prettyntoxic | [IC Inbox] It's hard for me to trust people

[ Fitz came to the bar tonight because he's tired. He's physically exhausted from tending to the needs of dozens of anonymous strangers, from arranging rescue efforts, from trying to be kind to the victims in the aftermath, from feeling so damned responsible for all of it. It's been a long few days and all he wants to do is drink enough beers to silence the parts of him that won't shut up long enough to let him get decent rest.

That's how he got to be here, but he's not sure why the woman next to him settled so close when there were other places for her to go. He smiles, a bit awkwardly.]

Everything of yours dry out well enough?

[Lisa was here for several reasons. Starting with being kidnapped, a conversation with her brother that ended in tears, a conversation with Cisco that... started with tears and ended in pain, and a conversation with Rip that--BIG SURPRISE--involved tears. Hey, look, all three conversations were related to the same tear-jerking event. THEN she found herself swimming from room to room for her life. She needed out of the rooms for a while and she needed something to calm her nerves. Not that she gave away that her nerves were frayed in the least to an eye untrained to Snartisms.

So, she settled next to a kid who looked like he might be having a day or week about as bad as hers. At least, he looked like he needed a drink as badly as she felt she needed one. Plus, he was cute. When he spoke, she smiled, ordering something with a bit more liquor than flavour. Why start off slow? Plus, the accent was cute.

She nods to answer his question.]

Not that I had much. I haven't been here long, so this was my first event. What about yours? Everything make it?

It's been busy for me. I've not had much time to go through the property damage.

[He gives a weak smile at that. It wouldn't be the first time something's destroyed his lab space, if anything had gone wrong. With all the repetition from the event, it might as well extend out into recollecting work.]

I'm sorry to hear that this had to be your welcome to Wonderland though. They're not always this bad.

[Just about half the time.]

[She turns on the seat slightly so she could face him better, giving him a full once-over. It wasn't subtle. By the time her icy blue eyes flicked back to his face, she seemed to have come to an assessment.]

No. [Out of context, much? She doesn't seem to really care. She continues,] Don't give me that apology-pity crap. The kicked puppy look is too much. You need a drink. What's your poison?

[She already had one puppy in her life. She didn't need to start collecting them. He had the look of a type like the Flash, anyway. All righteous, justice, and positivity.] I'm Lisa, by the way.

[It might not have been subtle by Lisa's standards, but Fitz doesn't seem to notice it much. That stare probably isn't for him -- maybe she's started to flirt with someone behind him. That's far more likely.]

Uh -- Fitz.

[The rest came by a bit quickly for him, actually. He's got a single beer -- though, granted, it is watered-down American fare. Is she trying to imply that it's not enough?]

What do you mean, "kicked puppy look," exactly?

[He's not sure he'd want her to elaborate, but the question's already out there.]

[No, it most certainly isn't enough. She's drinking hard alcohol and he's nursing a beer... Kid, you're Scottish. Up your game, man!

She sighs, preparing to elaborate. In the process, she lifts a hand and points at his face, swirling the finger in a circle in the air to indicate ALL of his face.]

That. The pity. You feel for others. You shouldn't let strangers in that easily or quickly. I tell you I'm new here and you apologise for the event? I've been through worse than that, by far. And you have no control over what Wonderland throws at us, so you shouldn't feel bad for it. [To be fair, she's talking about empathy in general. Not that she had any idea that he actually had any part in the event itself. Even so, her argument would still stand.] Besides, a cute face like yours shouldn't frown so much.

[You asked, Fitz...]

[It's not much of a game to spend half the night bent over a toilet, he thinks. That has nothing to do with brash general assumptions about his people.]

One would imagine that empathy is a particularly human trait. It's part of what sets us apart from lesser species.

[The "cute face" comment makes him squim in visible discomfort.]

W--well. In any case, it's been nice to meet you, Lisa...

Mmh. Last I checked, I'm human. Or are you implying I'm a lesser species?

[She raises an eyebrow at him, keeping her expression dangerously neutral as to whether she's joking with him and actually offended or really couldn't care. Hint: She's not actually hurt.

However, as soon as he squirms and starts to dismiss himself, she laughs. That... actually felt good to do.]

Relax. [She's still turned to face him, leaning against the bar counter with obvious amusement in her expression now.] If you're batting for the other team, that's fine by me. I play for both sides, myself. [Punctuated with a wink.]

So, Fitz, people don't usually end up at a bar for the food... You mentioned you've been busy. You've been helping people, am I right? You strike me as the hero-type.

Wh--no no I wasn't--

[Oh, has he gone and offended her?? This is accomplishing the opposite of what he came here to do. He struggles to breathe normally, anxiety spiking his adrenaline to an unhealthy level.]

You're -- joking with me.

[Daisy used to do this, sometimes. She got a thrill out of watching his expressions, she'd said. He takes a sip of beer before responding.]

