eloquentness | mask or menace

[there. breastplate and shin guards off; there really is a Lucina under all this plate metal! she lets out a sigh, now that some of this weight is off, letting exhaustion show for just a beat before noticing Iris' expression, at which she straightens up quickly.]

Oh, don't worry. He's still on the mend, anyway! I don't mind picking up the slack at all.

[besides, she doesn't want to make out like she can't handle a little absentee leader time...that wouldn't be fair to him.

she scoots armor aside as much as she can and pads over to the counter.]

...How have you been? What's overwhelming you?

If you're sure.

[ Iris frowns, but doesn't say anything else regarding her worry as she hands over the mug of green tea. ]

I've been worrying about the hospital expansion, mostly. There are so many major details and minor details, and of course since I'm not a doctor or have any scientific background, people have been scrutinizing it more and more. [ she blows on her mug, ] It's nothing I can't handle. Just, you know, a lot.

[she drags the mug across the counter the rest of the way toward herself, gently cupping it in her hands to sponge some of that warmth.]

It's not like you're doing this with your own devices in mind, though...they should know that, right? That you're just facilitating a way to make...[...] more facility.

[she frowns softly down at the mug.] I would think, rather than judgmental, folks would be happy to assist...

They do, but they also have a point. I'm from a completely different world and my area of experience is in press and marketing, not the nitty-gritty of healthcare.

[ she gives Lucina a wry smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. ]

People are happy, I think. They're just also wary, since I could be ported out at any moment. [ like Barry was, though Iris would like to think she's prepared for that possibility. ] Even though I've told them I've gotten all that paperwork squared away....

[she looks pained at the mention of porting out, her fingers squeezing the mug a little tighter for a beat before letting it go.]

There's...really no getting around that, is there...

Unfortunately. Given how sudden it can be, I can't say I blame them either.

[ she blows on her coffee, taking a sip, ] But enough about me. What's gotten you all worked up, besides Aegis Force?

[worked up...?]

Am I so transparent? Forgive me... I, I guess I took a bad chapter from your book, overworking to keep ahead of things... [she shakes her head gently.] Since De Chima, I just...I don't want to fall behind. If anything, I want to get ahead of those looming threats, if I can.

That's a bit foolish, I know...and I know this isn't a one-woman ordeal, but still. If I can do anything, I should do as much as I can...

[ Lucina isn't wrong about Iris's habits being less than ideal. She winces in sympathy, but also at her own past misfortune... ]

I get that. Really - you want to keep running and moving forward. [ it's an all-too familiar pattern of behavior, and yet when it's modeled on someone else, Iris can see the flaws. How she had been letting other people down too. ] But it's also like you said. No woman's an island, and we're all here to help each other. There's no shame in asking for - [ wow, she needs to do this too, ] asking for some help when you need it most.

[in an exhale:] Right...you're right.

[she looks back up, smiling weakly.] We're our own greatest obstacles, aren't we? Even in meaning well.

Sure feels like it. [ she returns that smile, brushing her hair behind her ears - ] In the vein of also being my worst critic, I sure know I need to take my own advice.

Then I suppose we ought to hold each other accountable tonight, yes? And try not to overdo it. [head tilt.] Does that seem fair?

More than fair. It'll be like having a gym buddy, but slightly more intense.

[ she raises her mug in a tentative toast. ]

To holding each other to more reasonable standards?

[a gentle clink sounds.]

To the best of our abilities. [...] Let's start small first, huh?

mask or menace | ic contact

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sorry about the slow!

u good

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