v-voicetest? idek, but love me some woobie

No more hospitals if I've got anything to say about it either.

[He gives a concerned smile.]

I don't have a problem with hospitals myself, but I don't like big manor houses.

[Kid, Jesus Christ, do you know how much time he's spent chasing you? (Almost as much as time as Leslie has spent running.)]

Leslie?

[Honestly, it's like this is the first time he's gotten a look at him even. High stress situations, running, Ruvik...]

You alright? Just do me a favor and stay still for a second.

[At the very least, it's great exercise. Leslie can run for days. Or, uh, waddle. Shuffle? Depends on your interpretation.]

Sebastian?

[He glances around the room, still shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other, absently playing with his hands. It's hard for him to stay still, it's just not something that feels natural. However, since it's Sebastian, wonderful, kind Sebastian who's asking, Leslie pushes himself to hold as still as he possibly can.]

Still. Stay still.

[That, that's more than good enough. Sebastian doesn't need him to be a statue here, just... slow down. He's aching and sore to the point it's getting numb. His bruises have bruises, but somehow, all the things he's seen and fought tooth-and-nail, Leslie gotten by. So... Sebastian can't blame him for not wanting to stand still. He's not so great at it himself now either.

Leslie's staying though and that's good.]

Yeah, you got it.

[Sebastian's voice is rough as ever, but he lets in a little hint of praise slip in. He lets out a deep breath as he walks closer. The second he opened the door, he was looking around the room. Now, he's just looking at Leslie and when he gets close, he sets a hand on his shoulder. He spooks easy and if he takes off, Sebastian wants to have a hand on him this time.

Honestly, he's not really good at this, but...]

Look... I'm trying to keep an eye on you, okay?

[Hard to do when the most he sees of Leslie is his back.]

[Communication is difficult for Leslie; people tend to talk, and talk, and talk, and only give him just enough time to cling to one word, or a quick phrase. However, despite popular belief, he can understand what people are saying, he's actually quite good at it, he just... can't respond how they'd like. However, he can read a voice and a face, not perfectly, but enough to get by, and the slight hint of praise has him smiling bashfully and staring at his trembling fingers.

Sebastian so just so nice to him, not like the doctors and Ruvik, or even Kidman. Just up-front, no tricks nice.

So, Leslie's willing to allow the touch, because he knows Seb isn't going to hurt him. Or, if he is, he's doing a very good job of hiding it.]

You'll protect Leslie? [He mumbles, hesitantly glancing up to very nearly meet Sebastian's eyes.] Take... take me home? O-on the train?

[If Sebastian can say no to that baby face, he's one strong man.]

[Come on, kid. Sure, he's a strong man, but that... hesitantly hopeful look is a hard thing to face. He's let down enough people to not trust his own ability to protect anyone. Sebastian doesn't look away, despite the knee-jerk urge. Leslie has been strung through enough, pulled about in every direction, and Sebastian isn't about to add to the list. Leslie hasn't done anything wrong. Sure as hell nothing to deserve this.

He wishes he could say "yes" that he'd take him home. They've got something to deal with first.]

That train ride is going to have to wait. [He sure remembers what the city looked like or, well, what he thought it looked like.] But I'm trying to protect you.

[Sebastian lowers his head, tries to meet Leslie half-way to catch his eyes.]

When we get through this, I'll take you wherever you want.

[When not if, that's an intentional choice of wording. Sebastian wishes he believed himself.]

[ooc: would you be ok with my friend that plays Joseph jumping in?]

[ooc: the more the merrier, friend!]

[ooc: awesome! we can play around some more until she gets on later if you want?]

[It's undeniable that knowing he has to wait even longer hurts, espeically so coming from Sebastian. He's already waited, waited years, witnessed and had terribly things done to him time and time again, all without too much complaining. No more than one would deem reasonable, at least. However, despite the hurt, Leslie knows it's not Seb's choice; he realises that, if it was possible, his detective friend would whisk him away to a nice, loving family at the end of the train line.

