[There's a moment after she looks through the peephole of her door where Rose honestly debates just pretending she's not even home. It's weird enough to get a visit from her sisters at her apartment like this, but on top of that, she still doesn't want Clover to know about the flower in her eye. Her little sister doesn't need to spend the time and energy fussing and worrying over her (which she's sure she will), and she doesn't want to have to deal with that either.
But on the other hand, she'll have to deal with it at some point. Sooner better than later is the logical answer. That doesn't stop her from talking through her door for now though, oops.]
What are you guys doing here? [Horrifying flowers aside though, just. Why.]
[ Yeah, Clover will definitely fuss and worry. She already has, so what's a little more? Or a lot more because Rose isn't even answering the door, and that's a little hurtful, not to mention rude. ]
Why won't you open the door?
[ Answering a question with a question isn't proper, but at the core, this isn't the most proper family. ]
[She could wisely take Clover away from the apartments now, but all three of them are ox levels of stubborn. She takes clover by the upper arm and talks to the door.]
We're on assignment. Holiday caroling. Clover wanted to see you.
[Jasmine doesn't speak without purpose. She knows what Clover's a better motivation than she would ever be; Rose is at least twice as likely to open the door for her, regardless of horrific eye mutations.]
I told her you haven't been feeling well, but I'm sure you heard what she had to say about that.
[Rose knows exactly what Jasmine's doing here, and she'd like nothing more than to tell her to fuck off with it. It's not like this would be the first time Clover would see them in a fight, after all. It definitely wouldn't be the last either.
Instead, she sighs, opening the door but staying behind it for the moment. There wouldn't be any point in starting a fight over something that's inevitable.]
Just come in first. And try not to shout. [Since, well. Once they're all inside, the flower in her eye is pretty hard to miss.]
[ Clover brightens up in the way she only does around her sisters and walks right in. Any small acceptances and signs of affection from her older sisters are the bread and butter of her life. ]
Why would I—
[ "Shout" dies on her lips, and her mouth hangs open. Outside of reading about things on Retrospec, this is her first real moment of seeing a physical change. ]
Rose. [ Her concern is palpable. ] How? Does it hurt?
[Jasmine stays back by the door. Though she closes it behind her, she leans against the frame with her arms crossed over her chest. Inside, she feels awkward, but externally it comes across as abrasiveness.
She suspects that it still does hurt--unlike some of the other changes she's heart about happening, Rose's was painful at the moment it manifested. But for Clover's sake, she won't call that out. She stays mostly quiet but can't resist one single piece of advice.]
Things like this happen to people who get caught up in all of this. But there are some doctors who use the app, you know.
I'm fine, it doesn't hurt. [Not really, but she doesn't plan on telling Clover or anyone that. Her eye—eye socket, whatever—constantly feels sore. She thinks she's gotten used to it though. That, or pain killers are a miracle of a drug. It doesn't really matter to her.] As for how, I don't really have an answer. It was just there one day, that's it.
[That's also far from the truth. Again though, is there really any point in worrying Clover any more than necessary? No, there isn't. She looks over at Jasmine though, wondering why she even came when she had to know this would be inevitable. The door's right there if she really doesn't want to be here.]
As if we didn't have enough reasons to distrust Retrospec...
[ A flower in place of the eye is somehow another one. Biologically, it doesn't make any sense. Even cosmetically, it makes no sense to Clover. She doesn't see how it wouldn't hurt, or how it wouldn't be hard to adjust to. There's nothing fine about it, but she knows what Rose is like and that she doesn't her to be too worried.
It's too bad she's extremely worried. ]
Even if you are fine... It wouldn't hurt to get it looked at by a professional. Have you thought about contacting a doctor?
[ Honestly, she thinks Jasmine should see an optometrist about the red eyes, too, but how many battles can she fight today? ]
[Rose might not take any of Jasmine's advice to heart, but she might at least listen to Clover. Always earnest, always outspoken about her feelings, Clover's expressiveness is part blessing, part curse.
She felt like a freak once the original panic over her red eyes wore off; Jasmine can only imagine that Rose's perception of herself is practically a walking sideshow.]
Why don't you two just worry about yourselves for a change?
