entranceway | o8 | what more am I owed than certain death

Entry tags:

o8 | what more am I owed than certain death | open action/accidental video;

[Annie appears onscreen, looking anything but her chipper self. Seems that's more and more common, these days, especially after things like disgusting zombies. She'd kept her own and managed to make it to the farmhouse on the second day, and stayed there for the remainder of the event, helping people who managed to get there as well. It wasn't until the event was over that she realized that they were well into fall, and that Christmas must be coming up soon, and if Christmas is coming, that means Hanukkah's here, or...that it already passed.

And, okay, yeah, she doesn't have like, the best relationship with her parents anymore, but it's still a special holiday for her! And she could've had a sweet little ceremony each night and lit the candles and made matzoh ball soup in the kitchen and shared it!! But no, instead she was killing zombies and hiding in a farmhouse. Seriously.

So, she can be found in the diner, her crafting supplies spread out in front of her in a booth in the back. Currently, she's pouring glitter over a set of folded up pieces of paper-- Christmas cards. She missed one holiday, she's not going to miss another.]

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[Annie can't think about what it was like when she first got here, mostly because...well, because she did get to go home. She went home and got pulled back, and maybe that's when this all actually started. Maybe if she hadn't she'd still be-- no, that's probably wrong. This place has a way of draining your life, and she knows that.

She looks up when she hears Martha's voice and gives her a smile. It's been awhile since she's seen her. It's hard to keep up with everyone, especially during events like the last one. But she should try more, right? Maybe that will be her New Year's Resolution. Be a better friend.]

I'm guessing on the date, [she says with a shrug.] It's cold enough that I'm guessing it's December, so I thought I'd spread a little cheer, you know?

It's definitely December. Early December, though. [Martha keeps track of these things as best she can. Thanksgiving had been a good marker, even if she's not that familiar with the holiday. She's got a hand-written calendar in her room and in the clinic.

There might not be much point to it, except that she'd rather not let the days blur together if she can help it.

In any case, it's nice to see someone taking time to do something nice for others, and Martha smiles down at Annie before taking a seat across from her.]

I've never been any good with things like this, but if you need any help...

[Or they could just chat while Martha gets some food in her. That sounds good too.]

Nah, that's okay! [Annie has a sixth sense about things. She can tell when someone's a crafter and when they're not, and no offense to Martha, of course, but she just doesn't seem like the kind of person to get enjoyment from smearing glitter glue on stuff for hours on end. And that's fine! Annie's happy to do it herself.]

I appreciate the offer, though. It's kind of...relaxing, I guess. To just do the same thing over and over again.

I know what you mean. That kind of thing can be cathartic.

[Hopefully Annie won't mind if Martha sits here and keeps her company while she eats, then. Instead of asking, Martha simply orders something when a server comes by to ask if she needs anything. She orders soup and bread and then lets herself get a bit more comfortable.]

Did you have some people in mind you were going to give them to?

[She's allowed to be curious, right? It's not exactly gossip, but it's near to it.]

[Oh man, gossip. What Annie would've give for some awesome, normal gossip. And no, Annie doesn't mind. She enjoys the company.

She shrugs in response to the question.]

Not really. I was just kind of...making them until I got tired of making them. Maybe enough for everyone on the eighth floor, and the people I know who live somewhere else.

[She'd hoped to do enough for everyone in the mansion, but she's not exactly sure how many people there are.]

How's the clinic? Crazy with flu season?

[Someday they'll cross over the line of manners that keeps them from proper gossip and all will be well.

Martha can't help smiling when the eighth floor is mentioned. That means she'll be getting a card, and politeness dictates she should give Annie something in return. She'll have to think about it. It's bizarre, but she really does need to do some Christmas "shopping" here.]

At least they'll be easy to deliver.

[When asked about the question, Martha shakes her head.] I haven't had that many people coming in with colds or flu-like symptoms, actually. I don't know if Wonderland keeps us from being sick or if people are actually staying out of the cold, but...

[She isn't about to complain, seeing how the clinic is rather short-handed these days.]

[Annie's actually wondered about that too. What is it that keeps them from getting sick here? By all rights, anytime anyone so much as sneezes, they should all be following suit, because of the close quarters, but they don't. It's...weird.

And she feels bad, because she hasn't been by the clinic in awhile. It's just been so...chaotic around here.]

Well, let me know if you need help or anything. It's not like I'm busy with other stuff.

[She gives a laugh, but the truth is, she basically wants to smash her head on the wall somedays with boredom. There's only so much glitter you can use in a week, you know.]

[It is strange, and while Martha isn't going to question it, she's definitely wondered about it before. She deals with plenty of injuries, but sickness just doesn't seem to happen here.

Maybe Wonderland figures that it puts them through enough.

When Annie makes that offer, Martha replies with a tired smile.] We can need all the help we can get, really. Our staffing has depleted quite a lot, though I found a new recruit. Do you know Peter?

[He seems the friendly type, so Martha wouldn't be surprised if he's already met Annie.]

Peter?

[Annie tries to think if she's met anyone with that name, but she's drawing a blank. The past few weeks have been hectic, and the zombies didn't really help her clear her mind or anything. Besides, this place's population just keeps growing and growing. It's pretty crazy. And hard to keep up with.]

I don't think so. But he has medical experience?

He's fairly new, so that's probably why you haven't met him. But he studied as a nurse, so he should be good to have around.

[Martha's only worked with him a few times so far, but it's been enough to show her that he knows what he's doing and she can trust him to man the clinic on his own when she needs some time to rest up.]

Still, if you come across anyone else who's got experience, be sure to send them my way, will you?

Of course!

[Peter sounds pretty awesome, she has to admit. She'll definitely keep an eye out for him.]

So most of the other doctors...they're gone, huh? Went back home?

[Martha nods slowly. It's not something she's spoken about much, as she hadn't wanted people to think she was moping because so many of her friends have left. It's not as if she doesn't have plenty more still here with her.]

Yes. Simon, Dr. McCoy, Owen...

[Her gaze falls down to her hands when she says that last name, as he's the one she'd been closest to, for better or for worse.]

It's probably good they've gotten home, at least most of them. But it's made things a bit tougher here in Wonderland.

[And Owen, she knows, is not going anywhere good.]

[Annie's brow pinches in sympathy. She knows what it's like to lose friends in this place, and really she should've thought about it more. Of course Martha would've been friends with the other doctors...

She resists the urge to put her hand on Martha's, because it just doesn't feel right, but she nods.]

Yeah. But who knows! Maybe we'll get lucky.

I wonder...

[Martha realizes she shouldn't be bringing the mood down so much, especially around the holidays, but it's hard not to in light of all this.]

It might be helpful to us to have some more help here, but that would be the same as wishing that other people were in the same situation that we are, which--

[It's one thing when it's a friend from home who might be prepared for this kind of thing, but Martha has a harder time swallowing it when it's just random people.]

[Annie's thought about it a lot of different ways. She's thought about it the way Martha is, not wanting to wish this on anyone, but maybe she's just been here too long by this point. Maybe she's selfish. Maybe she's weak. Maybe she's just lonely.]

Well, solidarity in numbers, right?

[The whole thing isn't fair. Why do they have to suffer alone?]

That's true, too. [Martha glances up and nods at Annie. She can see on the other girl's face that she's also conflicted about it, which is natural.]

We've all just got to stick together and keep working at it. We'll make it home eventually.

[Martha doesn't necessarily need people from home for that, but the familiarity would have been nice. Seeing how she has no control over who comes or goes from this place, she'll simply have to wait and see what happens.]

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o8 | what more am I owed than certain death | open action/accidental video;

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