Catching Leslie's eye is a difficult feat. He's grown so accustomed to glancing at everything that so much as twitches, he can't imagine ever again being able to simply stop and stare - assuming he ever even could. He tries, though. Tries meet Sebastian's eye, but can only last a few fractions of a second before he has to look over his shoulder to make sure nothing is coming for him.]

Wherever?

[There are other places he could go? Places other than home? The idea is so foreign, so strange that Leslie actually pauses for a moment, trying to process what's being said to him. Does this mean he could see where Sebastian worked? Maybe go to a big, crowded place and let himself get lost?]

Where does Sebastian go?

[Oh well. Gotta start somewhere.]

[He knows he's asking a lot for Leslie to meet his eyes. He's only saw this kid shuffling and fidgeting his hands and looking anywhere else. He's also seen Leslie dragged around and shushed by enough people that Sebastian's making a point to be different. Not just going to haul him off. Not going to just dismiss or manipulate him. A fraction of a second of eye contact is better than none in his book.

He lets him turn to look over his shoulder. Sure as hell doesn't blame him. A little paranoia is a healthy habit here, but Sebastian doesn't plan to let anything happen to him.

Leslie isn't running. For an odd moment, it's quiet. Dark and grimy and foreboding -- but quiet. So Sebastian straightens, lets his grip on him go, an eyebrow quirking at the question. Him? Against all odds, he feels a tug at the corner of his mouth.]

It's not that interesting. If you want, I could show you that too.

[He's definitely earned a field trip if he wants one.]

[Boring is actually something Leslie would like to see. Somewhere that's relatively mundane and simple, not filled to the brim with nightmares and odd machines, actually sounds like a rather nice place to him, even though Sebastian doesn't sound as excited. That's alright, though, Leslie's fine with being the more energetic one of the two.

He smiles a little more, it's probably the most he's smiled in years, and gives Seb a small nod. Yes, he'd like to see where Sebastian spends his time. He'd like to see where he works, where he eats, where he has fun - all the things the arverage person would experience, Leslie wants to see.]

Show you that too.

[Not that Leslie really has anything to show, but that's not really what he's trying to get across here. Then again, if Sebastian wants another tour of 'Nightmares & Psychological Tortuue 'R' Us', Leslie could probably make it happen.]

Do you promise?

[ It's not that he isn't excited. Anywhere other than here sounds great right now. Normal sounds great... It's just that Sebastian doesn't have anything waiting for him out there. Face to face with Leslie, it's a stupid thing to think. If there's anyone in the world with less than him, this guy is it, isn't he? And, with a smile, Leslie is still offering to show his part. Sebastian feels guilty.

It's almost disconcerting, the change from running for his life to... Well. Anyway, his guts twist at the question. With his history, his profession, he should know better, he does know better...]

Whatever you want when we get out of this mess.
Yeah, I promise.

[Fuck, he hopes that's a promise he can keep.]

[At least when he stumbles into their vicinity, he's not a lumbering, twisted monstrosity from someone's nightmares. He is plain ol' Joseph with his rolled up, dirty sleeves and leather gloves and glasses, looking haggard as hell with an additional limp from the wound in his side.

But he's surprised--and relieved--to see them, to see both of them because the last thing he was use to seeing were things that wanted him dead. Sebastian and Leslie are a refreshing break from the horrors a mind can produce. They're normal. They're regular. They are supposed to be a thing that is.] Sebastian? [As if he thinks the man is some kind of dream.] Leslie? [He takes a step forward, wincing, but then stops and doesn't move. Are they going to turn into something grotesque and flesh-eating when he gets close?

Is he going to turn into something grotesque and flesh-eating? He hasn't had any episodes in a while, but he can never tell if it'll happen again or not.]

[Joseph. Leslie flinches away, not because he's particularly frightened of Detective Oda, he's just not sure what to make of him. He's a friend of Sebastian, sure, but so was Kidman, and we all know what happened with her. It's better to be safe than sorry, he instinctively decides as he hesitantly shuffles behind Seb, glancing over the larger man's shoulder like a timid child.

If anything should happen, at least Sebastian can protect him. Or at least convince Joseph not to blow Leslie's brains out.]

Leslie.

