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[ It's not really hiding or avoidance persay. Nebula wouldn't call it as much, anyway, even if from the moment that the whispers of being able to explore more of the territory came out she'd not returned to the Settlement or the Treehouse. In part, it's frustration. She needs to get something - anything - out of her system and a pack in her hand and something new to force her mind onto is just the excuse. ]
[ The creatures shift and the edges of the forest start to slip into something more desert-like - at least the air becomes more arid and she can practically feel the grating of sand against metal. She hated desert planets and it's that that keeps her from going much further in even when she comes across a soldier -
Who she makes a face at before mumbling something about how she'd like to see them try to stop her if she really wanted to try. (She doesn't). ]
[ When one of the more aggressive creatures attacks she's forced to quickly dispatch it - something that comes more quickly than she'd like. The spear works to take it apart for drying for some kind of food as she sets up a camp that's too near the new Solvunnite's latest work for comfort. The new temple of Zorne is barely more than a shack, but the work is deliberate and fast paced. ]
[ It doesn't settle well as she spears a piece of meat and places it before the fire with a roll of her eyes: ]
Leave it to them to worship the thing that disrupted their lives.
Edited 2024-09-01 01:51 (UTC)
[ They don't go out much here. Most likely because the idea of "going out" in Solvunn involves racing goats. And she's pretty sure Rocket gets more entertainment out of sabotaging the goats than she does - but then. She's also made it plenty clear she wants as little to do with the damn things as she can. ]
[ She hadn't explored some of Nocwich's more unseedy sides and today was a good enough time to do it. With a very small amount of pocket money and not a lot of use for it Solvunn, it was at least entertaining to see how the locals gambled. Really, she'd prefer a little more deadly odds - a cage fight. Maybe one she could bet in and participate in — ]
[ — At the moment they sit at a table watching a card game that neither one of them really know the rules of. That's why they're watching (learning) before deciding to spend their money. Or make more, as it were, because it's not like they didn't spend a few years in gambling halls enough to learn how to work together. And the tells are universal, she thinks, as she eyes one guy who looks a little sick, another who looks too confident, and then someone who tries to slip a card when they're too busy. ]
[ She makes a small sound in her drink and inclines her head in their direction before asking her friend: ]
Think they need higher stakes?
[ For this poor play, she means. ]
Edited 2024-09-01 02:06 (UTC)
[When Chris started getting that telltale dentists drill sound, he honestly thought about ignoring it. The problem with that? It was, really, really, really annoying. Was that part of the plan? Make the first calls of a whitelighter's new charge sound like nails on a chalkboard so you absolutely had to answer? That actually kind of tracked. So, he put down the vegetables he had been chopping, cleaned the knife off and put it aside before finding a place to settle. Sure, he could just orb to where ever they were and figure it out later but, Chris was the type to come prepared. He liked lists. He liked gathering information. And he really didn't like just orbing into situations he couldn't try and control.
The first thing he was hit by was the pain, this all consuming horrible pain that almost made him rush and orb straight there. What was he going to do? He couldn't heal. They were stuck with the only angel in existence that couldn't actually do anything about it. Was there even a first aid kit here? Okay, figure out where to get a first aid kit later. Taking a shuddering breath, he tried to remember what he'd been told, what he read, how to help without getting sucked in. How to register and feel the pain without letting it control you.
Fuck that.
Instead, he just orbed to Nebula, fully expecting her to be bleeding out and stabbed in 5 million places, and not roasting a piece of meat over a fire.]
What the fuck?
[What do you mean Nebula, that wasn't completely self explanatory? He glanced over at the shithole of a temple the Solvunite's had decided to build because yeah, that made total sense, momentarily distracted by the utter stupidity of it all.]
Okay, first of all, it's moronic. And second, how are you okay right now?
The first thing he was hit by was the pain, this all consuming horrible pain that almost made him rush and orb straight there. What was he going to do? He couldn't heal. They were stuck with the only angel in existence that couldn't actually do anything about it. Was there even a first aid kit here? Okay, figure out where to get a first aid kit later. Taking a shuddering breath, he tried to remember what he'd been told, what he read, how to help without getting sucked in. How to register and feel the pain without letting it control you.
Fuck that.
