[CLOSED] AUGUST CATCH ALL

[adversus]

Who ⬤ Marie and various others
What ⬤ Shenanigans with her new buddies. Mostly drinking, hanging out, making sure the population of Jigokucho is properly trolled...
When ⬤ August, before Tanabata event!
Where ⬤ Various
Content Warnings ⬤ There's some trauma talking up in here, but I think that's about it.

Comments

[adversus]

[Marie can't help but almost laugh at her reaction, well aware of how it must sound to someone that isn't used to that sort of thing. Still, she doesn't mind telling her story to those who will listen. It was quite the long tale, that certainly still gave her nightmares. Which lead to her being out here in the first place.]

I'm sorry to hear that, dear. That's a shame... I'm an educator myself, but I tend to spend extra time with students who have it rough.

[She still recalls what she saw in that alleyway with Kate. She wouldn't be surprised if her perception of adults were skewed at this point. Although, she doesn't realize that Kate isn't telling the whole truth. Just taking her words at face value, for now, until she wants to open up.]

So, if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here for you.

[bratherine]

( It's a well-meaning comment. But so many adults say well-meaning shit like that.

She had plenty of teachers who said just that when she was twelve and freshly grieving. Plenty of pitying words which disappeared as soon as it stopped being appropriate for her to be upset. Angry. Anything but focused on schoolwork.

Marie's seen a quick glimpse of a shitty memory, a look back at that wounded twelve year old, but how long will it take before she decides that Kate's a lost cause too? )

Good job I'm not one of them, huh?

( One of Marie's students? Or someone who's had it rough? )

[adversus]

[There's a moment of silence between the pair. Silently contemplating on how to go about this, since she didn't want to ruin Kate's trust in adults even further. Her distrust seemed to run deep, but that didn't mean that she wouldn't stop trying to be the one adult that would actually listen. Allow her to be who she was, negative and all.

So, with that, Marie reaches out slowly. Her hand gently patting Kate's shoulder; paired off with a smile that's friendly but also holds a great amount of compassion and care.]

Not at all.

[She pulls her hand back, and crosses her arms. Her eyes fluttered closed, as she takes in that cold breeze again.]

I don't know what happened to you, but you don't have to hold back around me. If you need to yell, go ahead and yell. If you need a shoulder to cry on, that's fine too. If you just want to laugh, then hey, go for it. I won't ever judge you.

[bratherine]

( It's a brief moment's contact, but enough to make Kate's shoulders stiffen, her expression schooled carefully into something inscrutable. Marie's direct, and even if she isn't demanding, it's unnerving, rubbing at nerves left raw by shitty, repetitive nightmares.

Pulling up memories of alleyways transforming into musty waiting rooms and the hollow shock of bad news. )

Look.

( She holds out the scythe as she speaks, handing it back to Marie, exhaustion creeping into her voice, betraying the little sleep she's had and aging her in an instant. Sixteen, but not. )

I don't cry. I don't have time to. ( Well, it's more like she designs her life in such a way that she's too busy to slow down and think about crying, because if those floodgates open... Well, Kate's not sure they'll ever stop. ) And what y'saw won't be an issue once I'm done here.

( It'll just be a mistake, erased by the giant cosmic blip that is Jigokucho. )

[adversus]

[With that, she doesn't hesitate to reach for her scythe again. Easily turning it so that the blade is upward, before latching it back onto the holster. Attention quick to turn back to Kate when she speaks, and immediately noticing the tiredness in her voice that immediately gets her to frown. The girl in front of her certainly having a chip on her shoulder.]

I'm sure. You seem like a tough one, so I don't doubt you.

[Even if she was an adult, she wasn't one to coddle. She'll definitely take Kate's words at face value, and hope for the best. Even so.]

If you ever need help though, I'll be here.

[And with that said, she takes a step forward, and crosses her arms. That last breeze hitting her face quite nicely, where she starts to feel that tiredness creep up. The back of her hand quickly rubbing her eyes, to wipe away the tiredness.]

You wanna head back and get some rest?

[bratherine]

( Rest... isn't that a concept. Kate's never been good at it, even before she was like this. Always too much energy, always wanting to be doing something.

And now all it means is more nightmares. More suffocating twists on memories she tries desperately to wash away.

So, at Marie's suggestion, Kate checks the time on her phone, and relief floods her at the fact it's getting close to sunrise. )

I've got training. Think I'll go get breakfast.

( Her stomach sure seems to agree with the idea, anyway. )

C'ya.

( She is gonna climb down these apartments and get to ground. Hopefully no one is trying to enjoy an early morning by their window. )