AUDIO; network

[abundantlove]

[Molly is sitting in her room. She knows her aunt is asleep right now in her room, so now is a good enough time for it. She's also factoring in the advice Lily and Winter gave her: Don't reveal too much about yourself. The Network was apparently dangerous right now, so she had to feel this out yet.

Still... she knew she had to take this first step. Taking a deep breath, she flipped open her phone, and keyed in the numbers...]

Ah...! Hello, everyone! My name is Molly! [following Lily's advice, she forgoes her full name.] I guess you could say I'm a new face! I've been wondering about how to introduce myself, so... here I am!

I-I want to get to know other Numbered, and... maybe get some idea of what everything's like and what I have to expect! I know being a Numbered is really tough, but... I've seen and heard about all the amazing things you've done! I think you're all amazing!

Comments

Audio

[switch_over]

I think it's safe to say you can expect one headache after another.

audio

[abundantlove]

Heh... well. I've struggled with some things already...

But more importantly! Hello! What's your name?

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[switch_over]

I'm just saying you shouldn't expect it to stop any time soon.

[There's an awkward pause. ...She's kind of surprised the girl isn't completely ready to bail out of the conversation already.]

Alexandra. You've probably never heard of me.

audio

[abundantlove]

Well, I haven't heard of anybody before now! It's... nice to meet you, Alexandra!

audio

[switch_over]

Right... nice to meet you too, I guess.

[She hardly sounds honest. In fact, there might be a bit of confusion mixed in with her usual sarcasm.]

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[abundantlove]

[Even someone who isn't as worldly as Molly picks up on that. She blinks, nervously.]

Uhm... did I say something wrong?

Audio

[switch_over]

...

Not exactly. You're just a bit annoying.

I don't do well with cheery.

audio

[abundantlove]

A-Annoying...?

[Molly... sounds very disappointed. That's the last thing she wants to be!]

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[switch_over]

[Alexandra is just glad this isn't video, she'd doesn't have to hide her smile at that tone.]

Annoying. You can stop any time now.

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[abundantlove]

I-I'm sorry... I don't... I mean, I don't want to be...!

[And... Molly just keeps tripping over her words.]

audio

[switch_over]

[There's a sigh.]

Seriously? You're just making it worse now.

Try taking a second to breath before you open your mouth.

Re: audio

[abundantlove]

[By now... she's seen what Lily has said to Alexandra, and for now, a bit of assertiveness finds itself in Molly.]

I won't... I don't want you to talk to me that way...

audio

[switch_over]

[Seriously, Now the pushover is getting uppity?

Ugh. Today is going to end with a headache, she knows it.]

...That's a start. Less bubbly and to the point.

audio

[abundantlove]

I-I don't care if you don't like the way I am. [Not true, but she's going to stand by it.] Treat me with more... more respect.

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[switch_over]

[Alexandra pauses to consider those words for a moment. She hadn't been expecting that kind of a response.]

...It's kind of cheap to throw my own words back at me like that.

[It's also hard to say anything against it without starting to sound like Lily.]

Okay, so I might have been a little quick to judge you.

audio

[abundantlove]

... You don't know me at all.

I would like to get to know everyone if they'll be decent to me. But if you won't... Then it's not my fault. All I tried to do was was be nice.

If you don't like that, then... [Some brief sniffling can be heard.] That's not my problem.

audio

[switch_over]

You're right, I don't. Up until a few seconds ago I was pretty sure I had you pegged as a complete pushover.

Now you're talking tough and standing up for yourself. I'm not sure what to think.

audio

[alilyinthemoonslight]

And you're just as well to leave that at the door, yourself.

audio

[switch_over]

[...That was unexpected. Alexandra wishes this was video so she could glare at this person herself.]

What?

No one asked for your opinion.

audio

[alilyinthemoonslight]

You realize the same goes in turn, right? Nor did anyone for yours.

You responded to her.

Re: audio

[switch_over]

Sorry, but that's not what happened.

She asked if something was wrong, I answered

audio

[alilyinthemoonslight]

And you used it to be a bitch. Yes, I saw.

audio

[switch_over]

I was being honest.

I'd say I'm sorry if I hurt any fragile feelings, but I'm not.

audio

[alilyinthemoonslight]

No, you were being a bitch. [Emphasis, this time.] From the start, even. There is quite a difference - though if you want honesty, you've got it.

If you want to spread petty childish cruelty, do it on the schoolyard like any self respecting bully and get back to me when you grow up, little girl.

[Does Molly seem to strike some sort of rarely seen nerve in Lily? Why, yes. Yes, she does.]

audio

[switch_over]

Oooooh. Harsh words, You can't see it right now but trust me, I'm shaking.

[She isn't.]

You're the one who decided to go head first into someone else's conversation, not me. I'm not about to apologize because you got a little upset over my opinion.