060 | [Video]

[with_discipline]

[Today, in addition to being glassy and constricted, T'Pol's eyes are red. She's been crying, and she really isn't trying to hid it.]

Seems like our numbers keep fluctuating. Can't blame 'em, not really. Everyone's got to do what's best by them. It'll be safer out there for some, but - if I'd known I could come here before I did, I - I wouldn't have come alone.

[She looks away, eyes wet again. She's going to be so ashamed of this once things are back to normal. Running a hand through her hair, she laughs a little, shaking her head. A syrette is visible in the corner of the screen, on the dresser in front of her; a spoon is nearby.]

Can't please everyone, I guess.

(((So that mysteeeerious past of T'Pol's involves having stones thrown at her and losing her daughter before finding a home in the carnival. With Angie and John going, and Kirk talking about taking his family and going, she's using up her morphine pretty fast to deal with it.)))

Comments

[Private]

[with_discipline]

Some feel like they'll never scar over. It's just open and stinging. They didn't deserve what happened.

[Private]

[championoftime]

Nobody does, dear. Nobody. But you ought not face it alone. You should tell me about it. And... take slightly less. I don't trust the townsfolk, and I want you to be lucid as possible.

[He knows it would be excruciating if she stopped altogether.]

[Private]

[with_discipline]

It hurts less. [She still isn't looking at him, voice shaking as the tears start up again.] I had a baby. A little girl. Never saw a sweeter face.

[Private]

[championoftime]

And she wasn't taken from you by misfortune, was she? [He understands, because she needs the cry.]

[Private]

[with_discipline]

They were killed. [She laughs, angry and upset, and pushes hair out of her face.] It was an accident. They said a lamp was knocked over.

[Private]

[championoftime]

Because they were suspicious?

[Private]

[with_discipline]

Because I had a husband who loved me, and a daughter who looked like me. It was no accident.

[Private]

[championoftime]

I had a family as well, once. The last living member I crossed over with. She was a good girl, and fell in love with a man in the burroughs. Then I had nothing left.

Then I came here and I found something. I think you could find it, as well.

[Private]

[with_discipline]

[She's wiping her face, straightening enough to look up at him again.] You found a son, Sly. S'different.

Why didn't you stay in touch?

[Private]

[championoftime]

I didn't want to burden her until I'd made something of myself. That's not happened yet.

You could find something too. But for now, I simply need you to try and keep a level head, and if you learned any dirty little secrets about those townies, tell me now. What's different about you could save us for once.

[Private]

[with_discipline]

There are some...I could. [Aaaaand pause.] What are you planning, Sly?

[Private]

[championoftime]

A slim hope for peaceful, if embarrassing, resolution. Mob mentality is easily broken by descent and dishonesty. It gives a man pause to think.

[Private]

[with_discipline]

I'll help. I'll do what I can, just - let me think. [Hey, something good to focus on. That's good.]

[Private]

[championoftime]

Concentrate... You can do it.... [uses the most encouraging tone he can.]

[Private]

[with_discipline]

[She told him what she could remember; a boy's attraction to her, another boy's attraction for other young men, one wanting to leave - everything she'd learned in the past few days came up, in the hope that she'd help Sylveste help them all.]