[He repeats, watching Joseph carefully. He's safe, he reminds himself, nobody's going to hurt him because Seb promised they'd get out of this. He's going to be fine... It's just a little difficult to believe it. To really convince himself that he'll be able to finally go home. But if Seb says it's going to happen, then it will; Leslie just needs to trust him.

One of his small, cold hands reaches out, grabbing Sebastian's sleeve, clinging to it like a lifeline. Don't forget your promise, he wants to say, don't leave me alone, but the words don't quite make it from his brain to his mouth, coming out as a barely audible jumbled mumble of nonsense.]

Kidman?

Edited 2014-10-25 02:55 (UTC)

Joseph. [Like the polar opposite of the kid nervously shuffling out of sight, Sebastian perks up, a bright spark of relief flashing in his eyes. It's good to see his partner and Sebastian's expression gives it away. He's got good sense when it comes to his friend, and he hones in quick and quietly on the wince, the way Joseph stops short doesn't go unnoticed. Joseph and Leslie both -- he's gotta get them out of here.

The small, tug at his sleeves is a good enough reminder that Leslie doesn't have any kind of faith in Joseph yet. Sebastian does, though. He gives his partner a last look, relief and concern mixed together, every hint that there's something on the tip of his tongue.

In the end, he can't just shake off the bundle of fear and anxiety. Leslie doesn't need to get the words out, the promise is still making his innards churn with unease. Joseph's... having problems, but Sebastian trusts him. Even with Leslie.]

Hey, it's just Joseph. [ He twists towards Leslie somewhat, voice lowering to something he hopes it akin to comforting. It still just sounds gruff to his own ears.]

He isn't going to hurt you. He's a good guy, just trying to help you.

[Gently, he nods in affirmation when his name is called, when he's recognized. He's glad. He's glad that he is still Joseph, enough that Sebastian would call him that, and not a monster instead, not something Ruvik turned him into.

His eyes shift to Leslie, or what he can see of Leslie behind Sebastian, and his face turns a little more grim. He knows what Leslie is getting at.] No Kidman. [He could be talking to Leslie or Sebastian. Probably both.] Just me. [Reaching up, he presses a hand against his side and begins to take some steps toward the other two, grimacing as he goes.] I haven't... seen her.

[No Kidman? That might be true, however Leslie hasn't survived this long through blind trust. It's fear, paranoia, that's kept him alive through the nightmares, so while he might relax slightly, he's still ready to bolt for the nearest exit at any moment.

Honestly, he feels a little bad for Julie. She'd been nice to him, even if it was just for a short time. She'd held his hand in the ambulance and always made sure to speak in a soft voice around him - perhaps... perhaps there was a good reason why she wanted him dead. Perhaps he'd done something to upset her?]

Oh...

[Putting that aside, even with Sebastian's attempt at comfort, Leslie still isn't willing to let go of him, or come out from behind his back. If Joseph is that desperate to talk to him, he can do it through the all-powerful human wall that is Leslie's detective friend.

That said, that injury in Joseph's side looks like it hurts. Leslie gnaws on his lip and stares at his hands, wondering if he should offer to do something about that, not that there's really anything he can do, other than maybe pat Oda on the back.]

Does... it hurt?

[He's got a whole hell of a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to Kidman. More so, now that he's made this promise to get Leslie out. If she's going to make the choice to raise her gun at an innocent, he's already made his choice. She can argue whatever the hell she wants, Sebastian knows wrong when he sees it.

In the face of all that, he's grateful for his partner's appearance, relieved down to the bone that he's alive even if he's looking a little worse for wear. Honestly, Joseph's the nice one and Sebastian is sure he'd do be better with Leslie. While the hand on his sleeve hasn't budged, if there's anyone that can get him to warm up to them, it's Joseph.

It's a small, good start when Leslie speaks up again.]

It looks like it.

[Sebastian answers for him, voice a little weary as his eyes flicker back to the blood on Joseph's clothes and the back to Joseph's face again. A question flashes across his face, but he doesn't ask yet.]

I need to patch him up. Do you want to help me, Leslie?

[He stops nearby, close but not directly up on them. It's more because he is tired and walking makes him increasingly more tired, so shuffling a foot or so to them is all they get.] It hurts a little. [A lot actually. What started out as a bitter burning has now become a strong ache, and it's sharper when he moves. What he really wants is....

