♻ 018 | text/video

[tucky]

[filtered to Dillon, Iris, Mason, and Simon]

[Everyone on this filter gets the same message, sent separately.]

Can you come see me? I need to talk to you.

[Then, after a moment, an addition.]

Don't worry its nothing bad.

[video]

[Later, after finishing visiting with and giving her news to the above people, Tiffany sets herself up to make a public announcement. She sits cross-legged on her bed, turns on the recorder... and suddenly realizes that she has no idea how she wants to say this.]

I...

... There's a Bible verse that I like. It goes like this: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

[She isn't reading it off of anything; she's memorized it. Considering the last verse she took the time to memorize was about smiting God's enemies for Him, this is an improvement.]

If you know me much at all you probably know I'm a big believer in God. And when I first learned about Him, it was the best deal I ever heard of. I'd never been a part of anything before; never been in anybody's fold. But here I was, learning about somebody who'd love me, and give me a reason to be - I wanted that, you know? Who wouldn't? Feeling like you're loved is the nicest thing.

But then I came here, and I learned that being loved is only part of what's important. You gotta love back, honestly and truly. And I do. I have met the most amazing people and made the most amazing friends, and I wouldn't trade any of you for anything. I told Dr. Cambridge a while ago that I got a lot of hate in my heart sometimes, and that's true. I used to like showing it around a lot. But on the Barge I learned that I got a lot of love in my heart too, and I like showing that around even more.

So what I really meant to say is that I graduated, and it's 'cause of y'all, and I love you very much. Even the people I don't like I kind of love a little bit right now.

[She almost adds Except Arthas here, but bites her tongue.]

But especially the people I like; the people who have helped me. And some of you feel the same way and some of you don't, and that's okay, because love is not self-seeking and me feeling it is enough.

[Pause.]

I'm gonna stay. I'm gonna be a warden. It's kinda scary to me, but I'm doing it. I don't always like how it is on the Barge and last month I was thinking maybe I'd leave, but... I can't do that. It's like my home, now.

That's all.

[And she ends the feed.]

Comments

[tucky]

A lot of ass. I'm gonna be awesome.

[She isn't really as confident as she sounds, but she's not unconfident, either.]

[leavetreadmarks]

[Which makes Letty laugh, taking it at face value.]

Congrats. We should celebrate.

[tucky]

You like getting drinks at the pub?

[leavetreadmarks]

I like getting drinks at the pub.

[tucky]

We could go do that, maybe.

[leavetreadmarks]

[She grins, approving.]

I'll buy. Now, or you want a rain check?

[tucky]

Now. Let's do now.

[leavetreadmarks]

Sold. I'll see you there.

[Letty, anticipating this answer, has cheated a little and already headed that way. She intends to arrive at the pub before Tiffany, seeking out a bottle of something fizzy, cork aimed over the doorway to pop when the new graduate walks into the room.]

[tucky]

[And her plan works, because Tiffany shows up about ten minutes later. The door's opening, Letty; get ready.]

[leavetreadmarks]

[Perhaps unwisely, she barely waits for the door to open, only waits long enough to see that the person coming in is about the right height and build for Tiffany before twisting the cork the last inch and sending it careening into the wall with the characteristically loud pop, fizz pouring out over her hand and into the sink from where she's standing behind the bar.]

There she is!

[tucky]

[Tiffany throws up her hands and whoops, taking a bow.]

Thank you; thank you very much.

[leavetreadmarks]

[A response which makes Letty grin, waving her over to the bar.]

Get over here, help me drink this. I think there's still some fruity shit leftover from the party around here somewhere. We can see what colors it turns our mouths.

[tucky]

Or mix it all together and see if we can make up new flavors.

[There are two kinds of people.]

[leavetreadmarks]

I'm down. If it tastes terrible, we can do dares.

[tucky]

Like down it all in one gulp and you get... something.

[leavetreadmarks]

Or fail to do something and you have to down it all in one gulp.

[tucky]

Yeah. Yes, I like that one.

[leavetreadmarks]

Alright. Party's in your honor, you get to pick whether you dare or get dared first.

[Letty is already grabbing bottles of everything she can find, and two glasses.]

[tucky]

I'm gonna be adventurous, I think. You dare me first.

[leavetreadmarks]

Alright, start you off easy, get us all warmed up.

[And give Letty time to add some shots of this, a finger of that to the glass in front of her. She slides the other one over to Tiffany.]

Touch your nose with the tip of your tongue.

[tucky]

[She laughs, sniffing the drink.]

Okay, how's this gonna work? Do I get a choice between drinking and doing the dare?

[leavetreadmarks]

Sure, if you wanna take the pussy route.

[Because whenever possible, Letty likes to throw down a challenge, obviously.]

[tucky]

Yeah? Okay, fine; I'll do both.

[And so she gamely tries the tongue trick, though she can't quite manage it.]

It felt like I almost did. Right? Almost?

[leavetreadmarks]

Almost doesn't count, sister. Bottoms up!

[As she declares this, she finishes pouring the little mini bottle of Cinnamon Pucker into the glass with the rest and slides it in front of her expectantly.]

Hit me.

[tucky]

I was gonna do it anyway.

[She drinks, and makes a face.]

This is fucking gross.

[But she gamely finishes it, in as big sips as she can manage.]

Okay. ... Okay. Um... this ain't exactly original, but now I'm curious to see if you can touch your nose with your tongue.