Riot Grrrl

Everything seems to be in order… She almost ingested an entire pillow from your couch a couple of minutes ago. We’ll have to get used to it, I suppose. Or I will, actually. 

Oh man, really?  Damn, we have to get on puppy-proofing the house, don't we?

Does Wires snore like this every single night?

Do you think… Do you think we should worry about that?

I...I'm not the vet, Cricket--that's you.  I mean...she doesn't seem lethargic or anything so obviously she's getting some sleep.  Which speaking of, c'mere.

[Cricket’s attack dissolves into pure sadness and defeat, slumping in Quinn’s arms as she cries, feeling ashamed and a failure. She shivers but her grip on Quinn doesn’t loosen, wishing she could just disappear into her sister’s arms.]

[Quinn places her thumb and forefinger beneath Cricket's jaw, tilting her head up to face her.  Slowly Quinn leans forward, joining their lips in a tender kiss.  After pulling away, Quinn gives Cricket a small smile.]

[Cricket starts feeling her restricted limbs as she cries. Normally, this would cause her to get even more upset, but Quinn’s familiar scent is all around her, seeping into her brain and bringing her back to reality. The intensity of the attack takes its toll on her, and she sags slightly against her sister, still rocking with her, trembling less violently, her sobs weakening very slowly. Small fingers bury in the cloth of Quinn’s shirt as she mumbles incoherently.]

[As Cricket finally begins to come down, Quinn places kiss after kiss on top of her sister's head, rocking her slowly in order to bring her back down to earth.  Fingers embed in the fabric of her t-shirt and Quinn thinks nothing of it, letting Cricket cry it out and thoroughly soak her shirt.  Quinn doesn't mind--Cricket calming is paramount to everything.]

[Cricket’s gasping sobs escalate as Quinn makes her way into the tiny apartment, one of the secrets that never should’ve been revealed against her will. She hadn’t been ready, far from it. Yet, she wasn’t sure if she would ever be ready to voluntarily confront that part of her life. If she had been given the chance. She can barely hear Quinn over her gasping breaths for oxygen, her brain plagued by a cacophony of voices screaming at her how badly she has failed, how much of a disappointment she is, how pathetic she looks, how disappointed everyone will be, especially Quinn. She starts shaking her head frantically, unable to calm down as her attack is in full swing.]

[Quinn doesn't relinquish her hold on her sister for a single second, and in fact, attempts to still Cricket's flailing head, stopping it between two hands.  She continues to rock her sister back and forth, even wrapping her legs around Cricket's to keep her from full on convulsing.  Quinn takes a moment to drink in their surroundings, shocked to see how derelict the apartment is.  Thank goodness Turnip has his new habitat, Quinn can scarcely fathom this place being suitable for a tortoise to live.  She decides then and there that this will be Cricket's last night in this place.]

[Cricket was huddled against one of the crumbling walls of her apartment, tugging at her hair and surrounded by overdue bills. It had somehow slipped her mind that she had to pay them, and now without her salary from the club, her bank account was practically hitting zero. A new semester at school was slowly approaching, and everything she had so carefully built and kept safe was going to end. How could she be so careless and stupid? She really was retarded, like her father so often told her. But in a few seconds, everything turned from bad to worse, Quinn’s yells sounding on the other side of the splintery door she hated so much.

[Quinn can hear the muffled sounds of someone crying on the opposite side of the door, and instant panic sets in.  Cricket's having an episode.  She can't negotiate why Cricket would live in such squalor--the apartment complex was dilapidated with questionable denizens within it's walls.  She decides then and there, Cricket wasn't ever going to come back to this hell hole ever again.  She reaches for the knob, expecting it to be locked, but she's surprised to see that it isn't and she rushes inside making a bee-line for her prone sister.  Quinn swallows her anger down as she gathers Cricket into her embrace, struggling to keep the girl's limbs from flailing.]

Text: So. You're in Paris with the wife, huh?

Text: …. I..thanks, Q. That means a lot. And wow, the Quinn Fabray blessing? She will be honored, I’m sure.

Text:  Mhm,  It's a really big deal, so don't squander it, S.

Text: So. You're in Paris with the wife, huh?

Text: We went last night just to see it, but we’ll go on the deck this afternoon. She really does, I don’t even know why she thinks I deserve all of this but I’m not complaining. And I treat her well too, as much as I can.

Text:  Stop yourself, S.  As much as you annoy me, and vice versa, you deserve to be treated like a princess.  I'm happy you've found someone who can see that and appreciate it.  You can tell her she has my blessing.

Text: So. You're in Paris with the wife, huh?

Text: Okay. It’s amazing. I mean, I guess that’s because we’re seeing the tourist spots so it’s all beautiful and gorgeous. With the way Thessaly insist on treating me like a princess? I might.

Text:  Did you go to the Eiffel Tower yet?  Call me a big tourist but the viewing deck is definitely my favorite part of Paris.  Oh God, she spoils the shit out of you, doesn't she?

Text: So. You're in Paris with the wife, huh?

Text: Sorry, I didn’t mean to remind you of that. But thanks.

Text: It's cool, S.  No worries.  So, how's Paris?  Are you at risk of picking up Parisian habits and coming back to the states snootier? ;p

Text: So. You're in Paris with the wife, huh?

Text:  Thessaly.  Your big bad ball and chain.  How is it over there?  Paris is…a sensitive subject for me, but hey, so long as you’re having a good time, I’m happy.  Maybe I’ll go back one of these days.

Good, half of the fun is in the suspense, after all.  Heh, that lip gloss one thing of many that I love about you, Cricket.

I do. I will see you for as long as you want me to.

It’s okay. It feels nice to be the one that makes you feel like that. Thank you, Quinn. For the patience, for the tolerance, for your presence… For everything you.

You see me, Cricket, just as I see you.

Yes. If you want to. When the… When the time is right and so on.

Hey, hey, one step at a time.  I'm sorry, Cricket, I got a little excited there...since you've decided to let me in.  I promise, we'll go at your pace.