To sit. So he does, sagging slowly down to the ground where he stands, more by pull of gravity than conscious effort. The thump jars him, and he hisses softly between his teeth, eyes scrunched behind the glasses. When the dizzing rush passes over, he lifts his head to regard the two of them again. He's praying he doesn't have an episode, but he's also praying they don't suddenly become one of the terrifying creatures he's run into, not here, not with him like this.

The doubt of their whole existence flashes across his face briefly. He thought he could trust himself, trust his eyes amd his logic, yet the other place proved he could barely trust himself.] You haven't seen... him, have you?

[Leslie jumps a little when Joseph hits the ground, anxiously mumbling to himself and gripping Sebastian's sleeve like he's about to rip it right off. He's nervous, it's obvious, and he's seriously considering just running off and leaving these two to do whatever it is they do. But that would mean leaving Sebastian, and even though he can handle himself, Leslie would rather stick around to make sure his promise is kept.

Looks like his choice has been made for him, hasn't it?

Narrowing his eyes a little, Leslie gives Sebastian a faint nod, letting the sleeve slip through his fingers, though remaining in place. He doesn't trust Joseph yet; for all he knows, that wound is an illusion, another trick to get him close and rip out his throat - Leslie won't fall for that, though.

When Ruvik is mentioned, he goes rigid, all thoughts of fearing Joseph gone from his mind. He doesn't even need the name, he knows who he's talking about, and he knows who the bigger threat is. Has Joseph seen him? Did he lead Ruvik here? Leslie groans, reaching up and tugging at his hair, anxiously shuffling from one foot to the other. Is he allowed to move? Sebastian didn't say he could move and he doesn't want him angry--]

Stay still, stay still, stay still. [He mutters to himself, rocking back and forth, forcing himself not to shuffle away. Can't make Sebastian mad, can't made Sebastian mad.] Still. Still. Stay still.

[Shit. He cusses under his breath and by the time Leslie's fingers are releasing his sleeve, Sebastian is moving forward, rushing to him. It's bad, if its got him like this. And for all the inevitable gnawing and worrying Joseph must be doing about... turning, Sebastian doesn't even think about it right now. It's a reflex; Joseph's hurt, get to him. It's that simple.

Except it's not, because he knows he's leaving Leslie there. He hears the muttering start, the sharp spike of anxiety following the mention of Ruvik. He glances back to him at the same time he's kneeling next to Joseph, sees the rocking start. Too often, he wants to tell Joseph, but the subject's already setting Leslie off. He catches Joseph's eyes for a grim look that conveys just what he wants to say. Another glance back and for all that he's expecting Leslie to bolt, he doesn't.

He doesn't know whether to be proud of the little friendship they've kindled or just be sad at the pitifully frightened sight.]

You're doing good, Leslie. Just stay with us, okay?

[He's saying at the same time he's working at the buttons of Joseph's vest. By the time he's peeling the vest back, he can see the blood vividly on the white of his shirt.]

Jesus, Joseph.

[A faint wince comes when the vest is pulled back, or when he has to shift his position to allow it.] I'm okay. [Not really. He knows he's not. He knows Sebastian knows he's not. Hell, even Leslie knows he's not. But it's the only thing he can think to say to try to keep the situation from escalating into full-blown panic and disorder.]

I'll be all right. I just need... to sit for a minute. [And to get some first aid, but that will just make Sebastian anxious, so he doesn't say anything right now. He just needs to sit and rest and breathe and not worry about having migraine-like bursts of strangeness rattling up his head. He doesn't want any Ruvik, or safe-headed monsters, or giant fleshy spiderwomen.

Lightly, he touches Sebastian's arm.] Get Leslie. I'm not going anywhere.

[The sight of Joseph's wound only frightens Leslie further. He barely catches a glimpse of it before he's clumsily stumbling over, soft, distressed sounds creeping out his throat. Did Ruvik do that? Was there another monster nearby? There are too many questions, too many risks from them to be sitting around like this.

