Muse is preeeetty angry at mun (dipping for castmates!)

[escapedpandora]

I don't need anyone to save me. It doesn't matter what you throw at me; I can handle it. I've handled everything so far, right? I can heal my own injuries, and--

[He can't help it. Hope stomps his foot once, hands balled tightly into fists thanks to the recent events.]

--I wouldn't need anyone to help me if you would just stop writing those horrible things! If anything, you're the one I need to be saved from instead of the collapsed building and hallucinations! I could have just stayed with Vanille, or Light, or just-- three days. You put me in there for three days and then had it collapse above my head.

You're not allowed to say we need heroes in this place. I can take care of myself just fine as long as you stop messing with my life.

Comments

[breau]

You know what you need, Hope? You need three servings of my NORA special to help calm you down.

[escapedpandora]

[He deflates a little, having forgotten there might be witnesses to his yelling session. But he couldn't help yelling, those words had hurt more than the injuries did.

But...]

Food?

[birchcore]

If you need help, I can be there. You're never alone.

[ and if he can't ask, there will be no need to. ]

1/4

[escapedpandora]

[escapedpandora]

[escapedpandora]

[escapedpandora]

...I think everyone has enough troubles of their own on that day.

[birchcore]

All the more reason for us to stick together.

[escapedpandora]

Would people, though? It--

They all seem like they're having so much trouble. It doesn't feel right to just add more to it.

[birchcore]

I'm not sure. But I would.

You're not meaning to, Hope. We know that.

[escapedpandora]

That's the thing-- I never mean to, but...

[He ducks his head. Maybe it was because of the illusions. Maybe it was just that he can't help but see the worst in what he does, because he couldn't stop overthinking it, couldn't stop playing situations out in his head and realizing just how much better things could be without his input.]

I always seem to.

...I'll do better.

[birchcore]

I feel that way sometimes too, you know.

My family had to live on the run because of my magic, always fearing that I might be discovered. If it hadn't been for me, my brother and sister could have had a normal life.

[ she smiles and takes a seat next to him. ]

But every time I say that, my sister reminds me that she wouldn't change a thing.

I know what she means now. I wouldn't change anything, Hope. I like having you with us.

[escapedpandora]

[...Running because of magic, huh? That was far too familiar.]

Even if I'm messed up?

[birchcore]

[ her smile isn't going anywhere. ]

I'd hardly call you that. No matter what, yes. I like having you there.

You make more people smile than you realize.

[escapedpandora]

[That-- his eyes widen, although he doesn't quite dare to look up yet. He could still hear the illusions, the echo of words telling him he amounted to nothing more than pain and misery to other people. But that was just an illusion... right?

He always tried so hard...

There's a moment of hesitation, and then he reaches to grasp at the edge of her sleeve, just to make sure. Make sure she wasn't another illusion, maybe. Make sure she was real.]

[birchcore]

[ when he looks up, bethany is still there smiling at him. ]

There you are! Are you feeling a little better?

[escapedpandora]

[He turns a bit pink at that, and there's a sheepish nod.]

--Yeah.

[birchcore]

I'm glad.

[ he's so earnest, just like her brother at that age. it makes her feel protective. ]

[escapedpandora]

Thanks.

[Because while it wouldn't quite erase the words from his mind, it was... better. A balm, almost, to hear someone say otherwise.]

--For being here, for... [He trails off, unable to form the words. For being patient, for actually caring.]

[birchcore]

[ she reaches over to lightly pat his back. ]

You're welcome.

Though before the week is out, I've no doubt I'll be thanking you as well.