Instead, he just orbed to Nebula, fully expecting her to be bleeding out and stabbed in 5 million places, and not roasting a piece of meat over a fire.]
What the fuck?
[What do you mean Nebula, that wasn't completely self explanatory? He glanced over at the shithole of a temple the Solvunite's had decided to build because yeah, that made total sense, momentarily distracted by the utter stupidity of it all.]
Okay, first of all, it's moronic. And second, how are you okay right now?
[ Sometimes you're just enjoying your hard-earned steak dinner while not paying attention to the (relatively) light bite wound you got from fighting it. It's completely and totally normal - ]
[ What's not normal is the flash of light in the edge of her vision. And it's precisely why she gets up with quick, trained easy and has a dagger out in a second and plucks the spear from the ground to turn - ready to fight and attack. ]
[ The dagger would have been a lot closer if she doesn't catch herself in time and frowns, low and unhappy. The temple is disregarded quickly as she snaps out: ]
Where did you come from?
[ Sometimes you're in full fight mode in 3 seconds flat and that continues as she looks him over: ] Shouldn't you be asking yourself that? They'll eat you alive out here.
[ the more dangerous animals... because that's clearly what the problem is. ]
[ What's not normal is the flash of light in the edge of her vision. And it's precisely why she gets up with quick, trained easy and has a dagger out in a second and plucks the spear from the ground to turn - ready to fight and attack. ]
[ The dagger would have been a lot closer if she doesn't catch herself in time and frowns, low and unhappy. The temple is disregarded quickly as she snaps out: ]
Where did you come from?
[ Sometimes you're in full fight mode in 3 seconds flat and that continues as she looks him over: ] Shouldn't you be asking yourself that? They'll eat you alive out here.
[ the more dangerous animals... because that's clearly what the problem is. ]
The settlement--where I came from isn't important.
[See Chris, see Chris totally disregard the fact that Nebula could have and almost stabbed him, like it happens every day, and he's totally cool with it. The fact that she stopped herself? Appreciated. He didn't want to slink back to Michael, who he hadn't come clean to yet, and be like 'so my newest charge stabbed me and no I never read the angel handbook'. So all things considered things were looking up right? Nebula wasn't actually in a million pieces, although she might wish she was because was that a rat or a lizard she was eating? Either way, it was gross. He was hungry--orbing used a boatload of calories but honestly? Not that hungry. Definitely not 'I'd eat dead monster' hungry. He was still hoping a Burger King would randomly pop up. Maybe he'd could create Burger King spell. That didn't have personal gain written all over it at all.]
I can orb. Teleport. I think I got an advantage on the wildlife.
[Okay, no he was totally screwed if they attacked, but she didn't need to know that! He had appearances to keep up.]
Why aren't you hurt? I mean, okay, you are hurt but....
[How did he explain this without sounding like a total random stalker?]
Can you put the knife down?
[See Chris, see Chris totally disregard the fact that Nebula could have and almost stabbed him, like it happens every day, and he's totally cool with it. The fact that she stopped herself? Appreciated. He didn't want to slink back to Michael, who he hadn't come clean to yet, and be like 'so my newest charge stabbed me and no I never read the angel handbook'. So all things considered things were looking up right? Nebula wasn't actually in a million pieces, although she might wish she was because was that a rat or a lizard she was eating? Either way, it was gross. He was hungry--orbing used a boatload of calories but honestly? Not that hungry. Definitely not 'I'd eat dead monster' hungry. He was still hoping a Burger King would randomly pop up. Maybe he'd could create Burger King spell. That didn't have personal gain written all over it at all.]
I can orb. Teleport. I think I got an advantage on the wildlife.
[Okay, no he was totally screwed if they attacked, but she didn't need to know that! He had appearances to keep up.]
Why aren't you hurt? I mean, okay, you are hurt but....
[How did he explain this without sounding like a total random stalker?]
Can you put the knife down?
Edited (html fail) 2024-09-01 03:05 (UTC)
[ Nebula doesn't relinquish her grip on the dagger - even if her "sizing him up," results squarely in the decision I can take him if it came down to it. The teleporting - orbing - would be a problem, but maybe not if he always announces himself with bright lights. It makes him a target. ]
Whatever.
[ About the teleporting - it's really not her problem. There's all kinds of magic here. Her attention is trained instead on something just beyond him. Her mouth the only flickering of something as she addresses: ]
Do I look weak to you?
