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

She sighs, not letting go right away. "... How are you?"

He sits and pulls Della into a proper hug so she can plop on his lap.

"I'm... all right. I ran into some people I knew... people not from the train."

Now there was a surprise! She lifted her head, shocked. "You mean... people from your world?"

"Sort of? From the place I was at before. Not my home world.... but yeah."

"... Did you get to say... anything you needed to?" Any goodbyes he hadn't been able to give before?

"A little bit. Not enough." He leans his chin on the top of her head carefully.

"It never would be enough." She points out. "... But something is better than nothing."

"You're right on both of those. ... I just... I don't know. It's hard to explain things sometimes since people don't have the shared history..."

Della nods in understanding. "... If I saw my loved ones, even for a moment, I feel like I know the exact script I would say. And even if I was given a hundred hours, it wouldn't be enough."

"... It never is. ... For good or bad."

He sighs and gives her another squeeze, his throat tightening as he speaks again.

"Is it bad to... if someone is terrible to you, but they're family... is it bad to still want to love them? I don't... I know I shouldn't. But I can't help but hold out hope he'll change, even if he won't."

"... If we could control our hearts and how we feel, life would be a lot easier." But, dang, now that meant if whoever hurt Casper got on the train, she wasn't allowed to beat them up? Unfair.

"Loving people can be a blessing and a curse. No one has the right to tell you how to feel, not even me. I just want you to be able to protect yourself, and be with those who will always care about you. I know you have that here. Just remember you can count on us to be there for you."

"I can protect myself. ... I've... well, it was an illusion, but I faced him before. He hurt me - he's got magic that can do it - but I can heal. Emotionally though, I'm not so sure."

He can admit that, at least. He knows that much.

Della shakes her head. "I don't just mean protecting your body... I mean, you need to be able to protect your heart, too."

"That one I'm less good at." He responds quickly, under no illusions that he's good at it.

To her, that's a good sign - instead of outright denying it or playing it off. Admitting weakness was healthy.

"We'll work on it. One day at a time. But not this day." She lightly pats his chest. "Today is about pillows. And cocoa. And hugging."

"Mhm." He rests his chin on her head again. "Wonder if we could get enough pillows to recreate my Pillow Hell room. Everything is pillows. The floor is pillows, the walls are pillows, the seats are pillows. Ultimate comfy."

Della's small enough that they probably could...

"That sounds more like Pillow Heaven." Della has to admit. "As long as oxygen can still get through."

"It's a little bit hell when you're being sat on by a guy who is both really solid and muscular as well as being a scarred-up fairytale monster-looking guy with hooves. ... He's one of my 'brothers'."

Gil, please.