return those voices echoing in the sea (closed)

[entreats]

Who: Ange and assorted CR.
What: A catchall for event threads.
When: During December
Where: Mostly in memoryscape, some other stuff all across Trench.

Content Warnings: Child abuse, bullying, suicidal ideation, violence, gore, blood, character death

( it's a catchall for closed event threads! if i didn't promise you a starter on this already, but you'd still like to play something out with ange during the event - especially when it comes to the winter mourning - please let me know by either pming this account or contacting me on plurk at queeningsquare! )

Comments

[entreats]

I don't..

[ Ange starts, and then stops. It feels awful to go against Wu's words when she knows that he means them so sincerely. He's being so nice to her here, and there's absolutely no way Ange doesn't want to seem grateful about that.

But something about them feels wrong as well. She's not on his level. She did let these events change her. ]

I wasn't like that.. when I was younger. I was cheerful, and easily excited, and I never felt like I had to hide my feelings from anyone. [ Does Ange know how she would have turned out if she had grown up the normal way? No, but.. it doesn't feel like she had become who she is now.

For better or for worse, one may say, but it feels like for worse.

She pulls her head back, though the rest of her body lingers in the hug. The tearstains are now visible on her face as she looks at Wu. ]

If you didn't let it change you, then.. then you're so much stronger than I am. [ She sniffs, almost choking up all over again. ] I became all twisted in the end..

[ Because it feels like she could have become someone so, so much better. ]

[royalfling]

Hey, hey. I'm not. I promise you I'm not stronger or anything! I'm just different.

[ He meets her eyes, offering her a small smile. ]

I'm sure it did change me, in different ways. I might still be like this, but I... boy, Ange, you know I never had friends before Deerington, right? Never. Not one. I still never know if I'm doing it right.

[ He squeezes her tight for a moment ]

Things do change us. I'm probably being too optimistic. I just, I don't want my Auntie to define me, you know? I don't want that to shape who and what I am now.

I don't think you're twisted, but if you were, well. We can't undo what happened to us. We can just... figure it out from here. But I know that there are so many people in Trench who love you. Ruby, for one! And would Ruby love someone twisted?

[entreats]

[ See, Ange thinks, this is what she means. Wu moves back into something so much more positive and optimistic so easily. Even though they were confronted with something so painful for them, he's already here, trying to see the good side in all of it.

She's not jealous though. It's just what she admires about Wu, and.. well, it's what she truly appreciates in this moment of all times.

It's nice to have someone there to bring some light into such a dark memory. ]

I guess not. [ She softly says, no longer protesting. ] .. we can help each other figure it out.

[ Though Ange is still not so sure Wu needs much help with that. But if he does - then she'll be here. ]

Even if it's just by being there for each other.

[royalfling]

Sometimes, that's all we really can do. That's all I can ever do! [ He laughs, self-deprecating, and looks down at the younger Ange, still holding onto him. He lets out a sigh. This was a lot. A lot a lot. It brought back so much that he tries not to think about, and this wasn't even his aunt. He can only imagine what it's like for Ange.

He squeezes them both close one more time. ]

What do you say to actually trying that dress-up while we're here?

[entreats]

.. we should.

[ It's the actual Ange that replies, surprisingly enough. Usually she would have said no to that kind of idea so easily, or tried to get the heck out of there at the very suggestion, but..

It's better than crying in a bathroom together.

Especially for the younger Ange, she thinks, as she gently nudges the child. They ought to change this into something more positive for her, even if they can't change the actual memory that's stuck in Ange's head. The little Ange looks up, wiping at her face with her tiny fists to try and get rid of the tears before she slowly nods. ]

Uh-huh.. I.. I want to play dress-up.

[royalfling]

[ Wu eases himself up, offering each Ange a hand. He takes a deep breath to steady himself once they're on their feet. ]

Yeah, we can play dress up. We can salvage the day!

[ Even if it is a memory, it still feels important to make this day alright for the younger Ange, and for himself and Ange, too. They don't have to have their time ruined by their Aunts, not again. Not anymore.

He glances at Ange with a small smile as they head out of the bathroom ]

Are you alright?

[entreats]

[ Ange glances at the younger Ange, walking alongside them, and then over at Wu once they emerge into the hallway. There's still some part of her that's on edge about being in this memory, considering her aunt exists in it as well..

.. but it's a little less so than before by now, she thinks. ]

Define 'alright'. [ Ange says - quietly, but not totally without some humor to it. ] .. I think I'll be alright now though.

[ Or at least feeling a little better than she was doing a few moments ago. ]

Thanks to you sharing this experience with me.

[royalfling]

Ah... yeah. [ Wu laughs weakly, feeling a little silly for the question. But he glances at her with a small smile ] I suppose, if we had to anyway, at least it was together.

[ Because out of everyone in Trench to experience this with, the two of them have this in common. This awful, painful thing that's theirs, that they share, even if they're from different worlds. ]

[entreats]

[ It's truly what makes this even slightly bearable. The togetherness. The knowledge that, even in her worst memories, she isn't alone. That there is someone who understands.

Ange can feel the memory starting to grow dark around the edges, signaling the end of it, but she still doesn't let go of Wu for a moment longer. Just until this ends, and they'll be separated. ]

I won't forget this.

[ It's still said softly, but she means this. If these memories ever bother her again, then.. ] I'll think of you.

[royalfling]

[ He can feel that she means it, feel the sincerity, and he doesn't take it lightly. This is something that only they could share, something special, even in how serious, how painful it is. ] Me too, Ange.

[ He offers her one more smile and squeezes her hand before the memory dissolves around them. ]