Chapter Text
Iris sighs for the fourth time, much to Pizza guy’s disgust.
“For TELEMON’S SAKE, could you POSSIBLY go ANYWHERE else??”
He grumbles, crossing his arms.
“Ah- Sorry Pizza Guy! just got a bit..#Distracted.”
Iris mumbles, scratching the back of her neck
“But um…yeah! sure.”
And so she leaves.
‘Yeah iris. great idea to wander around. with no target. Smart thinking!!’
Iris sighs, trying to knock some sense into her skull as she mindlessly wanders the forest near the main cabin.
‘You used to be so self assured iris. what happened? did you finally notice how annoying you are??’
Iris just lets out another growl, rubbing her eyes.
..As she wanders she also wonders (she always had a liking for alliteration..) what the others think of her.
Well. luckily she has that catalogued.
Jane doesn't seem to hate her..! but it won't take long until Iris interrogates her away.
Elliot refuses any questions about his past, a similar story between 007n7, shedletsky, builderman…basically everyone.
Noob and chance avoid her like the plague because of her ongoing questions.
The other NSC’s are boringly pleasant besides Pizza Guy, who seems annoyed by her existence.
..she ignores the tears forming in her eyes as she checks her watch..WHA- 9:00?!
she sprints back to the cabin, panting and coughing as she opens the door.
‘Great. just great.’
“Pizza Guy..isn't that #MySpot??”
She asks
“Your spot? Snooze you lose. The new guy stole Brandon's and the stealing continued until someone took my spot and yours was next in line. Beat it.”
He growls
Iris just sighs. She doesn't blame Pizza Guy for his annoyance and rage. After all, sleep was a valuable commodity here.
She glances around the cabin…and sure enough, all comfortable surfaces were taken by one person or another.
“Well where do I #Sleep?”
Iris asks
“I dunno. ask a survivor to sleep in their cabin. work something out. not my responsibility.”
Pizza Guy growls
For the millionth time today, iris sighs.
She walks out of the main cabin, glancing around.
The cabins were strictly divided by the Spectre into groups of two to three residents.
Luckily she has that mentally noted as well.
Cabin 1 was small and owned by Veeronica and Noob,
Cabin 2 was a similar size to the rest, with Chance and Two Time as it's residents,
Cabin 3 was Guest 1337 and taph, an unlikely but decent rooming situation,
Cabin 4 was the admins, Shedletsky, Builderman, and Dusekkar.
The final cabin is different, having two separate rooms separated by a hallway, with 2 rooms belonging to Elliot and 007n7 respectively.
And as iris learned today, Jane has her own basement Bunker.
While survivors get specified cabins sanctioned and decided by the Spectre, NSCs aren't as lucky, simply choosing and deciding among themselves where to sleep.
Elliot and 007n7 are known for letting NSCs room in the chair in their hallway..but it seems someone has snapped that opportunity up already. The admins are already cramped, Noob and Vee have a low chance of opening the door as is, and the rest of her options don't seem very appealing from a practical standpoint.
‘Awwww..Giving up already??’
Iris lets out a sigh through her nose, looking around.
..Well. she has two options. Sleeping on the sand…or asking Jane.
Surely that's the worst idea she could've had in this situation. in what world would Jane accept her??
..Well it's worth a try.
Before she can listen to her negative self talk or hesitate, she's knocking on the door of the bunker.
“Elliot. I already told you I have my own provisions. I don't need your assistance.”
Jane says, it's clear the well-intentioned pizza boy has stopped by quite a few times.
“Um..Ms. Jane, this is actually Iris? Y'know-”
“I'm familiar.”
Jane interrupts and lets out a sigh
“Come in.”
‘Wow iris! congratulations! you managed to get any amount of respect from ONE PERSON!’
“Oh! Alright!”
Iris enters the basement, inhaling the strangely comforting powdery floral scent of the bunker.
“What do you want.”
Jane asks
“Aha…#Cuttingtothechase! um..I don't have anywhere to sleep…and all the places are taken, and everyone else is asleep-”
Iris rambles
“Are you asking to sleep here?”
Jane raises an eyebrow
“..#Yes..?”
“...Fine.”
Jane says simply, returning to her work
Jane directs Iris to an extra sleeping bag she apparently keeps in the bunker.
“Thank you again, it's a #BigHelp..”
Iris says, scratching her neck and looking away as a blush crosses her face
“It's not an issue to me, really. I always keep extra supplies in case of an emergency.”
Jane says, still writing intently in the folder on her desk.
“That's .. admirable!”
Iris says, smiling softly
Jane doesn't respond with words, but again, her mouth leaves that permanent frown for just a bit.
After taking off her hat, coat, and watch, Iris lays on the sleeping bag, looking up at the ceiling of the bunker.
‘You shouldn't be thinking this way, Iris. going after a grieving widow? real smart.’
But as she stares at the ceiling, a nicer voice arises.
‘but..she did let you stay here. and she almost didn't frown looking at you! have you SEEN the glares she gives other survivors sometimes..? and the soft speck of gold in her eyes..’
Iris shakes her head, dismissing both.
..But maybe both sides have a point.
Iris awakes slowly, yawning..that's probably the best she's slept in years.
She sits up, remembering her surroundings with a soft huff out her nose as she looks around the bunker.
it's almost soothing here.
she winces as she adjusts her arm, dull throbbing pain easing into her bones..the spectre has a habit of bringing the pain back when she gets too comfortable.
..but for now..she can still rest before the pain comes back fully.