In reply to The Watcher (msg # 962):
I'm copying your "behind the scenes" stuff here in case folks want to talk about reactions to it without going back in time on the main thread.
quote:
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The first time Hadrian is back to normal she can tell as soon as he walks into the room. Her face lights up and she throws herself at him, kissing him hard.
Welcome back, I've missed you...
She says her voice breathy.
**********
When the team returns to Titan they are greeted by a neon colored streak that leaps directly into Billy's chest and alternately zig-zags to hug each of the crew members. Once they have recovered from the initial onslaught they see even in the small space of time that has passed Nightmare has continued her mental and phsyical metamorphosis. Her hair pulses with rainbow colors that seem to mimic her mood. When the team first sees her they are cycling through a rainbow of colors, eventually as she calms down, settling on a pulsing blue-purple with pink tinging the tips.
When she turns away from Billy she intentionally flicks her ponytail so it lightly smacks him in the face, smiling mischievously over her shoulder.
Hadrian wouldn't let me do anything until I recovered from the battle with Apex... I got bored. You like it?
She asks with a brilliant smile.
**********
She works with Abe to help him get set up in his office. When they finally have him comfortable she stands infront of him looking a bit abashed.
I'm... sorry for some of the things I said or did earlier. I was going through a lot. I really appreciate what you have said and done for me. I... I think your right about the accelerated diagnostics program. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help with that.
Before leaving she gives him a nervous, but genuine hug.
**********
As they have time to burn on the ship of convenience she spends her time working on her own projects, reconnecting with her teammates, harassing Billy, with Hadrian or sitting in Basilisk's room. Not even necessarily talking, but provides him someone in proximity, knowing the loneliness of his isolation and having none of it. The two of them are an unlikely pair, but seem to have an understanding of each other.
She spends a good deal of time laying on Hadrian, where her hair always seems to be a reddish-fuchsia. At one point she pulls away from the comfort of his body and sits up looking serious.
How are you feeling regarding the Apex situation? I know she... meant a lot to you as a mentor and otherwise. Are... are you ok? I know how I felt when the Mastodon was destroyed.
**********
Which brings us to her first meeting with Pryor. She begins the meeting all cold scientist, but given his interaction with the rest of her team as well as the assistance they provided she relents.
I believe that I owe you an apology for the tenor of our first meeting. I was... young then, and while no excuse it may go a way in explaining my actions. I understand the Blaise may still be alive? I would speak with him if I may and see if there is any way that we may negotiate his release as well. Additionally I would like to find the hull of the Mastodon, as it is possible there may be some additional data there that I would like to recover.
**********
When she discovers the J-9 units with Xander she flashes a borderline manic smile and her hair goes a brilliant neon yellow.
We need to fix these! Oh the things we could do with these robots. Are you in?!
If he opts to fix them with her she will ask about the research that him and Sophia are so intent about.
**********
At some point Rebecca celebrates another birthday on the ship. As is her way she makes a cake of 'food' that she smuggled from Titan and gives everyone but Hadrian a physical gift. This year the gifts are all hand made ornate, small statuettes of them, and people they have loved or interacted with. So Kayla got a statuette of her, Fiernas and the dogs; Xander gets himself and Kelce, Billy gets Candy, Nightmare gives one of herself to Basilisk with a sheepish smile.
Sorry I didn't have any reference material for you...
The statuettes are painstaking in detail and she obviously made them on Titan when she had access to greater resources. Hadrian receives a wink and a smile.
You'll get yours later.
**********
When its time to leave with Hadrian she is crying her hair is entirely its natural color with no hint of the LED's showing. She hugs him and puts her head under his chin, which a few months ago would have required a significant amount of stooping.
You idiot. I'll miss you.
She gives him one last passionate kiss and reaches her hand out to hold his until the very last second she watches until the ship bearing him is fully out of sight, at which point she slumps in the corner wracked with sobbing.