[ There's a certain amount of poison in her tone - as if to say: Think about how you answer that. Or even I dare you to saying she should be more injured than she is. But she blows out a breath and adds in the quick snarl of someone poised to lunge: ]
Fine.
[ "By put the knife down," she throws the dagger square at a snake who was jumping into the air at that precise moment in Chris's direction. She raises a brow at him as it lands and the creature goes flying back, pinned to the nearest bark. ]
Whatever.
[ About the teleporting - it's really not her problem. There's all kinds of magic here. Her attention is trained instead on something just beyond him. Her mouth the only flickering of something as she addresses: ]
Do I look weak to you?
[ There's a certain amount of poison in her tone - as if to say: Think about how you answer that. Or even I dare you to saying she should be more injured than she is. But she blows out a breath and adds in the quick snarl of someone poised to lunge: ]
Fine.
[ "By put the knife down," she throws the dagger square at a snake who was jumping into the air at that precise moment in Chris's direction. She raises a brow at him as it lands and the creature goes flying back, pinned to the nearest bark. ]
[Yup. Maybe it was the nonchalant aggressive attitude, but something about her kind of reminded him of his family. So while he completely was not expecting the snake that was seconds away from killing him, he super appreciated the save. It was kind of nice how some things didn't change.]
Nice throw. Thanks.
[He glanced again at that snake, now embedded in the tree and raises his eyebrows. Okay, maybe he couldn't take care of himself. But he could bounce around like a christmas light if needed?]
No, you look the exact opposite of weak. And hurt and weak are not the same thing. Hey, didn't someone say like, not to go out here alone?
[He looked at her like, where's the other person you're hiding? Was it the snake you just killed?]
Nice throw. Thanks.
[He glanced again at that snake, now embedded in the tree and raises his eyebrows. Okay, maybe he couldn't take care of himself. But he could bounce around like a christmas light if needed?]
No, you look the exact opposite of weak. And hurt and weak are not the same thing. Hey, didn't someone say like, not to go out here alone?
[He looked at her like, where's the other person you're hiding? Was it the snake you just killed?]
[ Nebula doesn't roll her eyes, but she does move past him to snatch up the dagger. Wiping it on her pants she moves to resheathe it with a snort as an answer. 'You're welcome,' or something like that. ]
If you're talking about this -
[ She shrugs towards the arm that's still slightly bloody and loosely bandage - ] It doesn't hurt. And I'm not about to break down from a tiny bite.
[ Maybe. Maybe, Nebula, you just don't feel it because everything else is in pain??? She shakes her head as she thrusts the spear back in the ground and moves to sit again - ]
For people who don't know what they're doing. [ She doesn't say "like you," but it's there as she snatches up the half eaten lizard meat once more, ] survival training was one of the first things I was taught.
If you're talking about this -
[ She shrugs towards the arm that's still slightly bloody and loosely bandage - ] It doesn't hurt. And I'm not about to break down from a tiny bite.
[ Maybe. Maybe, Nebula, you just don't feel it because everything else is in pain??? She shakes her head as she thrusts the spear back in the ground and moves to sit again - ]
For people who don't know what they're doing. [ She doesn't say "like you," but it's there as she snatches up the half eaten lizard meat once more, ] survival training was one of the first things I was taught.
[Chris looks at her and then looks to the bandage, getting this real puzzled look on his face. He follows her and sits down opposite, looking around again just in case there was another animal on it's way to kill him. ]
No, that's definitely not what I'm feeling. It's constant, it's widespread. Are you sure whatever bit you wasn't poisonous or something?
[He doesn't want to make assumptions, because she's a blue alien, but, maybe, just maybe it has something to do with the random computer bits all over her. Just a thought. Then again, maybe that was normal for her species?]
Survival training like wilderness training? [He eyes the lizard meat and honestly can't imagine being that hungry. Okay sure he was hungry, orbing really took it out of you. But it was lizard. ]
No, that's definitely not what I'm feeling. It's constant, it's widespread. Are you sure whatever bit you wasn't poisonous or something?
[He doesn't want to make assumptions, because she's a blue alien, but, maybe, just maybe it has something to do with the random computer bits all over her. Just a thought. Then again, maybe that was normal for her species?]
