Aftermath (6-5-9)

Auryn Piers decides not to push the subject at this point, sighing as Tarin insists on moving about. She locates and fills a glass full of water before sitting it on the table in front of her. “Well, hopefully you got it all outta your system.” She was, of course, referring to the drinking.

 

Tarin Perian looks at the water and then picks it up and takes a swallow. "There's some...gatorjuice crap in the fridge....I think." She rests her forehead in her hand. "Everything fucking hurts...even numb, it hurts.."

 

Auryn Piers: “Drink the water.” The command was a softly-spoken one as she settles into the nearby chair. Despite humankind’s efforts when it came to hydration, nothing quite beat good ol’ H2O.

 

Tarin Perian works on getting the water down already starting to sober up. "Hate this..." she mumbles and then slides a hand over to Auryn. "I'm glad you're here."

 

Auryn Piers offers a weak smile as she allows her hand to be taken. “Well, you’re definitely a girl that needs looking after.” The words are offered in half jest as brows are comically lifted.

 

Tarin Perian finishes the glass of water and pushes it aside. "Now..can I have some of th'juice?" She grins at Auryn and her smile flickers and fades. "I'm sorry. I am. But...it was so scary...and it all happened so fast..."

 

Auryn Piers: “Yeah.” She collects the glass before rising, sliding her hand from beneath the other. “I really am sorry you had a rough time of it.” She tosses the statement over her shoulder while finding and then filling the container with the desired beverage. She returns to the table and places it neatly before Tarin. “Musta shook you up pretty bad.” She reclaims her seat while casting a concerned glance in the woman’s direction.

 

Tarin Perian drinks about a third of the glass as soon as it's set down, then closes her eyes and leans back. 'Better...thanks for this. I mean it. And yeah...I can't say much about it, but...basically, someone that was...well..family...was so very -not-. And it got messy..and...when it was all done...everyone had somewhere to be...someone to be with..."

 

Auryn Piers: “Bad stuff happens fast. Then again, so does the good stuff.” She lifts slender shoulders into a shrug. “That’s life, I guess.” Fingers absently trace the table’s surface as she listens, head adopting a shallow cant as green eyes remain upon the other’s features. She finds herself unsure of what to say, lips forming a thin line as she considers. “No matter what happens or doesn’t happen with us, you have a friend in me, okay? You need someone after something bad like that? Gimme a call.”

 

Tarin Perian glances over at Auryn and then back down at the table. "Sounds a lot like I'd just be using you when the bad shit happened. Then again, in this place...that's been about once every couple of weeks on an average."

 

Auryn Piers: “Eh. Different people mean different things to each other. A friendship is a friendship, right? ‘Sides, I’m sure you’d do the same for me.” She begins to fidget, weight shifting within the chair.

 

Tarin Perian nods a little. "Yeah...I'd do the same for you in a heartbeat. I guess...I'm just fumbling my way. See...I never...saw relationships. Or...anything...really. I mean..I have some vague memories from when I was like..five..but after that, for the next twelve years, I lived in Facilities. Labs." She looks down at the glass, now about half empty. "I'm kinda learning as I go here. We weren't around a wide variety of people, or a large number of them."

 

Auryn Piers: “Yeah, I kinda figured that.” She leans backward in her chair, fingers lacing behind her neck as a swiveling of her head allows for a sideways glance. “I’ve lived on the streets and in-” She cuts off the statement, debating the wisdom of being so forthcoming. “Let’s just say I may not be all that older than you or anything but I’ve had my share of.. Uh… experiences. I don’t mean sex.. ’though there’s that. I just mean with people. I know who I am. It’s something I had to figure out for myself and that’s something you’re gunna have to do.”

 

Tarin Perian nods a little. "I know. And...I don't want you to think I don't...appreciate you. Or care for you. Or find you amazing. But...you're like..light years ahead of where I'm at with being sure about things. Me? Give me an arsenal to strip down and reassemble, or a tactical situation to analyze, and I'm fine..." No..no real signs of being drunk now that she's drinking the 'juice'. "...but put me in a club or a party? I panic. I don't know how to behave, or react, or..." She sighs. "I couldn't even live in a family. I had to leave."

 

Auryn Piers: “You’ll find your way, darlin’” A genuine smile finds her lips as she continues to indulge in the backward lounge. “People ain’t all that hard to figure out and once you been around them for awhile, you’ll start to see who you really are.” Auryn was young, yes, but did have an uncanny insight into human behavior. Most of which was born of a necessity, a tool required for survival. “Can’t really rush these things. Takes time.”

 

Tarin Perian tips her head and looks at her, resting one bruised cheek in her hand. "You think you've got patience enough to deal with me? That Judge guy....he's used up every last ounce of patience in his bucket, I swear."

 

Auryn Piers had noted her sudden lack of intoxication and inwardly puzzles but chooses not to currently address it. “Depends on whatcha mean by patience. Will I stick around and be your friend? Sure. Confused straight girl or not, you’re still worth knowing.” This is followed by a quick wink. “Will I stand around and chew on my guts while you figure stuff out?” She slowly shakes her head. “Naw, that I ain’t gunna do.”

 

Tarin Perian nods a little. "Guess that's fair." She drains the last of the 'juice' and leans back gingerly, closing her eyes a moment. "Hopefully, you won't think it's too big a waste of your time."

 

Auryn Piers: “People worth knowing ain’t ever a waste of time. Can’t be everything to everybody, right? See, I know what I want outta life.” She falls silent a moment, chest rising and falling as she issues a lingering sigh. “Ain’t had much in the way of family myself and what I’m looking for is to be good enough for someone, you know?” The question is punctuated by an arch of a single brow. “Right now, that ain’t you.” She shrugs, allowing arms to slide forward in order to fold upon the table. “Nothing to feel bad about or nothing. What is.. Is.”

 

Tarin Perian murmurs. "And I'm not 'straight'. I'm definitely bi." She looks at Auryn carefully. "Very definitely bi. But...I'm not going to jerk you around. You are good enough...maybe too good." She grins a little and moves slowly to get up, injuries still present if the blessed whiskey haze isn't. She puts the glass in the sink and runs water on her hands, then wets her face, twisting her hair back with a damp hand before finding a towel and drying up. "So much for numb."

 

Auryn Piers: “Mebbe. Mebbe not.” She also rises, watching Tarin for a moment before squaring her shoulders in quiet determination. “You seem pretty okay now. Think I’ll just be headed on my way.” She jerks her head toward the door while wearing a small smile. “Need anything else before I take off?”

 

Tarin Perian turns and one hand lifts...then falls. "No...the juice stuff works pretty well. I'll be fine. Thank you, though. I mean it."

 

Auryn Piers: “Sure. I meant it too. Anything I can ever do for you, lemme know. You have my number.” She pats her pocket in emphasis before walking toward the door, fingertips hovering over the knob as she hesitates a long moment. She sighs, tapping the metal with her knuckles before finally opening the door. “See ya, Tarin?” She cranes her neck in order to cast a glance over her shoulder.

 

Tarin Perian watches her go and lets out a soft breath. "Yeah...see ya, Auryn." She waits until the door is closed, then moves to flip the lock, resting her head against the cool metal and closing her eyes. It had taken all her willpower to not kiss her or touch her - but she was right. It wasn't fair. She hit the button on the coffee pot and sat down in front of the computer. Maybe some work...

 

Auryn Piers wears something of a grim expression as she leaves the apartment, one hand thrust deeply within her pocket. She’d done as she’d intended and put the skids on anything romantic between the two of them. Even though she’d done it early and preferably before she got too attached, it still stung. In fact, more so than she’d expected.

 

 

Done