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

a. Rich is pretty sure he had an easier time than most who had to go through that mess, but he's feeling the exhaustion come on pretty hard too. He decides to compromise with his need for rest and his need to help others by gathering together a pile of pillows, laying down on it, and passing out... but not before placing a note beside him.

If you need anything at all, you can wake me up. Or consider this permission to cuddle me. Can't promise I won't hog the blankets, though.

He has a teddy bear with him too... he hasn't let anyone see it before, but at this point, most people don't care about his eccentricities, and have found out far worse about him anyways. So the fuzzy little friend, bundled in felt bandages, is being held tight as he sleeps. Maybe that's something to tease him about when he wakes...

b. Once he's got his energy back, Rich decides to make the most of it by hanging around in an area where people are still awake. His teddy bear is still beside him, and he has his guitar in his lap, like always.

"Need me to play a lullaby? I'm down." In fact, it might work even better than usual... Rich is certain his magic from that other world is gone, but in fact, the small amount of it left might make his voice just that much more soothing.

Allen was making the most out of actually relaxing for a change, choosing to lean back while Timcampy just chilled on top of his head as usual. The golem looked a lot more comfortable than Allen did, but this was something Allen was still no matter how many it happened was getting use to.

"I'm not as tired as the others huh, but I suppose I would be down to listening to something." After the last world, he was at least appreciating music a bit more.

Aw, what a cute little golem! Rich is already a bit distracted by the sight of it, but he tries not to let it get to him when he's got a familiar face right here. He gives a sideways smile.

"Already back for more? I guess I should take that as a sign that I really am getting better at this." It's not like Rich does much besides practice his music on the train anyways.

"That or I'm trying to appreciate music a lot more after everything." It was at least another way to relax after all. Just finding things that he can enjoy and do the things people want him to at least try and do.

"And I know you play, so the answer is why not listen."

"Hey, glad to hear it. I know music helps me relax a lot, so... thought I'd play a little more here too, in case it helps anyone else."

He sighs heavily while plucking at the strings. "Just wish we hadn't been hit so hard by this mission."

"I think we get hit by most missions, but this is the first one where it wasn't physically. Which is something I'm not at all used to."

Which was kinda a sad thing to really admit as he moved to simply lie back and listen.

"At least physically you heal in time, but this... is different."

Tidus was trying to leave a sneaky gift for the sleepy guy - his sleepy guitar teacher, technically. But he hears him stir - maybe because of the small packet Tidus was leaving by his note.

"Oh-" well, so much for being sneaky. "Hey, 'morning. Get another hour of five. Train's still not on fire."

So, everything's fine, basically. (And as for what's in that small packet - there's a few jelly beans, and chew sweets. The sort bought from the train shop.)

"Fire?" Whoops, wrong choice of words there, Tidus. Rich pops up immediately, looking every which way for a possible hint of smoke, before his brain catches up to what was actually said. "Oh... sorry man, I thought..."

Any reminder of where he got his scars is going to kick his brain into overdrive. He avoids eye contact with his friend, his gaze then drifting down to the package.

"Huh? What's this...?" He picks it up and gives Tidus a curious look.

Whoa, that's a bit of a startled wake-up, and Tidus feels sheepish with the way Rich hurries to look around. "My bad! Bad pick there." Probably a bad pick for anyone half-asleep, and he'll jot in the back of his head not to say that again.

But at least he can smile sheepishly when the bag's noticed, nodding his head at them. "Just thought I'd leave a present, hope you have a sweet tooth." Eheh. "A lil' pick-me-up and thanks for helping me with the guitar."

"N-No, it's okay. I... sorry, it's a bit of a trigger for me." It's a little blunt to admit it like that, but Rich feels he may as well be honest, in case it wasn't clear how he got his scars.

Either way, Tidus is automatically forgiven when Rich realizes the bag is for him, and he looks flustered for a moment before deciding that might not be worth the fight and smiling brightly instead. "That's super cool of you, man. You didn't need to do that! Even if I'm not gonna turn down sweets." His smile becomes just a little subdued. "We all could use a little pick me up, huh?"

"Oh." Oh. "Sorry," he says, getting it now - not minding the drop in mood when it comes to honesty. If there's a flicker of awkwardness from Tidus, it comes with a nod of his head, more apologetic than anything uncomfortable.

But then it can pass, with the offering of sweets a good spot to move onto, Tidus's smile matching Rich's own.

"Yeah - we all had a different but wild time there." If from the last of it, or the fake life they were given. And he tries to be careful as he speaks, considering anyway what he says before he does. "Did you...meet anyone there? Anyone you know from home, or-?"

"Hey, don't worry about it. It's no big deal." Rich feels awkward for even bringing it up, really, but at least Tidus seems to take it in stride, and the moment passes quickly...

...To be replaced with a feeling a little more bittersweet. Rich's smile turns a little sad, and he plays with the plastic of the bag instead of looking Tidus in the eye. "Yeah. A friend of mine, Jeremy. I, uh, didn't know who he was, at first, but he gave me a pretty good reminder. It was nice to actually see him again, but... kinda wish he could have stuck around."

There was still so much more Rich wanted to know.

He doesn't know if he should, but with the way that Rich turns his eye, Tidus reaches out and gives him a squeeze on the shoulder.

"Sorry to hear you didn't get more time," he offers, as little as it gives. "It happened to a few people. Will you be able to see him again when you go back?"

Home, wherever that is for Rich.

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