#warbyrds

PROMPTS FROM CYBERPUNK 2077 (PART 1)

" okay, " is a rebuttal poised like an outstretched hand. jessica's lolled into her corner of the couch, slung up across it & crunching her way through a handful of potato chips. she holds up an index finger. her brows are both knitted up together in a muddle of bemusement & outright defiance.

" it is not a compliment when you talk about me in that costume. "

a full minute passes, and still, no response. no words. no movement. simon barely even blinks to give her signs of life — instead, he stares, armored and suited for war in the doorway. he's dressed like he's about to go dark in a dangerous country, drop in on the enemy, infiltrate a high-security landmark... but this is a barely-open roadside motel, and they're alone. there are no enemies. there are no stakes. there is no mission —not yet — and he's lingering there, dressed like there is. he's dressed the only way he knows how, and acting the only way he feels comfortable. silence. unanswered questions.

stay for the night. it's a terrifying request — or is it an order? carol has made it clear for many months that she outranks him, technically, and simon's been far too lazy to confirm or deny that claim. if it's an order, and carol's demanding he stays, then... what? what comes of this? what does she win? what does he lose in the process?

he still hasn't answered her, but by the look on carol's face, she's accustomed to that. if she hasn't rolled her eyes by now, simon knows she's serious. it's not an order (she'd never), but it's... an ask. the pleading kind. it tells the guarded figure at her motel room door everything he needs to know, and nothing he wants to find out.

wordlessly, the soldier steps inside. seconds pass before he turns, uses his boot to toe the door shut behind him, and suddenly the noise of forest rain outside is muffled, and the stare between simon and carol continues in... well, more silence. if she's affected by his approach, she doesn't say so, or give simon any context clues to let him know she's uncomfortable. that means she's not. she's happy. she just got what she wanted, and simon gets... what? a sleep on the pullout nearby? he'll need clarification.

PLEASED PURR, : NOT HERS, MIND YOU! green hues reflect that signature smugness, laced with amusement ; as her gaze follows how chewie approaches the three black cats, the youngest of the five! ... arms fold over her chest, &. the feline fatale's figure leans against the wall. ❝ ooh, bold one, ❞ she almost whistles, but results to a hum that vibrates lips dressed in noir! NO HISSES HEARD, a good sign ... rare one at that, as felicia's cat's tended to be felicia herself. ( take that as you will. ) ... lupin, the youngest one approaches, tilting his head ever so slightly as it dares to step closer. mother's kitten. ❝ i am starting to think this was a good idea. ❞ &. THAT SMIRK CURVES HER LIPS STILL, though this time attention of the thief focuses on @warbyrds before her.

the   bar   is   practically   empty   save   for   some   people   at   the   pool   table   &   the   bartender   ,   &   honestly   this   is   exactly   how   gillian   likes   it.   she   loves   chatting   with   people   &   making   new   friends   whenever   she   has   an   opportunity   ,   but   sometimes   she   wants   to   just   wants   to   enjoy   a   nice   cold   beer   without   having   to   entertain   people   ━━   just   sit   with   a   close   friend   &   listen   to   the   sound   of   honky   tonk   country   music   &   a   somewhat loud pool   game   just   a   few   steps   away.   nights   like   this   allow   her   &   carol   some   much   needed   girl   time   ,   especially   when   their   own   lives   tend   to   be   so   crazy & jam packed.   this   paired   with   the   truth   that   alcohol   often   brings   out   of   them   allows   from   some   pretty   deep   conversations   ,   though   when   the   blonde   brings   up   the   topic   of   love   ,   she   feels   a   little   hesitant   to   respond.   love   .   .   .   oh   ,   how   gillian   has   dreamed   of   love   almost   all   of   her   life.   she's   wanted   to   fall   in   love   from   the   moment   she   knew   of   the   word   ,   but   the   curse   of   her   family   would   not   allow   her   or   any   of   the   owen   women   a   chance   for   a   happy   ending.   it's   why   she   finds   herself   talking   to   intimidating   men   ,   hopeful   that   one   of   them   can   withstand   the   curse   &   survive.   the   problem   with   that   is   that   most   of   those   men   gillian   can   barely   stand   ,   so   she   ends   up   bored   &   running   off   to   the   next   target , hopeful she can find someone she can somewhat stand to be with.   a   terrible   habit   ,   she   knows   ,   but   she   can't   really   help   herself.   but   she   hasn't   run   away   from   carol   ,   &   how   could   she   ever   consider   doing   so   ?   she's   perfect   .   .   .   everything   gillian   wishes   she   could   be.

❝  oh   carebear   ,   i've   had   so   many   people   confess   their   love   to   me   ,   it's   almost   sad   at   this   point.   ❞   she   doesn't   say   it   to   flex   ━━   it's   the   honest   truth.   so   many   boys   have   flocked   to   her   even   when   they   barely   knew   her   name.   she   has   lost   count   on   how   many   flowers   &   gifts   she's   been   showered   with   from   perspective   suitors   ,   but   it   was   all   meaningless   in   the   end.   sure   ,   the   thrill   of   being   noticed   ,   of   being   adored   ,   is   nice   for   a   time   ,   but   there's   no   meaning   behind   it   if   she   herself   doesn't   feel   the   same.   ❝   i   guess   ,   if   someone   said   they   loved   me   &   i   loved   them   back   ?   ❞   gillian   sighs   ,   taking   a   moment   to   ponder.   now   that's   something   she   hasn't   experience   yet   ,   though   she   definitely   longs   for   the   opportunity.   meeting   carol's   gaze   ,   she   softens   a   touch   ,   noticing   her   body   language   &   how   closely   they   sit   together.   it's   friendly   ,   maybe   even   intimate   ,   but   it   shouldn't   be   a   big   deal.   even   so   ,   gillian's   cheeks   slowly   begin   to   match   her   red   hair   ,   but   she   waves   it   off   as   heat   from   the   alcohol.   surely   it's   nothing.   or   at   least   ,   nothing   to   worry   about   right   now.   ❝   i   .   .   .   i   think   i'd   be   ecstatic.   i'd   probably   jump   in   their   arms   &   kiss   them.   a   real   romantic   moment.   i'd   tell   them   i'd   feel   the   same   &   we'd   just   .   .   .   hold   one   another   &   not   let   go.   ❞   she   sighs.   love   like   that   is   hard   to   come   by   ,   especially   from   the   men   she   usually   attracts.   ❝   odd   question   coming   from   you   ,   carebear.   you   don't   seem   like   a   hopeless   romantic   to   me.   ❞   she   smiles.   ❝   but   i   do   love   learning   new   things   about   you.   it's   like   a   little   treat   for   me   ━━   shows   how   much   you   trust   me.   ❞