contact ☣ ❝scorpions are pretty creepy.❞

[vaccination]

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i don't even know who you are

[vaccination]

[When Ellie had asked Steph to give them some space, Ellie didn't really think she'd be spending so much time without Joel. He wanted his space a lot, walking around the base like some sort of ghost. He went on missions. He came back. He went to the VR room. If he was here, he was quiet.

It hurt. Joel's method of coping was one that didn't mesh with Ellie's. She wanted to talk. She wanted to be distracted.

Ellie busied herself with Cesare and Lucrezia to fill the void, not wanting to bother Steph, though spending time with the siblings that seemed to love each other so much just left her feeling lonely.

The only thing that had her brimming with energy was this good news.]

What, that we're getting off this fucking rock? You bet!

[She's already packing her bags. It's amazing how much stuff she's accumulated here on the moon.]

thank

[controlledvariable]

[If nothing else, Ellie's excitement draws a laugh from Steph.]

And here was I hoping I'd get to see the look on your face when I told you.

[Maybe that would've softened the blow.]

[vaccination]

You're like ten minutes too late.

[Luckily, Joel thought ahead and made sure they had enough duffel bags for most of their stuff. Ellie's task is making it all fit.]

You getting your stuff?

[controlledvariable]

I knew I shouldn't have stopped for coffee.

[Joking around is easier than anything else.]

Think I've got a few things still floating around in here, yeah.

[vaccination]

[They had so little when they came up here. Now they have all this crap, and one less person. Weird how that works.]

I should have an extra bag if you need it? Somewhere around here.

[controlledvariable]

That'd be good, if you've got enough for yourself.

[It feels weird, seeing her old bed, neatly made and empty looking, when it was home for a while.

Ellie and Joel and Tess let her share their space when they didn't have to, and now she's leaving. She wants to put it off, but she can't.]

Ellie...

[She doesn't know how to say it.]

[vaccination]

[She's about to get the bag when she hears that tone. Ellie knows it never leads to anything good, so she stops mid-motion and turns to face Steph.]

Steph?

[controlledvariable]

[There's no good way to do this, so she just has to do it.]

I really appreciate you guys letting me stay with you, but I think when we get back down to Earth it might be time to give you some space. I don't wanna impose more than I already have, and I think I need a little bit of space for myself, too.

[Because it's not fair to make it just about Joel and Ellie, it's about Steph too.]

[vaccination]

[Oh.

Well, Ellie's not exactly sure what she expected their living situation to be like when they got back down to Earth, but this sort of sucks. Steph has valid points--space and more space--and Ellie finds she doesn't mind it just being her and Joel again, but something about it stings and makes it hard for her to find something to say for a few awkward moments.

She tries to shrug it off.]

That's cool. Joel's still not totally back to normal, so space is probably a good idea.

[controlledvariable]

[There's no way she can miss that awkward paues, so she tries for a sheepish smile.]

And I figured you guys don't really wanna deal with Saul.

[Meanwhile she's gotten too used to living with him to give that up.]