Well I -- I don't see why that ought to be remarkable. In a place like this, we ought to help one another.

[She smirks knowingly when he assesses correctly, not even bothering to give him an answer. Instead, she turns back to the bar, letting several swallows of the barely-disguised alcohol burn its way down.]

Maybe I'm just still too new here. [She admits. Though, in a way, she's trying to help him, even if it is in the most mortifying way possible for him. Distract him from his troubles by turning him into an awkward mess of a human being. Maybe not the best method of helping, but it's the Lisa way.]

In my experience, if you rely on others to help you, you're setting yourself up to be disappointed. Maybe, if more people thought like you, I wouldn't think the way I do. Have you always been this helpful towards others?

[If that's her mission, then it's a successful one indeed. It's been impossible to focus on his troubles with her being so aggressive and shaped in that very particular way.]

Helping other people doesn't mean we ought to expect it from others. [Disappointments come hard and fast in those cases, and his well of disappointment is full to bursting at the moment.] But we should still do what we can. How could you live with yourself otherwise, knowing that someone suffered in a preventable way?

People suffer all the time. [Nothing in her expression changed when she spoke those words, but something about her eyes had. Closed off. Windows to the soul, some say. Well, those windows were now boarded up.] You can't save everyone.

[She sighed and stood up, slipping around the bar. She fetched a various number of hard liquors: Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Rum, Cola, and some citrus flavouring. She mixes the 2 drink, adds ice, and slides one to him before taking hers and sitting down again.]

That's too much guilt to weigh on one person. You know that, right? If you worry too much about others, you'll just get yourself killed. Look, I'm not telling you not to be a hero. That's your choice. But if you start carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, you're gonna get crushed.

Now drink that damn drink and tell me what you like to do for fun. Assuming heroes are allowed to have fun.

I don't think the bartenders like it when...

[Oh, but she's already back there. And as she talks, he attempts to interrupt, but the speed of her conversation barrels over him nonetheless.]

I'm not a h--

But--

You've got it a bit--

[And then there's a glass in front of him and he's drinking it without questioning what she's slipped into it. She's really quite forceful, and it's a bit overwhelming.]

They'll get over it. I'm more used to helping myself, anyway.

[She smiles when he does as she insisted and drinks the long island iced tea. She won't push too many of those on him, but she needed him to stop looking so depressed. It was actually depressing her despite claiming she didn't do empathy.

Forceful, aggressive, forward, those were all her ways. Coupled with charm, some carefully orchestrated smiles, winks, and motions, she was a force in and of herself that most couldn't quite fight against. What's worse, she knew it and used it to her advantage.]

And did you really just try to tell me you aren't a hero?

[When he drinks, it goes down cleanly. He's a casual drinker, mostly a social one, but it doesn't bother him to engage in it. In that way, perhaps, the accent isn't such a letdown for her.

When she stops long enough to give him space to respond, he shrugs noncommittally.]

I don't think the world ought to be used so flippantly. Not when there's all those people running about with powers doing incredible things.

You don't have to have powers or even do incredible things. I know two people in my life who are heroes to me, and are completely human. [Well, one of them doesn't have powers and hates the term hero. The other... didn't have powers in HER timeline. But she doesn't know that it's changed. On another note, her tone is oddly serious compared to the rest of the conversation so far.] So don't take what you do for others so lightly. I can promise you, if you've saved even one life, you're a hero to someone.

[Okay, seriously, when did she start giving pep-talks to guys at bars, anyway? Maybe it was because he reminded her, even just a tiny bit, of someone.]

[He smiles, shakes his head, and takes a bit more from his drink.]

That's nice of you to say, but not particularly apt in this case. It's my fault we had that event in the first place.

Edited 2017-02-09 20:01 (UTC)

You do know how to smile!

[She studies him for a moment, sipping her drink as she does. She sits up straight, facing him again fully.]

So, tell me, when something horrible springs from my memories, are you gonna blame me for it?

[She faces him, but he doesn't reciprocate the eye contact. She's a bit too imposing for that.]

Of course I wouldn't. That's preposterous.

[She smiles at his answer.]

Then why do you feel like you should be blamed for this one? No one blames you. Okay, so it happened to you. It came from your memories. If anything, I should feel bad for you. You just had to live it twice. [She pauses, catching herself in a conundrum.] You know, if I were empathetic, of course.

[She's so concerned with keeping up appearances and looking aloof. His smile returns, more genuine this time. His eyes return to her at length.]

Purely hypothetical. I understand completely.

Good. Glad we're both on the same page.

[She knew he knew, and she also wanted him to know she knew he knew and that she was grateful he didn't call her out on it. Not openly, anyway.]

How long have you been here, Fitz?

[He shifts in discomfort; it's not a point of pride for him to admit how long he's been failing to find a way out.]

I arrived in April.

[Which was ten months ago. It's not okay.]

