InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Watch me do the macarana!"

isabel morris (isabelmorris) wrote in de_novo,
@ 2008-06-17 11:53:00

June 9, 2029
Characters: Isabel Morris & Deidra Alderton
Setting: Saturday. June 9, 2029. Across the street from Alliance Headquarters.
Summary: Isabel watches the gathering of this evening's Candlelit Vigil from a nearby seat and is joined by Dee.
Status: Openly in progress.

With arms crossed she scanned the crowd of the evening's candlelight vigil. Occupying a sidewalk table of a closed cafe Isabel Morris watched as more joined the mass of people across the street. She'd chosen to attend the observance of those who passed two years ago, but couldn't find the courage to actually contribute to the candlelit glow within the city. Instead she'd decided she'd watch from afar and stay for the supposed speakers before retiring for the evening. She was curious to know which Alliance officials would be in attendance and what exactly they'd say.

She supposed she could have watched the broadcast on the telly, but she wanted to be there. Perhaps it was the obligation of righting wrongs. Perhaps it was an inner need to contribute to the mass of mourners. But then again maybe the only reason Isabel was there was because she had nothing better to do that night and was a glutton for feeling guilt by association.

No, it was definitely curiosity - she'd decided this as an elderly woman toted a child no older than seven across the street with candles in hand. It wasn't that she didn't know the pain they all still felt. It wasn't that she needed the reminder of what had happened the few years before. It was an honest to god attempt to hear out what people were still saying about all of it. Sure, she'd read the news articles and watched the station interviews, but hearing them in person would ....do something. What it'd do she wasn't entirely sure...but she wanted to be there - in person.

As another group of people passed she watched their feet establishing size of shoe to possible age. She wasn't at all interested in offering an opportunity for eye contact. Her attention, however, was drawn away from this guessing game when someone cleared their throat across the table to her left. Glancing suddenly over to the source of noise Isabel's brow furrowed out of social reflex.

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badgering
2008-06-19 03:03 am UTC (link)

Deidra was out of her element. Although a member of the Collective, politics weren't really her thing. Especially not when they were coming from the Alliance which really was just a ship about to sink. Still, she had felt it would be in bad taste to be on the pull when people were mourning (yet again) the loss of life. It was tragic, but really to her it was a sign that this union was not working. At all. Sure, people died all of the time, but these deaths were results of something that was never supposed to happen.

Rather than contribute to the show she found a seat on the fringe and opted to people watch. To help pass the time she was flipping coins into a glass of water, wondering when something interesting was going to happen. Right now it was just a crowd gathered, waiting. Didn't they know that waiting did nothing?

She sighed and turned her attention toward the tables and saw a face that she certainly wasn't expecting to see here tonight. Although she considered flicking the coin at Isabel, she decided that she would rather not risk her only means of entertainment and cleared her throat. "Oi! None of that, I mean I think you would be thrilled to see a friendly face and a friendly face that has been injury free for the past three days." It was a record, but with the heat she really hadn't been up for anything too dangerous.

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isabelmorris
2008-06-19 05:04 am UTC (link)

Isabel's initial mind sent of defense fell quickly into a small grin once she made the connection of who it was. Deidra Alderton, was certainly a friendly face in the crowd that she didn't mind making eye contact with. "Three days? Well, I'm impressed," she offered a nod in response through her mild mannered chuckle.

It was hard not to be slightly entertained by the idea that Dee had managed nearly half a week without some sort of cut, scrape, or hang nail. Since the two women had formed their little friendship a year or so ago, the young witch had always had a knack for finding new and creative ways to need a bandage somewhere on her person. It's what endeared her to Isabel, really.

As her light chuckle faded Isabel managed a conversational, "I didn't expect to see you out here. Is there a party nearby?" Her inquiry was in obvious jest as she mocked a narrowing of her eyes and a suspiciously cheeky tone.

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badgering
2008-06-19 05:46 am UTC (link)

It was a feat. Of course, it really only meant that her luck was probably going to be up tonight. She was passed due. With this many people and a tense topic, trouble was just lurking under the surface.

Maybe that was why she was here. It was out of her element, which meant that the next great adventure could be waiting for her here. "Not until later. I mean everyone needs to get their say and then we're all heading down the pub for a pint, settle things the old fashion way." She stood up, taking her glass and coin with her as she moved closer to Isabel. "Shot for shot, of course. First side to get sick losses." Deidra was really just rambling at this point and really should have known better. Even if she was joking this sort of thing was largely off limits for Isabel because she really didn't need to know about the shady life of Deidra Alderton, just the side effects of it.