Survival training like wilderness training? [He eyes the lizard meat and honestly can't imagine being that hungry. Okay sure he was hungry, orbing really took it out of you. But it was lizard. ]
[ The only one who might kill you here, Chris, is Nebula. At least currently as she chews down into her bit of food brows narrowed. ]
What you're feeling?
[ It's a questioning demand. Her shoulders tensing when she'd been just a few moments from tossing him a skewer - ]
Part of it, but no. I mean survival training and all it entails.
What you're feeling?
[ It's a questioning demand. Her shoulders tensing when she'd been just a few moments from tossing him a skewer - ]
Part of it, but no. I mean survival training and all it entails.
Uh.....
[Abort, abort mission! An incredibly shady, incredibly guilty expression passed over Chris's face. Watching her, he decided to do what he did best. Just not answer the question.]
You sure you should be eating that? How do you know that's even edible? And don't tell me survival training.
[Chris meanwhile, is also kind of tense, wiry, like he might leap up the moment Nebula moves. Cornered. He looks cornered.]
[Abort, abort mission! An incredibly shady, incredibly guilty expression passed over Chris's face. Watching her, he decided to do what he did best. Just not answer the question.]
You sure you should be eating that? How do you know that's even edible? And don't tell me survival training.
[Chris meanwhile, is also kind of tense, wiry, like he might leap up the moment Nebula moves. Cornered. He looks cornered.]
[ She scowls at him as she chews. There's something strange about how he holds himself - she wonders if that's how she looks when caught in a lie. When she tries to lie anyway, which is rarely even now. ]
It's not poisoned. [ She cuts through, leaving no room for disagreement as she adds: ] And I don't waste food.
[ The way she says it indicates a more intimate meaning. That she knows what it means to not have food, to be starved to delirium. It didn't matter that if it was disgusting - something that hadn't been a thought - as she chews down and asks again: ] What did you mean it's not what you felt?
It's not poisoned. [ She cuts through, leaving no room for disagreement as she adds: ] And I don't waste food.
[ The way she says it indicates a more intimate meaning. That she knows what it means to not have food, to be starved to delirium. It didn't matter that if it was disgusting - something that hadn't been a thought - as she chews down and asks again: ] What did you mean it's not what you felt?
[Chris almost answered with 'but that's not food, that's a potion ingredient', before he thought better of it and shut his mouth. Because really, it had just gotten him into trouble so far. Trouble he couldn't get out of. But, what she had just said? Told a lot. Explained a lot. That her life had been hard. That she knew what it was like to hurt, to be hungry to the point of pain, that she wouldn't think twice about eating a lizard. As opposed to Chris, who grew up with Piper, a trained chef. It gave him a little window into who she was. Or at least who she had been.
[Maybe this was one of those things that was in the whitelighter manual, that he hadn't actually read. He fought with himself for a while, scrunched up his nose and sighed, leaning back.]
You're in pain. I can feel it. It's kind of like a psychic connection. And no, I didn't do it on purpose and I can't make it go away.
[Maybe this was one of those things that was in the whitelighter manual, that he hadn't actually read. He fought with himself for a while, scrunched up his nose and sighed, leaning back.]
You're in pain. I can feel it. It's kind of like a psychic connection. And no, I didn't do it on purpose and I can't make it go away.
[ The good news is - if you'd call it good news - this is a Nebula who's grown from her kneejerk reaction of stabbing anything that offends her. Or that so much as enunciates she might be weak. Which he practically does rather he knows it or not. Her shoulders tense and she chews the last piece of the lizard violently, taking the sudden surge of aggressive energy out on the food rather than him.]
[ Really, this is what we call character growth, especially when she gets up and tosses the empty skewer into the fire like she wants to kick grass. ]
[ Maybe it's just Mantis being family or a whole other life experience that makes her accept the fact more readily. Maybe it's that acceptance, that knowledge of this is who she was. I wasn't always like this, she'd said. Rhodey's response had been, Neither was I; We make due with what what we have. Or maybe she'd be madder if it was her feelings - it's not, so it's easier when she breathes out through her nostrils. ]
I'm always in pain. Everyday. A gift from my father and this body he gave me.
