people like us, we don't need that much

( filtered to Dillon, Iris, Mason, and Simon )

[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.]

[video]

[Behold Tiffany: sitting at the foot of the steps in the Broken Stair room, a drunk and passed-out Mason slumped next to her with his head pillowed on her shoulder. Fortunately, she looks sober herself, albeit tired and stressed. She has her arms around him and is lightly stroking his hair, more for her own comfort than for his at this point.]

We're looking to hear from some people. Merlin and Gwen, 'cause they're our wardens, but also Iris, Dillon, and Simon. I wanna know if they're okay. And Mason wants to know about Tig and, uh-- Elena? Elana? I think it was Elena. And also--

[Here she makes a face.]

Facilier. Fucking asshole.

I was also wondering if-- I mean, we don't have magic powers or nothing, and this whole place is... really, really fucked up. We came in here because it's quiet, but the stairs don't ever end, and I think there must be a better way.

So we need help. I don't know exactly where we are, but I can say it's near the bedrooms with the dead bodies, 'cause that's where I pulled him from. A lot of the stuff here seems strange and magical, so I was thinking, maybe we could just sit here until someone who--

[Suddenly one of the beams creaks extra loudly, and a spooky, etherial chattering can be heard echoing around the darkened room. Tiffany curls her fingers into the sleeve of Mason's shirt, eyeing the ceiling warily.]

... I would appreciate someone coming real soon, I think.

[spam]

[They'll be camped out there for a bit, so characters going up or down might pass them by. Feel free to stop and chat! Or glare. Or gloat.]

[OOC: Mason gets blanket rights to wake up and threadjack anywhere if Allison so chooses! This also means he could potentially hear Tiffany's side of audio/video conversations, even locked ones, so keep that in mind if you want your character to say something he shouldn't overhear.]