He's still afraid of Oda, that's something he can't ignore, but the hoards of creatures outside are far more dangerous than one man, even if he does have a gun. Besides, Sebastian's made it pretty clear he's not leaving without his pal, and Leslie is hesitant to go off by himself again.]

Blood. Lots of blood.

[He adds helpfully from over Sebastian's shoulder. The albino manages to catch Joseph's eye for a split second, before he's back to flicking his stare across the room. A lifestyle like his hasn't left much room for social development, and he vaguely recalls someone mentioning 'social delays', although he can't be sure if that was another dream or not. The point is, Leslie isn't sure what to do.]

We can... fix you. [He nods, more for his own benefit. The rocking of his head is enough to sate his need to rock more violently, for now.] Fix you. No more blood.

[He looks back up at Leslie, out of his mind with gratitude that for all his problems, he's sticking close. He doesn't know what the hell he'd do if Leslie freaked and ran off now of all times. Instead... he's got the right idea. We. Alright, he's a little proud.

His eyes flicker back to Joseph, the blood under his fingers, the hand Joseph has on his arm.]

You heard him. [He says, like Leslie's made the decision for them, but... there wasn't any just leaving him like this. Not if he wanted to see him again.

Joseph doesn't get much choice in the matter. Sebastian's already unfastening more buttons, thanking God that he found a med kit and hoping the meager supplies within will be enough.]

You've gotta start taking care of yourself. [Quieter. How the hell long was he walking around like this? He's not "fine" in the least.]

[If things keep going this well, he'll be positive that the two of them aren't actually monsters. Not that they couldn't turn into monsters suddenly, but he's more apt to believe that, yes, this is, in fact, Sebastian and this is Leslie. He's glad. He's overjoyed even though nothing short of dizzying pain shows on his face. He does manage the hint of a smile.

At least they are both okay. Everything is okay if Sebastian and Leslie are all right.] I'm supposed to tell you that.

[Pain rips up through him when he leans backward onto his palm. The movement stirs the bullet hole and, sadly, any kind of coagulation that he been started is for nothing. He begins to bleed some again, even if it's not as bad as before. His intentions aren't to scare poor Leslie with the state of affairs, though.] We'll fix me. [It's a reassurance for Leslie, but maybe Sebastian can use it, too.] Then no more blood. Then we can get home.

[Maybe.]

[A small smile flickers onto Leslie's face. Home. Safety. The three of them are going to survive and take him back to his family. They'll be so surprised, seeing their lost son returning with two beat-up detectives. Leslie wonders if his mother will make them a feast for dinner, something other than the cold, bland hospital food he's accustomed to.]

We can go on the train.

[Talking helps when things hurt, at least from Leslie's experience. Whether it was one of his doctors speaking to him through a chest-crushing panic attack, or him stumbling over his words during the experiments, he's always found communicating helps. It's a distraction. Something to think about other than what's really happening.

He's always thought of it as his own little secret; his super-power, in a way. A one-of-a-kind, magical way to stop things hurting for a little while. In this case, when Joseph is being so kind, Leslie doesn't mind sharing his secret.]

The train is... big. Room for everyone.

[A glance at Sebastian, and the smile slips somewhat.] Can't... Can't get blood on the train. Get in trouble.

[About now, Sebastian doesn't mind a reassurance or two, even if he doesn't buy into it. Between the two of them... it's a little frightening to be responsible. It hasn't turned out good in the past.

The both of them are trying, though, and hell if he isn't going to do the same. Leslie's doing good. Maybe even good enough to distract Joseph and Sebastian is wild enough to hope for it. He doesn't want to see that pained look.]

We'll get him cleaned up before he gets on the train.

[Sebastian sets the medical kit on the hard floor with a soft dink and he's pulling out gauze, deftly applying it with probably painful pressure to stanch the bleeding.]

Hope you're up for a trip when we get outta here.

[Joseph grits his teeth, but a sharp cry of discomfort leaves him when Sebastian starts mucking around with the wound and the gauze. His head swims, and he has to hang it down on his chest to make sure he doesn't pass out and fall over backward.

That's just what Sebastian would need: Leslie and an unconscious Joseph at the same time. The only thing they'd be lacking is Ruvik and his twisted mindscape.

