(closed) sometimes we just need to talk

[forethinking]

Who: Mercy & Ren
When: Sometime in August, before the Circus!
Where: A1 ADI housing!
Summary: Mercy has a nightmare. Selkie experiences talking!
Warnings: Dissociation, nightmares, violence, gore, everything that goes with the Selkie event.

(Ren's come to make everyone dinner, as per usual, but boy, is he tired. No particular reason as to it, it's probably just a result of a poor night of sleep coupled with a few worries crawling in the back of his brain. Next thing he knows, he falls asleep on the couch, sitting where he once was chatting.

Hours go by, and Ren's woken up by a scream coming from one of the rooms. It's not Monika's voice, so it must be Mercy. He runs, almost leaps over the couch in his despair to get to her - the last experience they shared wasn't so kind that he can just take a second out of reaching the source of the scream. He'll apologize for entering abruptly later, but he does so, calling her out immediately:)

Mercy? Are you okay?

Comments

[forethinking]

Do you feel strange in your body at all?

(A hand gently caresses the scar. Unfortunately, he can't do anything about that - all he can do is provide support. He knows what a traumatizing experience it had been, and if he can make her feel at least a little bit better, he'll count it as a win.

His attention only leaves her for the cups and to separate the tea he wants to make. He basically lives here, anyway. No shame in picking things from the kitchen.)

[graveyounglady]

[She twitches at the touch and feels the heat blooming anew on her cheeks, but manages to stay still, otherwise. When he turns away, Mercy lets her foot back down.]

Aye. Sometimes it's like a part of me thinks it's still a seal. I been thinking about trying to go in the water just to see what happens. It's stupid, but I'm half-afraid I'll turn into one of them again.

What about you?

[forethinking]

I'm the same.

(It took Ren an entire month to start feeling like a person, to not feel grossed out at the mere idea of having fingers and toes for fins.

The kettle whistles, and Ren gets two cups of chamomile tea ready for them. When he hands her, it's with a smile.)

It was you, wasn't it? I told you to escape under the water.

[graveyounglady]

I wasn't gonna leave no one to deal with those things alone.

[She shakes her head.]

We weren't built to do that. I got help, helped others. You know you can let someone else look after you, right?

[Mercy tilts her head.]

I wouldn't mind seeing to you when you need it. You been here cooking for us, listening. Who listens to you?

[forethinking]

I know.

(Because technically, he does. It's just his self-sacrificial knack - he fully comprehends that there are people out there who would take care of him if he just let them, but as is? It's much more important for Ren to be the caretaker.

If he crumbles, what would happen?

So his smile is gentle, kind as he takes a sip of his tea.)

I prefer to listen, so I ask you to not worry. If I need it, I'll come.

(He'll never come. He offers her a hand to slide off the counter so they can go to his couch. There's a blanket there, and some comfort could do her good.)

cw: reference to suicide

[graveyounglady]

[She lets him lead her and sits down close to him when they reach the sofa. It's maybe being a little too familiar, but she's scared and she likes being pressed against his side.]

I worry, Ren. I knew a man who always put other folk before himself. He felt like he had to. He didn't come to no one when he was hurting the most. Even when he needed. He just... just let it go 'til he couldn't take it no more. He said in his note he didn't want to be a burden, he just wanted to be strong for the folks he felt like he needed to look after. I don't want that happening to you.

[forethinking]

(It's fine to be next to him, if that's what she needs right now. Ren thinks of it like nothing but friendship, anyway.

Thing about Ren is that this is him, as well. He'll quietly take his hardships and turn them into strengths, so he can move on and become better from it. That's what he does.)

I promise you - I'm not leaving.

(Because he understood what she means.)

And I am good at taking care of myself. I promise you it'll be fine.

[graveyounglady]

I ain't saying you're not. Reckon most of us as fell through are pretty good at taking care of ourselves from what I seen. I just... this ain't your world, you know? Ain't got the same things you're used to, even if you're clever as a fox.

What happens when it gets past the point of being fine? I just want to know you got-you got someone. Is it Akechi?

[forethinking]

Akechi is there for me without a question - and I know you are, too.

(Whether he'd go to the people who's got his back is another matter altogether. He wouldn't, unless he's really at the point of breaking - but it's more likely that the people he helps wouldn't let him get to that.)

[graveyounglady]

Just as long as you speak up. [Mercy moves to wrap an arm loosely around his waist while she's cuddled up.] I know I ain't as clever as some people here, but I can listen. I want to listen.

Remember that, okay? You'd be doing me a favor and a kindness, knowing I could help you.

[forethinking]

(While an arm wraps around her too, the other attempts to hold a hand, as to give her full attention and support-- not thinking about himself, even as she calls him out for it.)

I'll remember it.

(And a squeeze of her hand.)

You're clever, though. You're benevolent, things like that are needed in a place like this.

[graveyounglady]

I ain't dumb. [She has enough self-confidence to agree to that.] I'm just saying I know I'm not gonna be the one figuring out the clues that'll get us home. I'm good at following a thread once I caught hold of it, but I ain't sure where to grab here. You seem more like you got that sort of head on you.