[She folds her arms, sighing. Objectively, she knows the concern comes from a place of love, but it feels suffocating all the same. Having to talk about this one-on-one is irritating enough, and this is even worse. She can take care of herself, flower or not, always has and always will. She doesn't need her little sisters worrying over her, no matter that she hasn't been the caretaker they look up to for years now.
Well, not that any of that applies to Jasmine, probably. Right now, she thinks she she's only here for Clover's sake.]
Yes. That would make me very happy. I don't... It'd be terrible if complications happened later, so if there could be some possible prognosis... I'd like to be as prepared as possible.
[ It's a conscious thought that keeps Clover from wringing her hands. A flower instead of an eye.... Flowers have to take nourishment somehow. What is it taking from Rose? ]
Sisters worry about each other. We're sisters. We're all sisters.
[ Please. She just wants them to be sisters. She knows they haven't gotten along for years, but she wishes... She still wishes they could be like how they were in the past. ]
That's a strange way of being one, turning you away all the time.
[She can't stop it this time, even knowing how scared and wounded Rose had seemed when she called her over to the apartment, how hesitant Rose has always been to accept help from others who've only let her down.
Jasmine's thought about the same implications: the flower, its blooming, how it manages to stay preserved like that. And, already, she's wondering what it means about the world Rose - or she and Rose - or all three of them - draw their memories from.]
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. People will keep leaving you alone if you keep shutting them out.
[It feels like a slap in the face. Suddenly she wishes she never called Jasmine about it at all.
She doesn't want to shout. She doesn't want to upset Clover. But she is so, so tired of putting up with this. Always having to be the bad guy. Maybe Jasmine's right, maybe this is even deserved, but if there's a time and place for it, it's not right now, not here, not when they're dressed for caroling and she has a flower growing out of her eye.
She's sick of it. So much for not fighting in front of Clover.]
Because berating me all the fucking time's a better way to be one, right? Is that all you're here to do? I'm pretty sure we already established that I'm the worst sister ages ago, but if that's what caroling is these days, fine, keep going, carol to your heart's fucking content!
[ Clover's fingernails dig into her palms. She can't control her sisters. She doesn't want to, but she wants them to be a family, not constantly attack each other all the time. Was she that foolish to think they could have a day of peace during the holiday season? Was she too naive? No, no, that can't be. That shouldn't be right.
They can make it right because they're a family. When no one else wanted them, they banded together. When no one else would love them, they found each other. Their bond couldn't break. It can't. It can't. ]
Why can't you just try to understand each other? Rose, you're not the worst sister, and Jasmine didn't come here to berate you! Jasmine, she doesn't push us away all the time. Don't you know if you persist like this, all you'll do is continue to make it worse?
[Which does she hate more: their younger sisters having to see them fighting or their younger sisters being taken advantage of, by Rose's mistakes or by being used as pieces in their arguments? It's hard to say.
Years of managing her temper have made it easier to dampen it with an icy, withdraw personality, but nothing strikes that flame up again harder than these arguments. If Clover doesn't want to fight, then she can just stay the hell out of it, can't she?
She's clearly, visibly close to bursting, her face pinker than normal and her whole body coiled into itself. She used to cry when she got this angry; thank god she isn't that person anymore.]
I don't know if we're ever going to understand each other. But Clover's right: I didn't come here to berate you. I just didn't want to tell her what happened to you because I didn't think it was my business to do that.
[It would be so easy to make Jasmine snap. The wrong word, the wrong tone, and maybe she wouldn't cry like she used to, but she'd definitely shout. No matter how Jasmine might try to keep herself together with a cool demeanor, when it comes down to it, Rose knows she's no better than her when it comes to her temper.
Instead, she breathes slowly through her nose, counts to ten in her head. She's not a kid anymore. She wouldn't piss someone off just to have the satisfaction of knowing she can, least of all her sister. And she's too old to still be upsetting Clover like this, isn't she?]
Fine. [It's bitten out without her meaning to. She closes her eye and takes another deep breath.] I won't fight anymore.
[ It's pure relief that washes over Clover when Rose backs down. It's not like she doesn't know they fight or that she hasn't witnessed anything similar before, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt every single time. ]
Thank you.
