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[ call or text Reim within! I was going to set up a voicemail inbox message but then I realized no one is ever going to hear it unless he’s unconscious or dead. it doesn’t matter if you call at 3am he’ll pick up. ]

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- Sharon.

[ wraps his arms around her shoulders and tucks his face in her hair ]

How are things? Are they safe...?

[She hums in affirmation, holding him gently in her arms. Sharon reaches up to soothingly pet his hair as she speaks.]

...yes, they are safe now. Elliot was hurt rather badly when I found him, but-- I was able to stitch up his wounds after we made sure that Vincent Nightray's monster would do no more harm.

Goodness. I-I'm glad it's been seen to...

This is Vincent Nightray we're talking about. There's no helping that he would be particularly difficult.

...it's alright now.

[ lets out a slow breathe ]

I'm glad.

Do you know where any of the others went off to...?

Elliot has returned to his room. For the time being, he is holding his brother there. However, Leo's room shares a wall with his, so if there are any issues I know he will be in good hands.

I have not seen Sir Oz or Gilbert since. Echo was not there either, that I could see. Hopefully that means that they were able to avoid being dragged into this mess and are safe as well.

[ ah ]

That's good. And the other members of Bugbear?

It was difficult to properly assess all of them, as they were all engaged directly by different people but from what I could tell, they were all being cared for. I have faith that the others will be able to suppress them for the time being.

Good... That’s good. Thank you, Sharon.

I returned Xerx’s head to his body, for the time being. I thought it seemed safe enough, since he’s contained.

You needn't thank me. You did as much as I did, if not more.

...hopefully it will be enough. At the very least, I will be near, should something occur.

May I--...

... If everything is more or less settled, then I suppose we should get cleaned up.

...no, go on. Finish what you were saying.

[It can wait.]

No- I just realized it was a silly question.

[ but since Sharon asked, he still says ]

May I stay with you tonight?

...you are right. It is an extremely silly question.

[Yet she says it with a soft, affectionate laugh.]

I have said it before and yet I will say it again-- you are always welcome there. That space is yours too, anytime you wish it. And I want you to be there with me when you're able.

[ his shoulders hunch, he crosses an arm over himself and rubs at the crook of his elbow ]

... I put you through something terrible.

You did no such thing.

[She places both of her hands on the arm crossed in front of him and looks up at him.]

It was designed from the very beginning to undermine any attempts to work together for a peaceful resolution. Nonetheless we had no choice but to try. I did not like the risk-- but I knew deviation would not only affect my team, but undermine the faith that everyone was willing to place in us as a whole. I could have fought it... but I did not. I am equally at fault. I won't allow you to carry that burden alone.

[ Reim with everyone else: technically everyone shares some level of responsibility in this because everyone had the option and ability to make it not happen
Reim with Sharon, specifically: ]

--Of course you're not at fault! This wasn't your choice!

[...SIR!!!]

--what are you saying?! Of course I am!

I went--! And checked every vote! Just to make sure I forced this through! Knowing the whole time I was putting him at risk! If you had been the one to arrange it all, you never would have done that to him! I didn't want you to feel like this!

It is not as though it did not cross my mind to go against the plan you had set. Of course I hated it. But... I did not have a better solution to give. I could not even bring myself to say what I was truly feeling. Because "anyone but them" is not fair... it is not fair to anyone who has someone precious to them here.

I am just as guilty as anyone for what happened to them.

[ he knows she's saying this because she wants to share the burden. he knows that's what she's like. he should agree. normally he would. normally he would give her just about anything she wants and then some.

he can't do that.

but he can't just yell at her either. he wasn't really shouting before but the sense of pressure leaves his voice entirely, cracking. ]

I'm not going to blame you.

...I know you would not. Even so...

[Sharon is quiet for a long, painful moment.]

I still remember that day, even though it feels so long ago now. To hear Xerxes say he wanted to live...

[She squeezes her eyes shut.]

And to let him die again after that? I cannot... forgive myself for that.

[ something cracks. he draws in a sharp, tremulous breath- he hasn't dislodged her hands from his arm and still doesn't, but he fists his hands in his own clothes rather than reach out for her, even as he leans closer, curling over her ]

I'm sorry-- I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Sharon, I didn't mean to-

[Sharon exhales shakily and leans into him, pressing her forehead to his chest..]

...don't... don't carry this on you own. I just... need you-- with me. Together. We cannot do this on our own.

Edited 2022-01-23 08:01 (UTC)

[ finally wraps his arm around her, clutching tightly at her shoulders and pulling her close, pressing his face into her hair and shaking ]

I'll do anything for you.

[ this also isn't really something he thinks she wants to hear right now but can't help himself ]

Re: Day 15

connectivity - 2022-01-23 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Day 15

chew_toy - 2022-01-23 19:03 (UTC) - Expand

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