[ In no way does she make it sound like it was a gift as she rounds on him, lilac eyes peering into him: ]
Why? [ Why does he have it? No, more importantly: ] Why me?
[ Really, this is what we call character growth, especially when she gets up and tosses the empty skewer into the fire like she wants to kick grass. ]
[ Maybe it's just Mantis being family or a whole other life experience that makes her accept the fact more readily. Maybe it's that acceptance, that knowledge of this is who she was. I wasn't always like this, she'd said. Rhodey's response had been, Neither was I; We make due with what what we have. Or maybe she'd be madder if it was her feelings - it's not, so it's easier when she breathes out through her nostrils. ]
I'm always in pain. Everyday. A gift from my father and this body he gave me.
[ In no way does she make it sound like it was a gift as she rounds on him, lilac eyes peering into him: ]
Why? [ Why does he have it? No, more importantly: ] Why me?
[Chris still isn't correlating how feeling pain is being weak. You know, pain, that thing every living thing feels? Hell, his father was dead and he still felt pain. So. Totally not computing. Still, he was really grateful that she didn't stab him. Or would have been if he knew it had been on the table. He arched an eyebrow, however, not missing the aggressiveness with which she chewed the lizard (yum!) and tossed the skewer into the fire. Right. Anger issues. He could relate.]
You're own dad did that? That's not like. De-facto cool alien stuff? [What? You were blue, Nebula. Okay sure, Chris dealt with demons who came in all shapes and colors but still. You. Were. Blue.] And you can't stop it?
[Chris let out a sigh, an uncomfortable, tense sigh.] I don't know why. Either someone's having fun and assigning me people, or...it's a natural connection. Either way, I can't make it go away. I'm probably supposed to help you in some way.
But why not you?
[Nebula was so busy being angry that Chris wondered if she stopped to wonder why not her? That maybe she was actually deserving of not being in pain and having a friend. Someone who cared.]
You're own dad did that? That's not like. De-facto cool alien stuff? [What? You were blue, Nebula. Okay sure, Chris dealt with demons who came in all shapes and colors but still. You. Were. Blue.] And you can't stop it?
[Chris let out a sigh, an uncomfortable, tense sigh.] I don't know why. Either someone's having fun and assigning me people, or...it's a natural connection. Either way, I can't make it go away. I'm probably supposed to help you in some way.
But why not you?
[Nebula was so busy being angry that Chris wondered if she stopped to wonder why not her? That maybe she was actually deserving of not being in pain and having a friend. Someone who cared.]
[ The woman's eyes narrow dangerously underneath her brows - formerly unreadable dark orbs alight with no lack of agitation. He reminds her of someone in the way he speaks. She's not sure if that's a good thing or not and she decidedly thinks she doesn't like it. Her metal fingers fletch with a harsh laugh that scrapes like metal, like this hearty version of it is so unpracticed it tears at vocal chords. A single caw as she breathes out: ]
"Defacto cool-alien stuff," [ She doesn't sneer, but she almost does. ] What creature do you know that rips out their own arm, eyes, and brain for cool stuff?
[ It's practically a rhetorical question because she doesn't stay on it long enough to let him answer: ] If I had control over any of it, do you think I'd live like this?
[ Again. Another rhetorical question. The answer is clear in the way she says it: It's never been much of a life. She'd only just recently began to learn how to live a life for herself - free. It's why the anger coils off of her in waves, her greatest security in face of her weaknesses. And as her father had always taught her, this body and her heart were a weakness. Each bit replaced so deliberately to strengthen her, without any regards for what came after. No, her father would say that the pain would make her strong too. That flinching in it was a weakness to be snuffed out - ]
[ - She doesn't disagree. She won't, for some time yet, because Nebula still struggled with weakness and she might just for her own personal ones for the rest of her life. ]
[ To her credit, she does listen even if the corners of her lips do pull away in that snarl she fought as she looked away. To her credit, she takes it as truth. Because what idiot would want to suffer through every ounce of pain she feels willingly? She has to - no one else does.
To her credit, though her fist clenches so tightly the wires of the metal seem to stain she does not fling it the nearest tree with force enough to break it - ]
Ignore it. I don't need help.