I've heard some people have been here for years.

[She did notice the none-too-subtle shift of discomfort. This guy is just a ball of anxiety, isn't he? Come on, Lis, find a subject that doesn't upset the poor boy.]

How's your drink? I'm used to mixing for my brother and his partner, so, sorry if it's a little heavy on the flammable side of things rather than taste.

[ Given how wildly upset he is by most things, she's set a tall order for herself. ]

It's good. Don't sell yourself short.

[ He'll tilt it back and take a longer gulp in emphasis, sending a flush of color along his ears. ] And... Thank you.

[She offers a tight smile.]

You're sweet.

[The smile relaxes more at his thanks.] You're welcome. But honestly, I hate seeing someone sitting at a bar looking like they need a friend... by themselves. So, for future reference, to avoid my meddling, bring company.

Which brings me back to, you never told me what you do for fun.

My usual company knows me well enough not to bother looking for me at a place like this.

[Sometimes, it's better to be somewhere relatively anonymous. There are fewer expectations there. It's part of why he raises his eyebrows at her question.]

There isn't very much time for "fun" in a place like this.

Then I guess you'll have to deal with my intrusions.

[She offers him a coy smile that is almost promptly followed by an eyeroll. Fitz, really...]

Spoken like a true buzz-kill. That's the answer of a man who wouldn't know fun if it kissed him. Here or at home.

[She leans against the bar again, sipping idly at her drink as she watches him.]

Well, considering that "fun" is an intangible concept that doesn't lend itself well to practical personification...

[Wait, give him a minute.]

Oh, you meant. Oh.

[She continues watching him, raising an eyebrow when the concept just flies right over his head. Really, it was almost fun watching him piece together the puzzle of her not-so-subtle meaning. She really couldn't tell if he was actually intelligent or just an idiot. When he does reach the conclusion, she smiles, scrunching her nose a bit.]

You're almost precious. No wonder you stay out of joints like this on most days. The company would eat you alive. And no, that one wasn't an innuendo. Cisco isn't going to believe there is someone here who flusters easier than he does. At least he catches my meanings.

[She brushes a curl over her shoulder and sets the nearly empty glass down.]

Fitz, sweetie, do I need to make you another drink? I'm feeling generous tonight.

[Well if people want to be understood, they ought to say the things they mean. Metaphors are ridiculous and ought to be abolished.

He flounders when she flatters him, turning all sorts of crimson shades, until she says something familiar and he latches onto it instead.]

Y-you know Cisco -- he's a colleague.

[CISCO WHY DO YOU KNOW THIS WOMAN DO YOU NEED HELP???]

[Metaphors are fun. Hush, you.

She loves the shades of red he turns, but he seems to have a small freak out over Cisco. A colleague? Well, everything just made a lot more sense.]

Cisco's from home and we're very close. I'm a little hurt he hasn't mentioned me. [She pouts.] Then again, kissing and telling when it involves a Snart probably doesn't go over well in his social circle.

[She remembered Dr. Snow's reaction, and it was priceless.

And yes, he might need help with Lisa around.]

Edited (Phone...) 2017-02-14 08:30 (UTC)

[ wait sorry he's going to need that again. ]

You and he are -- [ This requires additional processing time. ]

Does he know about it? [ moreover, has he consented to it? ]

You know, for a smart kid, you're not very quick.

Does he know about what? That he and I have shared several passionate kisses? I think he might be aware. It's a little difficult not to be, considering it takes two to tango.

[She's having too much fun with this. Sorry, Cisco.]

You know, not all brilliant guys are allergic to flirting.

Well - just mean that... Youknowit'sprobablynotimportantwhatImean..

[He just drains the last of his glass in a long gulp instead.]

It's not my business what he gets up to in his spare time.

[When Lisa gets in for the night, she'll find a small bag hanging on the doorknob. Inside, she'll find a small, carved wooden girl and a note, in familiar handwriting:

Hey, Golden Glider.

I've been meaning to give this to you for awhile. It was a souvenir I kept from an Event once. It was Leonard's, but he let me have it. I'll tell you about it sometime, if you want, but I thought you should have it instead of me.

Cisco had intended on giving it back to Leonard, once upon a time, but in his absence, Cisco felt like Lisa deserved it. Even in an Event, where memories were messed with, Lisa was still at the top of Leonard's priorities, always.]

How's it hanging, Golden Glider?

[Oh this one? This one will be fun. All kinds of stuff to play with, here.]

I'm back, sis.

[Simple message, but at the same time he's already knocking on her door, leaning against the doorway. Of course he could break in, but he does respect her privacy more than that.

Also, he doesn't want to walk in on anything he doesn't want to walk in on.]

[IC Inbox] It's hard for me to trust people

idek but let's see what happens

Spoken like a true disaster gambler! 8D

Aren't we all though 8D

Pretty much XD

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