think under current circumstances, this hardly qualifies as crazy. A meteorite striking Japan without notice was crazy. “ It’s still hard to comprehend in some ways. He tilts his head upwards, squinting towards the sky in silence for a moment. The nurses had practically ordered him to go outside for a little bit with lectures that it’d be good for his health. As if he wasn’t a doctor. It made him want to roll his eyes, but it WAS a nice reprieve from a certain someone’s coughing. ( Which, on the thought, Chishiya was confident he did sometimes just to annoy him. ) “ But it is rather ABSURD. “ Chishiya adds when he drops his gaze back to study the woman beside him.

  Chishiya was good at recognizing faces and retaining information; that was different than feeling like he knew someone. It was puzzling enough to recognize faces that he can’t recall having ever seen. Pat was an infinitely more confusing puzzle to try to understand because he KNEW her. Somehow, he knew her in a way that didn’t extent to even some of the people he recognized. It was a gut instinct, absurd and illogical, yet relevant all the same.

   “ In the wake of traumatic experiences, the brain is prone to make connections and stories. “ He remarks calmly, leaning back against the bench. His hands move to bury themselves in his pockets only to draw up a PERPLEXED frown. He doesn’t have pockets. He ends up folding them across his chest instead. “ What is crazy is the fact that I believe you. “ He turns his gaze forwards to the other patients lingering outside on the hospital grounds. He’d noticed it – people gravitating towards certain interactions and avoiding others like there was an invisible history influencing behavior.

   It’s interesting. Interesting is good. Chishiya offers a sly grin towards her. “ And because of that and the feeling I get that I know you, I presume you are not against being nosy to find out more information? “ It’s not a TEST, but he has a feeling he already knows the answer. She just has to agree. “ After all, it seems like there’s something more going on than we think. “ / @cartelheir

[sharpsuite]

@sturmboe played: "Usually you are better at compartmentalizing." from Noel to Ann.

𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘: LOST MEME

IT SHAKES HER. Ann has always been good at compartmentalizing, has always prided herself in being able to set aside emotions and use her brain. But in the end, she's only human. Emotions are natural for her despite what her intimidating or cold exterior might give people the initial perception of. They are not foreign; they rest close in her chest.

" I know. " She admits with a heavy sigh, placing her cup down with something akin to DEFEAT. There are times where trying to push things down only makes them worse. Like an itch that, once itched, only demands more. Maybe if she acknowledges it, that will make the weight less. Or maybe not.

The cafe is so pleasant and warm that it only seems to exacerbate everything else festering within. " It seems that such is not the case this time. Work stress and personal stress have bled too close to one another to start influencing each other. " She presses her lips together, staring at the pastry on her plate. " It's just...lately I've been having dreams again. Of somewhere else, things in my dreams that feel more like memories. It's distracting me at work. But somehow that seems to also feed in. " Her lips press together. " Maybe it's because this case reminds me too much of one in the past. One that haunted me for a long time before the meteor incident and nearly dying. " Although she had clinically died, her being here now was PROOF ENOUGH she wasn't truly. Too much life still to live, good to bring.

[sharpsuite]

It's not something that Ann is particularly familiar with. AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE. Once she had been. But for years now it had been something to take the back burner - self care. Then again, her bad days weren't typically angry customers or incompetent bosses. It was seeing the unfortunate victims of humanity's darker side. Processing the crimes, looking to help solve a case with evidence and forensics. Ice cream seemed like it held no candle compared to the things she's dealt with. ADMITTEDLY, IT IS NICE. Ann takes a moment to take a bite of her own ice cream, tasting the rich flavor as she glances towards Quinn. " No, I think you're onto something. Although I don't often remember to do that myself. " Ann admits with a small shrug and a thin, sheepish smile. " At best I tend to do a bath and maybe a glass of wine, but even that's rather IFFY. "

@sharpsuite liked for a starter

it had been a rough day for quinn. she'd had a lot of those lately, but she wasn't one who liked to dwell on it or talk it out ( at least not usually ). "sometimes, you just need a little ice cream at the end of the day to make everything better." she muses, a light smile painting her features as she plops down on to the couch, spoon in one hand and the ice cream in the other. she scoops up a spoonful, glancing over at the other. "or... is that just me?"

