looking at ataraxion

[maternityward303]

So. Space. That's what you're going with. I'd try to talk you out of it but I've seen how well that went for everyone else.

Just do me a favor? Keep the mom jokes to a minimum.

Comments

[yardbird]

Great, 'cause I can think of some people who could probably use one.

[maternityward303]

[She can imagine. There are probably kids there too, which twists her heart up inside. Ugh. Muns.]

So who's in need of chicken soup and a pat on the back?

[She knows she won't get to remember, it never works that way but still.]

[yardbird]

That... list is too long for me to even start...

[Speak for yourself, Murphy.]

[maternityward303]

[Oh boy.]

I guess I'm gonna have my hands full.

[A half shrug. She looks contemplative for a moment.]

I do know one guy who's there already. My mun let me in on that much.

[yardbird]

That's puttin' it lightly.

[No pressure, Eileen! None at all.

[And that does have Murphy's interest piqued a bit.]

You do?

...Who's the guy?

[maternityward303]

His name's Henry. Henry Townshend. Real quiet, shy, looks a bit like you.

[yardbird]

Henry...?

So, wait. That means--

[Suddenly, "one horror" and "veteran" just CLICK together, and Murphy starts rubbing his face.]

...Wow.

[maternityward303]

What? Are you okay? Murphy?

[Why you reacting that way dude. You're making her nervous.]

[yardbird]

Yeah... Yeah, m'fine, just--

You, erm... You wouldn't happen to be familiar with a place called Silent Hill, would you?

[maternityward303]

[And that inner calmness kind of goes right out the window.

You have to admit Eileen, this is kind of funny.]

You've gotta be kidding me!

[Or. Maybe not.]

You know about that hellhole too?

[yardbird]

[The joke is probably as funny to Murphy as it is to Eileen. He personally hates it when this kind of stuff happens.]

Yeah, I was... I was just there.

[Pause.] Uh, before I ended up on a giant spaceship, I mean.

...Outta the frying pan, into the furnace.

[maternityward303]

Geez.

[She bites her lower lip, eyes darting around before she speaks again.]

Months ago, when it happened, I wasn't actually... there. It was more like, someone brought it to my apartment complex.

[Jesus that sounds. She doesn't even know how it sounds. Oh wait, no. Insane. There we go.]

[yardbird]

[...No, he gets that. Is it sad that he gets that? In that I-moved-rooms-by-turning-portraits kind of Silent Hill normal way? Probably also because the same thing happened on the Tranquility a couple months ago, so that helps him Get It. Should he mention that to Eileen? It'd probably just wind up freaking her out even more. No one wants that.]

...

Ah.

S... Sorry. [Now he just feels bad for Eileen. He wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyo--

[Well, maybe Sewell. Yeah, he'd wish all kinds of Hell on Sewell, if he didn't already get what was coming to him. Thanks, Anne.]

[maternityward303]

[Shaking her head, an attempt at clearing her mind.]

It's over now... but thanks.

To be honest, I'll probably be scared and angry for a long time.

[But she smiles, a small smile.]

At least I know, I really can get through anything if I want to.

[Still smiling, but there's a tiredness to her eyes when she looks away.]

But it's easy to say that now, when everything's passed.

[If she had to do it again...]

[yardbird]

Mn, I was pretty pissed, too. When I first got there. [A lot of "NO NO NO!" had been involved.] ...Then again, I guess there's some kinda silver lining to it as well, so that helps...

But hey, you won't be alone, either...?

[Murphy's sad attempt at being like "Hey, it could be worse!" because it really, really could be worse.]

[maternityward303]

[Eileen sees that. She'll... take it for what it is, lmao.]

Looks that way.

I'm sure I'll be seeing plenty of you, 'Space Dad.'

[yardbird]

[Pff.] Probably, yeah... I make an effort to be seen. Surprised no one's gotten sick of me yet.

[maternityward303]

[There's a story there. Pages torn and ripped out. The ink blurry and smeared.

It's a sad feeling. Not bad. But sad.]

Let's have a coffee, when I get there. Or, whatever spaceships serve up.

[yardbird]

[With Murphy, it's almost always sad stories.

[...Almost.]

Mn, yeah, we've got coffee. Saved my ass on more than one occasion. [Got to love it when avoiding all of those wonderful post-Silent Hill night terrors.] That... sounds good, though. Sure.