2020-01-27 - Memes Not Dreams

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : KazumaMeme.jpg

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : ^_^ Thanks that brightened my day. So good news I have the week off. Bad news I have a horrible looking lump on my head.

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : ...

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : Lump like blunt force trauma or lump like weird growth? 😲

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : Ah well there was an accident with something heavy hitting my head. There may have been a trip to the hospital involved...😣

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : WTF! What happened?! Do you have a concussion?! Which hospital?!

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : See I didn't want to worry you. Ah...yeah I had a concussion. My head is still fuzzy and hurting, but I'm better than before. As to what happened there was a fire at Vivid and Hera tried to toss me a fire extinguisher. Next thing I know I'm on the floor. Addington Memorial hospital I think. I'm out now and just in my hotel room.

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : Yeah, totally not going to worry. That sounds like me. Have you slept yet? Are you supposed to? Nothing broken?

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : I just meant that I'm okayish now. There could be a few lingering things. The doctor' s said it would clear up in a week or so. So don't panic okay? I did get a little sleep, the doctor seemed to think it be okay. I think read I shouldn't sleep but I'm not in a coma now. Nothing is broken my brain just knocked around a little.

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : Ok, well. Everything I've read says you should only sleep like 2 hours at a time. Do you have anyone to keep an eye on you?

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : Oh only 2 hours? I should set a alarm. At the hotel? No one to really check up on me. I suppose I could try to go out and be around people.

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : You're coming over here. Which hotel/room. I'm coming to get you.

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : But you don't have to. I'll be okay Mac.

(TXT to Kim) Abitha : DidIStutter.gif

(TXT to Abitha) Kim : Alright, alright. Harbor Suites room 121.

There would be a knock at Kim's door not too long after. While it was still gently snowing outside, the roads weren't too bad, which meant Abitha was able to call an Uber with ease, which was waiting for them outside. Abitha waits for Kim to answer, bundled up warmly in furry-topped leather boots, black jeans, and thick, plush layers under her woolen coat, hooded folded back now she was inside. She looks wide-eyed, agitated, and jumpy.

"Just a moment." Kim's voice can be heard through the door. Not too long after Kim opens the door. Only having time to put one side of her hair into pig tail and quick make-up job. Mostly trying to cover the nasty purplish lump on the right side of her forehead, without much success. Dressed in her jeans and gaymer black tee shirt with a light leather jacket thrown on. A smile first on her face at seeing Mac "Are you okay?" she asks and hopes Mac isn't anxiety isn't all because of her "See I'm alive and well. No high school of the undead here." she jokes.

Abitha moves into the room in a whole mix of emotions. Brows lift in worry as she sees the bump, eyes flit in anxiety as she looks both ways before shutting the door, impatience seems to quicken all her moves, all because: "The Uber driver says this is the Murder Motel. I looked it up, and he's right!" She locks the door behind them like some sort of crazy murderer could come at them at any time. "You're checking out, and you're staying with me until you find somewhere more permanent." She states, her voice not sounding like she was about to brook argument. "What do you need help with?" she asks, assuming, looking around the hotel room for something to do to hasten Kim's departure of this dangerous hellhole.

The room has been kept very clean. There are open suitcases by the bed and all of Kim's clothes are in the room's closet. Laptop and Full tower desktop on the desk. Kim looks pretty confused at Mac's behavior at first. Then comes the reasons why "The Murder Motel...back in the office they said it's one of the better places. Oh this is Diane's doing, bitch. Agh I thought it seemed a little shady but if I minded my own business I'd be fine." which could the case in a bigger city. At the frantic behavior and well Mac pretty much stating that she is staying with her, at least for the time being. Is she dreaming? "Woo, woo slow down. I mean it's probably fine right? No one's been killed here recently?" she does look worried herself. "So I'm probably safe ." she isn't moving to pack up her stuff just yet.

Abithas eyes just achingly slowly sweep toward Kim, fixing her with a look equal parts surprise, horror, and disbelief, a true ode to 'Are you kidding me?'. She shakes her head very slowly, side to side, making it very clear that she did not agree with Kim in the absolute slightest. "Look, you've just gotten the lowdown on how weird and creepy this town can be. Just looking at the reports and how its all so vague, I would bet my rig it has something to do with the Veil." Mac points Kim to her own rig, knowing that everyone gets a little possessive of their babies, but indicating she should get to work. "Makeup, clothes, hair, all of that can be done at my place... If you want, I don't care. Pack your shit."

The oh so not gentle reminder is isn't the world Kim is used to anymore hits home. Really is isn't thinking clearly, because of her the post effects of her concussion. "I mean I didn't even consider..." her face going a touch greenish and Abitha has so much more experience than her at this. "You've convinced me." now she does truly want to get the hell out of this place. Not full panic mood but a fire is lit to get her things together. "The Veil...these past two weeks I've been. No, no don't think just get your stuff." moving as fast as she can with getting too dizzy she is getting her rig ready to travel. Everything else she can just throw into the suitcase. She just has to focus at the task at hand, freak out later.

