mortalcoil | Personal Comm

[She doesn't miss that subtle change in posture. Putting her on his blind side? While normally she might demonstrate just how stupid a childish move like that is by tossing him, he's beat enough as it is. Refuses to see it, too, just like he's refusing to see her.

But the lure of violence works, as always. As it has a lot, lately, more than enough to raise even her concern. But it works, is the important thing, and she seems satisfied enough for the minute, leading the way at a pace just barely above casual.]

Hot shower would help beat some of those bruises and knots out. Fresh change of clothes, something more comfortable, probably wouldn't hurt either.

[he nods as he falls in step with her, and there's no unspoken argument in the answer, this time. he knows it's true. and there's something about it that is almost reassuring in the wake of missing the only person who had previously checked in to make sure he was taking care of himself.

normally he's better about these things, but... yeah. lately, cleaning himself up has not been the first thought on his mind.]

[It's easy to bypass those things when you're in the place he is. She knows Zhas meant a lot to him. She understands attachment. What's harder to understand is this kind of dependency, the kind of loss that spins you around and leaves you adrift and drowning in loneliness. She's always fought hard against that kind of need. Always just alone enough to stay safe.

He's a good example of why.]

Should maybe do that, after we get some food. If you can even move. You haven't let anyone take a look at those ribs, have you?

[The way he moves makes it obvious, if you know what you're looking for.]

[he is an excellent example of why. he's young, smart, a dangerous kind of fearless... but unplug him from that one thing that he has all of himself plugged into, and he absolutely withers. all that isolation he surrounds himself with, the distance that he keeps between himself and the rest of the human race, is because he has the rest of it focused on one very specific place. and now it's gone.

between the life that he once had, and then the one that Zhas transplanted him into, Coil has never truly been alone. he doesn't know how to be left with only himself.

opening up to the world is obviously not his first reaction. he shakes his head in answer, and then points to himself.

he's the 'doctor' on this ship. he's watching it himself and he's sure of his own judgement--however bad of an idea that might be. it's fine.]

[There's differences in kinds of isolation. She's chosen a careful distance for herself, layers upon layers of walls. Some people she lets within the first one. Acquaintances, rivals, people she enjoys having around even if she doesn't trust them. Others make it past the second wall. Co-workers, partners, long-time associates with stakes in her well-being. The third wall is the highest, the thickest, and the number of people who are even close to it, let alone inside it, she can count on one hand. It's a better way of being, a safer way. His way, having only one wall? Means the second someone breaches it, you're defenseless.

It's one thing to be alone. It's another entirely to be lonely. And Coil...even money on which one Coil is.

She doesn't falter in her steps as he answers her, only giving him a look that he can definitely feel, even if he chooses not to see.]

You're hardly an unbiased source. You should get a second opinion. What's it cost you, half an hour of your time?

[yeah, keeping her on his blind side doesn't come close to sparing him from that look. he knows it's there. Zhas was good at those too.

but he keeps up his stubborn little wall and only shrugs. because what might be a simple half hour of time to most people, is something heavy with extra socialization and language barriers for him. when it's only his comfort (and maybe some health) at stake, it's not worth the trouble.]

[Her voice, when she continues on, is fairly light. Almost casual, really.]

Of course, I could always just knock you unconscious and drag you off for Doctor Crusher to look over, so I could get an opinion I actually believe.

[This...might actually be concern on her part. However oddly shown.]

Coil,

I'm writing you to tell you that Natasha has left the fleet, if you were not already aware of that. A couple of months ago, she wrote letters to those she was closest to and told me where to find them should she leave before I did. One of the envelopes is addressed to you. Please let me know a good time and place for us to meet so I can deliver it to you.

Dr. Crusher

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Get over here right now.

[click! on pops the video feed.

maybe he's in some library or something, because he holds a finger up to his scarred lips when he appears on the screen, motioning for her to 'shh.'

keep your voice down, jeez.]

Don't you ever tell me to shut up! I heard about what you did! Get your ass back on the ship right now!

[her voice makes him wince, and he fiddles with communicator until he can turn the volume down some. she's getting mechanically hushed if she won't do it herself.

then he props the device in front of him so he can use both of his hands to answer.

'I'm busy. Why are you yelling?']

Why the hell do you think? You threw him off the fucking ship, asshole! How dare you! You had no fucking right! [With any luck, she'll get him kicked out of that library. Either way, he has to get back on the ship eventually, and if he tries to avoid her, she's got no problems seeking him out.]

He wasn't hurting anything! We had plans! And you just tossed him out like he was trash!

[he glances to the side, but it might as well be an eyeroll.

'I have a right. My ship. And he was being--'

but instead of finding a word that fits, conveying how it happened through his eyes, he sets his jaw tight and begins to fail in looking entirely neutral on the subject.]

