cancrymods: (Default)
"Can Cry" Mod Account ([personal profile] cancrymods) wrote in [community profile] cancry2020-10-09 10:25 pm

meet and greet

If you've been paying any attention to the screens around Invidia (and it's honestly harder NOT to pay attention to them than it is to actually do so) then you'll be familiar with Esme, the woman whose face graces every single screen. Some initial poking around has revealed that Esme is a sort of idol to the people of Invidia, whose enviously glamourous life has taken the city by storm but that's more or less all you've learned so far.

But it looks like you might have the opportunity to learn more sometime soon.

Just as the dark sky of Invidia gives way to what passes for daytime, all of the screens in Invidia light up with the same video – it's Esme, perched on what looks to be a fancy throne in the middle of a white void, nothing to distract from the glaringly insincere sincere smile on her face as she addresses the camera.

"Good morning, lovelies! ❤ I've been soooooo busy with work and filming lately, I haven't had even a single second to see any of you in person! And what's the point of all that hard work if I don't even get to see your smiling faces at the end of it? So today we're having a very special event! For this afternoon only, I'll be on the Starlight Stage on the roof of our mall, all ready to shake hands and sign things and see all of you lovelies face to face again! Make sure you hurry on down to see me, okay? Bye-bye-bye! ❤"

With a wave and a sickly sweet smile to the camera, Esme signs off.

Looks like you've been given an opportunity to do a little investigating...
phantasmagorial: (art | frown)

[personal profile] phantasmagorial 2020-10-10 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[ She looks a little uncomfortable, like she's not sure how to answer that question. ]
twibeast: (5)

[personal profile] twibeast 2020-10-10 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
...Rei?

[ No Lady this time or any other title. Just Rei. ]
phantasmagorial: (OP | weep)

[personal profile] phantasmagorial 2020-10-10 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I...

[ Her voice wobbles and she grips her skirt in her hands to anchor herself, so tight the material scrunches up something awful. ]

Th–there used to be... somebody. A long, long time ago, there was someone else here with me, b–but I don't...
twibeast: (33)

[personal profile] twibeast 2020-10-10 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...

Okay, he already could tell this was serious but now he is definitely shifting and getting down on one knee, putting himself at her eye level. ]


Take it slow and easy. Breath in and out, okay?

This is new information for me... you remember someone else?
phantasmagorial: (OP | worried)

[personal profile] phantasmagorial 2020-10-10 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She nods a little frantically. Distress seems to have rendered her mute for a moment, as if she doesn't trust her own voice to hold steady while she tries to answer. ]
emberserker: Creepy reassurance. (trust me (do not))

[personal profile] emberserker 2020-10-10 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
But it wasn't her?

[She doesn't know what to do with this, but she folds her arms and frowns.]

...Rei. It was someone important, wasn't it?
phantasmagorial: (OP | calling)

[personal profile] phantasmagorial 2020-10-10 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know!

[ The words burst out of her, along with a stream of tears, both beyond containing any longer. ]

I don't remember! I don't remember their face or their name or any of it! I just know they were there and know they're gone and I don't– I don't understand why they left!
twibeast: (39)

[personal profile] twibeast 2020-10-10 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Aw fucking hell. There's the crying. Well, she probably needs it so he'll let her do so and not send Wolfsbane a Look this time. ]

...It's all right. It will come in time with all of our memories, I am sure. You will remember and understand one day.
Edited 2020-10-10 23:04 (UTC)
phantasmagorial: (OP | weep)

[personal profile] phantasmagorial 2020-10-10 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
But what–

[ Her tears are clogging up in her throat and she has to stop talking for a moment and try and get them under control. She's holding onto her dress so tightly that her hands are shaking and her knuckles are white. ]

Wh–what if I remember... a–and it's because of me? What if I did something and they left? Wh–why else would we be together one minute and then the next– why would they l–leave like that?
emberserker: Side profile, arm forward. (go on get out)

[personal profile] emberserker 2020-10-10 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[She isn't sure what to say. Part of her wants to push it all off, but Rei... she's their ally, right? Their friend? Why does she want to just shut her down or call her useless? But why, on the other hand, does she want to listen and relate to her?]

...I don't know. But if they abandoned you, isn't that their fault? And if they're gone for some other reason, we'll find out.
daughterofthemark: (26F. Precarious footing in the mist)

[personal profile] daughterofthemark 2020-10-10 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Veil is going for the hug. It seems important.]

I'm certain nothing you would do would drive someone to leave.
twibeast: (49)

[personal profile] twibeast 2020-10-10 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Beast wants to tell her that's silly, that she's reading too much into something, that there's no reason to have that much dread but

"...Hey ■■■■■■■? There's something important I need to tell you..."

He gets it. He gets the paranoia and anxiety that comes with the uncertainty. Because it's been clinging to him as well this past week.

"Isn't it terribly sad... knowing you'll outlive everyone you'll ever love?" ]


You do not know that for sure Rei... though I can understand the anxiety. But I guarantee there's nothing you could do that would push anyone away.

[ He takes his hands off her shoulders and just... opens his arms for her. ]

Come here, sweetheart.
phantasmagorial: (OP | crying)

[personal profile] phantasmagorial 2020-10-10 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Rei doesn't so much hug him as she does crumple against him. She's not gripping onto her skirt anymore because she's anchoring herself to the fabric of his shirt instead, not quite confident that her legs are going to keep her upright.

She's at the point of crying where she can't even speak anymore, or make noise. Just a silent flow of tears that there's no point in trying to stop or staunch the flow – all you can do is let them run dry.

She's supposed to be the leader. She's supposed to be strong and holding herself together, so everyone can keep themselves safe.

So much for that. ]
twibeast: (119)

[personal profile] twibeast 2020-10-10 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He hugs her tightly and says mostly nothing, occasionally whispering an "it's all right" or two, but otherwise he just lets her get it out of her system because he gets that she likely needs this.

He won't let go for anything. It's an ocean of a hug. A world of a hug.

One that he knows he's given thousands of times before. And not just to his child. ]
mementomoritz: finals week (sleepy science)

[personal profile] mementomoritz 2020-10-11 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Is this a group hug? It sure the fuck is now.]

[Medic stepped to the far back of the group the second she heard the words "make a good impression"- heck, if she hadn't moved when Autumn got hit, she probably could have been mistaken for another rooftop Spectre in the crowd. But when Rei starts crying, she steps forward and adds to Beast's hug with her own.]

[She's here for you.]
twibeast: (1)

[personal profile] twibeast 2020-10-10 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He just... gently puts his hands on her shoulders and waits. ]

It doesn't have to be now. We can wait to hear more of this if you would prefer. Just take your time.
daughterofthemark: (03F. Field of mortal peril)

[personal profile] daughterofthemark 2020-10-10 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Someone else? Dame Rei?

[OH NO THE FRIEND IS SAD]