in the arms of an angel, may you find some comfort here

[thehighestwing]

[[ooc: you can totally treat this as a party post. if you see someone you know and want to go up to them, threadhop at your leisure!]]Chicago, the break is not stopping. There have been a string of losses and they've been keenly felt throughout the city. There are ghosts on everyone's faces and soon enough they'll overpower them unless something is

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[touchme_n_die]

Rogue, originally, didn't want to come out. She'd seen Phoebe's journal entry and she'd thought it was sweet and clever and really wonderful. Folks have taken quite the hit lately, and it was just like the other gal to come up with something to lift folks' spirits.

It's really not something she can participate in, but...

She'll be damned if she doesn't support her friend's efforts. That's what being a friend is about, right? And, it's part of being a community, too, she reckons. True, this community seems to be kinda violent and wild and all, but she's mostly accustomed to that.

So, before going to the park, Rogue stops by the corner store and picks up several of bags of candy.

When she reaches the park, she calls out Phoebe's name and a "Think fast" before tossing the girl a bag of Hershey's Kisses and Hugs.

She nods toward the sign. "I like your idea, Phoebe." She really really does.

[thehighestwing]

Phoebe had thought of Rogue when writing down that entry. She had thought of what Rogue confided in her, felt terribly sad for a moment, and then found what solution she could. She has the green blanket at the ready, the one Rogue once covered her in so she could hug her.

Phoebe grins at the sight of her good friend, catching the bag and walking up to the other girl. "Thanks! It seemed kind of lame when I was writing it but...I know a lot of people are gonna need support."

So many disappeared. So many were taken. Some were even killed. That's how Chicago works, in a way.

Right now is not the time to think about it. It's the time to be with people and try to make it a little bit better for them.

"Are you and your peeps good?"

Which is to say, please don't tell me someone you love disappeared, too.

[touchme_n_die]

Rogue spots that blanket and it makes her need to clear her throat a bit before she speaks. She doesn't think there's a darn thing about the journal entry or the idea, itself, that's lame.

She thinks it's one of those loving things that folks like Phoebe just can do and that the world should be grateful for.

Not everyone would've thought of this.

'Are you and your peeps good?'

Rogue thinks of Wes and Danny and nods, grateful she's able to say yes. "Well, now that I can see you, I can say f'sure that yeah, my peeps are good." You're totally one of Rogue's 'peeps', Phoebe.

The question is slightly hesitant, but the concern is genuine. "What about you? You doin' okay?"

[thehighestwing]

Phoebe laughs a little. It doesn't sound as loud as her usual laugh is, but all things considered it's a surprise she's laughing, period.

Her own throat clogs for a bit when Rogue calls Phoebe one of her own. Rogue is one of Phoebe's own so this works out perfectly.

Her smile widens a fraction, and it's sincere, even if it hurts.

"I'm okay," she admits. "Worried about everyone else. Worried about Xander, mostly."

Okay, so she's worried about everyone but Xander's the one making her flail in her head because he lost Buffy, Tay, and Willow in one fell swoop.

[touchme_n_die]

There's a relief that settles over Rogue's chest when Phoebe says she's okay, and a layer of sadness that settles when she says she's worried about Xander.

He's a nice guy. Rogue knows that much. She hopes he's all right.

There's a quick glance around to see if she can see him, then she's biting down on her lip a bit.

When she doesn't immediately spot him, she turns her attention back to Phoebe. "It seems like a lotta folks are havin' to deal with an awful lot," she comments.

There's the smallest smile, though. On her look around, she saw more people coming to gather around there at the park. "It looks like folks agreed with what you wrote, darlin'."

[thehighestwing]

Phoebe hasn't seen him yet. She knows he's going to show up because of the journal entry, but she doesn't blame him if he takes his time. Or if he doesn't end up showing.

She can't--she doesn't deal with loss well.

"Yeah, the Rift sometimes acts up in the worst ways," Phoebe says a little sadly.

One sigh, and then she's pulled out of it. "Thanks, Rogue! I hope so. There are those of us still here and we do what we can, yeah?"

[touchme_n_die]

The rift has acted up, for sure.

She can fight monsters and bad guys and stuff like that. There's nothing anyone can really do to fight what loss does to a person. There's nothing, anyway, besides things like this.

When she sees Phoebe pull herself out a bit, though, she smiles. "There are definitely those of us still here, and heck yeah, we'll do what we can."

Rogue glances around again, this time just to assess about how many are arriving. "Well. If you'd like anyone to make food runs or drink runs or anythin' like that, just lemme know, yeah?" She'd...like to help in whatever way she can. Also... "I reckon the blanket's not just for show?" The look on Rogue's face, Phoebe, is pure gratitude.

[thehighestwing]

"I'll let you know," Phoebe promises. She hopes enough people come that food runs will be necessary, but for now it's nice to be with her friends. She can breathe a little easier knowing they're nearby.

I reckon the blanket's not just for show?

Phoebe shakes her head, that tiny smile still reflected on her lips. Warmth floods her expression, reaching her eyes.

"Nope. I kinda wanna hug you, too. If you want."

She offers Rogue the blanket.

[touchme_n_die]

'I'll let you know.'

Rogue nods. "Okay." She hopes more come, too. She supposes most everyone needs something like this, whether they admit it or not. They need something, and this reminds folks that they're alive. It reminds them that there are other people out there who care.

It matters.

She sees that expression, too, and she's more than glad she asked.

Rogue takes the blanket and winds it around until it's safe and careful enough, then she leans in for a hug. Darned if she won't stay there for a while, too. "Thanks, Phoebe."

[thehighestwing]

To touch, to reach out to someone else, it's sometimes the only way one knows they're real. It's the simplest gesture that a person can make, and sometimes it makes all the difference.

It's why she even considered this bogus idea.

It does matter. It always, always matters.

Phoebe will hug Rogue for as long as they need to. She won't be the first one to draw away, that's for sure. "You're welcome, Rogue," she says very quietly, and then she's quiet.