I know that's frustrating. And I know we're supposed to be guides, and we're supposed to help, and we're supposed to have answers. But we don't.
[ and they're frustrated about it, so the dirt is their home now. ]
... nobody expected this. And I'm worried about some of the kinder people here and the kids. This was supposed to be a place you guys were still protected while working things out, and now there are so many questions and so few answers.
[ yes, okay, fine, handhold it is. i like that he's holding hands with all three of them at different times. ]
I don't need you to tell me that, Yves. [ not really telling him off but more a bit of a reminder. ] I think if anyone needs to have room to be upset and scared, it's all of you. This probably feels like a threat to everything that was said to you before.
[ but they are upset because they dislike not being able to do anything, period. especially when people are having such strong feelings about these things. ]
[ these are his angels and he loves them... why wouldn't he hold their hands.... ]
... well, yes, but not really for that reason... I don't know if I want to come back to life, and I'm not even sure if I want to go to Heaven. [ he still doesn't feel like he deserves it, he might never feel like that ] I just want to be with my friends.
[ he still wants to be loved, but it feels like such a faraway fantasy. something he can't control, even if there are moments where hope flutters in his chest that this could be different ]
So if I'm upset... it's just because my friends are. It's just because I think it's an awful lot of heartache for people that I care about very much. [ jing yuan, jiaoqiu, charlie, everyone who ever loved each of them ]
Even if I know what it's like to have my friends die one by one, it doesn't mean I want to experience it again.
[ what is yves going to do when affection week is over... never mind i know that answer. ]
I think I get that. You think the most of other people, of course you don't want to see them hurt. And... a lot of people really were upset today. [ so there's that. ] ... so what do you think we can do next for everyone?
I'm pretty sure the bartender would be more than happy to help with that. [ wry. ]
But you're right. It's a matter of safety now, because we had promised you all you were in good care and now this happened. And we don't even have good answers of how it happened. As awful as this was though, maybe it'll be the thing to push some of you into actually trying to know each other better.
Or allow other people to choose a name for you, I suppose. [ okay? anyway. ]
Reserved, cranky, secretly unsure how to feel... when you start to notice people's behaviors, you realize just how many of you are out of your depth here in various ways. And that's okay. That's the thing that ties you together when nothing else does, I think.
[ nodding... yves has run into a few hurdles, but he's had shockingly honest and vulnerable conversations with people already. but that's also just something that happens to him normally, after enough time. ]
Mm... Is there anything I can do to help, do you think?
Continue being yourself? [ wry. ] You seem to have a way with words and a way to make people feel safe enough to talk to you. They need that right now. A confidant. I don't want you to do anything else besides that, to be honest.
[ they do not trust yves not to run himself into the ground trying to help people. ]
I get the feeling you wouldn't let me forget your offer even if I tried. Yes, I promise I will tell you if something comes to mind. [ a pause. ] I don't like the idea of saying everyone should be looking out for anything unusual, but exercising a little caution isn't bad. But maybe...
... people are going to need a way to take their minds off of all of this for a little while. And some of them won't know how to help themselves.
[ they reach forward and (affectionately) tug on a bit of his hair. ]
You said it, not me. [ not responsible for this! ] But maybe something light and fun isn't the worst idea. Ease everybody back into feeling safer with each other again.
Let me know how I can help? I've never done anything like that before but from our end we may have some more resources if you can't find what you need.
[ smiles, like that'll hopefully be enough to lift their spirits ]
I like being able to set up stuff for parties and festivities. We'll just need a lot of alcohol, and then a lot of juice and snacks for the kids who don't drink.
[ they seem to think this is helping him, so they don't mind. ]
Yeah, we'll see what we can get shipped. and brought in. I'll leave the venue and set-up to you though. [ busybody. ] You could probably get it from the bar or order it. I don't think they'd mind sharing if you said it was for a party. Or I could ask them for what they can spare.
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[ a little bit of a sigh, but he supposes that's as much as they can deal with right now ]
Mm... I'm okay. [ a little more tentatively ] Tired and a little frustrated but... it's nothing I can't handle.
I just worry about others where this must be really overwhelming.
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[ and they're frustrated about it, so the dirt is their home now. ]
... nobody expected this. And I'm worried about some of the kinder people here and the kids. This was supposed to be a place you guys were still protected while working things out, and now there are so many questions and so few answers.
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... we can find answers together then. It's alright. [ softly, trying to be soothing against the frustration ]
But until then, it's okay to be upset.
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I don't need you to tell me that, Yves. [ not really telling him off but more a bit of a reminder. ] I think if anyone needs to have room to be upset and scared, it's all of you. This probably feels like a threat to everything that was said to you before.
[ but they are upset because they dislike not being able to do anything, period. especially when people are having such strong feelings about these things. ]
Are you allowing yourself to be upset... ?
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... well, yes, but not really for that reason... I don't know if I want to come back to life, and I'm not even sure if I want to go to Heaven. [ he still doesn't feel like he deserves it, he might never feel like that ] I just want to be with my friends.
[ he still wants to be loved, but it feels like such a faraway fantasy. something he can't control, even if there are moments where hope flutters in his chest that this could be different ]
So if I'm upset... it's just because my friends are. It's just because I think it's an awful lot of heartache for people that I care about very much. [ jing yuan, jiaoqiu, charlie, everyone who ever loved each of them ]
Even if I know what it's like to have my friends die one by one, it doesn't mean I want to experience it again.
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I think I get that. You think the most of other people, of course you don't want to see them hurt. And... a lot of people really were upset today. [ so there's that. ] ... so what do you think we can do next for everyone?
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Get roaring drunk and try to induce temporary amnesia?
[ okay he's joking ]
... I don't know. I think everyone needs to try to feel safe again. I'll do my best to help with that too.
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But you're right. It's a matter of safety now, because we had promised you all you were in good care and now this happened. And we don't even have good answers of how it happened. As awful as this was though, maybe it'll be the thing to push some of you into actually trying to know each other better.
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Have people not been?
[ clearly cannot fathom that ]
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People besides Brimstone?
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[ why. ]
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[ but he looks thoughtful ]
I guess some people are a little bit more reserved than others...
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Or allow other people to choose a name for you, I suppose. [ okay? anyway. ]
Reserved, cranky, secretly unsure how to feel... when you start to notice people's behaviors, you realize just how many of you are out of your depth here in various ways. And that's okay. That's the thing that ties you together when nothing else does, I think.
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Mm... Is there anything I can do to help, do you think?
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[ they do not trust yves not to run himself into the ground trying to help people. ]
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yves just smiles a little bit - it's a little sheepish, a little self-aware ]
.... I'd like to do more. If something comes to mind, let me know?
But if I can use my twisted sense of love to be able to actually help people, then... I'm glad it's good for something.
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... people are going to need a way to take their minds off of all of this for a little while. And some of them won't know how to help themselves.
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So we're getting roaring drunk for real?
[ stop this you glutton ]
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You said it, not me. [ not responsible for this! ] But maybe something light and fun isn't the worst idea. Ease everybody back into feeling safer with each other again.
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You got it. I'll do my part then.
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[ smiles, like that'll hopefully be enough to lift their spirits ]
I like being able to set up stuff for parties and festivities. We'll just need a lot of alcohol, and then a lot of juice and snacks for the kids who don't drink.
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Yeah, we'll see what we can get shipped. and brought in. I'll leave the venue and set-up to you though. [ busybody. ] You could probably get it from the bar or order it. I don't think they'd mind sharing if you said it was for a party. Or I could ask them for what they can spare.
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And the three of you have to come.
[ guest list... ]
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