Abitha helps wherever she can. Just looking at her clothes, costumes she wore, she knew how to take care of clothes, and she treats Kim's belongings respectfully, if hastily, even the unmentionables. She also watches Kim carefully, ready to catch her of she seems dizzy, taking the heaviest loads herself. She didn't seem to care how long it took to pack up the back of the Uber. Why not Kim's car? Well... Kim wasn't in a condition to drive and Abitha... Didn't. It was a choice. They would come get the car in a night or two if Kim was feeling better. And Abitha didn't drive. Soon they'd be on their way back to the Control Pad.

It does take too long to get the room packed. Most of her clothes were pretty travel ready and that is the majority of her things. Most of her stuff is still in storage waiting for her to get a permanent place. Her PC does take the longest and she handles it with extra care. While she is in a hurry it doesn't push herself too hard, taking a break when she needs it. The last bit is a small suitcase she pulls out from under the bed. With the car packed up and quick check out she is gone from the 'Murder Hotel'. Kim's car is still over at Vivid Dreams anyway, as she was given a ride back here. With it done she is finally able to rest in the Uber and breathes a deep sigh.

Abitha had been nervous the entire time, and something Kim might or might not have noticed was a regular activation of whatever weirdness Abitha was capable of herself. It was almost like a sort of mental sonar, keeping a constant running rally of all the conscious minds she could detect in their immediate vicinity. It wasn't until she could see the Murder Motel fading into the distance that she could also heave a sigh of relief and she stopped mentally pinging. That said, it was still as arduous a task to unload once they were back.

Thankfully, her usually abused wageslave Kyle was press-ganged into helping them unload and lug belongings up into the loft. Does he protest? No, NPC's like Kyle were deathly afraid of PC's like Abitha because she could just decide at any moment he wasn't needed, which basically meant he'd never exist again.

Once all is said and done... Abitha actually seems kind of confused. Her intense need to make sure a friend was cared for, then also saved from danger... started to peter out as the sheer number of awkward situations she'd just created began to extrapolate fully in her mind. Thankfully, there was at least one thing a good hostess could do that couldnt possibly be taken the wrong way.

"Have you eaten?"

Kim is too caught up in injury and general stress to focus enough to sense the otherworldly. Leaving behind a danger she should have known existed. While she will help move her things up to the loft, she still isn't pushing herself. Especially after going up and having to brace herself against the wall to keep from tumbling down the stairs.

At the end she is finally resting on the couch. Holding the left side of her head. Thinking is still a bit rough and after all the rush she didn't have time to think about the awkwardness this could create. Except a little at first when she was trying to convince Abitha that things would be okay if she stayed. "I need some aspirin. Huh, eh well I think I eat this morning. No I definitely did because my dad was yelling at me. Well he never yells just gets this stern I'm disappointed in you voice. If you give me a few minutes I can help with food. Just right now sitting is good. Oh crap! I never did say thank you for helping me out. I probably never would have known. Thank you Mac-sama."

"You're welcome, duh." Abitha replies flippantly, the fridge is opened and she takes stock. That was a good distraction, watching that near tumble had only made her worry more. At least needing to take care of Kim was reasonably straight-forward. "No, honorifics." She states in reply, however, as theres a rolling crackle sound as she reaches into a cabinet. She spins open the top of a pain-releiver bottle, shaking out two pills. "Acetaminophen is whats said to be safe when you have a concussion." She remembered reading, "NSAIDs could cause bleeding." The two pills and a bottle of cold water are handed to Kim over the back of the couch, "Rest. You're out of danger. You're staying put." Hell, she's even whipping a blanket out, a printed fleece with another Twilight Eagle in yellow on it, draping it over Kim before she'd return to the kitchen. The fridge is opened again, the boring side with all the food. Booze was for when Kim was better. "Any allergies?"

Kim slumps against the couch with the flippant reply. Not taking it badly just this is more comfortable for her. "Alright no honorifics. Maybe Kun?" making a small joke. This is so much better "Yeah that is what the doctor said. They didn't find any internal bleeding or signs of my brain swelling. Just some signs to look for." accepting the water and pills. Taking and washing them done right away "I'm not risking another trip on the stairs for awhile so of course I'm staying put." snuggling comfortably into the blanket draped over her. "Have I mentioned how much I like your stuff. You do have good tastes." referring to the blanket. With rest her mind is a little clearer "Ah Mac? It isn't too weird for you is it? Me staying here that is? I don't want it to be and I just think you are looking out for me. I'd do the same for you." she has been given permission to be honest and that is what she is going to do. "No allergies I'm aware of. So no issues there." she answers.

Abitha peers across the room at Kim at the mention of using -kun instead, the look flat, wry, slightly squinty, "Are you just messing with me now..." she hefts her santoku knife briefly to accompany the look before she sets to dicing up veggies. Onions, celery, carrots, all good soup veggies make their way in. This was a good way to stay distracted as she had to address the awkward question, "Will it be weird?" she sighs and puffs her bangs out of her face dramatically, "Maybe. It's been a few years since I had to share a space with anyone. I did not do well with dorm life. But... you are my friend first, and I am taking care of you. That's just what friends are supposed to do." Another board full of chopped bok-choy is swept into the soup-pot, looking over at Kim thoughtfully, "I don't think I asked, what are you doing in Gray Harbor? Are you staying? Cause it's been at least a couple weeks, and you were still in a hotel?"

