|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 16:56:07 GMT
"Even compared to everyone else that I know, all that you've been through, Patience..." Thel says, smiling, "I would say that you're the strongest. No question about it."
"And... you have been good to me. All throughout," he reassures her. "You've been there for me. Helped me explore my own thoughts as I tried to teach you. Protected me - more than I ever knew. Comforted me. And just... been a good friend, and the best sister I could ever ask for."
"And I know you'll say that the others did much of that, too. And, you'd be right. But each of you are different. Unique. I wouldn't be where I am now were it not for every one of you. All of you have done things for me, to help me grown. And you've gone through the most hardship, finding yourself along the way, too." He squeezes her hand in return.
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 17:41:03 GMT
"It's hard.". Patience moves a hand from Thel's and wipes her eyes. "I look into your eyes and at your smile. They confuse me. Less then they used to maybe but it never quite clicks right. I'm your sister, but... what should I be feeling? Loss of family, before I was owned... It was something like the weather, or there not being enough food."
She fidgeted. "I'm terrified of losing you in a way that I've never been afraid before. Not even of my old Master. I thought for sure when I spoke out about my experiences this morning you... might want to move on. I could have stopped things... Protected others. Things you strive for, and I didn't. I wasn't strong, and I didn't want to be. I just wanted it to stop hurting."
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 17:55:35 GMT
"There's no 'should' when it comes to feeling," Thel says. "Everyone feels things differently. However you feel about things is the way you should be feeling. Don't worry that you're feeling things wrong."
"And nobody can do everything, Patience," he continues. "You did as you needed to in order to keep moving forwards. I know what that's like. I've been in the same position. I could never, ever fault you for that. We can't solve every problem ourselves. ...as much as it seems like sometimes I try to," he adds, sheepishly.
"Don't dwell on the past, okay?" he says, running his unclasped hand gently through her hair. "It's something to learn from. It's part of us, but it doesn't define us. We become who we choose... that's something that I've learned. So if there is a type of person you want to be... I will help you be the best you you can be. But you did all you could to make sure you could get to this point. Nobody would ever blame you for that. Especially since... from what I hear, even trying to stop it wouldn't have made a difference. She would have just replaced you, and the world would have been a worse place for it. Because it wouldn't have you."
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 18:19:31 GMT
"Thel... when all the bad is over and you and Em have your happily ever after... Will you still need me? I know, I know, I know... It's... You'd want me... But humans don't have a purpose. Not like I used to. They make their own purpose, so I don't have one.". Patience leaned into his hand.
"When I'm not talking with you, my mind just blanks. I don't think about anything but the next moment that feels nice. Maybe that will be all I ever am. I don't know if I'm okay with that, or how to fix it."
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 18:44:28 GMT
"I... that's something I was struggling with to some degree myself. Never making a choice, except when I thought it would be something someone else would like." He sighs. "I'm still like that to some degree. I just want to be with my friends, and be happy."
"I don't know how much I'll be able to do. But I'll do what I can, to try and see if we can find something that is able to drive you. Being human is weird, and scary and... I don't know sometimes. But what I do know for certain, is that I would be terribly sad if you were no longer in my life. We've only known each other for a short time, but already it feels like forever...
He looks into her eyes, and smiles. "We'll find something. I... want you to be in a place where you're happy. And don't feel adrift."
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 19:02:42 GMT
Patience starts crying openly. She cries by herself. Then in her brothers arms. Bittersweet tears unabated until she could cry no more. Where he would lead, she would follow woodenly. Light enough that she might be guided but not so light that she could be carried. When her muffled sobs finally quieted, buried as her face was against his neck, Patience's breathing evened, and she rested.
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 19:05:48 GMT
Thel comforts his sister, holding her gently. After a time, he gently leads her to where she'd made her nest, and tucks her in as comfortable as he can make it, just sitting there snuggled up with her. She needs support in the moment, and he'll be with her as long as she needs.
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 19:16:59 GMT
The weight of Patience's slight form, head on his chest. The warmth of her breathing and the softness of her hair. The little noises she makes as she rested against him, a sigh, a hiccup, a murmur. Despite the distress that had brought the pair to this moment, it is pleasant and quiet. A visceral, personal respite with another's company. As he had with Em once, but different.
She held him with great need, fingers curled into his shirt. It was nearly two hours before she came fully around and murmured a shy apology.
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 19:31:20 GMT
It's a pleasant moment, warm amongst the chill of the day. He just lays there, knowing she needs someone. And he, in this moment, doesn't need anything more than being there for her. This is what family's about.
"It's okay," Thel comforts softly, as she tries to apologize. "It's all okay. I feel like you needed that."
