sweethymns | Pictures in the Dark

You can at least talk to me.

[She's pulling the sofa over with one hand and plopping down on it and then patting the opposite cushion for Michael to sit in.]

I'm not the best witch when it comes to magicky stuff, but I'm a person who's also been through a few rough patches. And I know how hard it can be to talk about it.

[He sighs, giving in, but only because Iona seems to adamant about it. There's a beat, and then he takes off his duffel bag, setting it back on the counter. He then takes a seat next to Iona, sinking into the cushion.]

I really don't know what there is to say. [There's a lot to say, he's just hesitant to go into it.] It's just... I don't know. Ryan and I never really got along, and so I guess things haven't changed.

[(Of course the issue isn't really about Ryan, but he's okay with just barely scratching the surface and leaving it at that.)]

[Iona gets comfortable and smooths out her skirt as she listens attentively to Michael.]

Five years was it? It's short, but things obviously have happened to the both of you, in terms of powers. Maybe Oren knows something about it...?

[So it's no surprise that they were shocked at each other appearing here in the Grind. It's usually for people who have some sort of sight or special attribute to them after all.]

He knew your sister didn't he? Was she also a point of contention between you two?

[He frowns at the mention of powers.] Did Oren mention anything about his abilities?

[And then he looks away at the mention of his sister. Fiddles with the ends of his sleeves.] He was... her boyfriend throughout high school. We just... our personalities don't really mesh well. He's too loud. Overbearing. Has everything easy, and doesn't appreciate any of it.

[This is his point of view of course. Ryan would be offended to hear it.]

I don't really understand why Anna liked him, to be honest.

It sounds like they happened to meet before! Now that I think about it, he was talking to someone when we were going out to eat at the food trucks... Anyways.

[Ah, boyfriend. That would do it. Iona has to wonder though, if Michael is giving Ryan too little credit. And he wouldn't ever be able to know what Anna truly felt ever again...

She does take the opportunity to at least joke around a bit, if only to attempt to cheer him up.]

What, I'm not loud and overbearing myself?

Edited 2016-06-13 03:53 (UTC)

[He shakes his head, looking at her. She may be joking, but she doesn't want to give her the wrong idea. She's so far away from the "can hardly stand you" camp that Ryan is in.]

No, you're not like that at all. You're supportive and energetic. He's just cocky, and thinks he's funnier than he actually is. And he's impatient and stubborn and doesn't listen to people.

[He sighs.] I really didn't think I'd ever see him again. Wasn't ready for... for the reminder.

Well... Far be it for me to speak in anyone's place, but maybe that's what he wanted to be for her. Supportive and energetic.

[A beat. Oren walks out with two cups of black tea, both with the faintest hint of lemon and honey. Iona takes both cups and holds one out to Michael.]

And what did he remind you of exactly? Just her, or the fact that you didn't agree with her about him?

[He takes the cup, muttering a thanks, before responding.] Maybe. I don't know. [He's tried to see why his sister would have liked him, but he never could figure it out. And he's too far on the other side of the fence to know whether or not that was really Ryan's intent.]

I guess it reminded me of both. And.. [Michael goes quiet and looks away again.] Seeing him just reminds me of the last time I saw my sister. [The night of the accident-- it was Ryan's party they were driving back from. He frowns, and irritation flashes a little in his tone, a rare thing for a young man like Michael.]

He knows that, he has to. And yet he still comes in here, and brings her up... [He trails off, setting his jaw.]

Edited (Whoops I forgot about the tea) 2016-06-13 04:21 (UTC)

... Because he misses her too.

[Iona's voice is quiet.]

... Do you miss her? Everyday?

[These are rough questions, Iona. Not because he can't answer them, but because it hurts to talk about.]

...Of course I miss her. It's been five years and still, I can't...

[Again, he can't seem to finish.]

Look, even if Ryan misses her, he doesn't have to come in here and bother me about it. I'm really just not ready to talk to him about what happened.

...

[She sets her cup aside and puts her hands in her lap.]

Was that when your powers...?

Edited 2016-06-13 04:31 (UTC)

[He doesn't respond immediately. He brings the cup of tea to his lips and takes a sip -- it tastes fine, but he's not really tasting anything, his mind is elsewhere when she asks that question. For awhile, it's almost like he doesn't intend on responding, and he quietly sets his tea down on the table in front of him.]

It was... it was in the middle of it all. During the crash. [His fingers flex and clench, without his knowing.] Time just stopped and should have done something... I should have just- you know, gotten us both out of the car.

[He's still not looking at her, and his expression twists into a frown, something pained.] Instead I panicked and got myself out, and then time started up again-

[He really can't bring himself to say anything else. But more than likely Iona can guess at what happened next.] I'm such a coward. It shouldn't have been her. She wasn't even ready to go home, but I...

[He trails off, seeming to run out of words. So many times he thought about it, nearly everyday, but never has he told anyone about it. For some reason, it feels infinitely harder to do so.]

... Oh Michael...

