isawallflower | RYSLIG; ic inbox

[ A light, high hum accompanies a sort of...forced smile, as she runs an idle hand over her wing. Almost like she's making sure it's still there. ]

No surprises there. He's like...Fort Knox, some days. [ Takes one to know one. Sometimes, it means they can understand each other really well. Other times...

Riley lets out a sigh. ]

He didn't tell me much of anything, honestly. But...he wanted to know if I'd seen you, in a...there was a thing, an alternate universe thing. He saw you there and...he wanted to know if I'd seen you here. He said you were a friend and... [ She puts herself back there, by the lake. That day was...uncomfortable, for a lot of reasons. Ultimately it was good, but it means the early parts of that conversation are a little fuzzy. After a moment, she continues, as she remembers. ] ...He looked really thoughtful. Like...he wasn't sure if he was happy you weren't stuck here too, or...not.

Edited (ew that formatting looked ugly) 2021-08-12 06:57 (UTC)

[Scusa?

God forget this ancient magazine. Trish practically tosses it to fall somewhere on the floor behind the couch, her attention solely on Riley now.

Because you know fucking what? That explains so much about his reaction to her when she first arrived. Clearly, he was over the moon over a cool friend Trish he hallucinated and forgot the actual Trish isn't someone for him to pine after. At least, that's what "alternate universe thing" sounds like to her.

Also, she's not even going to address the Fort Knox thing, which she did not parse well even if she got the gist like, implicitly.

Riley, she's Italian.]

I'm not surprised, because he can never make up his damn mind unless his decision is wholly insane.

[This is a corollary that has yet to be proven wrong!!!]

At least he didn't give either of us any false impressions. We're free to judge each other fairly.

[She's assuming she'll land on the foe side of the scale. If so, fine, she's winning. She nailed that pillow attack.]

[ A fun fact about Riley, she's horribly self-centric sometimes—she has no idea what pop culture references a person gets or doesn't because of that.

For a moment, she actually laughs a little. It's nervous and short, but it's still a laugh. That sounds like Giorno. She loves him, really.

But again, she hesitates. She wishes they could just skip the judging. It's like she's back in high school all over again. In the parts she didn't like. ]

Hmm, well. Yeah. At least there's that.

[ She can feel herself clamming up. As ever, Riley is a wallflower. ]

[Listen, pelting people with references they don't understand and leaving them in a whirlwind of confusion is a power move.

At least with Trish paying attention, she can see Riley all but doubling back, like an animal that's heard a loud noise or encountered a particularly bad smell. Honestly, her statement was more "there will be no preconceived notions", but considering her diction and general vibe...

She tucks her legs to herself, moving so she's resting with her side pressed to the couch, facing Riley's way. You know, because that's less intimidating.]

Then why don't we start over? I'm Trish. And not any Trish you've ever heard of before.

[She gestures to Riley.]

And you're Riley, right?

[She actually...does want a gentle reminder, because she was half awake and armed with a pillow when Riley was bullied into introducing herself.]

[ That's...a better sign, isn't it? It's not really one she's expecting, judging by the slight bird-like tilt of her head, but it's one she'll take all the same. As ever, she pushes the stress into a little box and puts on her smile like it's a new hairbow. ]

Mmhm! Riley. Uh, Williams.

[ Now Trish is staring right at her... No, no anxiety! Put it away, back in the box! ]

[Watching Riley is like watching clouds on the horizon, ever-shifting and always moving. Is it exhausting to be you, Riley?

Trish notes the smile is back, at least, but for how long she's not sure. She might blink and it'll be gone.]

Riley Williams.

[Trish repeats. Not because it's weird, of course, but more that the name has a familiar shape to it.]

Are you American, Riley?

[ Being Riley is an incredibly exhausting existence. Honestly, it's a miracle she does it. ]

Yeah, I am. [ Neither of them know but it's funny; Giorno's first impression had been largely the same, painfully American. ] And, I assume...are you Italian?