[sharpsuite]

@musingmemories played: you have to stay awake. (Kuina to Ann)

𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘: MISC ANGST MEMES

" I'm awake, I'm awake. " Ann murmurs halfheartedly as Kuina shakes her shoulder, head lolling back against the back of the couch with a ghost of a smile on her lips at Kuina's insistent whine next to her. It's not her fault the couch is so comfortable or the lights are just dim enough to give a cozy atmosphere to the living room. IT IS HER FAULT FOR WORKING SO LATE. Sort of. Actually not really - that's just the cost of her job. Most weeks the hours aren't too bad, but every now and again a case comes in that devours and devours. Too much time gone.

Ann blinks a few times to try and look at the movie on the television screen, the colorful outfits and scenery. She misses that. Modern movies seemed too dark, too focused on realism rather than what was visually pleasing or coherent. Who cared if moonlight wasn't blue? It made for pretty night scenes. Unfortunately, ANN CAN'T REMEMBER THE PLOT OF THIS MOVIE. Or even the main characters names now that she tries to remember the last scene she recalls.

Kuina might be on to something about this staying awake thing.

" Sorry. " Ann sits upright a bit more, trying to fight against the drowsiness that is still heavy on her eyelids. She knows Kuina won't actually be mad. But she does really want to watch this movie and enjoy the time with Kuina. It makes her a little sad to think about missing moments because she was tired.

But there's still days where it's hard. DAYS WHERE SCARS ACHE, days where she feels exhausted. Thoughts that come gnawing in the dark of night when she's alone, or weave them into her dreams until she wakes up certain that she's choking on blood. ( She never is. ) Rarer these days. She thinks Kuina is a large part of that - for the fact that the other woman's presence meant she didn't fall back into habits of constantly working late and doing little else.

As small and simple as watching a movie together might seem, Ann considers these moments to cherish and cling onto. THEY'RE EVERYTHING.

" I promise I'm watching. " Ann doesn't go back on her promises. " Worst case scenario it just means you get to enjoy watching it again when I'm more coherent. " Ann gives an amused noise, hidden under her usual calm voice. Anyone unfamiliar would miss it, but those who knew or looked for it could certainly find it.

[sharpsuite]

@samuhelll played: " a little bird told me "

𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘: AM I INTERRUPTING? MEME

" Oh did it now? " Ann lifts her eyebrows in weary amusement as she accepts the drink that is pressed into her hand. Still hot and the warmth EASES the lingering chill of the labs. " Was it a starling? Or maybe a type of parrot? "

She lifts the cup to her lips and takes a long sip of the warm drink, easing out a tired sigh. She enjoys her work, but that doesn't mean there aren't days where IT IS HARD. That is inherent when it comes to dealing with the dark side of human nature though. She sees both the bright and the dark, hope and despair. And high priority cases often have her working longer hours than she's usually scheduled for. Bye bye forty hour work weeks, hello seventy plus hours.

" Thank you, Sam. And to this mysterious little bird. " She adds with a spark of humor in her smile. SHE TOLD HIM ONCE; whether he still remembered or simply was lucky in guessing, she wasn't sure. She doesn't pry either. The drink, cheap as it might be, feels like the first time she's relaxed this week.

Ever since the accident she's been tryin to be more available, but sometimes she still gets too focused. " Sorry I haven't been as available this week. It's been red alarms and ALL HANDS ON DECK. " Today is the first time she's stepped out while there sun is still up, fading as it is. She takes another sip, the crisp white lid LIPTICK FREE ( because she sticks to the colorstay long lasting for this very reason ) and then turns towards Sam.

