voidtreckernet | video/action

[Video]

[ Della's face pops up looking... well, like everyone else - exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally. She smacks her beak a bit, before speaking. ]

... So. That sucked.

[ Fully aware that's the understatement of the century, Della draws a breath, and tries again. ]

I think we could all use a nice, long breather after everything... and, gosh darn it, as Train Mom, that is my sacred duty. Hugs? Head on the lap? Head-pats telling you that you did a good job? A shoulder to cry on? Venting out all your feelings without judgement? I'm right here.

[ She slaps her chest, then slaps a small sign on on the sports/gym car. It reads

EXHAUST PILE WITHIN

But as she does this, Tidus enters the scene - Della jumps, surprised, almost forgetting his presence.

He just smiles, holding up two cups with steam coming off them, then addresses the video feed as well. ]

We're also making big batches of cocoa too. Any of you that're gonna stress bake? There's room for that room - s'long as you don't need a nap first.

[ It's a small chide though, his smile small but sympathetic. ]

I've gotten out some incense pots from the supplies - you guys who got your head thrown into a blender by that aash-- uh, that jerk, [ he takes a swift glance at Della, then back ] --it'll help you relax. Just some, but better than nothin'. I'll set some off in Momma Duck's air nest, but if you're not doing great and you think you need a pot? Tell me. Raven made a lot of good stuff for good nights sleep if you need any in the medcar, too.

... So, yes. Cocoa. Incense. Hugging. And if you want to sleep with friends for a couple nights, we got air beds and extra pillows in here. Nobody has to get up and go until they feel ready.

And if that's not enough, that's fine too. Maybe next month we do something a little more organized, if you have any suggestions - movie night, sleepover night, big eat night, whatever, I'm listening. And I'm here for you.

[ Action ]

And inside the sports gym, the pair can be found. They have a few airbeds blown up, but there's more that still need airing up if you pop in straight after their message. There's also a tremendous amount of pillows. If you want to help, get blowing, and make these airbeds look nice and comfy!

The transgate from the standard coach has mysteriously been moved to the sports gym's outer hallway. Who did that? But it makes it easier to bring in the cups of hot chocolate from the kitchens, and for anyone who wants to bring snacks to do so. Take a seat, remember to bring your sleeping bag and whatever else you want. Plushes, your own musical instrument to offer some de-stress medication of your own with a melody.

And there's an area where small incense pots burn away, a gentle mist rising up. It won't heal the mind completely, but it will offer it some peace. And if you're worried about nightmares, a few of Raven's sachets and teas are available.

So come get a mom hug. Come and offer hugs. Just come and get something out of the company, whatever it is. Tidus and Della - and others - will be here to give a hand.

The life you had might've been fake, but the people around you aren't.

((OOC: consider this a mingling post, where everyone is free to tag everyone else! be the comforter, the one offering comfort, both, whatever!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's no disgust or hesitancy from Della anymore, despite Eight's tentacle-head. If Eight doesn't wanna talk, Della won't make her. Instead, she gives her a tight squeeze with a little smile.

"Ms. Della..." She whispered, her voice weary but relaxed. "There's something I wanted to say to you."

Della pulls back, but only to get a good look at Eight's face. "Ask away. Consider me an open book."

"You're impulsive. And stubborn. And you act without thinking. And you do things without asking others. And you abused the leg after all the hard work I did. And you get people in trouble."

She leans in and tightens her hug. "Thank you."

... Well. That was a little confusing! Della blinks slowly, but squeeze Eight in her arms, and strokes her back.

"You're... welcome?"

She returns in kind. "If everyone did the same thing: followed the same rules, then we wouldn't have as much excitement and kindness that you give. You are unique because you are you."

Oh, well, that makes a lot more sense! Della chuckles quietly. "I couldn't have put it better myself. I'm glad you're different too."

"Mmm..." That's... something she's never heard before. "...maybe so...?" She's so used to living with herself that she doesn't think of herself as novel or unique.

She was of her people, but she was also... her. Huh...

"And I don't just mean the... you know, on your head." Look, Eight, she loves you, but don't make her say tentacles.

"You've got a brilliant and creative mind too. Plus a big heart."

"O-Oh..." She wants to argue that, she really does, but it would seem rude and she can't really deny that there may be truth to those words. "Mmm..." She nods, her face flushing.

"Such words... would not be said often to us." She finally confesses. "Appreciation leads to complacency, and complacency creates stagnation. Or... so it is said." Those words were good to encourage a continuous desire for mastery, but did little to foster self-worth.

It was also have something to do with how Eight greeted Della... or maybe those were just qualities that bugged her.

"Well, you'll be hearing that here more often. At least from me, and that's a promise." To heck with whatever silly rules her realm had. People deserved praise!

"I'm gunna give you compliments all the time. And you're just gunna have to deal with it."

"...so inconsiderate." She sighed, but its a happy sigh.

"Yup. And you love that about me." Said with a playful smirk.

"--and that's another reason why it is safer not to be forthcoming." Because there are people that could use their words against them! But it is fine, for now.

"How are you Della? Did you also get swept up into that mess of Diagad too?"

At that, Della sighed. "... I was in the fight with Chaos. Though it turned into less of a fight and more of a weird therapy session."

That reaction was... palpable, but she won't pry for now. "I was anchoring. Which is why sometimes..." As though on queue, her stance wobbles as she drifts off for a moment. "--ah."

She shakes off the sleep for now, and tries to resume the conversation as though nothing happened. "What happened in the fightapy session?"

Nope, THAT reaction is not being ignored. "I can tell you that later. You look like you need a good nap now."

The look on her face changes to one that hardly anyone on the train has ever had the chance to see: pouting. "I have been napping. I am sick of napping. If I nap any more, I'm gonna explode."

Congrats, Della, you have gotten the train's first octo tantrum.

Dawww. Without the tentacles, Eight would actually look adorable right about now.

"Have they been successful naps?" That's key here.

"Yes!" Eight huffed.

She had been good! Honest! She... also tried fighting and anchored more than she should have. Frankly, it was a miracle she was conscious when she returned to the train, and only got three hours of activity broken up in 15 minute bouts of activity.

The loss of productivity was really irritating, you know!!

"If you say so," though Della doubted it. "How about full meals? Been getting plenty of those since we got back?"

You wanted to be closer, Eight. Now you get to be Mom'd.

She has regrets!

"When I can." She admits. "But sometimes I sleep through the meals." She sighs. The first dinner was especially bad. She fell asleep on her meal and woke up in the cabin with half her face slathered in almond chicken curry.

Della might notice some of it still behind her ear.

Della was about to suggest Eight take a bath, but then remembered Eight dissolves with water... but then how does she get clean...? Is that a door she really wants to open?

"Okay, next stop after this cabin? You go to the kitchen and eat until your belly is ready to burst."

The answer, Della, is probably not!!

"That seems highly irresponsible." Eight stated flatly, though she could appreciate her concern. "I will eat a large portion that is within healthy parameters for my size and age, to help promote strength and not overburden my body further."

Even if she's going to give Della more leverage, an octo's gonna octo.

"... Good enough." A light pat on the back. "Are you hungry now? ... Can you have cocoa?"

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