[ She doesn't. Not really (so she tells herself). She doesn't want it either, though she doubts any help he can give - if only because the only thing she sees "help" in is in fighting. Or the mechanics of this stupid body in this stupid world, but she doesn't let herself think of that. She barely lets herself even think about his own question even if her return punctures the air like a stab wound: ]
... It's atonement, for all the things I did across countless planets.
[ Is it? Is that how she really feels - maybe. She's yet to forgive herself for any of it. It's not like she can do anything about this pain. Shouldn't she just embrace it, as a reminder of what she'd done? Or, perhaps, where she came from? ]
"Defacto cool-alien stuff," [ She doesn't sneer, but she almost does. ] What creature do you know that rips out their own arm, eyes, and brain for cool stuff?
[ It's practically a rhetorical question because she doesn't stay on it long enough to let him answer: ] If I had control over any of it, do you think I'd live like this?
[ Again. Another rhetorical question. The answer is clear in the way she says it: It's never been much of a life. She'd only just recently began to learn how to live a life for herself - free. It's why the anger coils off of her in waves, her greatest security in face of her weaknesses. And as her father had always taught her, this body and her heart were a weakness. Each bit replaced so deliberately to strengthen her, without any regards for what came after. No, her father would say that the pain would make her strong too. That flinching in it was a weakness to be snuffed out - ]
[ - She doesn't disagree. She won't, for some time yet, because Nebula still struggled with weakness and she might just for her own personal ones for the rest of her life. ]
[ To her credit, she does listen even if the corners of her lips do pull away in that snarl she fought as she looked away. To her credit, she takes it as truth. Because what idiot would want to suffer through every ounce of pain she feels willingly? She has to - no one else does.
To her credit, though her fist clenches so tightly the wires of the metal seem to stain she does not fling it the nearest tree with force enough to break it - ]
Ignore it. I don't need help.
[ She doesn't. Not really (so she tells herself). She doesn't want it either, though she doubts any help he can give - if only because the only thing she sees "help" in is in fighting. Or the mechanics of this stupid body in this stupid world, but she doesn't let herself think of that. She barely lets herself even think about his own question even if her return punctures the air like a stab wound: ]
... It's atonement, for all the things I did across countless planets.
[ Is it? Is that how she really feels - maybe. She's yet to forgive herself for any of it. It's not like she can do anything about this pain. Shouldn't she just embrace it, as a reminder of what she'd done? Or, perhaps, where she came from? ]
And I think you just answered your own question. [You don't scare him Nebula. Okay, maybe a little bit. But he also knew he couldn't just ignore it. Just not say anything. Magic happened for a reason right? Besides, for now they were kind of stuck together.] I think you want to live like this. You said it yourself. Atonement. You don't punish yourself for things you don't think you're guilty of.
[Chris eyed her, watching her sort through her own emotions as he tried to sort out his--and what he could feel of hers. Being a Whitelighter was kind of a pain in the ass, but not as much pain as what she was going through. And she was stuck with the one angel who couldn't do a damn thing about it.
Ignore it? He could do that. He could just put her on mute. But that didn't actually solve the problem.]
Also your dad? Sounds like a giant jackass. Who does shit like that?
[His tone softens a bit, looking at her.] and it sucks you have to live with the consequences of his actions.
[Chris eyed her, watching her sort through her own emotions as he tried to sort out his--and what he could feel of hers. Being a Whitelighter was kind of a pain in the ass, but not as much pain as what she was going through. And she was stuck with the one angel who couldn't do a damn thing about it.
Ignore it? He could do that. He could just put her on mute. But that didn't actually solve the problem.]
Also your dad? Sounds like a giant jackass. Who does shit like that?
[His tone softens a bit, looking at her.] and it sucks you have to live with the consequences of his actions.
[ Nebula knows she's guilty of heinous things. Sure, many of her actions could be attributed to her father and his abuse. But not the execution of it. Not the fact she carried them out versus doing something about it - versus what? Death? Hadn't she awaited for it by the hand of Gamora? She'd known she was a tool until death, nothing more and nothing less. And some part of her had longed for that peace. ]
[ It was just never outweighed with the violent need to survive. A thing that's not been stamped out of her, even if her beliefs are no longer the same. Even if now she is firmly on the side of good she wasn't always - And here this man. This kid, she aggressively decides, acts as if he knows more than he does. ]
[ Why? Because he's seen but a speck of the immeasurable pain she lives in? ]
[ She's been nice for so long. She's kept her head low, she's tried (in her own way) to be agreeable and something in the way he speaks - in the way his tone softens to something that feels pitiable even if it isn't swells in her. She does not tense, but she does lunge. She does shove an arm -blessedly the more organic one than pure metal - into his chest as she shoves him into a tree. The sound that leaves her mouth is a guttural, feral growl as she stares into him. Once black orbs, glinting instead in the light of the fire all the brunt of anger and self-hated she's held back. ]
Don't. Pretend. You know a damned thing about me.