" Can I ask your opinion on something? " She asks after a moment. " It was an opportunity presented to me, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. "

[sharpsuite]

004. on an ice rink, careful to dodge the bustling crowd that stumble and rush past. / for ann

↳ CHRISTMAS SCENE PROMPTS

" Careful. " Ann's words are ones of CARING CONCERN. Even when she herself isn't the most confident ice skater. Once upon a time, she had occasionally taken to the frozen lakes and dedicated ice rinks to go skating when she was younger. But it had been a LONG TIME since she'd participated in such activities. This was the first time she'd done it in a while and while she certainly isn't the best, she's far from the WORST currently on the rink.

Her hand shoots out to catch Pat's arm and gently but quickly pull her closer to the side when a younger kid comes flailing past the spot where Pat had just been standing milliseconds ago. It's one benefit of being so alert. It could be taking but it could also help to avoid potential collisions like that, even if it was all in harmless fun. And unlike some people, she's not inclined to stand idly by and be a witness when it's something she can help with. Especially here in the REAL WORLD. If she was, she certainly wouldn't do the kind of work she does.

A quiet, soft laugh leaves Ann's lips as she guides them to a spot that is a LITTLE less crowded than the rest. As chaotic as it is, there's something nice in the chaos. Later if she wants she could maybe read a book and have some wine or something more peaceful. Right now? SHE TREASURES THE OPEN HAPPINESS. It wasn't something she'd truly appreciated prior to the Borderlands and everything that had happened. That's not to say she doesn't have hard days now and then, but moments like this where laughter and smiles are more clear, where strangers are willing to help without gain, it's nice. And it's a nice, festive moment to help bring the holiday spirit to life.

" We might have picked one of the busiest times to pay a visit. " Ann remarks, an amused tone heavy in her words. SHE DOESN'T MIND. Although it does feel a little dangerous dodging flailing children and adults to avoid being taken down with them. " If you want, we could take a break and see if it calms down in a bit. There's a small festive stand just around back that has some good drinks and festive-themed snack. " If a bit predictably overpriced. " Treat's on me. " / @cartelheir

[sharpsuite]

She lets herself look back into the mirror despite knowing what WAITS THERE for her. An eyebrow lifts and she lets out a lighthearted laugh. " What, do you have traps here to ensure that? " She pauses and then adds with an amused lift of her lips. " While I am joking, that might not surprise me even if that was the truth. "

Still , it's POLITE to reject a gift once or twice to ensure someone isn't doing so merely because they feel obligated to do so. Ann doubts Pat would do something like that, much less in such a casual situation as this. What she does do is make a note of what Pat says. Yellow gold. It's a small detail that many might not take much effort in actually retaining ; Ann's friends are few and she intends to REMEMBER the little details like that. It added up to what her deductions had said but firm facts are always better.

Ann smiles as Chiaki meows as if in agreement, and the taller woman crouches down to PAY HER DUES in the form of scratches that soon have the cat purring up a storm. Chiaki. A beautiful name, albeit rather MORBID all things considered. ( She's rather confident that was intentional. ) " Well. Alright, if you're sure, then I'll graciously accept it. Thank you, Pat. " The strong-willed forensic scientist finally concedes with a smile as she sits down on the couch with a small laugh. " Ugh. I think I really needed this to be honest. " She gestures around to make it clear she didn't mean the necklace but rather the night in. " That reminds me. Are you a desserts fan? There's a great bakery that does deliveries around here. We totally could have them deliver here. Plus I get a discount. " She's not actually sure now that she thinks about it. In the Borderlands you got what you could ; The Beach was better than scavenging and they had a LOT, but even so.

she's on her third glass of red wine. for years she's overlooked wine in favor of stronger flavors; whiskey, tequila, mezcal, the drinks of choice of every man in her social circle. and it's not that she doesn't enjoy them still, but there's something different about being wine drunk ━━ the pleasant warmth at the base of her neck, the confidence running through her veins, the way she feels incredible and carefree and sexy without even having a reason. she takes another sip, pondering ( near marveling ) about it before her eyes fall upon ann wearing one of her necklaces.

