fourth galaxy [video/action prompt]

[normandysbest]

[When the video turns on, it seems pre-preemptive and not from the usual angle Shepard's seen at- instead of being on her arm, it's actually projecting directly from the device, streaming sideways from her nightstand. Shepard can be seen coming in and out of frame, seeming to be putting a few things in a duffel bag. It looks like she could be cleaning, if her hands weren't shaking and she wasn't muttering to herself something that's not being picked up on the recording. It doesn't take her long to notice the device is on, and rolls her eyes as she picks it up, addressing the network but still looking more serious than her usual playful demeanor shows off.]

Sorry about that. Damn thing isn't working right. Though, good timing, because I was gonna ask something anyway.

[She shifts, trying to look more nonchalant. It doesn't come off perfectly to anyone who's paying attention.]

Anyone know any good places to relax in this place? Still a little messed up from that last event. Wonderland really knows how to throw us for a loop. Looking to chill for a bit. Let me know. Might not check this thing a lot in the next couple days to try and get my mind off things.

[She will, of course, be ignoring all suggestions, because what's really happening here is a thinly veiled panic attack, and she'll be running off to her battle tank. Aside from responding to the main prompt, anyone who might know where she is can feel free to find her holed up in the Mako. It'll either be parked behind the Greenhouse, or, on one occasion, driven down to the beach so Shepard can sit on top, looking out to the ocean.

She's fine. Really!]

Comments

[ Video ]

[widows_kiss]

[ There's a few moments of silent debate and thought before Natasha opens up a feed to reply to the message, her own expression carefully composed - a defense mechanism she's fallen into in the days since the latest event. ]

I suppose it depends on what you're looking for in relaxation. That tends to differ with a person's preference of coping mechanism.

[ Video ]

[normandysbest]

[Coping mechanism. Yeah, she did a shit-ass job of making this look composed. If the device hadn't started recording early, maybe less people would've caught on, but... she owes them a response, or something, so she puts her back to the wall of the Mako, tries to make her location look neutral.]

Something between 'so drunk I can't feel feelings' and 'I kind of want to sleep for 4 days', probably. But I don't think that's the kind of relaxing i need right now, so.

[She doesn't even know what she needs. Doesn't know how to process any of this. Doesn't know how to live with the knowledge she now has, and admit that weakness.]

[widows_kiss]

[ You're allowed to be a little less composed than normal here, now and again. Wonderland almost makes certain of it, after all. ]

Well those usually lead one right into the other, but are never worth it when they wear off, in my experience. Hangovers are a bitch.

I tend to go with the 'wear myself out' until it drops me into the sleeping it off category but I know that doesn't work for everyone.

[normandysbest]

Yeah, I'm a little past that point. Just... realizations, and stuff. It'll pass. I hope.

[Or she'll just, idk, die or something. But even that's not permanent here, so it's not much of a fix. All it'd do is worry people more. Pointless.]

[widows_kiss]

It usually does, but that doesn't make the waiting for it any easier.

[ She can sympathize. ]

Is there anything I can do to assist?

[normandysbest]

That would, ah, kind of imply that I know what to do about any of this in the first place.

[She has no idea how to ask for help, because she doesn't know what she needs. She's been holding everything together too long. What's there to go back to?]