Kim flashes a her signature cute smile at Abitha "I could be messing with you, just a little. Unless you like it." the look and raised knife does tell her the answer "Probably not then." Shifting her position and propping up her head with a pillow. Pain relievers starting to help with her headache. "So adorable." Kim mentions after the puff. While it isn't quite what she meant as weird, Kim knows how sharing her own personal space with someone isn't always easy. "I can get that. So anything I can do to make it less stressful for you let me know. I really do usually make a good house guest and I want to make this as easy on you as I can. Especially since you are looking out for me." Not that it isn't something she'd do for a friend as well. "You know I don't think it came up. A job came in for a local company to update their network for ecommerce, and I was looking for a change of pace. It was going to be for a couple of months. After taking a look at their outdated systems, slap shot intranet, and really lax security protocols I had to have my company readjust the estimate to at least half a year. I guess I just could just said work." she starts to shake her head at herself. nope bad choice. "Oof this sucks. After getting here though I liked the town and the people I've meet. My first plan was just to get a apartment, but since I got more than a few reasons to stay, I started to think about buying a house. I still am torn between the two, this town is feeling more like a home. Time just passed and wow it's been almost three weeks and my company was picking up the hotel bill."

"Yeah, well, I'm sure the bill wasn't too bad. I'd bet there's a steep discount given its current reputation." Abitha continues to chop things and toss them into the pot, grabbing an oil container and tipping some in, seasoning, the smell of a sauteing veggies starting to rise from the big pot. She tries not to look up at Kim too often after the adorable comment. Abitha wasnt adorable, she was terrifying. Ask Kyle. "Nah, I'm sure it'll be fine. Just hope I dont get too much in your way if you need to work." She points with her knifehand toward the rest of the apartment with its very open floor plan, bed vosible from the entrance, rig amd TV visible from the kitchen, "Not exactly a great spot if you're looking for privacy." Her eyes track just briefly as shebremembers at least the bathroom was walled off. That was at least one less awkward possibility. Suddenly, she does look up though, with all the horror, disgust, and fear on her face as had been discovering Kim was at the Murder Motel. "Wait, you're not working for the Hub, are you?"

"If I care the least about where I was staying I would have looked up the place. That is a mistake I'm not making again." Kim states, it seemed like such a unimportant detail. Sniffing the air at the good scent of the cooking veggies. Kim certainly thinks it was adorable, not that she doesn't find much that Abitha does that isn't cute or adorable. "My boss has given me time off. In his words 'Don't tax that pretty brain of yours until you are a hundred percent. We can't lose one of our cash cows.' he's a bit of ass but he goes to bat for me. I may look for a place to set up my rig though." oh yeah the lack of privacy "Sooo maybe you noticed when helping me pack, maybe not. But I don't have PJs. I usually just wear a over sized shirt when going to sleep or lounging around. If that's a problem I can just always just be full dressed to avoid issues." she says as she unwraps herself from the blanket and slowly gets up. Going over to her luggage to get her make-up kit. Removing her half-finished make-up seems like a good idea and it's not Abitha wouldn't see her without any in the coming days. Pausing as she spoken too and the terrible look that Mac has "The Hub? No that's not the name of my company or the one I'm doing work on. Wait isn't that the rinky PC place? I've seen it. Are they really that bad, like trying scum people in town bad?" but not looking too sure why Abitha has such a reaction "Is it like part of those Veil monsters?"

Abitha pulls a plastic container of some amber liquid from the fridge and adds it to the pot, some sort of stock she already had made. She sets that to simmer and fills a potnofnwater to boil as well. Meanwhile, she talks. She seems relieved by the fact it was not the Hub Kim was going to be helping out. Both its mention and her boss's words get a lip curl of disdain, "Chauvinistic AF. Just like that Hub dude. Stefhan. I'm waiting to spring the stripper-gram I won at the Jello event on him at the most innopportune time I can manage." She flipsnher head back in forth as she admits, "He's not a Veil monster." The emphasis didnt rule out that she thought he was a monster regardless. "As for clothes... Um... I'm not going to tell you how to sleep... Cause I know... Routine. Um..." There was a slight shade of pink to her cheeks, though she was able to hide behind the steam of her going pots, "But... You know... If you need some shorts or sweats or something, its not like you're not gonna fit in my clothes." She does look relieved when Kim removes her makeup, though, probably comforted Kim was comfortable enough to be around her in a state that was less than perfect. Honest. "I have a table I can fold out and put near my rig so you can hardwire. There's a QR code over there too if you need WiFi."

Kim is certainly surprised with the venom and dislike of Stefhan. Her boss, that she pretty much agrees with. "I can't disagree with you. I just look at it that he is from a different time. Not excusing it, just you know how old IT guys get." taking some time to completely clean off her face and the bump does look much worse without it. Feeling like she's about to step on a landmine but now really curious about this guy. "So other than being a Chauvinistic AF jerk, not that is isn't enough, what did this guy do to you?" certainly catching that his guy could be a monster in his way "If you dislike him so much. I can probably do more than just embarrass him if you want. And ah...I really have to ask Jello event?" so much she wants to know about this train of thought.