He breathes in shakily, then exhales shakily. The dizziness in his head eases off, and he finds he can lift it without much repercussion. That's good. That means things aren't quite so bad. At least he's still awake. At least he's not dead.] If it's a trip far away from that place... I'm okay with it. I'll ride any train.

[A pause while he tries to gather his bearings.] Thanks.

[Leslie wishes he could do more to help. He feels a little guilty, being the only one who doesn't know how to bandage a wound or disinfect a scratch, but Joseph seems to like talking, and Sebastian doesn't tell him to shut up, so perhaps that's how he can help out.

A few minutes tick by while Leslie tries to work out his words. Stumbling over them now won't do any good, and in his current state a mistake might push him back into another panic attack. The best thing now he can do now is to stop and think.]

More than... one train?

[Any train? That certainly peaks Leslie's interest. His eyes widen and he leans over Sebastian's shoulder, knees bumping against the detective's back. He's too wrapped up in the idea of trains, lots and lots of them, all waiting to take him to different places, to remember to apologise.]

How many? How many trains?

[Sebastian hates first aid, loathes listening to his partner make agonized noises. His face is set, focused, his eyes only occasionally flickering up to Joseph's face. All the more reason it's a surprise when Leslie's knees are knocking against his back. The enthusiastic curiosity is refreshing -- he hopes Joseph feels the same, despite his current situation.

Leslie's being a good distraction, one Sebastian hopes is better served now that he isn't digging into the wound. Instead, he's grabbed fresh gauze to clean up blood.]

Too many trains to even count.

[He answers, but he leaves out all the details. Details that Leslie would probably love to hear. He glances up to Joseph and it's a prompt; keep talking. It's also serves as a rudimentary gauge. If Joseph can keep up a conversation, if it's hurting too much... ]

[Keep talking? Okay, he thinks he can do that. Talk about trains? He might can do that, too. It'll help not to think about the nausea all the pain is bringing on. It'll help not to think about the sting in his side.

He gets the hint in Sebastian's look. He knows. Keep talking. Slowly, curtly, he nods, then lifts his full attention to Leslie over Sebastian's shoulder.] A lot of trains. We ride them sometimes, the subway trains. They take us around the city to-- [A wince.] --different places. It's faster and easier than a car. But there's a lot of big trains, too. The ones you can hear the tracks under while you ride. [He pauses to catch his breath, to wince. He is starting to feel better, though.] They take you to places further away.

[The corners of his lips quirk just a tad into an amused smile.] Do you like trains, Leslie?

[All over the city... Leslie looks absolutely enchanted, clumsily stumbling forward and knocking Sebastian once again, captivated by the talk of freedom, of wandering around and riding fast trains. He nods at the question, yes, he likes trains, he loves trains, if it means they'll take him somewhere else. Hell, right now he even loves Joseph for talking so openly about them.]

Like trains, Leslie. Leslie, Leslie likes trains.

[Trying to sew together his words is too much right now. He's too excited, too full of hopes and ideas; the things he thought he'd lost a long, long time ago.]

Sebastian. Joseph. We can... ride the train.

[Even with the blood, the faint fear in the back of his mind, Leslie grins. He laughs, his excitement rocking him gently, knees continuously knocking against Sebastian's back. Later, if it's brought up, he'll apologise, however right now, all Leslie can think about is riding around the city with his friends.]

Kid... Kid. Kid c-come, too?

[Any lingering doubts, suspicions, about what is right -- it's decided then and there. Sebastian spares a small, faintly amused glance up at the laughing, but the rest of the time, his eyes are trained on what he is doing. The laughter is like a small breath of fresh air; when was the last time he heard that? He's not kidding himself. They're gonna get Joseph patched up and then... they know what's waiting for them. Nothing's changed.

But this has got to be good for them, he thinks. Better than a flask of whiskey would do them. Leslie's knees keeping bumping against his back, but Sebastian doesn't say a word about it. He still manages to keep his hands steady applying fresh gauze and taping it down tight.

The mention of Kidman has his eyes dark and flickering up to Joseph and then back down.]