It's not your ship!

[He's the captain. So are two other people. So what? Asuka's beyond incensed. This is the same stupid reasoning Katsuragi had, only at the time, she'd been so full of bitterness she hadn't seen it that way. Her fist clenches on nothing as she keeps on shouting.]

You're just jealous!

[finally, a real expression breaks through. he blinks, lip curling a little in a surprised little sneer.

'Jealous??' he signs in disbelief. 'Of what?']

Of Shinji, stupid! Leave him the fuck alone! Don't touch him!

[he can't help it--his scoff is voiceless, but it's still audible. the idea that she could even think to make that accusation seems to disgust him.

he hadn't wanted to get into an argument. he'd thought himself above it, in this case. but, after that, he can't help but throw signs back at her without much forethought.

'Why are you protecting him? Is he a child?'

if Shinji had wanted to put up a fight, Coil sees no reason why he couldn't have done it himself.]

He's my boyfriend, asshole!

[Would that hurt Coil? She hopes so. God, she hopes so. She doesn't even know if Shinji would agree with her assessment (but she hopes he would, too). That's the kind of awful coward she really is. Months on the ship and...]

I don't have to run who I protect through you!

[and just like that, the wall goes up. it's one of those subtle things that only someone who has spent months learning how to communicate with him is likely to notice, but it's there. his expression freezes over, going back to the apathetic wasteland he shows to the rest of the world, and he glances away.

his jaw works quietly for a minute, barely visible at the edge of the screen.

'This is stupid,' he finally signs, and it's maybe more to himself than for her. the whole thing is stupid.]

No shit it's stupid!

[Did she hurt him? Yeah. She hurt him. Good. Asuka's eye narrows to a slit.] Coward, you won't even come over here! You know you were wrong!

[and calling him a coward after he has already been stung is what does it. something quietly snaps, and there's a fast glimmer of rage visible before he slams the communicator off.

it might be the end of this particular conversation, but he's sure as hell heading back to the ship now.

give him twenty minutes of stewing and travel, and he'll be storming himself aboard to continue this face-to-face, if she's still there.]

[Kanda's still figuring out texting...]

this is candy

candy

candy

damn it that's not what I wrote

Kanda

you got a moment

Edited 2016-10-08 03:01 (UTC)

[you know... there is something deeply rewarding about realizing that you're finally not the worst texter on the ship.

he's definitely going to have to tell Zhas about this later.]

yes

I want to grow food

where should I put it

if I have to use the lab I won't touch your stuff

iskaulit

[...which is going to be awkward if the new guy has no idea what that is.]

is that English ????

no

[after a pause...]

the ship

[Very informative.]

I'm not growing vegetables on someone else's ship

public garden and library gym shrine

[he's a helper.]

[OH. It's the OTHER big ship!

... But still.]

I don't want other people eating our stuff

[A pause.]

I'll cup them

[Another pause.]

cut

them

a lot

[...okay. so, Kanda might have entertained Coil enough with that one text, for enough different reasons, that he's earned himself a couple points.

after a pause to really appreciate everything about that last message--]

what kinds of food

[He's trying so damn hard. At least Coil doesn't seem to hate him yet, though Kanda does wish there was a space on the ship that he could grow plants in... Maybe he'll just use his room until he feels comfortable flying to the Iskaulit by himself.]

whatever I can find

right now I have giant peppers

I think everything on this planet is giant actually

seeds ? im already growing and dont have a lot of room

[...!]

I'm going to use the seeds from these peppers
what are you growing
I just want to grow things I'll eat
I don't like the food here

I want green peppers and squash and lotus root
sweet potatoes are okay too I guess

Edited 2016-10-08 06:54 (UTC)

im growing things i need no one likes the food here but you get used to it squash spreads out too much sweet potatoes go too deep doesnt lotus need mud green peppers might be okay

[NO, COIL, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. He's spent the past nine years eating the same four things.]

I doubt I'll be able to find lotus anyway

[He sighs. He really, really wants that squash.]

I'll look into the public garden
maybe I'll just make my own in some empty room
place seems big enough

do you need seeds for anything in particular

[look, you're never going to be able to explain the importance of favorite foods to someone who is missing most of their tongue. he's going to miss the significance every time.]

engineers know how to build look at how my garden is built and it wont be hard to make one im still looking for Ricinus communis

[That's about as close to an invitation as Kanda's going to get.]

all right

are you planning on killing someone
or is it for the oil

it has many uses

[which is a completely reasonable answer and not suspicious at all.]

[... well.]

I'll keep an eye out

Personal Comm | IC Inbox (DF)

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FINALLY

and then I forgot my psls for weeks

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text; after landing on lagan

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