Deciding to take out her one pigtail as well do it's au natural Kim, she works on it while she talks. "If it bothers you at all it's not a problem. To wear things" she recognizes at least in herself that pausing is a sign of nervousness, discomfort, or just not knowing what to say. "They all come down to about here." indicating with her free hand about mid thigh "And I do wear underwear. I was just...wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't wearing it to try to seduce you or anything. It's just how I feel comfy and we have gone over physically you aren't into me. So it was just me being clear and upfront so you wouldn't wake up and hey Kim legs dangling from the couch." even if she saw the pink she'd just assume it was the steam or because of misunderstanding. Finishing undoing her hair she carefully sits back on the couch. "Alright when I'm ready to get my rig set up I'll do it. Oh even are rigs are going to be buddies as well. They'll probably gossip about both of us with each other." she tries to joke and wow Abitha is putting extreme trust in giving the little admitted hacker access to her Wi-Fi. And it's definitely something Kim appreciates.

The ask about Stefhan gets a frustrated sigh from Abitha, another little puff made at her hair as she pulls out some noodles and drops them into the pot of water to cook. "He told me I'd be prettier if I smiled. Unironically. When I called him on it, he blew up like I was the rude one." She rolls her eyes, "I know I'm being petty to hold a grudge... and maybe holding on to prank him... I dunno, I don't want to have to involve anyone else." Then, there was the Jello event. She breaks into a blush again, "So, uh... there was this charity event? My friend Sparrow had some like... thing? About defending some dude's honor? I dunno, it sounded like a joke, then it became a real full-fledged Jello wrestling event. There was an auction for a bunch of stuff around town. I donated a Collector's Edition Guacamelee 2 game with the masks that came with it. I won a pizza delivery/strip tease from Tor that I planned to deploy as a troll."

A tupperware container is pulled from the fridge, set aside, and Abitha is retrieving large bowls, chopsticks, and soup spoons, moving to set them on the counter. "I um... No, I get it. You're my guest, I want you to be comfortable. I don't think you're trying to take this too far. I was just offering if you wanted." Yeah, that was the ticket, just being a good hostess. The offer to 'wear things' couldn't be taken any sort of wrong way. She smirks at the joke about their computers, the humor at least deflecting the awkward thoughts. In short order, as the noodles are cooked, Abitha has cobbled together some facsimile of ramen, complete with marinated pork belly she had already prepped a few days before, setting the bowls on the table nearby the kitchen island.

Kim again props up her head with a pillow as she listens about the encounter. This time able to resist calling the gesture adorable. "He was being a jerk. He didn't even apologize?" sure he sounded like he was being rude, Kim isn't so sure that rises him to the level of possible monster. She gives a shrug of her shoulder "I won't say it's being petty. He was being a ass and maybe a prank would humble him out some. If you do want help let me know." the offer of assistance is still there. Hearing about the jello story and now there is a image of Abitha at a Jello wrestling match that she isn't going to be able to get out of her head soon. It's pretty clear Abitha didn't actually participate in the wresting, but the mind is a funny thing. Kim coughs into her hand "That sounds interesting, Plus if it went to charity why not? Sparrow, the same person that wrote that guide? I also think she posted something about doing tarot readings for food?" she thinks she read something like that online. "I thought about getting one, as it sounded fun. Now how do I know that isn't real too?"

With food being near done she gets up from comfy spot. Now the subject of sleep ware and just lounging around is cleared up, yep sure is, she gives a slow nod. "Okay." Bracing herself against the counter while things get finished up. The smirk gets a smile from her, seemingly glad that Abitha at least found it humorous. Her humor doesn't always come across well to people. "You know it's been awhile since I had homemade Ramen. I usually get too wrapped in work, games, or anime to pull myself away. Sometime I'll have to make my mom's recipe for ramen though. It's just the best." . Waiting for Abitha to serve herself before getting some she gets any. "Maggi seems like a nice person. Funny too, wish I didn't embarrass myself around her." giving a soft sigh "I do that a lot I guess, embarrass myself that is. Oh! There is something I wanted to ask why does she call you Bit?"

If Kim thinks shes going to serve herself, she has another thing coming. Abitha will firmly defend her right to baby her friend, serving up two steamy bowls of pork belly ramen, setting the bowl before a place at counter with a high-top chair to sit at. Any attempts to help are disuaded with an intense, mom-like look. As woozy as Kim had been, the last thing either of them needed was the little hacker going face first over with a bowl of possibly scalding liquid. "I'm not going to say its the most delicious thing ever. I've kinda just figured out how to make it myself. My parents are actually Irish and German." Does that make sense looking at Abitha's appearance? Not a bit.

"And yeah, Sparrow is great. She was my first employee. You'll probably meet her sometime while you're staying here anyways. She was at the event too. Bright red hair, can't miss her." Abitha moves into a spot at the counter next to Kim's seat, picking up her utensils. Both sets of chopsticks she had put it were hand painted to look like green circuitry around the top ends. "I didn't even know stuff about the town until the Jello thing." She breaks into a full flush as she digs into her bowl, pulling out noodles to lift and cool, a distraction while muttering, "I didn't even know what was going on with that event, then she just strips down, and my eyes hit the floor, then... I felt her activate something. Then I felt others doing stuff, then I opened up, then Maggi got mad at me I hadn't told her I had powers. I thought I was a monster until then..." Abitha blinks, then glances to Kim. "Sorry, word salad. Uhm. Yeah, Sparrow was how I found out about it all..."

