(Thousand yard stare.) yeah... fun....

Oh, you wanted me to stop *now?*

(A roll of her eyes. And then she giggles.) I'm fucking with you. I'm not stuck smiling 24/7 or anything. And I've never been to a funeral, so... Don't know what I'd do.

(Slowly tilts her head to the side. Still smiling. Like a creepy doll.)

(Just sort of stares at him. Still smiling.)

You have a lot of smiling-rules, dude.

(With a great big smile:) Now you're just being a jerk.

Everything!

Well, I guess I'm just... naturally happy!

(She stares as if he just asked her for the meaning of life or some other unknowable question.) Do I need a reason to smile?

I'm always smiling, s — Oh! It's you! I'm always smiling, dude.

She's very good at pretending to be a person. She even remembers to blink, like, 80% of the time.

What part? My voice really isn't that squeaky.

.... My name's Valerie. Remember? Your daughter? My voice isn't that high pitched.

Valerie wouldn't know. She opened her mouth to say that... But then simply closed it. She then turned back to the television. "Sure." She said, simply. Letting the subject drop for now. "Y'know, I like the, uh... What do you call it? Art style?"

Wrapping a blanket around herself. She HATES the cold.

... Yeah, I get that a lot.

"Do people laugh at your pain a lot?" She asked, earnestness obvious in her expression. She was worried about him.

Leaning against a wall, eyes squeezed shut. She's pale and shaking.

That's okay. I care enough for the both of us!

Maybe you should get a test done. 'Cause I don't think you're hearing me correctly.

Falling asleep with her head on the reader's shoulder.

"No! It was your question that made me laugh." She looked up at him finally, eyebrows furrowing. "I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."

Valerie couldn't help it. She started to laugh. She placed her cup to the side so she could bury her face in her knees to muffle it. "I guess it depends on your definition?" She said between giggles. "It doesn't upset me when people hurt me, that's all. But this isn't about me! It's about you!"

None of this seems to make sense to her, if her expression is anything to go by. Or maybe she's just enraptured by the screen. Focus, she scolded herself. Don't let your curiosity get the better of you. "And that... upsets you?"

A friend. I pick up languages, like, really fast.

Yes, actually, I do!

(Staring blankly, head tilted like a confused puppy.) ...Huh?

Valerie didn't seem depressed. She seemed curious. Her eyes were still on the TV, but her eyebrows were furrowed as if he was speaking another language. "Nerds...? Jocks...? You've lost me."

.... ..... what. Nevermind. Just c'mon!

Maybe we should take a walk? Outside?

Valerie didn't know what that meant. She almost lost her fearful mask as she blinked rapidly and tried to dig through her mind. Drowsy Town? Had she heard of that before? But it was a blink-and-you'd-miss-it moment. Her frightened demeanor was back a second later. "We can play more than one game!"

She hummed, eyes drawn to the television like a moth to a flame. Or, more accurately, like a cat being attracted to movement. "What d'ya mean by that?" She could figure it out. It didn't take a genius. But, she figured it would be good for him to talk about it.

Shoving candy in her bag. For later.

"Hm? Oh, I started when I was fourteen. I'm twenty-six now. So, uh... What's that? Twelve years?" Valerie shrugged as she said that. She hadn't ever felt anything but at home in this machine, especially when she was flying. It was as easy to her as moving her own body - easier, even! Her body ━

"Do people not take you up on the offer?" She tilted her head to the side curiously, tugging her blanket further around herself. "That's lame."

Oh my gosh, I love your costume!

The only plan is to eat candy!

@agentjoel.bsky.social Psst. D'ya like hot chocolate?

"You could come up with a game for just the two of us? That way nobody can get in the way! Or make it boring!" Her eyes were wide and pleading now. "It... It'd be fun. I promise."

"I've never seen..." She seemed a little self conscious suddenly. She gave a little sheepish smile. "I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to TV and movies and all of that."

Okay. I'll never forgive you if I don't get them. He went that way. (Points.)

(Crosses arms.) How many snacks are you offering for this information?

Haven't seen him since — Wait. I don't want to help with that!