[Iona's face is crestfallen as he lets it all off of his chest. Her heart hurts for him and for what he had to go through. And she can relate. The guilt, the helplessness, the confusion, and then the loneliness. Why did he have to go through that? Neither he or his sister deserved that and yet a loss was a loss. Iona looks over at Oren who simply looks back and then closes his eyes.

"A loss is a loss. You don't have to forget it because you can't. But don't let it weaken you.

Don't be a loss too."

A memory of when she was younger and when Oren was more human than not resurfaces. Those were his words to her in regards to those she lost. Iona takes a deep breath and she inches closer to Michael, one of her hands reaching up to hover over his cheek.]

Hey...

[She can't repeat Oren's words. Even today in the present after everything's that happened, she can't truly say that she doesn't hurt anymore. Iona feels similar to Michael.

It shouldn't have been them.]

You're here now.

[He can feel his throat tightening, but he swears to himself that he's not going to cry in front of Iona and Oren, damn it. He instead swallows hard, then turns his head to look at her.

He doesn't pull away from her hand, hovering so close to his cheek. This is one of those times when his need for some kind of comfort, some kind of understanding, easily overrides any innate kind of embarrassment.

He's trying to read her expression, despite it all. He really didn't want to bother her with his problems, but she's just so willing to help him carry them anyway. It's so like her.]

I know. And that's what I feel guilty about.

[The world lost a shining light when Anna died. It wouldn't have missed much if it had been himself instead, is all he can ever bring himself to think. He carries the heavy guilt of a survivor, indeed.]

[Her palm rests gently against his cheek. Her eyes are sad for him and it's painful. She can't offer empty condolences at this point. And even if it hurts her... (Even if it usually takes her so long to even admit it, she'll say it, she has to.)]

... My mom. And my dad.

They're both gone too.

[Iona bites her lower lip and looks down at her lap before looking at Michael again.]

And I know it looks like I'm going on with my life without a care, but... I get it. I get you. I get wishing for things that can't happen anymore because it's too late. And what you and I feel everyday?

It's okay. Right here and right now, it's okay.

[His eyes search hers once again when she admits to him that her parents are gone. He's surprised, knowing her personality, knowing how strong and passionate she is. But perhaps he shouldn't be so surprised. Under all of that, she was feeling the same as himself, but she was just so much more proficient at pushing past it. Or at the very least, hiding it under all of her enthusiasm.

He doesn't know what to say, really. He feels for her, and for a second his own pain becomes not for himself, but for her. So quickly, his priorities switch to her sake; he didn't want to say anything to dredge up painful memories for Iona.

But it's too late for that now, and there's something comforting about her words. Here and now. This faint moment in time, transient and permanent at all once. There's an irony in him actually wanting to be stuck in one moment, time unmoving, but if he realizes it, he doesn't care. He'll indulge himself in it as long as he can.

He leans into her hand, just slightly. Her skin is warm against his cheek.]

I'm sorry.

[That's all he can say right now. He's sorry. He's sorry for her parents, he's sorry for himself, he's sorry for the both of them sitting here having to deal with things they shouldn't deal with. He's sorry for keeping her at the cafe longer than he should, he's sorry for being such a mess, he's sorry for making a big deal about Ryan earlier, he's sorry, sorry, sorry.]

[She lets him lean into her hand, lets him be as he is for a few seconds... But in an action that's just like her...]

Okay.

Hug time. Sorry in advance!

[And with that, her hand drops so that her arms can wrap around Michael, pulling him into a close embrace. It's firm, but tender because she's always taking her monstrous strength into consideration. And it's warm.]

Thank you for talking to me about... Well, all of it.

[The hug is something he wasn't expecting, but he doesn't protest when it happens. He lets her hug him, taking in the embrace. He even returns the gesture, one arm lifting to wrap around her and give her a light squeeze.]

And thanks for sitting me down and making me share...

[It was no magic treatment; he isn't immediately healed, his guilt from the death of his sister miraculously departed. No, the pain is still there, seated in the back of his soul, but that's not what matters. What matters is that he's found some comfort in Iona, something he's never been able to find in himself. Comfort that he's never sought out on his own accord. With that comes the revelation that he's glad he's met her. He'll say as much, grateful:] I'm glad I met you.

Ah, geez!

[She sounds bashful when he puts it like that and she might even hug him more closely.]

You're just gonna make the hug go on longer for saying that.

[He chuckles; it's weak, but it's something. He pulls back out of the hug, a lopsided sort of smile on his face.] Well, I guess that's not completely a bad thing. [It helped a little, and that's all that matters in the end right now.]

If you ever need one again, my arms are wide open!

Oren's too!

No.

I don't think he appreciates you volunteering him for hugs.

Ah, well it was worth a try!

[Iona stands up and offers a hand to Michael.]

I've kept you at the cafe long enough. I think you're about ready to head back, right?

[He takes that hand (though he really doesn't need to), and stands, speaking as he does.]

Yeah. It's getting late; I don't want to be the one to keep both you and Oren late. So I'll see you next weekend?

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infusion - 2016-06-14 15:31 (UTC) - Expand

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dilatory - 2016-06-14 15:44 (UTC) - Expand

Pictures in the Dark

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