She takes her first bite of noodles in embarrassment, her next words muffled by food slightly, "She made her own nickname using my first name, also cause I'm small. Probably also because of gamer. I like Mac, but... I dunno, its Maggi." As if it explained it somehow. "I doubt you embarrassed yourself. She's really a nice person once you get past the fake antisocial behavior."

Kim wouldn't accept being so helpless. She reaches out her hand and and makes the spoon pour into a bowl. She needs the practice and to get stronger. That is her thought anyway, Not stopping Abitha from putting it down.he will make the bowl of Ramen float over to her. Closing her hand as it lands next to her "I am sure it will be delicious. Maybe not the best thing ever, but good. Really such a mixed heritage...I'll be honest you don't look it. But you white people look the same to me." sticking out her tongue to show she is teasing. But the moment passes and she digs into the Ramen bowl.

Pausing as she slurps up a noddle "Oh she is your friend? Awesome you'll to introduce me." Kim listens to Abitha "So until the Jello thing you were like me. You had potential but not realized? I really need to know as much as I can about it. Pretty sure a google search for psychic powers wouldn't turn up much though." slowly tilting her head at the flushed skin, not really sure why. "So you feel a activate and not being whole? That is interesting Why would you ever think you are a monster. You couldn't be. I you don't want any honorifics but you have treated me so well. Way beyond what I expect of my friends. Not that I wouldn't do what you have for friends, just like you aren't friends because of what people can give." At the glance she shrugs her shoulders "Well I'm glad she was there to help you.

Kim gives another shrug. "Alright so she didn't call you what you want to be called?" her opinion of Maggi drops a bit. Kim is more than a little bit of SJW "You are small. Yeah sure, not like you are giant. But you aren't small at all." granted Abitha isn't much taller than Kim, but Kim being as short as she is hasn't made things easy. " From your stream and what you want to be called you'll always be Mac to me." Kim digs around in her noodles. "We need to talk." the words that aren't good in any relationship be it friendship or otherwise. "I got to know someone who I connected with on a physical and emotional level." Kim admits "I wouldn't lie it was very nice. I didn't do anything because we are figuring things out. But I'll be honest I wanted to. I wanted to so badly as it's been so long since anyone showed a interest in my body. I don't want to hurt you though. So I pushed back the urges. I would like for you to meet her at some point. She isn't as amazing as you are, but she is awesome in her own way." no this isn't the start of a awkward conversation at all. "I just want to be honest with you. So if you need to yell at me or tell me how awful I am...I accept it."

Abitha just stares at Kim, wide eyed as the bowl starts to float, then glares, and says in a sort of whisper, "Stop!" It was strange to try a whisper about it, like she were afraid someone would see or hear even though they were just in her own home. She sighs, "Using that... it's dangerous. Don't call attention to yourself just for petty stuff." she knew she had given Kim the document. Power use equaled risk. She reaches to grab her own phone, opening it up. It's not too many clicks away, and she's setting it in front of Kim. There was a news article. A man was rushed to the hospital with terrible burns on his hand. He had been electrocuted. His heart was damaged, and he needed to wear a pacemaker going forward. The running theory was that the man had reached into a box for a street lamp nearby and shocked himself. Kim had already seen Abitha's ability to use electricity. "That... was the first time. Some dude creeped on me, because of my stream. He came at me in the street. I almost killed him." The timeline was only a few months before her move to Gray Harbor, likely a reason she moved away from Seattle. "That was also my first time They found me. I didn't know what I was, and what I did hurt someone. I could feel people's emotions soon after. I could feel memories by touching things. And my dreams were absolute hellholes for weeks." She shivers, pushing the memory away. "Until the Jello event, I didn't know there were more like me in this town. Like a lot more."

The bit about her size just gets the roll of an eyes, given she was only 2 inches taller than Kim and just as physically slim. She's able to smile again, weakly, "And Maggi... I don't hate it. It's a personal thing, I can tell. I can tell." She taps her temple, a reference to her abilities.

Abitha looks... Well it's hard to tell. She just listens and keeps her face neutral and interested in the words. Yup, no anger, jealousy, resentment. As she smiles once Kim was done telling her about Grave, it's almost relieved, "Kim, you and me, we're friends. We talked about it. I didn't know what I could manage. It'd be weird for me to tell you you're awful to pursue what an normal person would want." Because Abitha wasn't normal, and she full well knew it. "Go hit that shit!" which seems perfectly normal to say, given Abitha's internet immersion. To Abitha it was almost a feeling of relief, a hope she wouldn't be hurting Kim by being... herself. Difficult. Weird. Grace could be much better in that regard. She hoped anyways, "As long as she's a good person that won't hurt you, so I don't have to... I dunno... Fry her like some Chic-fil-a. Cause Chic-fil-a hates gay people. That's a really dark joke. Ha." Abitha immediately, theatrically looking away, faux innocent, but hey. Kim made a white people joke, fair's fair.