That, we'll have to see about it.

[Sebastian isn't sure if Leslie's forgotten or forgiven her for what she did, but he can't say the same himself.]

[Okay, Leslie is happy. This is good. Sebastian is okay, and Leslie is happy. His smaller goals in life have been fulfilled. He can rest easy. Who knew all it took was bandages and talk of trains? At least Leslie is able to appreciate the simpler things in life, the things that people forget about in their day-to-day comings and goings. Trains are right nice, to be honest.

They can get you out of places.] We'll ride the train. [It's all he can think to say while he meets Sebastian's gaze regarding the mention of Kidman.

At least it didn't make Leslie upset again.] I think... Kidman will take her own train from now on. But she'll be all right. She'll take a train by herself. [Probably a train straight to jail. Hopefully a train straight to jail. He can't even begin to understand what would possess her to try to harm Leslie, Ruvik be damned.] We'll be on another train.

[It's odd. Leslie knows what Kidman tried to do, he completely understands that she wants him dead, but until Ruvik, he doesn't get that same hollow feeling he gets when he thinks about her. Instead, he remembers how nice she was, how she held his hand and took him to the park, helped him run from monsters in the church, comforted him in the ambulance. He doesn't know why she did what she did, and he's certain he should hate her, but he's already warmed to her, regardless of whether that was the genuine Kidman or not.

He's a little disappointed knowing she won't be on the train. He would have liked to ask her why.] By herself...

[That hurts to say. Leslie frowns, all laughter and life gone from his expression. He knows what it's like to be alone, and he isn't sure he wants Kidman to go through that, too.]

By herself, by herself, by herself.

[Being alone is never good. That's when people take you away. Monsters try to eat you. You get hooked up to big machines that make your head hurt and give you nightmares--] By herself, by herself, by herself-- [Leslie doesn't notice his hands are shaking until he's crouched behind Sebastian, grabbing the back of the man's jacket and tugging it back and forth.]

Not safe! Hurts! Hurts!

[What the heck was he expecting? Not this. Joseph's answer sounds fine to his ears, but he's a thirty-eight year old man of sound and stable mind. He doesn't look from what he's doing -- smoothing the last piece of tape in place, not at first.

But then Leslie's like an echo. Repeating, as he often does, but it's different. He doesn't sound excited anymore and it's a hang up, like when he starts to freak out. Sebastian's brows wrinkle and furrow, head jerking up about the time fidgety, worrying hands find his jacket. All at once, Leslie's voice spikes, louder. Sebastian's fast on his feet or he wouldn't be alive; he swivels where he's crouched, a hand latching onto Leslie's arm. His hand's bloody and it smears onto the fabric, bright on the off-white.]

Hey, hey, hey --! [He tries, trying to get Leslie's attention, because what else is there to do but try to reorient him?

And hope to god, this isn't some kind of warning about something really not being safe.]

You're fine, Leslie. You're safe. Remember what we promised?

[Oops.

Joseph hadn't known that his talk of Kidman would set Leslie off, but now he is somewhat regretting bringing it up. He's hoping Sebastian can contain the nervous excitement because he honestly can't do much in his current condition. He's not sure if Leslie would even let him touch anyway. Best not to in this line of work.

All he has left to offer is logic and reason. Very Joseph of him.] She's a detective like us. It's okay if she's on her own for a while. She knows what to do. [Remember, Leslie? How good she was about protecting you--minus that one time she tried to murder you. What else is he supposed to tell? Lying just seems like a waste of breath.

He's terrible at this okay.] We'll find her. If you want her to come on the train with us, she can. She can ride the train, too.

[For a second, it seems like Leslie is going to be fine. Joseph and Sebastian’s words actually do make him feel better, remind him that Kidman can save herself if she gets into trouble. Along with the assurance that if he wants her to sit with them on the train, then she’ll damn well sit with them, Leslie feels pretty good about things.

He takes a few breaths, chest rising and falling as he lets it all sink it. Everything is okay, he and Sebastian and Joseph are safe, and very soon they can all go home.