[ A different Nebula would go for the knife at her waist - always ready - she doesn't even if her gaze remains hard. Even if she keeps the arm and pressure against him: ]
I didn't choose to be this. [ She didn't. Nebula would never be able to admit it to herself, but her nature would have been far different - Once, she'd been a different person entirely. ] I did choose to do some of the things I've done. If you want, I'll show you.
[ It's low and dangerous - the hint of the assassin who'd once been known as the biggest sadist in the universe. To her own ears, the threat is only half of what it once was. She's angry, but she's not that person anymore. ]
This body is mine. As is it's unending pain. I deserve it and I will make it my own. I don't need your opinions.
[ It was just never outweighed with the violent need to survive. A thing that's not been stamped out of her, even if her beliefs are no longer the same. Even if now she is firmly on the side of good she wasn't always - And here this man. This kid, she aggressively decides, acts as if he knows more than he does. ]
[ Why? Because he's seen but a speck of the immeasurable pain she lives in? ]
[ She's been nice for so long. She's kept her head low, she's tried (in her own way) to be agreeable and something in the way he speaks - in the way his tone softens to something that feels pitiable even if it isn't swells in her. She does not tense, but she does lunge. She does shove an arm -blessedly the more organic one than pure metal - into his chest as she shoves him into a tree. The sound that leaves her mouth is a guttural, feral growl as she stares into him. Once black orbs, glinting instead in the light of the fire all the brunt of anger and self-hated she's held back. ]
Don't. Pretend. You know a damned thing about me.
[ A different Nebula would go for the knife at her waist - always ready - she doesn't even if her gaze remains hard. Even if she keeps the arm and pressure against him: ]
I didn't choose to be this. [ She didn't. Nebula would never be able to admit it to herself, but her nature would have been far different - Once, she'd been a different person entirely. ] I did choose to do some of the things I've done. If you want, I'll show you.
[ It's low and dangerous - the hint of the assassin who'd once been known as the biggest sadist in the universe. To her own ears, the threat is only half of what it once was. She's angry, but she's not that person anymore. ]
This body is mine. As is it's unending pain. I deserve it and I will make it my own. I don't need your opinions.
Think they need to get better acting skills.
[ Rocket's reply comes quickly, and with a fair amount of judgment from someone who has spent the majority of his short life in the seedy underbelly of the Andromeda galaxy. The tells are too obvious, and the guys sitting around the table look too soft — one good poke with a stabby thing, and they'd deflate like a birthday balloon, the colourful, floaty kind that Quill used to talk about from his childhood.
As of yet, Rocket has no intentions on actually joining in — there's a little more study needed to learn the rules of this weird game — and he's kind of happy to sit and drink where he is and make scathing commentary anyway.
It's fun. ]
These guys are freakin' rookies.
[ Rocket's reply comes quickly, and with a fair amount of judgment from someone who has spent the majority of his short life in the seedy underbelly of the Andromeda galaxy. The tells are too obvious, and the guys sitting around the table look too soft — one good poke with a stabby thing, and they'd deflate like a birthday balloon, the colourful, floaty kind that Quill used to talk about from his childhood.
As of yet, Rocket has no intentions on actually joining in — there's a little more study needed to learn the rules of this weird game — and he's kind of happy to sit and drink where he is and make scathing commentary anyway.
It's fun. ]
These guys are freakin' rookies.
Why? So they can be more shitty than they were before?
[ To the acting she means. The Guardians of the Galaxy - at least most of them - had shown no small amount of disdain to actors. But then, Nebula's in the school of don't show an ounce of emotion to give way your tells. She has no need for acting. ]
[ Even if Kevin Bacon is the one (1) actor who deserves the not Absolute Shit t itle these days. ]
[ She takes another drink of her cup eyeing the group. Half of them not being human is a comfort when Abraxas has shown itself to be largely human in nature. It still doesn't stop another added snort: ]
Makes sense. This whole damned place is soft.
