☆13 [voice]

[skaterbrain]

[It's been awhile since they all returned from the draft. Beat spent most of that time being anywhere but home, not contacting anyone, not doing anything, but trying to figure out where she'd come back at and wait there. But he doesn't know, doesn't even know how much longer it'll be until she comes back. And eventually he knows he has to tell people where they've been.]

...she didn't make it. Ribbons, I know you got us that stuff, but...

...

'm sorry, guys.




I'm sorry, Rhyme.

Comments

[voice]

[godbent]

-Come again?

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

You heard me. I couldn't protect 'er and now she's gone.

voice;

[ex_tessen852]

Beat? Where are you? [Because you sound sad, and she's gonna give you a hug!]

voice;

[skaterbrain]

Out.

[Because he is. He's outside, and that's all he really cares to know. It isn't home where he has to face all the people counting on him to keep her safe; and where her empty room is.

He knows that's not helpful though, so after a moment, he'll add.]

...Outside. I can't go home.

[voice]

[reminded]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

...You was one of her friends here?

[voice]

[reminded]

A teacher. But a friend as well, yes. Hershel Layton is my name.

[voice]

[godbent]

[Gone? What, she died? That's just messed up. She frowns to herself, feeling the weight of that fall down on her. She did all she could have logically, but-]

What the hell was she doing- [On the front lines? No, it clearly was a mess, just like in the Jungle] And that's why you've been gone.

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

....


[He knows. He knows he shouldn't have gone out there, but he'd thought he could protect her. He figured they could make it. He wasn't good at sitting still and they'd gone out and it'd all gone wrong. Beat's quiet for a minute, then grits his teeth.]

Yeah. S'why I've been gone.

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

Beat. ...

[She always did like school. She'd always been better at it than him, so it makes sense that she'd make friends with her teacher.]

...thanks for takin' care a' her.

voice;

[ex_tessen852]

Where outside? I'll come over. [And talk. Or hug. Or whatever.]

voice;

[skaterbrain]

...I dunno. I think I'm at one a' the lakes.

[He stares at the thing in front of him and yeah, looks like a lake.]

I wasn't really payin' attention to where I was going. Sorry, Sooks.

[voice]

[neverplaysfair]

She will be back.

[ It's the truth. But maybe it will also be some measure of consolation. ]

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

[Grk--! He doesn't know how to react to you of all people trying to console him, Joshua.

....But somehow it just makes him sadder.]

Don't make it any easier when she's gone though.

voice;

[ex_tessen852]

Don't be sorry. It's perfectly alright. Do you think you can make it to the tea shop? I'll make you some tea.

[voice]

[neverplaysfair]

[ Hey, Joshua cares for his Players. Even when they sock him in the face. ]

It should. As much pain as you're feeling, within a week it will mostly be gone. Under normal circumstances, those affected by a death are not so lucky. Even as you wait, it something to be grateful for.

voice;

[skaterbrain]

...aight. [It's less the drink and more someone who isn't one of his bfs from home who he can be around. He feels bad enough without having to look at them and remember that he failed them, too.] Jus'... gimme a minute.

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

[Totally earned it.]

...This some jab about yo' Game again?

Look, I know, aight? I know death ain't no big deal here, but she's gonna lose somethin' 'cause of me. Again. That ain't a pain that's gonna be gone in no stupid week.

[voice]

[neverplaysfair]

But is the price of the loss worth having her back for?

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

If I could lose it in her place, I'd give up everythin' I got.

[voice]

[neverplaysfair]

Those are the same feelings she had when she pushed you, you know.

voice;

[ex_tessen852]

Take all the time you need. The tea shop's not going anywhere.

[voice]

[skaterbrain]

--nngh......

[Goddammit, Joshua. Goddamn you for always being right.]

....So why can't she just-- ....I. ......

[I just wish once she'd let me save her instead of the other way around.]

voice; --> action;

[skaterbrain]

...Aight.

[It'll be awhile before he makes his way to the tea shop. He knows where it is since he's been here so long, but he's never actually been there. Finding somewhere new when you're not exactly at your best means it takes you twice as long, but eventually he climbs the stairs to the shop and pushes the door open after a heavy moment outside when he considers just running back out to the lake and staying there again.

He can't though. Rhyme would be disappointed in him. He steps inside.]

Hey, Sooks.

[voice]

[neverplaysfair]

Because she still cares for you.

[ And you keep getting yourself in these situations but that's not the part that Beat needs to hear right now. ]