Seasons: IC Contact/Continuations

[abnormalizes]

This is Evangeline! Sorry, I'm a little busy right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Comments

[splittingheadache]

- Good. ... Good.
I'm glad to hear it.

[A pause, filled only with the subtle clack that makes it clear he's drumming his nails against his table.]

... You have no real excuse to come see me, then. Hm?
That was all that I could come up with, personally - but I wouldn't want to tear you away from the others, either.

I know they've been worried sick.

[abnormalizes]

They were. They asked a lot of questions about what happened. Obviously I told them as little as possible.

[Obviously!]

If you want me to visit, that's reason enough for me.

[splittingheadache]

"Obviously"? ... Frankly, I've been expecting a mob to tear down my door any moment -
I have even seen visions of such, unsure if they were real or not.

Freaky, as one might say.

[At least there's a touch of humor in his voice, though!]

... Would it be selfish of me? To admit that I'd like you to visit?
I've even cleaned my apartment, despite not staying in here very often - everything is clear of dust, the sofa is straightened, my bed has been made... all of it.

I, ah... haven't had much else to focus on. These last couple of days.

[abnormalizes]

Selfish or not, I'm coming right over. See you in ten.

[Thankfully, due to teleporters it's a quick trip to the apartments, and then she's knocking on his door.

...She is, of course, wearing the EGO suit she died in. It hadn't occurred to her to change in the time she was at home.]

[splittingheadache]

[He is, of course, very quick to answer the door - already, the smell of coffee is wafting around him out through the doorway, clearly set up just for her. Just as before.

And he's smiling brightly, as bright as he can manage, when he sees her -

Only for that smile to falter at the sight of her EGO suit.

...

Yeah, of course she'd be wearing that. Right? She needs it. To feel safe.
Around him.

His smile is still there, but it's a bit strained as he moves to the side to invite her in.]

Here - please, come in... I've already started coffee for you.
And, ah - I've... purchased "proper" milk, too. If you'd like.

[... All he had otherwise were dairy-free alternatives, so.]

[abnormalizes]

Thank you, Louis, you’re sweet.

[She steps inside, closes the door, and then asks,]

Did that thing with me rescuing you actually happen? I remember bits and pieces but nothing super clear.

[splittingheadache]

...

It actually happened, yes. As did everything before it.

[He is pointedly not looking at her as he says that, unconsciously grabbing his stomach as he moves to the kitchen to make himself some tea.]

... Thank you, by the way.
For rescuing me. ... I'm not sure I would have felt better if a ghoul had killed me that night.

[abnormalizes]

Oh, you’re welcome. I know I would have felt worse about it.

[She settles on the couch.]

…So how are you feeling?

[splittingheadache]

... Not as well as I could, to be frank.
Because of everything that happened, yes -

But I also have not eaten that much meat in my entire life... nor did I purge all of it.
I'm still dealing with the aftermath of that disgusting mistake.

[Just... gonna explain that as plainly as he can, apparently.

And now he's making his way over to the sofa, himself - holding not just his own cup, but also a cup of coffee for her on a nice little tray...
Because everything is unmixed. Milk, cream, and sugar are all in nice little cups on the tray alongside hers, just in case she doesn't trust him with it.]

... I'll likely be ill for a day or two more, but I'll survive.

[abnormalizes]

[She mixes her milk and sugar in without realizing anything’s amiss.]

…that really was a lot of meat for you. Is there anything I can do to help? Anything I can get you from the pharmacy?

[splittingheadache]

Unfortunately not. My body isn't built like yours - most everything is made for those with physical systems.
I'd have to test everything to make sure it does not react to my magic harmfully...

But as I said, I'll survive. Really, we're both just lucky I'm merely vegan for my health -
Were I the kind to do it for "welfare", I'd be having a much bigger breakdown than I am.

[...

Said as he calmly sips his tea.]

[abnormalizes]

Mm. Glad it’s not worse, then.

…Is there anything I can do about the breakdown?