[ The people of Abraxas would never survive in the more deadly parts of the Andromeda Galaxy or other parts of the universe. That's what the learned elitism in her says, anyway, rather than just experience. Sometimes it flairs its nasty head and lately she can't help but feel it true, in some way, even if she does her part to protect what people she can. ]
Their rules don't make any sense either.
[ To the acting she means. The Guardians of the Galaxy - at least most of them - had shown no small amount of disdain to actors. But then, Nebula's in the school of don't show an ounce of emotion to give way your tells. She has no need for acting. ]
[ Even if Kevin Bacon is the one (1) actor who deserves the not Absolute Shit t itle these days. ]
[ She takes another drink of her cup eyeing the group. Half of them not being human is a comfort when Abraxas has shown itself to be largely human in nature. It still doesn't stop another added snort: ]
Makes sense. This whole damned place is soft.
[ The people of Abraxas would never survive in the more deadly parts of the Andromeda Galaxy or other parts of the universe. That's what the learned elitism in her says, anyway, rather than just experience. Sometimes it flairs its nasty head and lately she can't help but feel it true, in some way, even if she does her part to protect what people she can. ]
Their rules don't make any sense either.
[Chris is caught completely off guard as she lunges and shoves him into the freaking tree. Even if he wasn't? Well, he was an absolutely terrible fighter, thanks in part to his whitelighter heritage. So he hangs there as she holds him against the tree, ranting. Unfortunately for Nebula, Chris had spent his entire life being threatened, used and abused by his sociopath of a brother, and then proposed to an assassin witch and made alliances with demons. So? He wasn't scared of you. Which was probably a deeply unhealthy reaction.
Still, he waited until she was done ranting at him, and then orbed out, rematerializing a few feet behind her.]
Wow, I think I hit a nerve there. Got it. You're really big and bad and desperate to prove it. Here's the thing. It only works on people who are scared of you. You want to be in pain? Sure, have it your way. Enjoy punishing yourself.
Still, he waited until she was done ranting at him, and then orbed out, rematerializing a few feet behind her.]
Wow, I think I hit a nerve there. Got it. You're really big and bad and desperate to prove it. Here's the thing. It only works on people who are scared of you. You want to be in pain? Sure, have it your way. Enjoy punishing yourself.
[ He disappears in that whirl of blinding lights and she's caught off guard - Just for a moment. She's quick to whirl around at the sound of him behind her the dagger quickly drawn with narrowed eyes. ]
[ Her mouth a tense line. ]
If I wanted you dead you would be.
[ She cuts in immediately, voice harsh. The metallic tone of it rings in her ears - as it so often does in moments where her voice isn't measured. He's lucky. A different Nebula wouldn't even offer that - he'd be dead. Neck snapped before he got another word out. ]
[ Here's the secondary thing: Nebula's lived in pain for over twenty years. The idea she couldn't isn't even a thought. It's never been one, because this is her existence - Punishment for being weak. For what she's done. Sure, she can call it fanciful words. But the truth is it's a part of this body and that means she has no escape - has never thought there was ever a chance. ]
You talk a lot about something you have no damned idea what you are talking about.
[ She snatches up the spear with one hand and turns away. ]
Show up in my face again and I'll gut you like a fish.
[ Her mouth a tense line. ]
If I wanted you dead you would be.
[ She cuts in immediately, voice harsh. The metallic tone of it rings in her ears - as it so often does in moments where her voice isn't measured. He's lucky. A different Nebula wouldn't even offer that - he'd be dead. Neck snapped before he got another word out. ]
[ Here's the secondary thing: Nebula's lived in pain for over twenty years. The idea she couldn't isn't even a thought. It's never been one, because this is her existence - Punishment for being weak. For what she's done. Sure, she can call it fanciful words. But the truth is it's a part of this body and that means she has no escape - has never thought there was ever a chance. ]
You talk a lot about something you have no damned idea what you are talking about.
[ She snatches up the spear with one hand and turns away. ]
Show up in my face again and I'll gut you like a fish.
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