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[wyldfire]

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[wyldfire]

It is. People seem to think there's only fight or flight, but freeze and fawn are just as common a response to fear.

[If not more these days.]

It's unfortunate I can't handle it all better like I do back home.

[greenpower]

I can't imagine why.

[Sarcasm. It's followed by a heavy sigh. Ivy would like not to care, but it's not as easy as that in practice.

She's never been a complete sociopath. She just has a sense of proportion when it comes to the lives of people and the environment.]

It must be hard being a good person here.

cw: murder

[wyldfire]

[If only death was permanent there. Then again, Jordana would also be dead if that was the case.]

Surely you're not suggesting that I'm a good person. I've been hunting and killing people in vengeance for months now. Just got two the other day.

[greenpower]

I'd say you are. You tell me that, and I don't even have to ask to be sure they deserved it.

[wyldfire]

Not everyone would agree. But when the system doesn't work, you take matters into your own claws.

[greenpower]

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

[wyldfire]

I'm sure there's more than one.

[greenpower]

I might be able to think of two or three others. You know, if I try.

[wyldfire]

Wouldn't want you to have to exert yourself.

[greenpower]

Hm. See, there's another reason. So thoughtful.

[wyldfire]

They just write themselves, don't they?

[greenpower]

Usually it's not so easy. Must be that I'm properly inspired.

[wyldfire]

Careful now: you're going to make me blush.

[greenpower]

Does that mean it wasn't too corny?

[wyldfire]

Just the right amount of corn. Bravo.

[greenpower]

Glad to hear it. I'm sort of out of practice.

[wyldfire]

Really? You and Harley must have been together for a while if you're that out off practice.

[No judgement in her tone. That happened with long-term couples. Not that they so flirting, just that the kind of flirting changes enough that it's a wholely different creature.]

[greenpower]

Wait, what?

[Ivy's sure she's mentioned Harls—she's her best friend—but the idea they'd be flirting is...

She frowns, trying to wrestle with a thought that won't quite materialize.]

[wyldfire]

Your girlfriend? That's what you told me when we first started flirting.

[And why it took so long for them to bang.]

It's ok. I have girlfriend, too... which I should've told you about when we...

Vex and I have an open relationship - she's got a boyfriend - so it's nothing to worry about.

[Hopefully. Jordana prayed to Gaia that Ivy wouldn't have the same response as Scully.]

[greenpower]

I—sorry, I think...

[Confusion came through clearly in Ivy's voice as she tried to wrap her head around that.]

Harley is my best friend. But we're not...

[Somewhere, she's rubbing her temple, trying to remember when they talked about Harley.]

We're not together.

[wyldfire]

Oh. I didn't realize when you said "girlfriend" you meant it in the straight woman way.

[It didn't make sense. Jordana distinctly recalled a few instances where they talked about Ivy's girlfriend in a way that was certainly not just friendship. The tone of Ivy's voice made Jordana concerned that something was wrong.]

Probably would've jumped you earlier if... [She paused a moment, trying to make sense of what was going on.] I'm sorry if I came on too strong when we first met and you thought you needed to play a girlfriend card to keep me at bay. I'm not often so... I guess in that way I'm more bark than bite.

[Low sex drive and all. And Ivy wouldn't be the first woman out there to use a friend that would roll with it as a significant other when needed. It just... bothered Jordana as it really didn't feel like Ivy would need to do that. She was the kind of woman that would tell a spider goddess to fuck off; the Garou wasn't anyone special or a creepy man that couldn't take a hint. But what other possible explanation could it be other than those? It's not like someone went in and rewired Ivy's brain... right? There weren't spirits around to do that...]

[greenpower]

Did I say girlfriend?

[Jordana doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd get that twisted, especially all things considered. Ivy and Harley are close, but—the thought ends abruptly. But what? Ivy tries to finish it, but she can't quite. They're not together-together, are they?

Fuck, Ivy would know if they were.

But the certainty they aren't isn't there either.

Her mind warps around the idea, like kudzu that's grown around a tree only to strangle it out, leaving the shape behind but nothing living inside.]

I don't feel like I'd say that. It's annoying. And confusing. And something 70 year old straight women say.

[And Ivy is neither of those things.]

I'm not really the kind of person who has trouble saying 'no' to people.

[wyldfire]

I know, but I... I'm trying to come up with an explanation that makes some kind of sense. [Jordana no longer kept her concern out of her voice or her own confusion.]

Because that first time we kissed? As much as I didn't want to, I stopped and apologized for kissing you because you told me before that you had a girlfriend in a way that felt like a boundary being set. "Where were you before I met my girlfriend?"

...I'm sorry. I don't think you're lying to me - it makes no sense that you would - but I'm very confused. So just... let me know if I need to keep my hands to myself in the future.

[greenpower]

I... I do remember that.

[Does she? When Jordana says it, Ivy can almost remember it, like a word on the tip of her tongue or a song stuck in her head with lyrics that wouldn't quite resolve.]

I'm sorry, Jor, I think... [She tails off briefly, the uncertainty clear in her voice. What comes out is:]

I need to meditate. Get my head straight.

[wyldfire]

[Ivy remembered but yet didn't remember. It got her Wyrm senses tingling... it also made Jordana's heart ache, because she didn't know if there was anything she could do to help figure out what was going on. What had this place done to Ivy?]

Alright, carina. If there's anything I can do - even if it feels stupid - let me know. I'm here, Ivy.