itscurtains | week 2

Entry tags:

act 2,
week 2

week 2

WEEK 2
[It's been...

One week since you woke up here
Met your house manager and said "We’re angry"
Five days since he laughed at you saying
"Write me some letters and you’ll never see me"
Three days since the mirror room
You realized there’s more the Opera House wouldn't tell you
Yesterday you'd bonded more
But it'll still be two days till you get your motive

Welcome to week 2, performers.]

[Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday]

[ooc: happy week 2, everyone! Don't forget to submit your AC and your regains! Regain rolls are done Sunday and Tuesday nights.]

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I wish she was here too. [ It's not until later that the implications of that will set in for Riley, and she'll feel sick to her stomach, but that's for another breakdown, not this one.

With her eyes closed, she doesn't see how much Ariel's struggling. But, something in his tone reads true? Like...experienced. Experienced with what, with falling the fuck apart? It feels for a moment like she can get some air down her throat. ] F-f-fall apart. [ She sniffles and only now realizes that she's been crying. When did she start? ] ...J-just let me stay here, for awhile? Until it st-st-stops.

Anything you need.

[He starts to turn around when he hears the sniffle, but reminds himself of his promise and remains still. His hands fidget a moment longer, before he steels himself anew. No one would see her like this, and that would include him.]

I have a few things about. Treats and other items from the booth. Feel free to use whatever you need, or ask for anything.

I will be here.

[ A laugh slips out, one that's almost surprised. After a second of hesitation, a second where she wonders if this is Right to say, she- ]

I tried t-to ask. Why us. Why'd h-he bring us. Every l-letter I got back was like- like he was m-m-mocking me. [ A slow, slow breath released. Pretend you aren't here. Pretend you're at home. Pretend nothing in the last year has happened. ] But. He didn't h-hurt anyone else. Not here. S-so. That's something.

[He can't believe that their shared kidnapping has become the easier topic to focus on.]

The letters he sends are cruel and meant to do nothing more than cause despair. He aims to push you to the brink, Riley.

[Everything about this place, from the pamphlets they woke up with, the rules on the wall, and the items in the booth, have all been designed to knock them to their knees. If he weren't the one caught in the situation, he might have been impressed. It was a well designed machine for madness, if nothing else.]

Don't listen to him. Whatever he gives you, good or bad, it's only meant to get you to do what he wants.

I know that! [ Her voice cracks, and it's unfair, but she's raised it. She knows it's unfair, really, but she can't stop. ] I know wh-wh-what he's doing, an-and I'm sick of it! S-sick to death, and- Christine and N-Nana were trying t-to appeal to him and he's j-j-just going to f- freaking use them, and I j-just wanted to fix my damn team and s-survive high school, I wasn't prepared for any of th-th-this, and ohhh my god, why won't it st-st-st-st--

[ And now here we are, she's dug her nails so far into the teddy bear and pulled, pulled, pulled and it rips. Finally, she opens her eyes and looks down at it, as if shocked she's done that. Woozy.

Silent, staring at the stuffing in her hands. ]

[The ripping sound is what finally convinces Ariel to turn around. The bear wasn't exactly the strongest substance in the world, but it's still baffling that she's managed to rend the thing in two.

What does he say to something like that? He glances between bear to girl, girl to bear, momentarily dumbstruck.

And then, seriousness overtakes him. There's perhaps still a modicum of concern, but there's also... curiosity. Intrigue.]

We all cope in our own ways. Appealing to innocence and emotion is how Christine and Nana cope. Perhaps your way is more... based in Aggression. There is nothing wrong with succumbing to that need. [He cracks a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

I have a few more stuffed creatures, if you'd like to have your way with them.

[ Dear, dear Riley continues to stare at the bear torn asunder before her. In a distant, weak tone, she murmurs: ] But... That was...

[ No. No, that wasn't the bear Cairo won her, she was just thinking of it as such. The lack of garish neon stripes says that much. She hasn't ruined a precious, precious memento from her precious, precious friend. Her mouth dry, she finally looks up at Ariel, still dumbfounded. ]

I don't... Don't wanna break anything else. [ She doesn't think so, at least? But, at least for now, there wasn't a single stutter in there. ]

Don't you?

[But no, she says she doesn't. And she sounds as if she's at least doing a little better. Whatever strange, curious expression he'd worn previously is eased away by a gentle smile.]

You're starting to look a little better. [He blinks and, as if remembering their promise, turns away.]

I... Apologize for not keeping my word.

[ Whatever...different there was in his face, Riley doesn't recognize it. The expression on her face is like one who's only just coming back from a long trip. She is disoriented, as if the last ten minutes or so have been just a dream. A slow blink, as she lets the stuffing slip from her hands. ]

Your word? No. [ Firmer, more together: ] No, it's... It's okay. Anyone would.

