glowsferatu | IC CONTACT

[ she throws her hands up, somewhere between a rant and a ramble, you can tell there's a lot of bitterness she's venting here. ]

Everything happens, and continues to do so. This isn't any one thing so much as a collection of numerous small ones, all piling up to a mountainous grievance. I don't car if patronization isn't their intention, it's all they really achieve from it over the protection they think it brings. That's only a very thin justification.

[ she finally brings her hands to rest on the table, standing over it. she takes a deep breath and lets it out in a huff, then pulls over a bowl of thread spools, picking out the white ones to find the closest shade. ]

I was thirteen the first time I killed someone. Maturity isn't something that you suddenly reach at a certain age, it comes with experience and necessity. That's what all of those laws are missing.

[ straightening her back, she holds one spool between thumb and forefinger, screwing up her lips as she considers the color. maybe too ivory.

her eyebrows raising, she looks back at karen. ] It was Eridan, by the way. So you don't need to ask. It was the most effective way to keep him from killing anyone else.

[ that's right, make it sound like a completely logical decision. leaving out the hurt, the betrayal, the devastation, and the vengeance will definitely make it go down without a qualm. ]

[ Normally, she would have interrupted someone in the middle of their heated rambling. Literally. She could have clamped Kanaya's mouth shut, but she listens all the way through, though her brows pinch together. ]

It isn't and hey, look, I'm not saying you need your hand held through everything. Kids and teens need to make mistakes. It's normal. What we're supposed to do as a society is ensure those mistakes don't hurt them in ways that could damage their lives, because someday they're going to be the future.

[ She lifts her backside and drags herself and the chair closer over to Kanaya. ]

Your experiences are different, Kanaya. Sure, maturity isn't determined by age, but you aren't about to say you should let a ten year old drink because they said they wanted to, are you? Lines do have to be drawn, regardless of how aggravating they are.

[ As for Eridan... she lets out another sigh. So, this is what she's been dealing with. Kanaya's come across as a surprisingly mature enough kid for the most part, but it looks as if there's plenty of issues beneath the surface that are causing her to lash out like this. ]

Okay, there is a lot going on now. Was Eridan targeting you and your friends?

Edited 2014-04-12 07:13 (UTC)

He'd killed some of us already. [ and, you know, extinction. ] Left unchecked, he would have only ensured the same fate for those remaining.

[ there's a lot she could say to the rest, when she first met renee she told her that if she wanted to keep her from damaging her life, she's a few years too late. but something in karen's response strikes her a bit stronger than the rest. a bit too hyperbolic for her patience. ]

Did I ever mention letting ten year olds drink?

It's an example, Kanaya.

[ Her hands grasp both sides of the chair, fingernails rapping lightly against its frame. ]

You said the law disregards experience and necessity, but like I said, lines do have to be drawn and how would you measure experience in the first place? The law can't always operate on a case by case basis, for minors or adults.

[ she purses her lips, shaking her head. she isn't even looking at the thread anymore as she arranges the spools. ]

What you see as an example looks to me more like a straw effigy of an argument, existing only to be thrown to the fire. It doesn't make where any of those lines are drawn less arbitrary, as the majority of teenagers don't magically understand how to take care of themselves on crossing from seventeen to eighteen.

You're not wrong there. Unless something drastic happened in those twelve months.

Though I do think you're making existing laws out to be a lot more personal than it's ever going to be. [ She's already a bit exhausted from this argument and honestly, a bit confused. ] What is it you want exactly, Kanaya?

I don't know. [ she turns her attention back to her thread, picking out the obvious mismatches. it is personal to her, because it affects her personally, even if the laws don't think of her. ] Respect. The same employment options someone else might be given. Not being second guessed when I try to make a decision about my life.

[ She smiles, though it's mainly sympathetic to Kanaya's troubles with what she perceives as not understanding Earth's laws. ]

I can't promise you equal employment options or that the law will change regarding that. Laws are hard to budge once they're implemented.

But I can promise respect and hopefully not second guessing you. You haven't given me a reason to so far, if that's any comfort. [ She rises out of her seat, walking over to Kanaya's side and patting her shoulders reassuringly. ] I like you, Kanaya. I really do.

[ kanaya lets out a sigh, her shoulders slumping as the tension drains from them. ]

And I appreciate that, Karen. [ turning, she faces her more directly. ] I appreciate that you are someone with whom that problem has never arisen. But I don't want you to get the wrong idea, I didn't mean any of this to be directed toward you.

It's just...everyone else we'll need to get a similar promise from.

[ That's actually a major relief to hear. She's dealt with far worse, but it doesn't mean she enjoys butting heads with people she genuinely likes. In this case, someone she feels a little closer to already than most due to similar experiences. ]

Maybe you've got to distance yourself from them for a while. I'm not talking flat out ignoring, just not engaging unless you have to for a weekend or something. Go and do something fun.

[ She flashes Kanaya a grin. ]

Like getting your nails done or going shopping.

[ kanaya frowns, glancing at her hand, the glossy black nails on her fingers. it's been a while since she had them done professionally, certainly not since the city. she hasn't really been able to justify the time or expense.

but maybe karen's right. she hasn't really given herself any kind of a break in longer than she can remember. blowing renee off for a while would probably be better for her, at least. it would send a message, make it explicitly clear how important her authority is to kanaya, that she can't have both.

even so, kanaya's never been very good at making decisions that are healthy for her. ]

Maybe. I don't know.

Both of those things do cost money.

[ She directs a thumb toward herself. ]

My treat, if you want.

[ she screws up her lips with a look that's best described as diffident. ]

I suppose that would preclude a no, wouldn't it.

Oh, come on.

[ A hand slips above Kanaya's shoulder and gives her a gentle nudge. ]

You know it would be fun.

[ her eyes flicker to the hand, then back to karen with the flash of a grin. ]

Well. I have strict rules against having fun, you should know.

A little retail therapy is good for the soul.

Have you seen the shops in Maurtia Falls yet? Much better for the eyes, but dangerous to the pocketbook.

[ She withdraws her hand, letting it rest against her hip.

She shakes her head. ]

I actually haven't properly checked out these other cities.

I was there a few weeks ago, hunting for work. You should really see it.

I would have thought being unsettled would give you wider availability to explore.

[ She rolls her eyes then. ]

I was playing nice for the moment. They weren't pleased I went off into space for a bit.

[ she scoffs and shakes her head. ]

Going to Maurtia Falls isn't going to space. I haven't heard of anyone receiving censure while traveling within the country.

Didn't want to push it for a bit, but a change of scenery would be nice.

They have the porters leading there, as well. If they didn't want us going there, they have a very odd way of communicating it.

Who knows what they want, but I'm down for it. I'll even pick up a souvenir for Mr. Cat.

[ she narrows her eyes a moment, who names a pet "mr. cat"? ]

Perhaps you could get him a nice bowtie. Has he been doing alright?

[ almost as if on cue, there's a scratching at the door. kanaya shoots an intense look in its direction and claps her hands together loudly, the scratching stops. ]

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