AWWWWW YIS

[claudiometer]

When Claudia comes in and sees the bar, she grins. Cubefall's possibly her favorite Milliways thing, even though she hasn't had anything she felt the need to stick in the furnace since the first one.

She takes a moment to look at her options, snorts at the hedgehog, eyes the robot, and is on the point of dismissing the window - when something startles her, and she hits the wrong button. Oops.



"...whoa."

(OOC: Cubefall!Claudia does not look like Inara.)

Comments

[balancingminds]

Charles watches her change, he waves away his pad, "Who are you meant to be?"

[claudiometer]

If Charles happens to notice, there's a lot more going on in Claudia's head than usual.




"...I think the Warehouse," she finally says. "This is weird."

[balancingminds]

He does and its fascinating, he rests his hand on his forehead to listen better, "And amazing."

[claudiometer]

"And weird! I wasn't expecting this at - Pete, the hell did you do this time?"

How did she know that? Oh well, Myka's there, she can fix it. (How did she know that?)

...This is gonna be a long three days. At least she's not stuck as a static ball.

[balancingminds]

Charles smiles, "Would you like some help making sense of it all? Though I think you're going to be just fine."

[claudiometer]

"I'll get there, I think. It's just... a lot to take in. Like, a lot a lot."

Every Artifact in the building, who's in there, what they're doing (so that's where Leena keeps disappearing to), whether they're whammied... seriously. A lot of information.

[balancingminds]

"I know, its how I am with thoughts. Start by focusing on one layer at a time, Artifacts or people, figure out what you want to hear then filter out the excess. I can show you how my shields work but don't want to add more to your mind."

[claudiometer]

"I'm trying to."

Okay, so Pete. He's whammied. Myka seems to have noticed, as she's heading for a goo hose. Leena's... oh.

Leena's sorting shit. That makes so much sense (thanks for mentioning it, Artie).

[balancingminds]

"How can I help?" He offers her his hand, perhaps she can use him as anchor.

[claudiometer]

Claudia takes a deep breath. "I... don't know. And I don't think this would be any easier if it'd been deliberate considering there was no label on the picture."

She does take Charles' hand, though. "I think she'd like you. We may have to get you in the door one of these days."

[balancingminds]

"I'd like that. Can you see any of how my mind's organized through everything else in there?"

Perhaps that will help her get an idea of how to control all that she's experiencing.

[claudiometer]

"...honestly, I hadn't tried to look yet. Give me a sec."

It's getting a little easier to tune out the bulk of the information, at least. (Is this what it's like inside Mrs. F's head?)

[balancingminds]

"Take all the time you need and feel free to use me and my mind however you need to,"

This is something he knows how to teach.

[claudiometer]

"Thanks."

When Claudia does focus on the information Charles is giving her, she says, "So... kind of layers?"

[balancingminds]

"Yes, background which you can focus on if you need to then more focused closer to you or on what you find important. I listen more to those I'm talking to and less to those people farther away from me."

[claudiometer]

Okay.

Okay. Background: Artifacts. The vast majority of them are sitting on a shelf doing nothing, and the few that aren't are nowhere she can do anything about right now (but there is something troubling building in Pittsburgh - no, Claudia, worry about that when you're home).

Next layer: People. Well, people other than Joshua. Joshua always gets a layer to himself. That's just how it is.

And that leaves what's going on around her now for the important stuff. That works.

"...okay. I think that worked."

[balancingminds]

"Good, it helps that at the moment, your mind is able to handle all of this,"

Something about how the Warehouse works makes it easier.

[claudiometer]

"Thank God for that. I think my head would've exploded otherwise."

Well, if the mind she's currently grappling with is 2000 years old, then of course it's adapted to handle this much input.

[balancingminds]

"It wouldn't have done that, minds are far stronger than most people realize. Would you like to go outside? The world will be a little quieter there,"

Not much but enough that she can spend more time on what she hears.

[claudiometer]

"Dude, most of the input I'm getting right now has nothing to do with the world in front of me. And I don't know if I can go home like this without causing some serious metaphysical problems." Would that technically be two of the Warehouse in the same place? Would she end up linked to Mrs. F somehow (no thank you - oh, is that where she disappears to)?

"Besides, the outdoors and I aren't really the greatest of friends. I think I'll do better in here."

[balancingminds]

He raises an eyebrow at her,

"Fine, but don't blame me if you feel overwhelmed. My guess is that your door isn't there, Bar is wise about such issues."

[claudiometer]

Claudia sighs. "I'm not blaming you, and I'm sorry I snapped. But I really am not going to process this better outside."

She hasn't even bothered checking for a door, that's how distracted she's been. She doesn't now, either. If it's gone, it's gone, and for once she can deal with that. It'll only be three days, after all.

[balancingminds]

"I know. I'm sorry, that's what works for me which is why I suggested it,"

Its been a long week and he leans against the counter.

[claudiometer]

"It's fine. You're stressed. You need the break as much as anyone else right now, I bet."

At least Cubefall's good for that much.

[balancingminds]

"I probably do, yes, but I've yet to find the options appealing. I could look again this year,"

It would be nice to set some of what's around him aside.

[claudiometer]

"Just try not to get startled into accidentally picking something - but if you do, it is only three days. And I bet you'd still be able to communicate no matter what."

[balancingminds]

"No, I'd prefer not to do that, one of my options once was not being a mutant,"

That rather put him off Cubefall.

[claudiometer]

Claudia shrugs. "It's not the only one, and you don't have to pick it. I've never deliberately picked one before, but I do like seeing the options."

Original-flavor Marvin the one time was amusing.

[balancingminds]

"I know, maybe later. Other than the unexpected change, how are you doing?"

He's curious but its not pressing.

[claudiometer]

"Not too bad. It's been pretty quiet at home."

[balancingminds]

"I'm glad to hear it. There should be more quiet everywhere."

[claudiometer]

"This too shall pass. The alarm's out, and either he'll do something stupid here or everyone will ignore him."

It's not that hard to guess why Charles has had a long week, especially considering Claudia dropped him a note about it.

[balancingminds]

"Yes and Cubefall has lightened everyone's mood."

[claudiometer]

Claudia grins. "Of course it has! Cubefall's good for that."

[balancingminds]

"It is. I'm grateful for it,"

There is a certain appeal in the freedom Cubefall offers.