[Riley is an existence sustained entirely on momentum! Don't stop moving Riley!

Trish is mildly proud of herself for nailing Riley's American-ness also. Her taste in actors and music means she's at least somewhat familiar with American sounding names and concepts assuming they aren't too culture-specific.

As for Riley's question:]

Yeah, I am.

[Other than knowing Giorno, she wonders what gave it away. Probably not her name. It's not nearly on the nose as Giorno Giovanna or Pannacotta Fugo.

Anyways, Riley seems less twitchy, so maybe this is a good conversation topic? And Trish has to admit she's genuinely curious.]

Where in America are you from?

[ What it comes down to is these answers are just facts. There's nothing about how she feels, what she's interested in, what kind of person she is... It's easy. Instead of having to rake herself over the coals wondering how to respond or react, she can simply answer.

So, answer Riley does, evenly and easily. ]

New York. Not the city, but I've been there several times. It was just a train ride away.

[New York, but not New York. Interesting places to be regardless, to someone who has never ventured out of Italy.

Riley continues to appear relaxed with this...and yet, Trish is still watching, picking this interaction apart because it's the little things people do that matter when there isn't much else to go on. Nothing about Riley to directly dissect, and therefore safe to discuss indeed...]

Hm. Does it stop being something special after the fifth visit or so?

[Since New York City is pretty famous and all!]

I mean— there's a lot of things to do there, so...not really. I don't, like... [ Riley half-shrugs, and her remaining wing shifts with her shoulder. ] I always have a purpose for going, if there's a play or...a place or something. My friend took me, to try and relax.

[ She hesitates, for a moment. It'd been awhile since she'd been to New York City, even before Ryslig, because it was linked with Cairo. It's hard to say that it could never stop being special, because of that. Even when it hadn't felt that way in the moment because she was too focused or too stressed to see beyond herself, in retrospect...

Almost abruptly: ]

And, um- Italy, where in Italy are you from?

[Oh, that's fair. When good memories are attached...she supposes it only makes sense that more visits only make the heart fonder, just as living in a place from a young age simply makes it home.]

You almost make it sound like your friend was unsuccessful.

[Trish says offhandedly. Apparently Riley was always on the cusp of vibrating out of her own skin, despite valiant efforts!

As for that question, Trish wonders if naming her hometown will spark recognition. Probably not. But she brushes past her comment anyway, stating:]

I'm from Ischia, Campania. Specifically Lacco Ameno. We have a tufo rock outcropping that's shaped like a giant mushroom, and thermal spas because Ischia itself is a volcanic island. Kind of like...Hawaii?

[You know, the America state that's all islands. How the heck did America get territory so far away from the mainland, anyway?!]

[ Her feathers start to puff up just a little at Trish's comment, but the other girl moves on, so Riley will too. Cairo used to be successful at it. Trips to the theater, the time she dragged her to Coney Island, a big hotel room just for them—those things used to work, as best they could.

Riley just...got worse.

She fidgets slightly while she listens; her claws tap together and she tries not to scratch herself or pick at her skin. ]

I wouldn't really know for sure? [ When she can chime back in, she takes the opportunity to. ] I've never been, to Italy or Hawaii but...that sounds about right, I think.

[ A brief pause. ]

What's a...tufo rock? We don't have anything like that in New York. Uh... North Salem, New York.

[ Since Trish gave her the specific-specifics, Riley does in turn. ]

[Trish is watching Riley's movements for obvious signs of discomfort, but it's a hell of a balancing act. She doesn't know a damn thing about birds, so either the puffing of feathers is a natural, passive response or it means something.

The fidgeting too...is that the harpy, or Riley doing that? Trish wonders, considering Giorno mentioned being a monster influenced behaviors. This line of thought occurs to Trish when her eyes are drawn to the movement of Riley's claws in particular.