[ She starts wiping off her face with the back of her hand. Her eyes are still full of tears, but, for the first time she starts to look around his room, actually focusing on what's in front of her. ]

I... I think I just. Need a minute.

Take what time you need.

[His voice goes lower, more soothing in pitch. He stumbles about for a moment -- searching for something that Riley can use to wipe her face on. He ends up handing over a pillow case, just in case.]

Would you like for me to fetch some water? Something to eat?

[ She'll take the pillow case but shake her head. ]

No, I...really don't think I can eat anything right now. [ She speaks cautiously and carefully, as if afraid her mouth will start to disobey her again. ] Water, though... Um. That might be nice.

[ ...Incidentally. Whatever the fuck he was burning that started all this to begin with, is that readily out in the open, or...? ]

Water, then.

[He shifts, inching past Riley -- giving her a wide berth if she still needs the space, and out of the door.

Now that she's alone, and if she's well and truly investigating it. She'll probably see a burnt piece of paper, next to a shredded envelope! It probably looks familiar, as the envelope is identical to the one Riley, as well as everyone else received.

If she looks close enough, she'll probably just be able to make out the top of Ariel's head in the photo.]

[ Of course she’s investigating it. After a few moments, she rises from the chair on slightly shakily legs. The burnt paper is what draws her attention, as that’s what she knocked on the door for to begin with. It’s fine? So she should leave it alone.

But she doesn’t leave it alone, she gets closer. She’s already pale and tired from her anxiety attack. What she recognizes in the photo sends her whiter. ]

...Oh. [ What else is there really to say? ]

[It's not a horrifically long walk to fetch a glass of water and return. Just long enough to be dramatic.

Ariel enters just after Riley speaks. His fingers tighten on the mug he's holding, but thankfully he manages to avoid breaking it. He clears his throat as he shuffles into the room, holding out the mug without meeting her eyes. As he does, he tries to shift around her to wipe the remains onto the floor. He'll clean up the mess later.]

You shouldn't have had to see that.

[ He clears his throat and Riley freezes for a moment, then spins around to try and look like she was examining something else, but the damage is done. Immediately: ]

I'm sorry. Sorry, I shouldn't have- [ After he was so kind to her? After all this? Really? ] I just-

[ She doesn't really have an excuse. She shakes her head swiftly and steps back from the remains. ]

Sorry.

[He shakes his head. He doesn't quite meet her eyes though, and his head is bowed, as if he's ashamed]

You don't need to apologize. If I truly wanted to keep it hidden, I would have cleaned up my mess.[His gaze flicks up, just for a moment, then back down.] We all have our demons, our burdens. I never wanted them to fall on the shoulders of teenagers.

[ Riley presses a hand to her face, covering her eyes and nose, hard. She sucks in a low, slow breath, and then removes it. When it's gone, she just appears tired. ]

I think... Right now, we kind of have to take what we can, you know? I...wish I could have Cai with me, because...because I always feel more secure, when she's around. You don't want to burden us with your problems. But- [ A light shiver. ] There's only the seventeen of us here. In the end...we have to adjust. If we don't want to go...completely crazy.

[A slow nod. He holds out the mug of water after a moment, almost forgetting that he'd been holding it in the first place.]

I will do my best to be more forthcoming. [He glances toward the ashen remains, and then back.]

And... you needn't worry about me taking him up on that offer. Or... making any attempts in that vein. If nothing else, I have to remain here to ensure that we remain seventeen strong.

[ Oh, her mouth is. Really dry, thank you for that. She immediately gulps down, like, half the mug and. Feels much better, there. ]

I...didn't think you would. [ A little breathless, like all her words have been used up. ] Maybe not, um, today, but. ...I...will do my best to listen, too. And not just...you know.

Of course, not today. [His smile is careful. Like he's afraid of breaking the moment with too much enthusiasm.]

Once you're ready, you should return to your room. Rest. You need it, after all of this.

[ Riley only can't gather up that enthusiasm. She wants to. She wants to put her normal smile on, pretend everything's going to be okay.

But, she's too tired to, which feels...wrong, somehow. ]

I guess I do. [ She'll be back up and at it in a few hours. But, for awhile, maybe she'll give herself a break. ] ...You too?

That I will. I promise.

[He lifts a hand, a little awkward, and offers a wave. He... isn't sure what else he should do to say goodnight.]

Have a good night, Riley.

Good night.

[ She echoes it a little distantly as she drifts out. She's going to be thinking about this whole exchange, for a long while. ]

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