[ She means that from the bottom of her heart. ]
... We came here to do one thing, but I don't think we can do that anymore.
No, probably not. [She knew this would happen. She knew it, she knew it, she always knows it.
There'd be absolutely no joy in her gloating over it, though, and even though Jasmine could have prevented this by telling her sister everything, it really wasn't her place to say anything about Rose's eye.]
This has already been a difficult holiday. For everyone.
[It feels like being defeated; on the other hand, she can't wait to get away after that argument. It feels like the coward's way out, but Clover's already had enough disappointment in her lifetime. She holds the door open for her littler sister on the way out.]
... Rose. We're baking together later. If you want to come over, let me know.
[She's almost certain she'll say no, but maybe by the time the whole family's supposed to get together for the holiday, things will be different.]
[And she's almost positive she won't, but she won't shut it down at least. Mostly for Clover's sake, and who knows? Things could change by then, even if they never do.]
Good night, and take care. [With that, she closes the door with a gentle click.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hi kaye you're up
I won't stop you, but she might have asked you not to come for a reason. It's... [Bad. Horrifying. Illogical. Painful.] It will surprise you.
SLAMS INTO THIS FINALLY sorry for the wait!!
But on the other hand, she'll have to deal with it at some point. Sooner better than later is the logical answer. That doesn't stop her from talking through her door for now though, oops.]
What are you guys doing here? [Horrifying flowers aside though, just. Why.]
no worries!
Why won't you open the door?
[ Answering a question with a question isn't proper, but at the core, this isn't the most proper family. ]
no subject
We're on assignment. Holiday caroling. Clover wanted to see you.
[Jasmine doesn't speak without purpose. She knows what Clover's a better motivation than she would ever be; Rose is at least twice as likely to open the door for her, regardless of horrific eye mutations.]
I told her you haven't been feeling well, but I'm sure you heard what she had to say about that.
i am so sorry cries
Instead, she sighs, opening the door but staying behind it for the moment. There wouldn't be any point in starting a fight over something that's inevitable.]
Just come in first. And try not to shout. [Since, well. Once they're all inside, the flower in her eye is pretty hard to miss.]
no subject
Why would I—
[ "Shout" dies on her lips, and her mouth hangs open. Outside of reading about things on Retrospec, this is her first real moment of seeing a physical change. ]
Rose. [ Her concern is palpable. ] How? Does it hurt?
no subject
She suspects that it still does hurt--unlike some of the other changes she's heart about happening, Rose's was painful at the moment it manifested. But for Clover's sake, she won't call that out. She stays mostly quiet but can't resist one single piece of advice.]
Things like this happen to people who get caught up in all of this. But there are some doctors who use the app, you know.
no subject
[That's also far from the truth. Again though, is there really any point in worrying Clover any more than necessary? No, there isn't. She looks over at Jasmine though, wondering why she even came when she had to know this would be inevitable. The door's right there if she really doesn't want to be here.]
I knew that already.
no subject
[ A flower in place of the eye is somehow another one. Biologically, it doesn't make any sense. Even cosmetically, it makes no sense to Clover. She doesn't see how it wouldn't hurt, or how it wouldn't be hard to adjust to. There's nothing fine about it, but she knows what Rose is like and that she doesn't her to be too worried.
It's too bad she's extremely worried. ]
Even if you are fine... It wouldn't hurt to get it looked at by a professional. Have you thought about contacting a doctor?
[ Honestly, she thinks Jasmine should see an optometrist about the red eyes, too, but how many battles can she fight today? ]
no subject
She felt like a freak once the original panic over her red eyes wore off; Jasmine can only imagine that Rose's perception of herself is practically a walking sideshow.]
It might put your sister's mind at ease.
no subject
[She folds her arms, sighing. Objectively, she knows the concern comes from a place of love, but it feels suffocating all the same. Having to talk about this one-on-one is irritating enough, and this is even worse. She can take care of herself, flower or not, always has and always will. She doesn't need her little sisters worrying over her, no matter that she hasn't been the caretaker they look up to for years now.
Well, not that any of that applies to Jasmine, probably. Right now, she thinks she she's only here for Clover's sake.]
