[week five - tuesday]

[ceded]

[ Xion hasn't been to the church in some time now. Ever since she broke her foot, if she's honest with herself. Not out of any aversion, just out of physical difficulty and not really seeing a point.

Coming back here reminds her why she often sought it out, though. It's quiet and peaceful in a way other places in town simply aren't. She's got vague ideas of spending some time here to collect her thoughts, and--

Oh, hey, isn't that Russell? ]

Russell?

[ She'll hobble her way over to him on her crutches, the look on her face curious. ]

Hey. I wasn't expecting to see you here.

Comments

[guiltlevel]

[ Seems like Russell was focusing on something..! So when Xion calls out his name he definitely jumps up and then looks at her.

... Then relaxes. Okay, no one scary. ]

... ... Hello. Sometimes I come here to pray... People have been coming to the clinic too much, so I wanted somewhere quieter.

[ He glances at her broken foot, though. ]

Shouldn't you be resting?

[ceded]

To ... pray?

[ That sounds familiar in a way she can't place. Either way, she'll come up level with him, but won't take a seat just yet, not wanting to interrupt. ]

I'm okay, really. It's a lot better now that I have these crutches. I'd go crazy just staying in bed all day.

[ A pause, and: ]

I didn't mean to bother you. Do you want me to go?

[guiltlevel]

[ A small nod. ]

You don't have to go... Lately being in places alone kind of. . . Make me nervous, but... Some places get too crowded...

[ By that, he actually means some places have people he'd rather not be around. However, there seems to be a handful of people Russell doesn't really seem to mind the company of..! ]

Uhm . . . You should sit down, if your foot hurts, though.

[ceded]

... okay.

[ There's a laugh tucked beneath her voice as she takes a seat beside him, letting her crutches lean against the bench. Russell is actually ... pretty nice, isn't he? ]

I think I know what you mean. At first it was okay, but most places in town have become sort of ... unnerving, haven't they? Like ... you don't know what's really going to happen. [ A small frown. ] ... it's better to be with friends, isn't it?

[guiltlevel]

[ Back then...Before going to the rehab center; when Russell got hurt, some people were nice to him. He should try to do the same, that's why. ]

Friends .....? I suppose . . . Yeah.

[ He doesn't know about the "with friends" part though... Yuna's been constantly saying they're friends, and it's nice -- but Russell can't help but feel he doesn't deserve those kind of words said to him? So, he just averts his eyes at the thought. ]

It's just . . . During the week, it's sort of peaceful, and we can do fun things. But lately... It's just scary because I don't know what'll happen.

[ceded]

[ this is such an unfortunate conversation to be happening before the next day's fucking stampede

but anyway, Xion's expression shifts into sympathy. She gets it. Honestly, everywhere feels dangerous these days. ]

Then you don't have to be alone, Russell. I'll come with you if you want company somewhere quieter.

[guiltlevel]

[ RIGHT ... Oops.

Russell, who has already been sitting down, brings his knees up to his chest and hugs them. ]

I... Well... [ being alone has been kind of scary as of late... Especially with the nightmares. ]

Are you sure...? You don't have. . . To force yourself.. I don't want to be a burden.

[ceded]

You're not a burden! What else are friends for?

[ Leans forward a little to get a look at his face, trying a small smile. ] It's not forcing myself at all.

[guiltlevel]

[ Saying something like that is enough to get Russell to look up. ]

Really...? We're friends?

[ Look... He. Just, he doesn't have a lot of friends in his life. He had like one, this is news to him. ]

Are you. . . Sure about that?

my sadness about this thread has increased like 10000x

[ceded]

[ She nods, enthusiastic. ]

Of course I'm sure! As long as ... that's what you want, too.

are you feeling it now mr krabs

[guiltlevel]

[ He really doesn't understand why people want to call him their friend. He doesn't really deserve it, he really doesn't. However, a part of him wishes for it so much . . . But he doesn't know if he can handle the crushing feeling of kindness. ]

It's . . . Fine. I kind of had a friend, before... But I don't think we ever really did things 'friends' actually do...

[ You mean like skip school and also sell drugs to survive because Chris was poor and Russell's parents never took care of him. Yes. ]

Not really sure... What friends do, you know...?

(⊙︿⊙✿)

[ceded]

Well... friends eat ice cream together! And they hang out so they can talk about their days. Plus, they support each other! Friends... help each other out of tough spots.

what's with that face!!!

[guiltlevel]

[ Oh... So that's what it's like... The only thing Russell's really done was hide out in Chris's place when his mom brought over a strange man. He supported Russell, a bit, but in the end Russell kept his distance. ]

Really..? That sounds . . . Really fun. Did you do that with your friends?

what face (⊙︿⊙✿)

[ceded]

Yeah! We used to sit on the clock tower every day and eat ice cream and talk about what we did. It was so much fun! It was always ... the highlight of my day. We'd all watch the sunset together, and joke around...

[ She sounds very nostalgic, which matches nicely with the wistful smile on her face. But she'll make an effort at perking up for him. ]

It's not really the same here, but we can kind of do those things together.