"It's not- it's not a fresh scar. Is it? You didn't get it while you've been here." Atlanta asked. "It seemed old…ish. Is it healed? Fully? I mean it doesn't hurt you, does it?"

While that was definitely more than one question, Marina didn't complain. But at the last bit she Winced. And when she moved her head it wasn't clear a nod or a shake. Not a yes. But not an outright no either. Atlanta frowned, not sure what to make of that.

"Alright. But Is it hurting sometimes then? At all, still?" She pressed (even if it was technically more than two questions).

"Even old ones, old scars can flare up from time to time? If it is causing you any discomfort Marina, even minor, we can do something to help you with that. We've plenty of physios in Marineville. Father could properly recommend one. And if not, we can get some to visit from another base? And treatments and technology really jumped in the past half-decade. Listen, lots of people in the services have injuries. Heck Some joined the service because they've been injured even? Look at Janice in the canteen. World Patrol offers medical insurance and it's better pay then just regular disability Payments. So, there's something I can find you if you need. I just... Oh. Blast… I'm babbling, aren't I?"

Marina nodded but a smile tugged the corner of her mouth at least. And she nudged her hand Atlanta's making an okay.

"Sorry Marina." Atlanta sighed, "What I'm trying to say is we can help. And keep it secret at the same time. And I am sorry I lost my temper earlier. I really am. I'm - Well we're all here to help. I know it's tricky getting us to understand you but I'm always here to 'listen'. So are the others and we get any accommodations or help you need. Or want to?"

Marina's smile was tighter, but she nodded. "Thanks." She said again with her hand flip. "Will think about it. Really will."

"Alright. Good." Atlanta said. "You don't have to hide it either honey. I was thinking if you ever wanted to Shorter skirts or shorts. Not that if that's what you like wearing -! But if you ever want to. You don't have to cover up if that's what you've been doing."

"Thanks, but no thanks." Marina said. She seemed to have shrunk in on herself and shook her head.

"No one will think less of you." Atlanta said truthfully. Marina shook her head again.

She doesn't believe me. Atlanta thought sadly. And Pressed a little more, picking at the wound, As gentle as she could.

"Something hurt you. Quite badly. And worse, I think it still hurts your feelings." Atlanta said in a hush, despite a small part of her curiosity screaming to leave well alone. "You panicked when I saw it didn't you? You looked so scared Marina I honestly thought I HAD hurt you."

"You didn't." Marina reminded her, Pulling at the frills of her sleeves distractedly.

"No But clearly something did. Something hurt you so bad you avoided me for nearly a month. Something hurt you so much that just me seeing that scar triggered you. Every time you saw me you panicked right? You'll wear yourself out." Atlanta said and continued.

Marina didn't tell her to stop. But the shutters had come down again.

"See, I've been thinking. And correct me if I'm wrong. Or tell me to stop anytime, even. But If it had been an accident how you got it, I don't believe you'd gotten so freaked out when you saw I'd seen yours? Upset sure. If it was a traumatic kind of accident." Atlanta said.

"I get it. Father hates the idea of anyone thinking of him as weak for needing his chair and physio. Which he isn't but still. And you know Phones has some scars from his old line of work he doesn't like to talk about, right?"

Marina nodded.

"But you're real jumpy. As if it's only just happened. Or like you're worried it'll happen again or someone's going to get mad at you. If it was something accidental- like one of Troy's where he got that shark bite from when we were in South America?" Atlanta said as she Unbuttoned her sleeve cuff. And showing the mere girl Three chunky but neat surgical scars (as well as a funny bump if you knew where to look) going diagonally left right and up her forearm and elbow.

"Or this silly one of mine?"

Marina nodded again, but puzzled. She would have seen it a few times, Atlanta figured. Atlanta didn't tend to wear sleeveless things in summer being a redhead and all. But she made little effort to hide it on the odd occasion she did wear something other than uniform.

"If it had been like that? We all got those accidentally. None of ours were planned for sure. But none of them were deliberately inflicted on us-," Atlanta continued. "Well no I'm not a hundred percent about Phones', but I'm pretty sure it's not. But anyway No one will think less of you for having scars, I promise. And if you got that mark I saw accidentally then- Huh?"

Marina wasn't listening. Or more she was avoiding the topic. Marina had Shifted closer while Atlanta had been talking. Then in a move that Surprised Atlanta Marina took a gentle hold of her wrist and elbow, inspecting the scar.

Actually, it surprised Atlanta on two counts.

Firstly, it wasn't really a 'Marina thing' to do. Although she didn't seem to mind the odd arm around her from the boys, and she'd enjoyed when she and Atlanta were doing one another's makeup and nails together; Marina herself was not often the most casual touchy feely of people.

Save for the occasional linking of arms with her friends, quick squeeze of shoulders and the odd catch of hands to those she trusted, Marina had often been mistaken for being standoffish or shy. Not that there was anything wrong with any of that. Not everyone in life is 'a hugger' and Marina generally wasn't. Again, that could simply be a cultural thing or just Marina.

Plus, her hands are cool. Cold even. Always cooler than the room temperature around her. Again, nothing wrong with that, Marina just ran cold. And it was an advantage, Perfect for making pastry as they'd found out. And cold hands warm heart(s) as the saying went.

It wasn't unpleasant. It had just made Atlanta jump. And felt like an ice cube was being drawn across her skin as Marina Ran a thumb over the skin closest to the longest of Atlanta's scars. If she'd pressed harder to the left she'd have found an alloy plate.

Marina Cocked her head and looked up at her.

Silly? She seemed to say, frowning. And then asked in sign, "How?"

(Well "how. Question.")

"You won't believe me." Atlanta said. "but falling off a ladder of all things."