But I'll try looking into it. There, happy?
no subject
[ It's a conscious thought that keeps Clover from wringing her hands. A flower instead of an eye.... Flowers have to take nourishment somehow. What is it taking from Rose? ]
Sisters worry about each other. We're sisters. We're all sisters.
[ Please. She just wants them to be sisters. She knows they haven't gotten along for years, but she wishes... She still wishes they could be like how they were in the past. ]
no subject
[She can't stop it this time, even knowing how scared and wounded Rose had seemed when she called her over to the apartment, how hesitant Rose has always been to accept help from others who've only let her down.
Jasmine's thought about the same implications: the flower, its blooming, how it manages to stay preserved like that. And, already, she's wondering what it means about the world Rose - or she and Rose - or all three of them - draw their memories from.]
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. People will keep leaving you alone if you keep shutting them out.
no subject
She doesn't want to shout. She doesn't want to upset Clover. But she is so, so tired of putting up with this. Always having to be the bad guy. Maybe Jasmine's right, maybe this is even deserved, but if there's a time and place for it, it's not right now, not here, not when they're dressed for caroling and she has a flower growing out of her eye.
She's sick of it. So much for not fighting in front of Clover.]
Because berating me all the fucking time's a better way to be one, right? Is that all you're here to do? I'm pretty sure we already established that I'm the worst sister ages ago, but if that's what caroling is these days, fine, keep going, carol to your heart's fucking content!
no subject
[ Clover's fingernails dig into her palms. She can't control her sisters. She doesn't want to, but she wants them to be a family, not constantly attack each other all the time. Was she that foolish to think they could have a day of peace during the holiday season? Was she too naive? No, no, that can't be. That shouldn't be right.
They can make it right because they're a family. When no one else wanted them, they banded together. When no one else would love them, they found each other. Their bond couldn't break. It can't. It can't. ]
Why can't you just try to understand each other? Rose, you're not the worst sister, and Jasmine didn't come here to berate you! Jasmine, she doesn't push us away all the time. Don't you know if you persist like this, all you'll do is continue to make it worse?
Stop it!
no subject
[Which does she hate more: their younger sisters having to see them fighting or their younger sisters being taken advantage of, by Rose's mistakes or by being used as pieces in their arguments? It's hard to say.
Years of managing her temper have made it easier to dampen it with an icy, withdraw personality, but nothing strikes that flame up again harder than these arguments. If Clover doesn't want to fight, then she can just stay the hell out of it, can't she?
She's clearly, visibly close to bursting, her face pinker than normal and her whole body coiled into itself. She used to cry when she got this angry; thank god she isn't that person anymore.]
I don't know if we're ever going to understand each other. But Clover's right: I didn't come here to berate you. I just didn't want to tell her what happened to you because I didn't think it was my business to do that.
no subject
Instead, she breathes slowly through her nose, counts to ten in her head. She's not a kid anymore. She wouldn't piss someone off just to have the satisfaction of knowing she can, least of all her sister. And she's too old to still be upsetting Clover like this, isn't she?]
Fine. [It's bitten out without her meaning to. She closes her eye and takes another deep breath.] I won't fight anymore.
[Not today at least.]
no subject
Thank you.
[ She means that from the bottom of her heart. ]
... We came here to do one thing, but I don't think we can do that anymore.
no subject
There'd be absolutely no joy in her gloating over it, though, and even though Jasmine could have prevented this by telling her sister everything, it really wasn't her place to say anything about Rose's eye.]
This has already been a difficult holiday. For everyone.
no subject
[She sighs, running her hand through her hair. It's not like she didn't see this coming, but. But still.]
You two should probably just go home.
no subject
She closes her eyes and turns her back on them, trying to shut away how hurt she feel. She's failing. ]
All right. Please take care of yourself, Rose.
[ That's the tone of someone who's given up for the day. ]
no subject
... Rose. We're baking together later. If you want to come over, let me know.
[She's almost certain she'll say no, but maybe by the time the whole family's supposed to get together for the holiday, things will be different.]
no subject
[And she's almost positive she won't, but she won't shut it down at least. Mostly for Clover's sake, and who knows? Things could change by then, even if they never do.]
Good night, and take care. [With that, she closes the door with a gentle click.]