Riley's response is fair, at least. Trish has never set foot outside of Italy, though America is definitely high on the list of places she'd like to visit, so chatting with Riley is kind of exciting, if she were to admit as much.]

Oh, tufo is rock made almost entirely out of volcanic ash. The Romans used to construct buildings and bridges with it. It's fairly soft for a rock, which is what made it so appealing.

[This stuff is also important to wine-making, but Trish isn't about to bore Riley to death with geology.

Besides, what Riley brings up is way more interesting.]

Is that the same Salem where they held the witch trials? I read about that on the internet once.

[ A soft rock? That's...weird. That's really weird but honestly Riley doesn't know enough about volcanic ash to dispute it.

Trish's question catches her a little off-guard, and her neck feathers puff up in response. ]

Oh! Oh, um— no, that's- it's not the same place. Those happened in Massachusetts. There's actually a lot of places named Salem, even another in New York. I...don't really know why, but— Anyway, it's unconnected from those things. [ A beat, as Riley's lips twitch and she hums in thought. ] Mmmmostly. Whoever named the high school I go to, they...well, they noticed the similarity too, named it after someone involved.

[What the fuck is a Massachusetts!!! Trish will assume a state, since America likes those so much it has fifty or so of them.

As for Salem, it's probably like any other name. There's many Johns and many Patrizias among the people of the world, and many towns named Salem. And the one in Massachusetts ruined the reputation of every other Salem, rude.

This is neat information though, and Trish flops over on the couch so that she's laying down again and not staring at Riley anymore. Mostly because watching Riley is making her exhausted by association. So much movement...]

And what was that person's name, out of curiosity? I ask because I'm surprised there were names attached at all. When I read about it, I thought it was an urban legend of some kind.

[ You want Riley to sit still, Trish? Unfortunate, she's never going to. She just keeps shifting and fidgeting. ]

Oh, no, it's no urban legend, lots of uncomfortable things happened back then. [ small grimace ] His name was Giles Corey, he was uh, one of the...accused. Anyway, apparently the person who founded the school was like...a descendant? Or claimed to be a descendant?

[ It seems that's the real urban legend here. ]

[Trish would like for everyone in her new social circle to be chill and go out for some marocchino, but is that ever going to happen?

Unlikely.

She listens with interest, pillowing her head on her arms which she crosses behind her head. The very image of casual.]

I wonder what benefit that person got out of claiming to be the descendant of someone who died horribly and unjustly.

[Especially when naming a school of all things?]

Do you think it's true, or do you think the name was borrowed for another reason?

[ The question seems to catch her off-guard. It shouldn't. There's no reason for it to. But it's such a...normal conversation that of course it does. Normal conversations are rare here. ]

Um. Well... There isn't a benefit, if it's not true, so...I've just always assumed it is. Like... What other reason would there be?

[Trish gets the impression steering this conversation somewhere mundane still isn't helping.

She didn't expect benign speculation about a school she doesn't know in a country she's never been to surprise Riley, of all things.]

Oh, I was thinking something along the lines of cursed energy or attention-seeking. Whichever comes first.

[Maybe both? Haunted buildings are always a popular sightseeing location.

Trish fixes Riley with another look.]

I appreciate that you only seem to assume good intentions. Maybe I'm too cynical.

[ Her lips twitch again. Yep. That's her. That's Riley. Always...positive.

You have to be positive. Or else...everything falls apart.

She's able to form a smile. ]

Oh, I just...don't think anyone would go through all that trouble otherwise, you know? It's not like he's a big, well-known historical figure, right? Anyway, whoever it was made...a sizable donation to help get the school started, so...no one really cared, whether it was true or not.

[Is that true, Riley? Trish feels like, for all her impressive plumage, Riley looks more like a trembling house of cards, and if she were to simply huff hard enough, Riley would collapse under her own weight.

But she does make an acceptable point. Sort of. It's something that invites speculation that could land on two separate theories.

