[audio] backdated to the end of the de-aging event

[shadowsgambit]

[Fortuna begins a network call like normal. Well...sort of like normal. She sounds hesitant now, a little slower to speak and not quite so confident. Wherever she's standing, there's an echo.]

Hey Saeng Seong, you know what? [A beat.] ...no, never mind.

[There's a beep and a soft tap as she sets her commlink down. But the audio continues. She doesn't realize the button to end the call didn't register her touch.

She sighs heavily.]

Thought I'd convinced myself I wasn't ugly. But no, I had to go and look human again for a while. Didn't think I could pull a fast one on myself, but I guess I did. [Another sigh, softer, and a pause.] Now what? Now what... Keep telling myself other trolls have it worse? Right, like I'm gonna call all of them ugly. Living a double standard, that's what that'd be.

Drek...thought I was okay. I thought...

Comments

[action]

[pizzaninja]

It doesn't seem like work to me! Klunk's my best pal. He's part of the family.

[He's quiet as he watches Fortuna and listens to her words. They might have had different lives in different worlds with different circumstances - but in a way, Michelangelo could understand and relate to the root of the problem.]

Hey...I know. [Mikey regarded her with a serious expression for once - but there was compassionate understanding in his blue eyes.] C'mon, we can get comfy and stuff.

[There was an unspoken invitation for her to get things off her chest if she wanted to - but he'd be more than happy to be friendly company for a while. She didn't have to talk if she wasn't comfortable.]

[action]

[shadowsgambit]

[She looked up at that, raising an eyebrow for a moment before shrugging the statement off. She didn't get much opportunity to talk about herself in the first place, and then generally either she didn't care to talk about it or they didn't care to hear about it or both.]

...Yeah, I know you know. It's even worse for you, really. You can't go out in public at all.

[action]

[pizzaninja]

[Mikey was quiet a moment before responding.]

It doesn't devalue what you go through though. [He said honestly with surprising insight.] I know we have different circumstances and stuff, but I know it can hurt. It's why I wanted to come over and be with you. It's because I know where you're coming from.

[He smiled a little.] And if anyone has said anything to you to make you feel bad - I can go have a talk with them...[His blue eyes twinkled. He would never let anyone hurt one of his friends.]

[action]

[shadowsgambit]

Heh...nah. This place is actually the most accepting I've ever seen. Nobody's said a word like that to me here.

[She guesses she could go to the Ork Underground back home, for acceptance. She doesn't know why she's never been.]

It's...really, it's just me.

[Actually, it's the society she comes from and while she's aware of that on a logical level, the emotional level doesn't quite line up.]

[action]

[pizzaninja]

Good. [Mikey said with a decisive nod, happy that no one was mistreating her here. As for the rest that she said...he could understand. There was nothing to say but actions spoke louder than words.

The ninja simply stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Fortuna in a friendly hug, mindful of the kitten in her hands. Not sure if she'd shy away or not, he made sure to keep it loose so that she could back away if she wanted.]

[action]

[shadowsgambit]

[Fortuna flinched involuntarily as the turtle hugged her, her arms drawing closer to her body, holding the kitten in her hands close as she eventually leaned into the hug. She may have needed one, but she wasn't a huggy person, really.]

...Thanks.

[action]

[pizzaninja]

[Michelangelo was aware of her flinching, but was happy she didn't move away. Even though he wasn't one to get hugs that often, he enjoyed them.]

No problem! [He beamed, letting her go] I brought some of my comics if you wanna just hang out and be comfy. I'm more than happy to listen if you need to vent though. [It was clear that she didn't have to if she wasn't comfortable. Mikey was just happy to offer her contact and company.]