Forty-Second Entry

[hazelrink]

[Action // Accidental Video]

[The video itself sees us with Charlotte's back to the camera, wearing only shorts, and facing a mirror. The angle isn't good to see the reflection in the mirror in front of her (her body is obscuring it and the video focuses mostly on her long hair and head... but she's cupping both of her breasts in her hands,

Comments

[vulcanblazer]

[Adell's downstairs making breakfast, unaware of Charlotte's return. He's been doing this as some form of habit. There's... enough for two, a fact he didn't recognize until after he started cooking; mostly out of habit of Sylvia being around, despite that she's been gone for several days now.

Either way, he's right in the kitchen, and the food's sizzling in a pan.]

[vulcanblazer]

...Charles Hazelrink.

[He repeats the name, as if trying to process this. Best friend. Well, it's good that he has so much faith in him, that much hasn't changed. Luka's master... that's still right.

Silvie... Sylvia. That name brings back a lot of dark feelings. He doesn't know yet. He doesn't know that Sylvia is... wait.]

Yeah, I'm Luka's master. That much is definitely right. But...

"He?" ...Silvie's a woman. Sylvia van Hossen.

[hazelrink]

[...Frown.

Luka's- but Silvie. ...]

No he- ... I guess I got that wrong too. [...And he giggles here. Awkwardly. Willing it not to hurt]

1/2

[vulcanblazer]

...I'm sorry. I didn't mean it quite like that, I...

[Oh god. This.]

[vulcanblazer]

...Charles. We. Need to talk about something, actually.

I know this isn't really the best time for this, but... I have to be honest with you.

[hazelrink]

[...]

Adell, if it's easier you can just call me "Charle" or even Charlotte, I don't mind.

[It's okay, he tries to project.]

[vulcanblazer]

[He looks at him, trying to make eye contact.]

But that's not who you are. It wouldn't be right.

...But it's not about that.

[...He told Sylvia. He told her that he'd be here for Charlotte. Or Charles in this case. It doesn't matter. Now's the time. He's gotta be strong. So he swallows back a big lump in his throat.]

It's about Sylvie. ...Sylvie's. [He pauses, but refuses to falter.] Sylvie's gone home. ...I'm really sorry.

[hazelrink]

[ . . . ]

...Oh.

[Any attempt at a smile fades. He hands his head a little. Gone? Gone again? He'll recover in a few moments, no doubt, but for right now it feels like the world was just pulled up from under him]

[vulcanblazer]

[...It's something he can understand. He feels awful for being the one to pull the rug right out from under him. But it had to be done. He'd find out one way or another.

Even if Charles was just his best friend, whatever. He rests a hand on his shoulder, giving him a look that if he needs a hug or anything else, he's here. That he's not alone, through any of this. Whatever it is that he needs, the look says Adell will do what he can to help.]

[hazelrink]

[Hug. Definitely a hug - Charle pulls Adell into a tight embrace the moment there is a clear opening to do that. It's not a happy one, it's a desperate, sad one. And right now, he just needs the support of someone he knows to be that much stronger than him usually, Adell]

[vulcanblazer]

[And it's a hug he returns without hesitation. A comforting, supportive one. Adell knows he has to be the rock again. And that's okay. He's been readying himself to do just that. So he holds him, gives him support.

It's all he can do for now.]

[hazelrink]

[He wants to cry. Cry and curl up and just... ignore the world. But right now that won't help anyone. He just buries his face in Adell's shoulder for a moment before looking up and inhaling deeply. ... No. He needs to be ready. Stronger.

But he also isn't ready to let go yet]

[vulcanblazer]

[Adell can kind of feel that's what he wants to do. It's... a feeling he's felt himself but also pushed aside. He can tell Charles is just trying to steel himself and be strong. It's a sentiment he knows Charlotte would share. So he doesn't move. He doesn't let go either, not until he's ready.

...It isn't easy being strong all the time. Adell knows this, and that's why he'll be here as long as it takes.]

1/2

[hazelrink]

[Okay... one or two more deep breathes. And then he pushes off Adell]

[hazelrink]

...So you live with all girls? Your Mom must have been even more exasperated than I remember.

[With a smile. Let's tease him on this]

[vulcanblazer]

[That's more like it. So Adell will smile.]

...No, I think she merely accepted it as a fact of life. ...Eventually.