[splittingheadache]

...

I'm not sure, to be honest with you. I -
I do not handle these... well. But I also don't... have them as others do.

[He looks down at his tea, then, thinking about it... then looks at his hands, holding onto his tea.

For some reason, his vision darts across his hands, as if he's looking at lots of little... somethings on them -
And he opts to place his tea on the table, slowly and gently.]

... Would you... hold my hands, perhaps? Just -
Just that.... please.

[Still looking at his hands - it's clear he's seeing... things.
Whatever they are.]

[abnormalizes]

[Without hesitation, she reaches for his hands and gives him a squeeze.]

I’ve got you. It’s going to be okay.

leaves u these tags as a lil treat for the mornin

[splittingheadache]

[Her hands are taken in return with quite a bit more hesitation - but from the jerky way he goes about it, it seems almost more like he's trying not to get anything on her.

And once they're holding hands properly, he lets out a little sigh. Not one of relief -
But a sigh nonetheless.]

... Thank you. It, ah -
Hasn't... changed anything. But it's much easier to tell it isn't real, seeing you so unaffected...

delicious

[abnormalizes]

I'm here and fine.

[Whole and smiling. She squeezes his hands again.]

Would a photo help, or is that affected by hallucinations too?

[splittingheadache]

Oh, no - just this is fine. A photo won't make it go away, but as I said - you seem unaffected by it... that's good enough.
My visions just get so messy when something's wrong; that's become one of my only means of gauging such a thing.

In fact, it's so bad, my scar's reopened.

[Which it most certainly has not. But the tone makes it clear he knows he's just seeing things - his scar's as healed as it's ever been.]

... I cannot believe that, after everything, you are okay with sitting on my sofa in my living room.
Doesn't it worry you? That I could do that again?

[abnormalizes]

You'd need a reason to. And if you had a reason you would let me know.

...Right? You're not still mad?

[If he is, he's doing a very good job of hiding it.]

[splittingheadache]

I am no longer mad. You've nothing to worry about - at least from that perspective.
Rather bold to assume a madman needs a reason to do anything, though.

Or have you somehow convinced yourself I'm well after everything I've done to you?

[... Despite his words, he's squeezing her hands like he's afraid she'll let go.]

[abnormalizes]

You definitely have some issues that you could stand to work on, for sure. But attacking people for no reason isn't one of them.

[She squeezes his hands tightly in return. She's right here.]

[splittingheadache]

As if these are problems one could simply talk out.
I fed upon you like an animal, Evangeline. What good would "working on it" be?

[He's... gonna scoot a little closer, if she'll let him.
He just wants to be close. That's all he wants.
He doesn't dare ask for anything else.]

... I'm not known for attacking without reason, however. You're right about that.
For now.

There's no saying I won't someday hallucinate something so awful that I act upon it. Orange magicians are ostracized for a reason.

[abnormalizes]

[She leans against his side, affectionately. Companionably.]

If you're attacking me because of a hallucination, I'll restrain you before you can do anything you'll regret.

[splittingheadache]

...

[Okay, fine, he'll... risk it. Opting to just lean his head on her shoulder, careful of the sharp horns he once tried to impale her with.]

I do want to believe you could. But do you have anything that could restrain the strength of a Grim Reaper?
Mere ropes or chains wouldn't nearly hold strong enough.

You'd need some sort of industrial-sized glue trap for giant rats like myself.

[abnormalizes]

[She reaches over with one hand, making sure not to let go of his with the other, and gently plays with his hair.]

I was thinking I would break your legs and made sure they healed funny? ...Which is kind of a brutish way of going about it, but you're right in that I don't have any chains that could keep you. And I would get you a healer as soon as you had calmed down?

[splittingheadache]

...

[Lifting his head again, purely just to blink at her once or twice.
With, of course, the worst possible observation he could make:]

... A bit like the film Misery?
Though, I suppose the mental wellness would be obviously flipped, in our instance...