Deidra laughed as she settled into the new position. "Although I guess I could say the same about you, didn't reckon this was exactly your cup of tea."

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isabelmorris
2008-06-19 03:24 pm UTC (link)

Isabel wasn't all too sure how to take Deidra's response. What exactly was there to settle the old fashion way? This wasn't exactly a debate on who won the ten pounds offered up in a bet. It threw her off slightly, but she settled for an amused expression as her eyes lingered elsewhere. She scanned the street once more but when Deidra laughed, of course, Isabel's attention returned full on.

"It's not," she admitted with an honest shrug. "But, I didn't have much else to do and .... I was in the area." Lies. The last time the young woman had been in the area was ages ago. She usually didn't do much business in this part of town anymore simply because it was out of her way.

"Besides," she added on, "I wanted to see which Alliance official gets his photo-op tonight. If someone's going to say something iconic I figured it'd be good to be here in person, you know?" That made sense right? Of course it did. A big gathering like this on such a touchy subject? Someone would be pressing their speeches on the public vying for their name on the next election ticket.

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badgering
2008-06-19 03:41 pm UTC (link)

"That's true, the Alliance never fails to disappoint." At this point were she equipped with an alcoholic beverage she would have paused to salute the empty podium. Falling short on the props this evening (which was currently for the better) she tipped her imaginary hat in the same direction.

It was iconic. Like staking building blocks and waiting to see which one makes them all fall down. It probably wasn't the most optimistic thought ever to pass her mind, but it was bound to be exciting, certainly a good story to tell years down the line. Not to mention, even though her prior comment had been in jest there probably would be a lively piss up after the event was over close by and emotions would be running high...

Uh oh, she was drifting. Focus. She attempted to flip a coin into her glass and missed but her mind was no longer going to the inappropriate place. This was a solemn occasion. "I just think it's odd than an event about remembering is so curiously schedule and there is a line up of politico looking for a sound bite and a chance to get their message out there...just seems in bad taste, really."

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isabelmorris
2008-06-19 10:02 pm UTC (link)

Isabel let out a pessimistic snort. "Since when has the Alliance done anything in good taste where the virus is concerned lately? It's all politics and power struggles. And what's pathetic is we've all bought into it."

Urlk, it was a sickening truth that she'd come to terms with some time ago. Despite everyone's uneasiness (spoken or unspoken) in regards to the efforts being taken by the Alliance - everyone still watched them earnestly for direction. Hoping that there'd be change. Or some sort of new found standing everyone could jump on board with and cheer for. She honestly believed that despite the government's last attempt at rallying the nation bringing nothing but a giant smack in everyone's face - people still wanted to believe it could all work. And despite her better judgment...somewhere deep down she was guilty of the same hope.

"I mean, just look them," her hand motioned across the street to the gathering crowd. "Them and their group mourning. And us....and our morbid curiosity. It's a social arena that lets politicians say their piece and play their cards." It was here that Isabel took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. She'd realized her...less than pleasant political jabbering running away with itself. "Unfortunate, really...."

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badgering
2008-06-20 01:04 am UTC (link)

Morbid curiosity. That was an excellent way to describe just what this was. It was odd that this virus was the reason she gave up on a fantastical and surreal world. She laid down her wand because she was not going to be someone in power when the shite hit the proverbial fan, and really it was only a matter time. Deidra snorted to herself.

Maybe it was cowardice, but she just wanted her life and everything else was just details. Still, it did matter what the other idiots were doing with their world because if they pushed it too far then she couldn't even pretend to have her life. "Sometimes I really suffer a lack of faith in humanity." Even if she had grown up in the so-called golden age, both realms had history riddled with war. Early on the prospect of the Alliance signaled a change for the better that clearly didn't work. "It's like we are all too scared to let things work and take risks, to let our hair down and dance. I mean....well." She shook her head not knowing where to go from there or what she really meant.

Maybe she really did need that drink.