Kim looks down cheeks flushed with embarrassment at being chided. "If I don't use it how can I get better? I wasn't planning on using it for everything...I'm sorry I will be more careful in the future." she just doesn't realize how dangerous it can be. She does look over the article intently. Sure she had seen Abitha use electricity but really didn't think about how that could be used against someone else. While it is scary to think about Abitha was defending herself. "You must have been terrified. I am sure you just wanted him to stop." she says not sure it helps whatever the gamer could still feel after that event. Even if it's been awhile. Hearing Abitha describe the encounter with Them bring a shudder. Kim has yet to have a encounter "I can't even start to imagine you didn't know about those things. Having no idea what was going on and worse just feeling alone during that time. You know not knowing there where others who could do the same things. I am so sorry Mac." there she goes apologizing again.

Kim does a small laugh at the roll of the eyes. It's true they are about the same size. "Alright. As long as you are okay with it and she doesn't mean any disrespect." with the gestures Kim is pretty sure that Maggi doesn't. Which is good she'd hate to have a reason to dislike Maggi.

Kim was braced for a lot. She was definitely not expecting just a calm response. She at first just blinks at the smile a bit dumbstruck. Finally finding her words "I know we are just friends. I sort of thought that the door was open to maybe...okay I'm stopping myself there. We did talk and I get you don't know what you can give...Sorry. Are you sure, because the last thing I want to do is hurt you at all." Abitha does already seem sure. Kim just wants to check though and be damn sure she isn't misreading anything. She does blush again at being told to hit that. For Kim the whole thing is almost surreal. She has never had feelings for two people before and with one just saying yeah do it. She would shake her head if it wouldn't make her feel all dizzy. "I don't think she would. Grace is such a sweet person. I really doubt she could." a little more red to her cheeks. Kim does laugh softly at the joke having some appreciation for dark humor "I do hope it doesn't come to that. Mac thanks for being you." intending it as a compliment.

Of course she was grateful. Abitha was a god damn delight. Her posture is as full of itself as her little ego can stand as she states, "You're welcome." She holds this confidence for all of a few seconds before folding over again in a giggle. More noodles are slurped. Clearly she at least had some practice eating with chopsticks, probably her own version of fan-girling. Chewing, swallowing, she goes on, "I am totally sure. Yes, we said a door was open. If someone chooses to walk through that door before I can decide if I want to, it's not like I'm gonna go all Karen like," She puts a bunch of theatrical head popping and over emphasis on certain syllables, "I wanna speak to your manager, this is unacceptable." Again, she folds into her seat in another fit of giggles.

As the laughter dies off, though, she turns back seriously, "As far as I'm concerned, getting better isn't really something you can do safely with practice unless you're really in a life or death consequence, like Dreams. I didn't want to hurt that guy, I just wanted him off me. I've been living with that guilt for years, and the weirdest thing is he doesn't even remember what happened." She shakes her head a bit disgusted at the idea, "But I do know that using it is bad. It gets Their attention. You don't want that. It leads dark places."

A sideways look is made, maybe an attempt to bring the mood back up, "And yes, we're basically the same size, which means you can loan me one of your dresses if I want." Because total coverage was generally her style anyways.

Kim watches Abitha as she poofs up giving a small chuckle as she giggles. "I have half expected you to break into song there." adding her own bit of humor. The reassuring that at least Abitha has told her it is okay, does greatly relieve her. Taking some time to have some more of the ramen herself. Certainly not trying to use her new abilities to help with it this time. Finishing a swallow before speaking up again after the Karen impression bring a giggle of her own. "Okay. I know maybe I'm just being overly cautious in asking. Just it's important...to make sure that is. And now I am. Killer impression by the way. Maybe you should do that on stream at some point."

Back to the more serious topic as Kim expression goes from more light hearted to impasse as she listens. It wouldn't be easy for her to not practice, that is how she learns things and improves. It's always been that way for her. The consequences of doing so seem far too grave to do so. "I think I get it. Maybe it wouldn't be easy at first for me to refrain from trying to get better through practice, but I think I can stop myself. Wait you can die in Dreams? I know the doc said you could get hurt, physical or mentally, but really death." she shivers as she thinks about it. "I really can't even begin to fathom how hard it is for you. I'm not sure I could deal with that sort of guilt...especially since you didn't mean to. I'm so sorry Mac. I'm sure it wouldn't make it any better, however like I've been told regular people just don't remember the strange." which really makes her wonder if she ever encounter it before and just can't recall it. "No I definitely want Their attention." seeing the whole topic may really distress Abitha, Kim really wants to give her a comforting hug. Though she was never seen the gamer hug anyone, not even Maggi. So asking seems like the best course of action. "Is it alright if I hug you?"

"Oh yeah of course. I'd be happy to let you borrow any of my outfits if you want to. I have a lot more waiting in storage to be moved in. I bet we can find one that would look perfect on you." Kim does a quick look over of Abitha as she considers her various loitla styles. Snapping her fingers "I think I actually one that would look fantastic on you. Long, flowing and of course lots of ruffles and lace. Plus accessories hhmmm which umbrella to go with it? Oh I mean if you feel or want to that is at some point." Kim is already thinking about the various combinations.

"If you have toooo...." Abitha responds to the question about hugs, another impression made with drawn out drole, channeling her inner Eeyore. Counterpoint to this, she does lean in Kim's direction to make it easier, though her arms remain forward on the counter, making a faux show of tolerance to the physical affection.

