"You look unusually miffed." I glanced to my left and saw Dakota leaning against a wall. After Angela let me go from the Infirmary, I... had to ponder a couple of things and I went to the repurposed Training Room to clear my mind, the lack of cameras helped with my mood.
For example... how NEW the Infirmary looked. Which had many implications, but only one made sense, there was never a need to use them. That is... upsetting to no end.
Finding out that Angela HATES being here wasn't nice either, she more or less confirmed it herself with her 'advice'... but why? What happened here that makes her think that way?
I didn't want to think too badly of anyone, but the only thing that came to mind that could make her think like that was the script she was apparently handed. Now who do I fucking blame for that?
'A'. GOD. DAMN. 'A'.
"Woah, this is the first time I saw you losing your shit." My eyes snapped up. In my attempts at trying to figure out what has been today for me emotionally, I completely forgot Dakota had entered the room.
Dakota gave me a shaky smile and I cooled my expressions. I couldn't see my face... but by the way she, of all people, reacted? It couldn't have been pretty, "Sorry... I've had a rough day." I commented, with a small smile, equals part tired and frustrated.
Dakota took one good look at me and seated at my left, joining me on the cool metallic floor, "You of all people sulking? Must have been some shit, then again, I've read the report. Having two hearts all of a sudden must be quite jarring." I didn't comment on that, because believe it or not, THAT'S THE LEAST OF MY PRO-
"It's what I would say if I didn't know you better. Malkuth is iffy about trusting her fellow Sephirah, I've seen how wary Yesod is of her, and she reciprocates that pretty well. Rober has been going crazy over something after he talked with Malkuth a while ago, and Management seems to have it out for you." Dakota listed off with a clear frown on her face and eyes boring in on me. Well, I should have known she would notice.
I sighed, "Things are... complicated, it'll be better if you ask Malkuth herself. Things are going behind the scenes, and they aren't going to be pretty on us." And what an understatement that is.
"... It's always some bullshit, huh? People like to think things are going alright and then suddenly they aren't, happened in my life twice. I've clawed my way through the shit-stained Backstreets with my Dad and Mom, next thing I know, they were both missing, and I was the only one moving towards a Nest." She spoke with bitterness and anger.
I glanced at her with a neutral expression, "That's just life, it will hit you when it feels like it, and in the most unexpected ways possible." I would know... whatever I heard in my head is proof of that.
Dakota huffed, "I never trusted this place from day one, I'll take your word for it then... but do try to get out of here. Everyone is worrying over your brooding ass." I chuckled.
"It's not brooding, I'm mulling, there is a difference." At my words, Dakota smiled and got up.
"Whatever you say, buddy." Followed after those words, she left the room. After about a minute of silence, I got up too and stretched my back, getting many pops in response.
I grabbed my coffin and let it float behind my back, time to face the music.
They usually hanged out in the main room of Control after work, so I may as well go there. The moment I left the room, I saw Malkuth standing there... how long was she waiting? "Hi Trigger, are you feeling better?" I mulled over the words for a moment before nodding.
"Dakota is a way better pep-talker than anyone would think. Guess underneath all that incredibly harsh exterior, there is a... less hard interior." I was tempted to say 'fluffy' but that didn't fit her... except when it includes Malkuth.
Malkuth giggled, making me raise a brow, "I would know, after my... incident, she was surprisingly supportive with me!" I think that was more about... well, YOU being the one in trouble rather than anything else.
"She is dependable, I'll give her that. Do you need something?" I asked, feeling like the conversation wasn't going anywhere, which wasn't that bad.
Malkuth... what is this sudden chill crawling on my spine? "I heard you were going to sing for our team." Ah, motherfu-
"Yeah, I did say that." I commented with a sigh, considering how my day has been going, I completely forgot about that...
We reached the Control Team main room and I looked around off to the side in one of the corners, Dakota and Rober were talking. Close to them but out of ear-shot was BongBong who waved at me and I waved back, Amelia and Gonzales were playing rocks, papers, scissors of all things. Thankfully, I saw no one else around.
Rober noticed my presence and seemingly finished his conversation with Dakota that rolled her eyes, guess they would continue later. Rober approached me and went towards one of the tables around there, pulling a guitar case, "Well Trigger, time to put up a show." I gave him a flat glare, noticing the both amused and eager expressions in everyone else.
"Just give me the damn thing..." I grumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up... oh god, tell me I'm not blushing.
"Hehehehe..." The giggle of Malkuth was everything I needed, ugh...
I opened the case and saw the wooden guitar there, grabbing it and handing the case to Rober... okay so E string is the one closest to me, and the middle one... what was it called? G3? It's good for tuning the guitar...
Giving it a few test runs until I got it how I wanted... I looked one last time at the people around me, alright then.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
3, 2, 1, Go.
.
.
.
I sighed, surprisingly... relaxed and looked around to see everyone looking at me with various degrees of surprised, "So... was it good?" I asked, feeling just a BIT nervous.
Rober walked up to me and I looked and, surprisingly enough, handed me the Guitar casing, "I'm thinking you need this more than me." He replied with complete seriousness. I did take it, but I was just staring at him, completely caught off-guard.
"That was... pretty good, not my cup of tea, but I can't say it was bad." Amelia commented with an indifferent shrug.
Gonzales was too busy... crying tears of joy? Yeah, I think I should wait until he vents it all out.
BongBong was happily clapping along with Malkuth, although hearing metal hit metal wasn't exactly nice, it was a nice gesture from her part.
Dakota stared at me and smiled, okay, so maybe our last conversation sparked that one out of me... don't judge me you gremlin.
I smiled at Rober, "Aren't you going to need it?" I asked since the Guitar was... well, his.
He scoffed and waved me off, "Nah, you looked relaxed for the first time in a while, and I wasn't very good at it anyway." My eyes blinked when I heard him say that.
Did I really look that stressed?
...
Now looking at how the tables have turned, I couldn't hide the grin from my face, "You sneaky bastards... thanks." I replied, enjoying the moment of being around people that cared about me, I did look away from their happy faces.
No, I'm not embarrassed... oh stop grinning Amelia.
I guess playing a song wasn't all that bad.