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isabelmorris
2008-06-20 10:08 pm UTC (link)

"I don't think humanity ever really had the ability to let things happen," Isabel offered in vague agreement. She honestly wasn't entirely upset about that of course. Being a bit of a control freak herself, she could understand the finer point of why society reacted the way it did. The human species was known for being a social breed and with that breed came a distinct need to organize itself. It was just unfortunate that these organizations usually didn't work the way it all sounded in theory.

"We'll just have to live with that I suppose," she smiled over at Deidra. "No matter how fucked it all gets we'll all live and learn. It’s as fair as life’ll get I’m afraid."

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badgering
2008-06-20 11:01 pm UTC (link)

Deidra was probably the exact opposite of a control freak. While she did push the limits daily, when things got tough rather than meet them head on she simply changed course. No mess, no fuss. Best yet, no heartbreak or disappointment.

"Maybe the Alliance should mandate classes on Zen, make everyone learn to let the reigns go every once and while and I don’t know actually listen rather than just talk all of the time.” Now there was that optimism that was missing from her intent for coming out tonight. But then again she had very little optimism when it came to the Alliance. “But what do I know, I’m just a gardener.”

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isabelmorris
2008-06-23 01:43 pm UTC (link)

Isabel's nose had unintentionally wrinkled at the suggestion of mandatory Zen administered by the government. Though she recognized the idea to be some sort of joke, the thought still bothered her slightly. It wasn't because she wasn't capable of letting go when necessary or listening, on the contrary she thought she could do all that just fine. It was the idea of giving the Alliance the power to mandate something like that that bothered her.

If people couldn't govern their own days without having to add that onto it ... clearly there was something wrong. It was a shame that she wouldn't put it past the future Alliance to pull something mandatorily ridiculous on all of them...just because they could.

Returning quickly to the conversation, Isabel offered Deidra a supportive smile. "But you're a happy gardener, aren't you? Maybe you should run for office and show everyone just how to let their hair down." Clearly, that supportive smile had turned into a crooked smirk of teasing near the end.

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badgering
2008-06-23 02:47 pm UTC (link)

"I'd say one of the happiest." Of all the things she dealt with or more appropriately didn't deal with. She did love gardening. It wasn't impressive, it wasn't going to make her rich or famous but it kept her happy. It gave her a sense of purpose and in a more romantic sense she was beautifying the world.

"Yeah, I'll run on a platform of drink specials and weekly balls." It would be fun in the interim, but even Deidra knew that in the long run that sort of thing simply wouldn't hold up. She probably wouldn't hold up after a week. But it would be heaps of fun as everything fell apart. Not that it wasn't falling apart now.

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isabelmorris
2008-06-23 04:13 pm UTC (link)

Isabel snickered in amusement, "I'd vote for you." Lies. "So long as no one was running on the platform of free food every Sunday."

Alright, so maybe that was a down right fib. As much as Isabel adored Dee's company, the idea of her in a position of authority...was disturbing. There was a reason the witch obviously retreated from the other side and joined the rest of 'em. It certainly wasn't because she was brimming with the need to unite and lead a country.

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badgering
2008-06-23 04:24 pm UTC (link)

Retreated. That was the perfect word. She was running and would always be running on some levels. Things got to be too much and she took off. As much as she would like to believe that unification was still possible, she knew that she would not be the one to do it. No, she would just go about things her own way and hope that everything fell in place around her.

"Free food every Sunday. I'll have to keep that in mind the time the next elections come around." She laughed, shaking her head. That would certainly be the new world order. "In all seriousness, it may take a little more than food and drink specials to fix things."

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isabelmorris
2008-06-24 05:22 pm UTC (link)

"I don't think anyone really knows what it'll take to fix things," Isabel exclaimed almost disappointed in the thought. It was all very disappointing knowing that the world was more or less coming to an end because humanity was left in the dark all of the time.

"Thus the problem," she motioned her hand again toward the mass of people across the street. She considered offering up the topic of God's will, but decided very much against it. God's will...if it existed was clearly skewed.

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badgering
2008-06-26 02:05 am UTC (link)

Unsure of what to say she simply reverted back to an old classic. Or at least where she turned for answers when she ran out. "I'd far rather be happy than right any day." And while they were borrowed words, that was exactly how Deidra chose to live her life. You didn't have to be the best, you just had to finish the race.

"Of course, the truth is that most days I'm neither and I would wager that the same could be said of the world in general." Which was a big wager given that they really hadn't a clue about what was happening beyond these boarders. Although there was plenty happening at home.

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