it's understated, elegant, and perfect for ann. pat gives her a soft smile. " sure you can. look at yourself. " she nods towards the other woman's reflection. the white gold really lights her up, and the tiny diamonds along the chain shimmer in such a subtle, but effective way as the light hits it. " it was made for you. you can't expect me to let you leave this house without it. "

she leans back against the back of the couch. " don't worry, i don't wear that one a lot. too silver. i prefer yellow gold. " besides, it's a bit too subtle for pat. she's never minded being flashy with her accessories. " if you don't want it, it might just end up on chiaki. " the cat sitting by their feet lifts its head for scratches, yet another necklace wrapped around her neck, nearly covered by her fur at a few spots.

@sharpsuite ; cont.

[sharpsuite]

moment of weakness (for bothhh or either 👀)

↳ SEND ' moment of weakness ' FOR A GENERATED SCENARIO ↳ 17. Your muse is in a frightened or nervous state heh, both it is.

" So. " Ann leans back against her seat with a small smile ; a look of REASSURANCE rather than joy. She doesn't like to pry into other people's businesses, she had no right to. ( Outside of work that is. ) Not when she isn't so easy to open up. BUT THEY'RE FRIENDS. Not as close as Pat and Chishiya are, but friends nonetheless. Real friends speak up when they're concerned.

" What's bothering you? " She's not a DETECTIVE but she's been around enough cops to learn little tricks and tells ; the Borderlands had only enhanced that skillset. Pat wasn't obvious but Ann could tell something was up when the other's behavior deviated from the normal steadfast projection of confidence. A hand lifts slightly, meant to REASSURE before the other could deny or otherwise lash out. " I can tell something has you restless. And not in a I have an appointment soon kind of way. "

Ann clears her throat. " You don't have to tell me of course. I respect your privacy and wanting to keep some things personal. But... we're friends. " It's nice to say that. Even if it's been known, it's nice to say the words outloud. It makes them feel more tangible, like a line in pencil turned to one made of ink. " I want you to know that I'm here for you if I can help or do anything for you. "

She tilts her head ever so slightly, the sharp corners of her eyes relaxing a fraction. " If you want to talk, I'm all ears. And if you don't - " She lifts her hands up in a faux surrender gesture " - then I won't ask anymore about it and we can talk about something else. " / @cartelheir

[sharpsuite]

“ thought i’d let you know, you only have to call ” (for ann)

↳ REMEBER TO REMEMBER ME SENTENCES

Pat's comment catches Ann by surprise. It doesn't show on her face beyond a subtle widening of her eyes, and then she slowly exhales with a FAINT SMILE. " It's that obvious, huh? " She replies with. That isn't so surprising.

NORMALCY is a hard thing to return to. All of Tokyo is trying to recover of course, but most people don't have DEATH GAMES still visiting them at night. That makes it harder for some of them as it is. It's not stress of just ruined buildings and insurance issues. How do you tackle the world after everything they've endured? Ann has it EASIEST in that aspect she things. Her work still deals with death, violence, suffering. It had been easier to adapt to the Borderlands because of that, and she supposes her transition back to this world is easier too. The hardest part is keeping hold of the connections.

" I appreciate that reminder. I - " Her voice hesitates for a moment in a way she never let it do in the Borderlands. ( She RARELY allows it here too. ) " - I think I need that reminder sometimes. I worry because my work often has me busy, or because I sometimes have to cancel plans. " It isn't TERRIBLY often, but more than she would like. Her gaze drops to look at the cobblestone pathway, mulling over her words.

" It's caused problems in the past before. " It's the explaination not asked for, yet offered still. Because they're friends. THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS DO. " Mostly in terms of romance but past friendships too. It's been a while since I had any really. " Work friends perhaps, but that was different. That had been more in her field days as well. " I don't want to presume or bother you. But...I'll make sure to keep that in mind. " She lifts her head again, offering a small smile towards Pat. / @cartelheir