Voice ; Unseelie Locked & Hermonie Locket-network

[huntedby]

[It's voice for obvious reasons. Vanessa is still recovering, and she is...ashamed. A rare feeling for her. But knowing that everyone knows her secret now...it is a terrible, horrible thing.

But she is who she is. And she must be strong, and stand up, and face things as best she can.]

As many of you are aware, I was not myself the past week.

I can offer no apology that would be enough to make up for the damage I have done. I did my--[She takes a breath, forcing herself to continue.] --I did my best to try and keep the darkness within me from affecting those I hold dear, and have tried to protect.

I failed, last week.

I assure you, though, I have control of myself, now. Wholly and fully.

For all those who tried to help me...thank you. I cannot ever repay you for such kindness. It may be more than I deserved, but I am grateful for it.

It is because of you, that I remain alive, to continue the fight against the Void. Against the Seelie.

My soul is my own, and will remain so.

Comments

[huntedby]

[Oh Waver...]

Can you come over, please? When you get a chance. I know it may be too much to ask but...

[She needs him.]

[gordianknots]

Just give me a few minutes to get my things together, and I'll head over. Do you need me to bring anything with me? Tea, I have leftover honey cake from the coffee house--

[huntedby]

Both sound good. I find I'm having to slowly take foods again.

[Having near starved.]

[gordianknots]

I think we have some summer squash stew around here too. I'll see what I can gather up, and see you in an hour or so.

[huntedby]

As usual, you are a balm.

I do not deserve you.

[gordianknots]

There's no deserve in any of this. We showed up in each other's lives at the right time, and it's worked positively. I'll see you soon.

[And with that, Waver trusts that Vanessa won't mind him ending the conversation so that he can go pack.

The tea is something he can brew while gathering other things, and that is precisely what Waver does. Thanks to the Station Waver and Rin have collected modern plastic storage containers for food, and Waver piles a few of those into the nearest bag. Soups made with summer squash. Berries picked from Rin's garden. The day's leftover baked goods from the coffee house, and when the tea's done, it goes into a thermos. All of it is packed up quickly, spells to prevent spillage while in flight are applied, and then it is just a matter of saddling Lucetta up and urging the cleg over to the nearest faerie ring.

When Waver arrives at the spire, he's quick to make it back upstairs, and this time when he knocks, he's far less terrified of what lies within.]

Food delivery!

[huntedby]

[The door is opened by Neith, the spider chittering as she nudges the door open for Waver. A strange thing to see, of course, but it also means that things are back to normal.

Vanessa, for her part, moves away from her desk where she has been writing letters. She knows she must look horrible. But she can't help it. It takes her weeks to recover from what happens.

When Waver comes in, she puts her hand out to him, smiling softly.]

My dear friend.

[gordianknots]

[Waver offers Neith a polite nod. The spiders are still something he's not used to, but then again, Waver relies on mice and rats as familiars. He really shouldn't judge.

The hand is taken firmly, but no more than Waver thinks Vanessa can handle. But it isn't taken until he's plonked the bags on the ground.]

Here and present. I'm glad to see you back.

[huntedby]

[Once the hand is taken, Vanessa moves to hug Waver. She knows he isn't always comfortable with such affection, but she needs it. She wraps her free arm around his neck, pulling him in close.]

Thank you, for not--

[For not abandoning her.]

--for being there.

[gordianknots]

[Waver returns the hug without any hesitation. It's as close as he'll ever get to admitting exactly how terrifying the entire thing was.]

You asked me to be there if need ever be. It was the very, very least I could do.

[huntedby]

Many, when faced with the true horror of it, would have run. And they would have been right to.

[She pulls back, pressing her lips together.]

I find my true friends, in these terrible moments.

[gordianknots]

I won't lie and say I wasn't scared. I was, not just because of my own safety but because I had never seen anything like that before.

[For a beat, Waver focuses on opening up the bag of food he's brought, and carefully unpacking the containers so that they sit on Vanessa's desk.]

But now I have seen it and I can anticipate things more should it ever happen again.

[huntedby]

I would rather die than see it happen again.

[She sighs, and moves to sit down, feeling uncommonly weak once more.]

It is a terrifying thing. And I remember very little.

[gordianknots]

I...was waiting for you to break through at some points with that particular instruction, honestly.

[With all of the food out of the bag, Waver's careful to pick up the first container, and remove the lid. Inside is a bright red soup - tomato, by all accounts - with flecks of scallion floating on top.]

Foodwise, I wasn't sure of what you were taking, so I mostly went with the soups we've had about.

[huntedby]

I think I did, with Javik.

Before...I hurt him.

[She frowns, but her stomach reacts at the smell of food.]

I think this will be the best. It smells lovely, Waver. Thank you.

[gordianknots]

He's all right now, I hope?

[That Waver had only gotten destroyed furniture, well, he feels all too lucky with that.]

You're welcome. Keep the containers too, they're useful for storage and I can always get more at the Station.

[huntedby]

...no, he isn't.

He hasn't woken, yet.

We aren't sure if he will.

[gordianknots]

[Waver falls silent at that, his hand resting on top of one of the containers. A little ah dies on the tip of his tongue, and he shifts his weight from leg to leg.]

Did your varren find their way back to you?

[huntedby]

Yes, but I have sent them to stay with Javik, until he wakens. He may not be as fond of them as I am, but it is something familiar. I hope it helps.

[gordianknots]

It will, I'm sure.