But then he notices the blood on his sleeve and everything goes to shit. While someone who hadn’t been pumped full of meds and hooked up to torture machines might acknowledge the blood is just a byproduct of bandaging a wound, Leslie’s mind automatically links it with the last thing they discussed.

Kidman.

And suddenly, all he can think about is her bleeding. Scared, alone, with her insides being torn out and devoured by one of the Haunted. His face falls and he scrambles back, roughly shoving Sebastian’s hand off his arm in his panic. All he can see is the blood, all he can think about is everyone dying, and just like that, he starts shrieking.

That exact same shriek known for shattering all the glass in a several foot radius bubbles up, tearing it’s way from his throat. Leslie’s hands find his hair, pale, skinny fingers winding themselves into the messy strands, taking a tight grip as he anxiously rocks himself through the panic. Sebastian and Joseph and Kidman- they’re all going to die. Die and be eaten, and Leslie will never see them again. He’ll be all alone. He’ll have to deal with Ruvik by himself, and after the first time, he can’t do it again. He can’t.]

[It's like that noise; it's damn near ear-shattering as close as he is. He can't help the initial wince, the way he ducks his head to the side, a hand jumping to butt his palm against his ear. A moment, a moment is all he needs, and then he's trying to shake it off with a literal shake of his head. He looks back up to Leslie and his fingers wringing his hair, rocking where he seats.

The whole of it happens over a few seconds, a minute from anxious worried start to this... and it's not enough time to think which part of it set him off now. It's all reflex. Earnest, sympathetic reflex, but Sebastian doesn't understand Leslie sometimes. He doesn't get the jump from one thing to the next that Leslie's mind makes.

That part doesn't matter, though. He gets the important part. Leslie's upset.]

Leslie! [Sebastian tries, again. Dumb stubbornness has got to get him somewhere.]

Calm down. Listen, just calm down. You're okay. It's just the three of us.

[After a moment, Joseph's hand comes down very gently on Sebastian's shoulder. In the time between the screaming freak-out and Sebastian's attempts to calm Leslie, he has buttoned his shirt back up with expert speed and precision, though the vest remains undone. There are more important matters: like Leslie having a meltdown.

The shriek causes him, too, to wince, but he powers through it as if he has suffered through these kinds of things before; he had seen what happened, that the blood on Sebastian's hands transferred and scared Leslie. It's something that can't be helped.

Slowly, he maneuvers around Sebastian, keeping his steps slow and easy. He reaches an arm out, but doesn't try to touch Leslie with his hand.] You're all right, Leslie. [His voice is as soothing as he can make it.] Everything is fine. There are no bad things here. No one is being hurt.

We can't ride the train if you aren't calm, so we need you to be calm until we find Kidman. Then we can all go on the train together.

Do you want to ride the train, Leslie? We need you to calm down.

[Leslie flinches away from Joseph's outstretched hand, scrambling to his feet and stumbling away from the two. Blood, blood, so much blood- He doesn't want them to die, they're so nice, they have soft voices and don't try hurting him, but they're inevitably going to be caught. Caught and killed, just like Leslie.]

Calm, calm down... Calm down...

[Ruvik will find them. They shouldn't be sitting around, not when he's out there searching. Who knows, maybe he's just down the hall, breaking down each door he passes, creeping closer and closer to this one. Leslie chokes on his sobs as his mind races with the horrors Ruvik could put them through, each horrible thing he could do to Sebastian and Joseph while Leslie watched on helplessly.

When he thinks like that, it's no wonder he's almost gone completely insane.]

Calm down, can't calm down. Hurts. Hurts.

[He stares at the blood on his sleeve, fixated with it as his head throbs. Whether it's just another migraine, or an implication something really is coming for them, Leslie doesn't know. All he can think about is trying not to faint and keep breathing in deep, flustered gasps.]

Hurts! Hurts, hurts, hurts. Need to take the train. N-need to go home.

v-voicetest? idek, but love me some woobie

Haven't checked out the game yet, but I can't resist a woobie sometimes xD

so... day late and a ten icons short, but who could resist?

no complaints here!

just... don't mind my sleepy tags.

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sorry about this, I am in class

be sorry for me too

y'all are perfect, don't worry!

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sorry this is so late!