"How are you feeling?" he asks. "...it's okay if you don't want to talk, though, and just want to lay there."
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 19:46:41 GMT
Patience made a small noise in reply and snuggled a little closer. She wasn't used to having to articulate for herself either, since the unit had always translated neural response to language before. It was about this time that Morty entered the room with a small satchel of things, the two huddled on the floor comfortably in Jasmine's kitchenette.
"Is this a bad time?". He asks Thel quietly. "If you are comfortable, we could get started as long as your friend doesn't mind.". Patience shakes her head that she doesn't mind.
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 19:49:55 GMT
"What are we getting started with, exactly?" Thel asks, curiously. "Are you needing to know anything, or..." He isn't really sure even what questions to ask. But, presumably Morty would explain everything.
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 20:04:02 GMT
"I'm going to set out some candles, incense and wards, and then trance while you sleep. These things collectively create an effect called transhumanism. Most people don't believe that a soul can be without a body. These items thin the barriers between us and let me look into you. It is not unlike Telepathy in some ways, but far more personal.". There was an awkward pause, Thel could feel Patience shift her posture and watch the gym leader.
Morty laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Right, not helping. Dreams create physical spaces, like a temple. To someone that knows nothing about it, the door doesn't open. I've got the key though."
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 20:07:43 GMT
"Ah, I see," Thel though he doesn't fully. "So... you're basically going to be looking in? Will you also be in there at all? Or just looking?" He isn't sure how he feels about that. The only other one who's been in there was Serenity. And she's much closer to him than Morty is. ...but he guesses it'd be okay, probably.
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 20:12:54 GMT
"The intent is just to watch, but there are two beings that govern dreams. Should either interfere in my ritual then I can't say for certain what is to happen. The wards are a preventative measure against outside influences. Ghosts in particular have a tendency to invade dreams, and can cause great harm to a sleeping mind or loose soul."
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 20:23:12 GMT
Oh. Oh dear. Should he say something? If there's great danger here...
He can't bring himself to do it. It's not his place to talk about Darkrai… and it might make him ask more about his prior dreams, and he can't talk about the flower and... everything.
He does remember something, though. He'd given most of the Cleanse Tags Morty'd given him to Em… but not all. If there's a risk, he can do what he can to mitigate it. Gently extracting himself from Patience, he moves to ward the room like how Morty'd shown, though looks at the Gym Leader to see if he'd be stopped. "It just... would make me feel better, with Ghosts," he explains.
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 21:01:31 GMT
"Here... If you are going to help.". Morty drew out a small round disc with a spinning arrow that slowed to a stop. "The first one needs the go over the sink along the north wall.". He briefly considers the writing on Thel's cleanse tag and moved to tap the spot on the wall.
"Have you ever entered a room and felt differently immediately? Something about the colors, the arrangement of the furniture, the lighting, it all shifted your state of being in that moment?". Morty continued to instruct Thel on setting up the tags and finding new places in the room to put them.
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 21:05:06 GMT
"No, I haven't," Thel says, shaking his head. "I... haven't really been properly alive for that long, though. So, if it's a common thing, I still might not really have had time to experience it."
Less than two months. That's how long it's been. Meeting friends, having some kidnapped. Bonding with Em. Going to school. Getting a sister. Having dreams, and getting wrapped up in all of this...
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2021 22:06:21 GMT
"I just want you to understand as much of this as you can, should you desire to follow these methods on your own later. So we are marking each cardinal and intercardinal. North, South, East, West, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest. Then we will finish the seal with one at the center both above and below us.". He explains as he puts one last strip of paper on the floor and ceiling respectively.
"These are the avenues that all worldly power travels along. The energies of life. So the sutras fold it around us. The candles create a low lighting contrast, inviting secrets into our space while keeping us safe. The incense sharpens our perceptions, and gives us a place to return."
|
|
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2021 22:30:35 GMT
"I see," Thel says once more, though he actually does understand, this time. He thinks. Opposite and at angles to each other. Making like squares, though interlocking. Making sure there are no cracks.
He doesn't understand the other words, though. Like 'sutras.' But... that's okay, probably. He has an expert here. He'll be fine. "Is that... everything?"
|
|
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on Jun 8, 2021 17:20:37 GMT
"That should do it.". He set a long block of wood on the kitchen table and lit a stick of something that smells fragrant and herbal. Soothing despite the sharp tang in the air. Morty arranged and lit the candles, drawing a spiderwebbing pattern between them in salt that covered most of the kitchen floor.
"You can get comfortable with your friend, all my preparations are in place, now you only need rest."
|
|
