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[oceantier]

[There's a blue lady on the comm's screen, not looking like she completely trusts it -- or that she quite likes being so visible. She has something to ask, though (as much as it feels like an exploitable vulnerability to ask) so she stays. And it's fair that others should see who's talking.]

Hello.

[. . . Knowing how to start is harder than anticipated, and considering the last time she was on the comm was to apologize, it feels even more awkward. She swears she can feel eyes looking at her. Unconsciously, her arms tuck into a cross.]

I heard there are "missions" every month. Where we're supposed to infiltrate, or something attacks.

. . . This time there was water in the city. In the pipes. And the sewers. But people say it's not always a city. Locations are different every time.

I need to be able to access some when it isn't there naturally.

I need . . . help.

[Silence for a moment. That was extremely uncomfortable to say, and the next question isn't much better for her.]

Also . . . I'd like to know what people do to find their own space. Where they can sometimes be alone. When . . . they need to.

. . . Thank you.

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[oceantier]

[Guilt pricks through Lapis' insides. This girl tries so often to help . . . which means that Lapis has so often seemed as though she needs it.]

[That's not a pleasant thought. And she's not sure what to do with it.]

It . . . would be good if that's the only option. But it isn't a lot of water.

[She's been in that situation before -- where there isn't enough water to destroy what she needs to destroy, not enough water to save--]

[She shakes the thought away.]

And . . . it would be nice if I could make a place that's just my own.

[Where she doesn't have to worry about being seen. But that's not something she says aloud.]

[goingthroughaphase]

Yeah, bottles don't really hold a lot of water. [ And carrying multiple bottles is just a hassle. ] I don't really know what would be good for holding a lot of water, though.

And I'm not sure if there's much space to set up for individual people, as much as it would be nice. [ It's tough to find place on the train that could be completely cleared out. ] Are there any places on the train you're most comfortable with?

[oceantier]

Someone earlier offered a "ghost pouch."

[Please don't ask her what that is; she's not sure she could explain it. Something about it being a memory in a room that once contained a pouch . . . or something?]

[. . . She's sticking with the practicalities of what it's supposed to do.]

They said it could hold a lot and still seem like a bag that wouldn't be any heavier. It . . . seems like it could work.

[Her eyes slip sideways at the rest.] . . . The spa. I've worked in one. And there's water.

But sometimes people want to use the water too.

[And they generally don't want her floating in the pool with them any more than she wants the sudden intrusion. Creepy all around.]

[goingthroughaphase]

A ghost pouch? [ She's never heard of such a thing, but she won't question it. ] Well, hopefully that'll be able to help. How would you get one?

Yeah, that's true. But maybe we could see if people would be okay with leaving the car for a time, so that you could be alone and use it? Maybe set up a schedule so that there'll be a period of time where the car is empty so you can have some time for yourself?

[oceantier]

He said that he already had one and would let me borrow it . . . I said I would meet him in a few minutes.

[A pause at the next words, startled.] I don't . . . think anyone would do that. Just for me.

[Just for one person's comfort. It seems an astronomical thing to ask.]

[goingthroughaphase]

I mean, it couldn't hurt to ask, right? The worst thing is that people will say no, but at least we could give it a try.