I2DT - Solitary Sulking

[Miriam Bell]

"Some of us don't get to change back when we look into that mirror. My natural response is to reach out and change the mirror. But there's no shortage of people who will inform you about what they think about that."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well we can both... get better, aye? That's why we're here. To do this on our terms."

[Miriam Bell]

"I've been at this for 8 years, Sam. After a while 'It'll get better' begins to turn a little stale."

[Samantha McManus]

"...how are any of us supposed to keep going if it doesn't?"

[Miriam Bell]

"I've seen the answer to this. You won't like it, but you just have to open that chest if you want to find out."

[Samantha McManus]

"...and we don't want to do that," she sighs.

[Miriam Bell]

"I don't want that. There's some stuff in there that... I don't know what it, memories, dreams, fears, I don't know. But it's why he calls me Mel sometimes. It's that mirror, turned up to extremes. And if you give that back to him he'll just be yet another person who looks at me and sees the worst I could be."

[Samantha McManus]

"You're not... we're not who he thinks we are. That's just... people he remembers from somewhere. I don't know where. But that doesn't have to be us."

"It... it spooked you rather badly, didn't it?"

[Miriam Bell]

"Sam, it was me. He's not just associating something wrong. I was in there and I saw it myself. I don't know how that's possible but I saw it."

[Samantha McManus]

"What are you saying, that's our future or something?"

[Miriam Bell]

"I don't know what it is."

[Samantha McManus]

"...not much of a bottom to this rabbit hole."

[Miriam Bell]

"And it doesn't matter what it is. I'll just become Mel in his eyes. And maybe he's right. The last person to not be concerned about me in some way turned out to be a kidnapping bitch."

[Samantha McManus]

"This... this doesn't have to be about that," she says, exhaling slowly.

[Miriam Bell]

"Who cares. I fucked up. Whatever. The point is that the last time I didn't feel like shit was when I was with her. What does that say about me?"

[Samantha McManus]

"...that something felt good and you went with it."

"And I... I guess I know a little something about that."

[Miriam Bell]

"Sure, let's pretend we're not both aware of what I'm talking about. It's like an in-joke, only with more denial. So has your reckless making out with Nell had any dire consequences yet?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Do you bloody want me to be cross with you, Miriam?"

"I'm just trying to find some damned common ground here. It's not like I'm cross with you for that part!"

[Miriam Bell]

"Fine, yes, you have some idea about what these things are like. But I'm not just talking about sleeping with Trinity."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well fine, then it says you need more reasons to not feel like shit."

[Miriam Bell]

"If you're going to start talking about hobbies now I'm leaving."

[Samantha McManus]

"I don't think stamp collecting is that effective a coping mechanism."

[Miriam Bell]

"Not in a world in which cheap wine exists. That sounded less sad in my head..."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'll split a bloody bottle with you, if that's what it takes to mend fences."

[Miriam Bell]

"I tried that with my roommate last night and ended up ranting to her about how people are inherently shitty. Think you can deal?"

[Samantha McManus]

"After getting mauled by a bloody werewolf, I think I can handle that."

[Miriam Bell]

"You have some very strange ideas about coping mechanisms."

[Samantha McManus]

"Well it worked for me."

"Pick a night."

[Miriam Bell]

"This Friday. And just for the record, I hate every single one of you who got something else to go along with your telepathy." she jokes. It's weak and really doesn't sound that much different from her usual tone, but it's something other than just resentment thrown in Sam's face, which would have been her usual way to express that sentiment.

[Samantha McManus]

"Somehow Xavier managed, and you're not even losing your hair," she smirks.

"Alright, Friday. We have it all out, and nothing leaves the room when we're done. Sound good?"

[Miriam Bell]

"How about we start with 'some of it' and see how that goes."

[Samantha McManus]

"We can just glare at each other for a few hours while we drink, if that's what does it for you."

[Miriam Bell]

"I thought you didn't care for knowing what does it for me?" she says with a smirk creeping to her lips. Just because she's not gloomy is no reason not to be in charge of the conversation.

[Samantha McManus]

"Well I'm not in any danger unless I show up blonde, aye?" She smirks back, apparently rising to the challenge.

[Miriam Bell]

"Maybe I just like things that come in threes."

[Samantha McManus]

"Then I suppose we'll have to save this game of chicken for later," she chuckles.

[Miriam Bell]

Miriam lets out a silent 'Heh' and shakes her head. "I'll see you later, Sam."

[Samantha McManus]

"Take care, aye?"