[CLOSED]

[69problems]

Who: The Signless, Neophyte Redglare
What: Redglare makes the acquaintance of her religious icon.
Where: The roof.
When: A few hours after the execution of Ariadne and the cuffing.
Warnings: None that I can think of? Lots o' religion talk, potentially.

It's been a long and exhausting few days. First the bombing at the crowning, then the execution (far too graphic, far too bloody, why had they forced him to watch), and then having to be the one to tell Karkat that the sign he wore stood for something just as painful. It's no wonder that the Signless needs some time alone to think. The roof seems to be the popular spot for that, so that's where he is, twirling the ring Karkat gave him around and around on his finger because it stops him from toying with his cuff instead. If someone were to approach him, he'd be too lost in thought to notice.

Comments

[hangingaround]

When Redglare learned the roof was available to tributes, she slinks away from her suite and to the elevator. It's been a long, rough few days and she's only just arrived. Having a few minutes to breathe outside in the fresh air will do wonders for her, she's sure of it.

As the elevator doors close she pushes her glasses up on top of her head and closes her eyes. This is what she needs right now. Just a little solitude, just for a few minutes, to gather her thoughts. Her peace doesn't last long before the elevator dings. She runs her hand over her face, letting her posture slump before stepping off the elevator.

It's then she realizes she's not alone.

"-Ah. I didn't think anyone else would be up here."

[69problems]

He turns to look at her, to tell her that it's alright, he won't bother her if she wants to sit and think, and winds up just staring. Terezi was bad enough, but this troll looks so much like a slightly older Latula that it's painful. If only her glasses were a different shape she would be a spitting image. Still, he doesn't think asking and finding out that he's wrong again is something he needs right now.

"It's fine. You won't bother me."

[hangingaround]

She quickly lowers her glasses back over her eyes, her body language changing subtly but noticeably. Her back straightens, her chin tilts up. Shields up, Neophyte on.

"I was hoping to have a few minutes to myself up here. I shouldn't be surprised someone else had similar ideas." She frowns a little, squinting at him through red tint. Those nubs seem familiar...

"...Karkat Vantas?"

[69problems]

He shakes his head, going back to looking out across the skyline of Panem.

"The Signless. But I can see how you might make the mistake. We look very similar."

[hangingaround]

Her heart nearly stops. He didn't just say-

He couldn't be. There is no way. She can handle death games. She can handle her descendant being here. She can even handle a version of her indigo partner who is practically still a wriggler.

She is completely out of her element when dealing with a troll she's revered for more than half her life.

"...Pardon? I don't think I quite caught that. The wind is strong up here."

[69problems]

"The Signless. You might know me as Kankri Vantas." His voice hardens, just a little. "I guess you might know me as The Sufferer."

That's really the most likely, and it causes an angry knot to grow in the pit of his stomach.

[hangingaround]

Even with her glasses on Redglare's expression becomes something akin to a deer in headlights. Her breath catches in her throat and if her feet hadn't felt stuck to the ground she'd be sorely tempted to bolt for the elevator.

"...The Sufferer. You're the Sufferer."

Oh boy.

[69problems]

Of course she'd know him by the name he likes least. Was she around, then, when he was killed? Did he go his whole life never knowing her just to become a joke, a cautionary tale, a stupid lowblood with ideas too big for him?

"I will be, but I'd prefer you not use that title." He drew his knees up to his chest. The silver ring Karkat had given him with the cancer symbol glints as he moves. "You know about me?"

[hangingaround]

Oh, Signless. You have no idea.

She swallows and her eyes dart to his ring. She has to swallow again because her throat goes bone dry. "I- yes. You were long before my time but yes, I know about you."

Oh no, awkward silence. Calm down, Red. You're just meeting your God, not that big of a deal. Just fucking say something, Latula.

"You're much shorter than I imagined." Fuck.

[69problems]

He turns to look at her, his expression a weird cross between annoyance and a sort of half smile because, really, how did anyone ever come under the misconception that he was tall? He would have thought the highbloods would have stressed how small he was. How weak. How insignificant.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't be taller for you." Is he joking or just bitter? It's kind of hard to tell. Even he's not entirely sure.

[hangingaround]

"I didn't mean-" She averts her eyes, her face flushing teal. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to insult you. I just meant you look different from how I'd envisioned you." This must be a first for him, a highblood apologizing without any hint of sarcasm. Her hand goes to the high collar of her uniform, fingers grazing the silver chain but making no move to pull it up from her undershirt.