"Yes, as far as I've heard, there is a very real possibility of being harmed. I would assume that would extend all the way to death. I've come out scot-clean from my brief Dreams, but I had a lot of help." Abitha continues to eat her food, using the spoon to get some of the broth, looking pleased to be warmed by it. All the outside time to get Kim here had been more chilling than she thought. Plus she had added red chili flakes to hers, so it wasn't for the faint of heart. "They've been really different every time. You just gotta be careful, is all."

She gives Kim ome more sidelong look as she listens to the description of the dress, "I mean, I've never really worn one, but I'll absolutely try it out. We can make it a stream thing." Her eyes trail up to the bruised bump. "Once you get better though. Cant be stressing that 'pretty little brain' eh?" she jokes.

Kim slowly gets up and goes to Abitha. Giving her a hug, not drawing it out or trying to make it a uncomfortable experience. Just a physical show of comfort and support. After the hug breaks she does look at Abitha trying to make sure she is okay with it.

Going back to the table she retakes her seat "That's good then. That you haven't gotten hurt yet, I mean. Ah how do you tell the difference between Dreams and regular dreams? Is it just there are other people there or does it feel different? I don't think I've been in one myself, but I don't know for sure." with the question out there she digs back into the food. It has been a long day and she really didn't have much to eat beforehand. Pausing her consumption at the last statement "I will try to be. It's all so new to me and I probably mess up etiquette a lot. Like if you notice someone is different is alright to bring it up or just keep it to yourself?"

Kim certainly is excited about the possibility of helping Abitha dress up. "Definitely and I'm sure you'll love it! Emm do you know how to alter dresses? I mean we are pretty much the same size and everything. I don't have the skills to do much other then basic fixing and the dress just might have to let the bust out a little." she looks back down to the food intently. When she joked with Kim looks up to Abitha and sticks out her tongue before giving a quick chuckle. "Nope wouldn't want that. Heavens only knows if it accidentally gets set to cute airhead mode. For sure when I am better we'll make it happen!"

It didn't seem Abitha minded a hug. Friends did that. She was always just extra careful not to touch people that weren't since she never knew what that would lead to. Abitha glances from Kim's chest to her own, "I dunno if you like... look... cause I wear big tops a lot, but we're still not that different in size." She says that with emphasis and a pointed laugh. It's hard to be self conscious about your chest when sexual attraction is a bit of a foreign concept. It was just a strange fact about her person. "We'll try it on at some point, there's some modifications I know from cosplaying, but I still really doubt it."

"I don't know if people get offended? Honestly, I'm still kinda new at this whole thing being out and around. Sparrow said that the more you talk about it directly could possibly draw attention? I dunno." Abitha looks frustrated, like none of the possibilities that went along with that seemed fun or promising. She starts to drain the bowl a little at a time, sipping the rich broth. "And as for the dreams... I dunno, they just seem more real. And you don't have to be asleep to enter them. I was standing on a sidewalk having a conversation about games Abby was trying to buy for a kid, and the world just kinda... warped around us without anyone noticing."

At the comparison between chest sizes Kim scratches her temple, on the non injured side, "It's just a little hard to tell. Most adult women are bigger than a A cup and without a good lo..." no good can come to Kim's mind in following that line of thought. She gives a small cough and hopes her cheeks aren't getting too red. "Ah I mean well...yeah if you can do some modifications if needed. That would be great. Which it may not be." adding the last bit quickly. "Right though we'll try it. Checking first sizing first being doing a stream thing."

With talk going back to all the new and scary things it's much easier for Kim to push potentially awkward thoughts from her head. "Even just talking about it draws attention? There is just no winning with stuff is there?" she sighs loudly "I have to find out about this stuff somehow. Just look at the mistakes I've made from just stumbling around." having a few more noodles and veggies before she keeps going nodding as she listens. "It's good to know that at least they seem a little more real. It is frightening to think I could just be doing something else and then boom in the dreams. Eh what happens to our bodies during that time. Do we just sort of stand there or vanish without anyone noticing? Sorry I'm just all full of questions about this."

Deciding that perhaps a change of subject in order, since even talking about it could lead to attention. "How is business in a small town? Or is it too small market and you do most of your sales online?" Kim asks as she is curious about how well the store is doing. Of course she still has a lot of purchases to make there later. Which reminds her "Since I'm going to be laid up for awhile might as well take your suggestion and get the console/ROM box to play through the Final Fantasy series."

"As far as I understand, we're actually passing bodily into the Veil?" Abitha raides both palms and shrugs, the most dramatic of IDFK she can manage. "I was never really clear on that part. And yeah. Its an insufferable clusterfuck of 'I Don't Know'. I just try to say, 'Dont overuse and be careful', and that's all I can really explain."

Kim is fixed with a wry, flat expression as Abitha catches that bit about needing to see to confirm sizing. She adds a very judgemental livestock-like chew of her food to really sell the look. "I'm a B. Grats. You were right. I still shouldnt have to mod the dress for a cup size." She holds the narrow eye look for a few more moments before answering other questions.