Although it's true that a school doesn't offer too much clout, not unless it was nationally recognized.]

So with enough bribery, the truth doesn't matter at all.

[Cool. She's back to staring at the ceiling instead of Riley, at least.]

You know the town I mentioned, the one where I grew up? The school was a sidenote. In fact, we have more five star hotels than we do schools, since our infrastructure is based entirely on tourism.

[Since Riley mentioned someone presumably rich pouring a large sum into establishing a school...

Well, Lacco Ameno is a celebrity destination thanks to a rich Italian producer, Trish recalls. It's like if the Giles Corey person contributed enough money to jumpstart an entire town. Although the reason for Lacco Ameno's investment is plain to see.]

Is your school prestigious, Riley?

[ Riley's feathers always have a mind of their own. The ones adorning her neck slowly rise as she blinks at Trish somewhat owlishly—how funny, that's not the bird she is. She's...a phoenix, isn't she? To rise from the ashes of failure and defeat, reborn anew...

There's silence for a moment too long, she thinks, a moment she could've avoided if she were only quicker, smarter, better at recovery. Usually she avoids talking about this, if she can't spin it in a positive way. ]

It's...expensive, you know? There's— it's got some really great programs. A lot of kids would love to go there. They give out scholarships for that kind of thing!

[ That doesn't really answer her question. But it's frilly enough that maybe Trish won't notice. It also makes her think of Eva, who...she hasn't really thought of in quite awhile.

...Hm. That's a weird feeling. ]

I don't really think school should be about prestige, anyway, it's...more about what you put into it that determines what you get back! Like...to foster a sense of community!

[Like a phoenix purged in constant flame to rise again and again...though, if Riley asked Trish to guess her animal basis, she'd guess parrot. Not out of any unkindness, but because what other colorful birds are there?

At this point, she's used to Riley's longer stretches of silence, since Riley seems to tread far too carefully no matter the subject matter.

And what comes out of her mouth eventually is a jumble of words. Expensive. Great programs. Great reputation. Scholarships. General enough to apply to any big school. So maybe, it isn't something that unique among the academic world.

However, Riley's addition is interesting, and Trish furrows her brows. Never mind obfuscating, this is...

She's not sure what this is. She hasn't been sure since she started talking to Riley. For everything she learns, only more questions crop up, although the questions themselves are vague, looming at the periphery of her conscience.]

Oh? Is that what you were doing back home, Riley?

[Riley sounded so peppy when she said it, like a cheerleader.

Hmph.]

I suppose that means you got more out of school than I did. You certainly have the energy for it.

[ Oh, just wait until Trish sees her travel form. ...Wait until Riley sees her own travel form. A small little kingfisher, so very fragile.

Her feathers twitch, but the smile on her face remains, perfectly frozen. ]

It's what I was trying to do~! [ A small bit of sing-song. ] I'm a cheerleader. You, uh...get out of school what you put into it, so...

[ She won't say that high school's hell. She won't say that every day she spent in that school felt like swallowing hot coals. She won't say every time she's struggled in a class she's had to pull herself back up, all by her lonesome, won't say the only place she's felt remotely comfortable is the field, is the practice gymnasium, is in a pyramid with her team but even that's been taken away from her now, leaving nothing but a cold-hot pit in her stomach— ]

I try to put in a lot.

RYSLIG; ic inbox

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AU where they argue about rocks

one day we temp to troll and then the arguments really start

a clash of seismic proportions!

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Riley "if anyone expresses negativity i have to take drastic action" Williams

Be Happy Or Else

Or Else /brandishes knife

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so many wraps this decembers eve

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHEERYCHERRY. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 019.46.820.17 * CHEERYCHERRY has joined 019.46.820.17 <CHEERYCHERRY> It's Riley! <CHEERYCHERRY> Please leave a message! <CHEERYCHERRY>** Please be someone with their priorities sorted out properly!