apocalypsehowcomm | [open network - video] backdated to beginning of August

Who: Delloso de la Rue
Username: rue
Warnings: mentions of murder/dissection, non-human

[After the last few difficult months here, is it any surprise that the first network message from Rue in some months now comes with none of the cheerful optimism and excitement of their last? Instead, the owlbear looks exhausted, tightly wound and deeply troubled.

Something they have recently learned has set them on edge.]

I am afraid I must be the bearer of unfortunate news.

Though our numbers have dwindled greatly these last few months, there are still those of us non-humans simply trying to live in this world. But I have recently been informed by Nia that there is a greater chance of danger coming for us. My worst fear about being seen by humans was the terror the sight of me would incite, but now I have learned that was only the beginning.

Pray, if you are weak of constitution, I beg of you to turn this off. I do not wish to distress anyone, only to inform.

To put it plainly, Nia said that if we were discovered by those government forces outside of ADI, that we would very likely be killed and dissected. Such news has weighed heavily on my heart, I can not think how any of us are meant to reaction to such horror.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[They meant to give a warning and here they are, surrounded on all sides with support and such genuine, beautiful words. Rue can hardly believe they've managed to make so many friends.]

I appreciate your kind words, dear Martin. I promise, should such a fate befall me, I will not go quietly or calmly. I shall fight back with all I have.

I know you will. I-- I hope you don't have to, of course, but. Well. What's important would be that you're free, safe, and unharmed.

[Not that Martin is much of a good-at-physical-violence guy, but he'd punch somebody in the face for Rue. Multiple somebodys, in fact. It's the thought that counts.]

[forgive them for getting emotional]

Thank you, my friend. Thank you.

Of course! I, I mean, of course.

[no forgiveness needed!!! Though it does make it harder to not imagine Rue as a delicate princex swooning on a fainting couch at the ball.]

Are you okay... now? I mean, uhm, after that whole talk.

[bring me my fainting couch!!!]

I do not know if 'okay' is quite the word I would use, but I will manage just fine, Martin. I have not fought this long to simply give up now.

[It would have to be such a big couch, too...]

Well, I-- I mean of course not, I just was, uhm. I guess wondering if you needed to talk about it, you know, to feel better or anything.

[their expression softens considerably]

I would not mind the company or the ear, if you would like to come over.

Of-- of course! If you're alright hosting and all, it-- I won't impose, I promise.

[Aka no need to make this an Event, Rue, though he suspects they might anyway. In the meantime, he will head over there posthaste and knock.]

[Please, Rue is always up for hosting!

So naturally, by the time that Martin makes it over, Rue has at least managed to stuff their grief into a box and greet the man with a gentle, cool smile as they let him inside.]

Please come in, my friend. I've only just started some tea, but that is all, I promise.

[Rue no we are here to TALK about the GRIEF--

Martin enters regardless, giving them as warm a smile as they can manage.]

As long as it's just tea. No need for you to throw me a, a parade or anything.

[He will wait until they are settled though, cups in hand, to ask the real questions. Namely...]

So, uhm... h-how are you feeling? After all that.

[oh. right to it then.

Rue has a delightful spread before them - teas, shortbread, a few sliced cheeses - but the question comes and their posture deflates across from Martin.]

I know it is foolish, but my heart hurts. I feel as if I am trapped between being furious and being heartbroken.

[Rue, you're adorable. Martin will partake in a cookie to swirl in his cup a bit, but his free hand will reach out to them if their wing or claw is on the table.]

It-- It's not foolish, not at all. What she said was... I mean, perhaps true, but mostly rude, and-- and terrifying, so, it's not bad to not feel good after it.

[oh. Nia. Truth be told, Rue had momentarily forgotten about that. They look a little surprised, big eyes going wide, before they bow their head and nod.]

Certainly. Of course. It is the truth, a harsh truth, but one I must face.

I mean, not-- not really. I mean, hopefully not at all.

[He sighs, taking a sip of his tea.]

It won't happen. All of that-- that experimentation stuff is just stories that come from movies. It's not... it's not really happened.

[Rue cares very deeply for Martin but also. That sounds a little fake.]

How can you be so certain? There have been - I have seen those cars outside, waiting for something. I feel eyes on me everywhere that I go.

I mean...

[He can't say he's certain it never happened, seeing as while he lived in a similar world, it was an entirely different country. And yet...]

I want to believe that people are good, in the end. Someone would stop it, even if others wanted to. It's... hard to believe sometimes. But most people aren't evil.

[He's not sure how much he believes that some days, but it seems like the right thing to believe in right now.]

[Martin so desperately wants to believe it and Rue feels cruel to deny him this belief.]

I'm afraid I do not have quite the same faith that you do, but I promise, my friend, I am trying.

No, I-- I understand. It's hard to do, when everything is so... terrifying, all the time.

[And he has been betrayed by so, so many people. He's sure they have as well.]

It's just as likely that something good happens as it does bad. So... so you know. It, it isn't good to just be worried about bad things happening all the time.

[Martin...

Rue can't help the gentle pinch of worry on their brow, but they shake it away after only a moment, instead forcing a bright smile.]

Of course, darling. I know you're right. It's pointless to focus on the negative. I know that all of us will be just fine.

[It is a lying lie, but Rue can't stand to have this conversation anymore. To be told they shouldn't worry when their very life is at stake feels beyond patronizing.]

You've been quite well?

[It's the only thing he can do, anymore, to look on the bright side. To believe something better. The more he fears, the more they win.]

I've been... y'know, good enough. With all this. But honestly, I, I came over to try and make you feel better, so-- do you want to do something? Or just, er... talk about books?

[Anything to make them feel better.]

[Rue can fake it till they make it.]

I think I would love to discuss whatever you've been reading as of late. I admit, I've been watching more television than diving into books, it's easier to multitask while I'm sewing, so I could use a few new recommendations.

[open network - video] backdated to beginning of August

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