simulation 004; visual

[i_run_you_chase]

[Jarod appears]

So this is what they call a "Flood", is that correct?

OOC: Jarod is affected by the Truth flood.

Comments

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

Because I don't want you to die! Is that so hard for you to believe?

[he looks away] Everything changes, I told you that.

[yourunichase]

No. [She said quickly and frowned. She didn't want this truth flood anymore. Her voice is low because they're in the hallway.]

Not much changes by the way you ran from me when you got here.

Will you get your ass in here so we're not doing this in public? I've had enough of people knowing about us today.

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

[the urge to run doesn't go away, but he does manage to suppress it]

[Jarod takes a few steps inside, then shuts the door behind himself]

What did you say about us?

[yourunichase]

[Parker looked more than a little sick, but she couldn't not answer the question.]

Two different people asked me if I loved you, but I don't know why. And then fucking Adam asked me something else.

[Counts as an answer.]

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

[Jarod is immensely interested in the answer to this question, but also more than a little afraid of what the answer might've been]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, no one's asked me anything like that.

[yourunichase]

Wait for it.

[She frowned at him for a moment, and paced again.]

Then someone asked me if you loved me. Do you?

[She looked vaguely shocked as the words fell out of her mouth; she really didn't want to ask that.]

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

[cue panic]

Do I ask people if they love other people?

[yourunichase]

[She read the panic, and that was enough. She didn't push it.]

Forget it. Just forget it.

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

What do you want me to say, Miss Parker?

[this is meant to be rhetorical, but he unwittingly makes it into a question]

[yourunichase]

[Parker's hands were on her mouth for a moment.]

I just want what you want, Jarod. I want the truth.

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

Now's the time to get it.

[he takes a few steps towards her]

Why did you leave the other night?

[yourunichase]

Please, you're so evasive you won't even answer stupid questions.

[She swallows but she doesn't move away.]

Because you were going to kiss me. Why were you going to?

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

You haven't asked me anything that either of us consider stupid.

[and while he'd like to avoid this, he can't:] Because I wanted to.

[yourunichase]

Why?

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

Don't---

[but it's too late, and he struggles with:]

I just did. Emotions are not entirely scientific and that's why the Centre has people like me, rather than computers, calculating them.

[yourunichase]

Why do you always have to bring everything back to that? Is that why you wanted to kiss me? Was it just a big fuck you to my father and them?

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

It had nothing to do with them, Miss Parker.

Why do you always pull away?

[yourunichase]

Because I'm scared! [Parker frowned quickly. because that was not what she meant to say.]

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

[and he takes another step towards her and lowers his voice]

Of what?

[yourunichase]

[Parker took a step back.] Of what this means. Of what you mean.

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

[he doesn't advance again] What do I mean, Miss Parker?

[yourunichase]

I don't know! I don't know what you mean. I hate that I can't just lock everything away anymore, because you're here and Fuck!

[The word was growled, and she turned away, her hand on her forehead, squeezing it.]

I don't know why when people ask if I love you I feel compelled to say 'yes.'

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

[he stands there, stunned, for just a moment, then takes a few steps towards her, until he's right behind her]

[softly:] Maybe it's because you do.

[yourunichase]

[She knows he's behind her, but she doesn't turn around.]

I also feel compelled to say no. I think it's just cause I'm fucked up.

Are you in love with me, Jarod?

[i-run-you-chase.livejournal.com]

At least you're acknowledging that.

[he reaches out and puts a hand to her shoulder]

I think I'm in the same place as you.