truth_is_cold

087

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[Today is a very special sort of day. Because Rhade also had a cursed object, only he didn't realize that it was one of his leather jackets. His plan to go to the CES is somewhat hindered by a sudden inability to think up a lie.

He's on his way there, anyway, not realizing yet that how exactly the flood has caused this. He knows that he needs to check up on Ben, because whatever was happening there was really.... strange. Just strange. Basically somehow candy has made Ben act slightly creepier than usual.]

OOC: So, for the first time ever on spontaneous whim I'm doing a truth thing with Rhade. He won't ramble on the network but if he runs into someone he will.

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[It's easier to actually make progress when no one is talking to him. Ben is still sucking on the lollipop, his mouth gone cornflower blue, and snickering from time to time but there's no one to trigger a full blown laughing fit. It feels... good, even if he doesn't really understand it.

He's en route from the inmate showers to the deck when he spots Rhade ahead of him, and jogs to catch up. Why not? He was about to go running anyway when his initial attempt at it hadn't done much to curb his returning energy. May as well start now.]

Gaheris! [Better, also, not to run with the lollipop stuck in his mouth.]

[And here comes his oddly giggling inmate. He slows down to look at him.] I'm glad to see that you're fully recovered, but I'm perplexed that your mouth is changing colors.

[That last bit felt unnecessary somehow. He glances around warily, as if those words were pulled out of him and he needs to find them again.]

[Dylan's running laps around the deck when he sees Rhade. He changes direction and runs up to him, jogging in place to keep his blood pumping and muscles warm.]

Gaheris, hey. How're you doing?

[Rhade is walking briskly at this point, knowing something is wrong with him but not why it only started now when the flood has been going on for at least a day.

But when Dylan stops to ask him how he's doing, he answers quickly without thinking about it.]

I'm physically fine, but I'm slightly confused as to what's going on and still a little depressed. [He rubs his hands together, turning in place again to stare around him accusingly. You did this, ship, is what this look says.]

[That is not how Rhade usually answers questions. He stops jogging in place. Exercise can wait.]

Uh...

I'm guessing you've been affected by the flood.

I wasn't until an hour ago. [Irritated, but not at Dylan. He puts his hands on his hips and huffs.] Which makes no sense.

That is strange. Maybe something about this flood is contagious somehow?

What are the effects you're feeling?

I'm not feeling particularly inclined to hide my opinions. That's the only one I can identify.

[This seems genuinely perplexing to him, though.] I don't see how it relates to others. Are you noticing anything unusual?

[A terrible part of him immediately wants to start asking Rhade questions. But he reins it in.]

I haven't noticed anything. Just other people acting kind of strange.

[He can't hold back temptation any longer.]

Did you sleep with Lieutenant Rook, you know, the sexy auburn haired gunner who later transferred to The Bow of Apollo?

No. She didn't let me sleep. She made me go back to my cabin when we were done. Wait, why do you ask?

[More confusion. He could have just said "yes".]

No reason. I'd always wondered.

Plus, I was experimenting. You didn't just not hide your opinions, or tell the truth, you're blurting out all kinds of details. Whatever this is it's got you bad. Maybe I should hold on to your communicator just in case you're suddenly compelled to make calls that you'll regret later.

[He starts to hand it over, and then hesitates and draws it back to him.]

I can't remember if I've been talking about you on it. I don't know if I should.

[Wince.]

But maybe I should simply because I said that out loud. [Hesitantly he hands it over.]

[He takes the communicator.]

I promise I won't look. Not even after you just all but said there's probably stuff about me in there. And you know that I keep my word.

I don't think you always keep your word, but I know you don't like to break it.

[He just... makes an irritated face at himself.]

I'd really like the normal you back.

All right, yes, if I need to break my word to save my ship, my crew, the universe, people I care about, yeah, I'll lie, cheat and break my word. But I'm not gonna do it just to snoop on a friend.

I believe that.

[He shrugs noncommittally.] I just [he's trying to stop himself] miss you, and I don't want to tell you that. But I talked to Una, and that made me feel better.

And worse.

But better.

[He grinds his knuckles into the palm of the other hand, standing there looking awkwardly at Dylan.] I would like the normal me back as well.

[Dylan's expression softens.]

I miss you, too. And you don't need to be afraid to tell me that.

I'm glad you got to talk to Una. I hope I get to meet her someday. She seems like one impressive lady.

She sang for me, too. She's extremely impressive.

...And I'm not afraid, I'm stubborn. [And he swears in Vedran under his breath.]

So you just didn't want to admit that you missed me because you're trying hard to pretend that you don't?

No. Yes. No... I don't want to admit that I miss you because I made a mistake. I should stay here and keep talking but I'm going leave now, anyway.

[And he practically sprints away toward the stairwell doors, like the Magog are chasing him.]

[Claire's heading back for her cabin to hide in when she crosses paths with Rhade. Blushing, because she's well on her way into becoming a teddy bear (tail, bow, her entire left side minus the face), she fiddles with the tails of her new 'necklace'.]

Oh, um, hey, Gaheris.

[He is jarred as he sees her come out, obviously affected and very different from everyone else.

He slows and blinks at her.]

Are you alright?

[Selina has one, too: a teddy bear with its head half-cut off. The bear is chattering away, reciting the alphabet in a garbled sing-song.

Selina is Not Impressed, but she still pauses when she bumps into Rhade.]

[He's not in his jacket at the moment, which he hasn't put two and two together quite yet, but at least he's feeling more normal. The bear is a little startling...]

That is unsettling. [He says first. Because it is. Then he looks up at her, trying to ignore the chattering.]

Are you alright? I saw mention that your friend had left. [Friend, carefully pronounced in the way that he didn't want to make assumptions.]

[She lifts it up by its paw, grimacing, starts to tell him she's going to go throw it overboard. But talking about Bruce, even without his name, makes her smile snag a little.]

He'd been here a while. And he's always liked to have more control than he'd ever get here, so.... At least he said good bye, right?

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