5th synapse - [location]

[justaddmarbles]

[ there's a skinny figure wandering in from the east edge of the village, bundled up in a tattered coat that's doing next to nothing to protect him from the elements. of course, by the way he's is stumbling and weaving it's safe to assume he's been affected by more than just the cold

Comments

[heavenslament]

[Terra's out and enjoying the novelty of fresh snowfall, when she spots a familiar figure ahead.]

Glitch!

[Running over immediately.]

[justaddmarbles]

[ Glitch looks up blearily and blinks at Terra's approach, taking a few stumbling steps back. ]

I...who...what-- [ all the questiosn, no idea what order to put them in. ]

[heavenslament]

[Terra doesn't pause until she's at his side, looking him over in concern.]

Glitch, it's me...Terra. I've been worried about you.

[There's a wince as she can't help but notice his unzipped head, but there is a matter slightly more pressing.]

Do you want to go to my house? You can warm up there.

[justaddmarbles]

[ Glitch shies away and shakes his head, confused. ]

W-worried? I I don't...know. You. I don't think I know--

[ oh his focus is just not working and everything is tippy, so he folds his arms to try and keep from wobbling. ]

I-is it far?

[heavenslament]

[Terra automatically reaches out to help steady him.]

No, but...here, take my hand. I can get us there very quick, but I don't want you to fall over.

[justaddmarbles]

[ he's still decidedly jumpy but...there's a compulsion to trust her. ]

Okay, that's...thank you. [ and he reaches to take her hand. ] I I don't wanna fall over either.

[heavenslament]

[She nods...and concentrates on her teleport spell. A moment later, they're standing in the living room of her house.]

[justaddmarbles]

Oh! [ that was fast. he looks around, befuddled, and refocuses on Terra. ] Was that magic o-or did I just glitch again?

[heavenslament]

[She shakes her head, a reassuring smile forming.]

It wasn't you. That was my magic. Here, have a seat on the couch. Do you want cocoa or tea or something?

And...um, your head-zipper is open.

[justaddmarbles]

Oh, well... [ he nods and meanders to the couch, all but collapsing onto it. ] A-and tea would be nice, I think, thank--

[ wait, what? ] Oh, oh gods I-I-I'm so sorry! [ he reaches up and sure enough, zipper open. he hastily closes it, making a few distressed, embarrassed noises as he did so. ]

[heavenslament]

[She's quick to close in, resting a hand on his shoulder.]

It's okay; you didn't know. I thought it was more important to get you out of the cold first, anyway.

[justaddmarbles]

[ he shakes his head and pats his scalp to make sure everything is in order. ]

No no no, not okay, it's not supposed to-- it never-- Terra, I should have... [ oh! Glitch looks up at her with real recognition. ] Terra. I I remember you now.

[heavenslament]

[She perks up at that and nods eagerly.]

Oh, good! I'm glad it's coming back to you. You remember this place, too?

[justaddmarbles]

[ he closes and thinks. ]

It's...not home. It's the village. [ eyes open again. ] B-but I was away from the village, they...I was somewhere else.

[heavenslament]

[Remembering the tea, Terra takes a moment to put the kettle on, then returns to him. She sits at the edge of the sofa, gnawing her lip.]

...in their labs? I heard about how they experiment on people.

[justaddmarbles]

[ Glitch's first impulse is to shove it away and deny it happened, but he resists. ]

Yes. [ quietly, then louder. ] Yes, they...kept looking in my head, I think. T-to see what was in there.