[Voice/Action/Written]
[Sunrises are beautiful from the top of the Straw Hat's rooftop. Brook makes it a point to see each and every one of them, watching the world around them stir to life as he plays the violin. He's been inseperable from it and his other instruments since everything has gone back to normal. There is so much relief in being able to do this again, and ( Read more... )
When she comes back to this entry now, she's been alternately crying and just utterly numb all day, and she needs... she needs something. Someone. Anyone.
She sounds so, so, so far from alright it's painful when she manages to pipe up. ]
Brook? Are you... [ not crying not crying ] Can I talk to you?
[ normally she would have filtered this. today she's so scattered and hurts so bad she doesn't even care. ]
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[And give him a second, he will remember to put a filter up, if only due to his next question.] Name the place and I will meet you there.
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Can I meet you at your house?
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[ she's grateful, but not so good at communicating it right now. instead she quietly shuts the journal and heads out.
the way there is hard. very hard. because the last thing Xion wants to do is cry in public, but every step just plagues her with more doubts. should she be bothering them? isn't it her fault anyway he left on such an awful note? she feels like a bother, a burden.
a mistake.
it takes more courage than it should to hesitantly knock on the door once she reaches house 6, looking ready to bolt at any moment. ]
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...and Xion, the look on your face makes his heart ache, even when he doesn't have one.]
Come on in now. [He'll step to the side just slightly, letting her through the door.] If it is all right with you, I invited Sanji-san to join us.
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burying her face in her hands, she simply starts to shake, rooted to the spot.
... she might need a little guidance. ]
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From what he knows about her, and what that stupid brat she calls (called) a boyfriend said--
He glances up from the bed when they enter, eye immediately drawn to her face]
... Xion-chan?
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She hesitates a little before actually entering his room, but with a glance up at Brook to steel her nerves she finally steps inside.
With just one look at Sanji's face, though, Xion loses all her composure and simply bursts into tears. ]
He's-- He's gone! [ she can barely gasp the words out ] Riku's gone, he's -- he's gone home!
[ the pain she feels is practically tangible in the air around her as she simply breaks, no longer able to form words. ]
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They're dealing with that type of broken heart. Sanji very near winces now that he's got an idea what they're up against. It's one thing to be pissed at someone and leave them - it's another when you think they've left you forever.
And Xion can't follow him back home, either.
The girl's in shambles. And looking like she could use a few hugs. He doesn't resort to that yet, first ushering towards the bed before grief robs her of the last of her strength and sitting her down on it. Then he gets down to business, rubbing her back sympathetically because even if she weren't in tears, he can guess how much this hurts.
Brook gets a quick but meaningful glance - tea please. Even if she doesn't drink it, something warm and distracting in her hands might help.]
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Brook's never had a chance to talk to Riku, but he's heard of him a few times. Often enough to understand he was close to Xion. He didn't need to see the tears to know that.]
Try to collect yourself, my dear. [He'll be handing over that cup of tea now.] Take all the time you need. [She looks like she could use a good cry, and they don't need to hear anything else until she's composed enough for it.]
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at the very least, she manages to sit when Sanji directs her, and the hand on her back reminds her that some reality other than her own overwhelming pain still exists.
she glances up when Brook hands her the tea, tears still streaming down her face, and manages a nod, taking it from him with hands that tremble oh so slightly. at the very least, she has to force herself to steady a little if only so she doesn't spill it. for now, she just wraps her fingers around the cup, appreciating its warmth. when she attempts to speak again, her voice is thick, so clouded by tears it's a little difficult to understand her ]
I want to go home. [ and yes, she's saying that without really realizing what it means. ] I'm tired. I don't understand anything anymore, I ( ... )
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But she looks so young and hurt and confused now, lost in her own turmoil that needs some type of explanation. It's with great reluctance that he starts speaking, still keeping a comforting hand on her back should she at any point need it again]
It's because you cared about him, Xion-chan. [Only the tip of the iceburg, but it's a place to start]
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He nods along to what Sanji says.] That itself is not something that you have to understand to feel.
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Xion nods at what they say, but doesn't respond yet. instead she takes a deep breath and a sip of her tea ... which manages, at least, to get a tiny and watery smile out of her. ]
It's good.
[ really, there's just nothing she knows how to say right now. even articulating this kind of pain is hard because she's never experienced it before. it's like trying to name or describe a color you've never seen before. where do you even begin? instead she leans into Sanji the tiniest bit and extends a hand towards Brook, trying to indicate that she wants him to take a seat on her other side.
all she really wants right now is her friends beside her until the pain ebbs, even just a little bit. though she does manage this for them: ]
Thank you.
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