"Brick and mortar game stores actually aren't all that lucrative, when your model is like GameStop anyways. A lot of games have gone to digital codes instead of physical media. I supplement with my stream income and from my retro market. I buy old busted shit on ebay, restore it or remodel it. If you consider how antiquated 8 and 16 bit systems are, I can usually buy any replacement resistors or switches I need from China and hand repair them." There was a fair bit that went into it that would be pretty hard to explain, like how she sometimes troubleshot rhings by mentally feeling the electrical charges, but Kim was already struggling with the amount of bullshit that came with Glimmer. Baby steps. She makes a dismissive sound. "Buy it when you find a place." She turns her face and juts a chin at the TV the sectional couch surrounded. Beneath it was perfectly organized sets of any system Kim could want to play. There were no wires. Yes, Abitha had even made wireless NES controllers.

Kim nods to the explanation as much as it is. "Then it is good enough. It's too much to hope for that the answers are easy. So yeah careful and don't overuse. I got it." forestalling any further questions on the matter. "At least I know more now than I did before."

Kim just withers under the look, looking away from Abitha. She hadn't meant it that way. "I am so sorry Mac. I didn't mean it in flirting or feel you way. Just in a comfort for wear sort of thing. I can be around women to size for dresses and not do that." granted those are women she isn't attracted to. "I realized as soon as the words were coming out of my mouth how it could sound and stopped myself. I should have just let it be about similar sizes, I'm sorry." she apologizes again. Truly she didn't mean anything more by it, though her mind have gone there for a instant.

Looking back up as Abitha explains her business. Kim is very interested and lifts her head up again, relieved that the /look/ on Abitha's face isn't there anymore. She is knowledgeable about digital codes just not sure how a regular game store works. "Well yeah parts like aren't made anymore. It's still interesting to hear how it all works." giving a slow nod to the buy it later comment. "Alright I will." looking to the various systems before turning back to Abitha "Do you have a good retro co-op game to play? We can play together and you can kick my ass."

Abitha breaks into a bout of laughter, "Girl, if you're gonna be staying with me, you know you're gonna have to learn when I'm just messing with you." She giggles a bit more as she has to think, chopstick hand tapping her chin.

"Depends how old you wanna go, and what style game. Like there's the old beat em up classics like Streets of Rage, any Turtles game, Gauntlet, Golden Axe, X-men... The list goes on." She shrugs, "What's your favorite genre?"

If there was a pillow nearby the table Kim would probably toss it in Abitha's general direction. Since there isn't her cheeks redden up "Sometimes it's hard to tell. Especially when I have said things in the past." she hmphs before laughing a little "You are awful you know that?"

There are a lot of names she's only heard of briefly. "I really haven't played any of those. No, wait I think I played Golden Axe with my brother. 2 or 3 I'm not sure. RPGs are my favorite those aren't exactly very co-op friendly. I mean I guess fighting or beat em up. As how far, well I don't know I'm a complete noob to the retro stuff. So just something fun and hard enough to make me want to bang my head against the table. Does that help narrow it down?" she offers "I trust in your judgement to corrupt me into classic gaming."

"Oh, honey..." Abitha begins, the typically nice way to allude to the fact that someone was missing something critical. Her hand its lifted, palm out toward Kim's head, as if to comfort. But then she grimaces and brings the hand back, as if afraid to touch. "Maybe we don't go banging your head into anything, ok?" She sucks air between her teeth, a mannerism of anticipated pain.

This of course lead to another giggle, a wink communicating she knew just how awful she was. "Well maybe if we wanna check those boxes, we don't have to go retro. Have you heard of Divinity?"

Kim leans her head forward "It's okay. As long you don't try to hit it wouldn't hurt. The aspirin saw to that. I wasn't serious about banging my head. Just I know older games are really hard. Like worse than Dark Souls hard. Maybe it was poor joke." she admits "Look I wouldn't do anything to make head worse. Promise." she tries again to reassure Abitha.

"Seriously are you asking me Divinity? Of course I know about it. I have over a thou...a lot of hours in that game. Still I'd like to check out older games. Friends have said I'd love Fallout 2. Though I said nothing can beat Fallout 4. Alright maybe Fallout: New Vegas." there could hope yet for a love of retro gaming "I do want to try something new. Sure the Fx's aren't great but storytelling that is what I am looking for. I may not get it from the some genres. I am asking for your guidance into this odd world. Show me the way Senpai!" turning a earlier comment back on Abitha "I really do want to know about the classic games."

Abitha laughs at Kim's reaction waving her hands to ward off maybe the heat of the ethusiasm. "Ok, ok, we can do old school." Chopsticks are held bwtween her lips for a minute as she thinks. Slowly, a grin begins to tug at the edges of her lips. She pushes her chair out, then gathers up her dishes, setting them in the sink and going about tidying up the kitchen. She had been pretty studious during her cooking, so it was a quick load of things into the dishwasher and finding a shelf to slide the soup pot away. Spray and washcloth and she tosses it over the edge of the sink.

Drying her hands, she heads to the entertainment center to grab out two grey and purple controllers. These are tossed onto soft cusions of the couch before shes bending down to mess around with the Super Nintendo. After this, she goes to flop somewhere comfortable, which, lets face it, on a couch that big, two girls their size could be anywhere on it. Using her phone, she starts flicking menus as she waits for Kim to settle in.

"Alright, you want RPG, you want Co-Op, you better get fucking comfortable. I'm 'bout to blow your mind." The TV screen powers on, the logo reminds them this was the Super Nintendo system, then a wide red logo fades into view.

Secret of Mana