I feel so unsure

[wounds]

Who: MANTICORE, visitors
What: Dealing with the aftermath of I Will Twist The Knife
When: December 9, evening
Where: MANTICORE penthouse
Warnings: References to I Will Twist The Knife

[It's been a few days, people have recovered. Some better off than others. And today MANTICORE is gathered to deal and talk about what happened.]

Comments

[sharktrash]

[ Oh, he remembers. He's kind of a mess when he thinks nobody can see him because thanks to that little vision he is now convinced he's supposed to be dead. Or actually is dead. It's a bit much to take in at his age. ]

[ He's doing his best to be 'normal', though. That includes being a selfish asshole. ]

[ He flinches the slightest bit when she touches his side, but lets her rummage. Whatever. The deep stab wound had been whisked away by magic, but it's possible some kind of a shallow cut remained. So there might be a bandage, but the smaller stick-on kind rather than wrapped all around him. ]

Yeah, it's me. Don't think you guys are getting rid of me that easily.

[scalpedsociety]

[This isn't right... he was pouring blood, the wound was so deep. But now it's just a minor cut? ...This makes no sense.

Still, he's not dead. You don't question a miracle. That's all that matters. Her Shark is the only family she acknowledges, the only one that can pass her musical teachings, the only one worthy of being the best and brightest. Her son. Damn the fact that with that thought comes visions of women at her side she doesn't know. That isn't real...

Tears start to form in her eyes. And she was so close to losing him that night. A hand goes on his head.]

No, we can't.

[sharktrash]

[ Damn it, Tamara, why do you have to make it harder than it should be? He can't keep the smirk up with her looking at him like that. She's as good as his goddamn mother, and she's crying over him. And patting his head. ]

[ The corner of his mouth twitches and frowns lightly, looking back at her with an almost gentle expression. Please stop looking so sad. Big boys don't cry into their moms' bosoms, okay. Don't make him do that. Who's supposed to be comforting whom here? ]

Hey. It's okay. I don't know how, but it is.

[scalpedsociety]

[He should've seen her that night, wailing and crying and holding Squalo until the Doctors had to pry her off him. Not many would cry for people like him, but she would. (She always has, even without the brainwashing.)

...Maybe not in a place where the band can catch them. She smiles even with the tears.]

I know, I'm sorry. ...I went through a lot that night. So did you.

[sharktrash]

[ Well, he saw her lifelessly laying on the floor instead. Pretty unsettling, too. And hey, what are you saying, lots of people love him! Totally. Mostly due to brainwashing, but still. ]

[ His look grows a bit darker when she mentions it. ]

Yeah.

[ She's only seen the physical part of it... which, frankly, was not the worst. But he's not sure if he wants to talk about it. ]

[ He pats her back instead. ]

At least that's over.

[scalpedsociety]

[She doesn't want to talk about the things in her head during that night either. She isn't entirely sure she's slowly going crazy or not.]

I'm glad. [Her hand stokes his hair, lowering to his chin.] If it's alright, can I stay over for a little while? I'll make fish stew.

[sharktrash]

[ He leans his head into the touch a little. Suddenly, he feels tired. ]

If you want.

[ He does perk up a little at the mention of fish stew, though. ]

[scalpedsociety]

[She gives him a little kiss.]

I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.

[Let her do this for you Squalo. It's her way of coping.]

[sharktrash]

[ He actually smiles a little at that, like an eager overgrown kid. It doesn't even look too sharky -- execs' fault, no doubt. ]

[ But, of course, there's much more going on here than innocent appreciation. In fact, he's already imagining spending all day in bed (or a blanket pile) while mom brings him tasty stuff and fawns over him. ]

[ Now that's life. ]

[scalpedsociety]

[After a couple hours of cooking and teasing with the scent of seafood, garlic, and tomato, Tamara comes out with two bowls of the stew and toasted bread.

She isn't sure how she knows this, but she does.]

Here we are!

[sharktrash]

[ By that time he's done playing and probably dozed off on the sofa -- the stab wound might have gotten fixed but he was still dealing with the bloodloss effects. Still, her voice is enough to make him stir and peel and eye open. Then he sniffs the air and sits up pretty excitedly. ]

Smells great. Trout and carrots?

[ He moves his legs off the couch so she can sit next to him. ]

[scalpedsociety]

Yes. I hope you enjoy it.

[She kisses him on the forehead again before she sits next to him.]

[sharktrash]

[ Ah shit. He's almost giddy now. ]

I will!

[ He shifts to sit more comfortably and takes one of the bowls, spooning some and pouring it back a few times to make it cool off faster. ]

[scalpedsociety]

[She may lean on his shoulder a little bit.

She's just glad to have her student back.]

[sharktrash]

[ Well, she's allowed. He actually looks pretty happy about it. ]

...what happened to you?

[ Last thing he remembers, she was on the floor motionless. ]

[scalpedsociety]

It was after Naomi's song... I can't explain how. But everyone from Virgo was acting strange after that. Luce from Flowers over Bones came over with a drink and sipped like a fool.

I became drowsy and I ran into that girl.

[sharktrash]

And after that?..

[scalpedsociety]

She... wasn't right. She was going to hurt me and I knew it. Add to the fact I was so drugged and I kept seeing these terrifying memories in my head...

[For a long time, Tamara didn't want to tell them to anyone, it's enough her fellow band members had to witness her mild meltdown at the festival. But maybe she can trust her son with this.]

Squalo... have you ever had reoccurring and vivid memories of things you barely remember? Like you aren't sure about them, but they feel real?

[sharktrash]

I think it was some kind of mind control. [ A pause. He considers whether or not he should tell her... ] She texted me to apologize. That wouldn't've brough me back from the dead, but I guess it's something.

[ ...ah. Now that's something he's familiar with. He frowns at her. If there's anyone he trusts, it's gotta be Genos and her. Well then... He continues, with an actual effort to keep his voice low(er than usual). ]

I don't think I would call them 'memories'. That'd imply it's actually happened. But I've experienced something like really damned detailed bad trips.

[scalpedsociety]

I had a feeling it was that... [She stays silent for a moment, eats her stew.] She was mind-controlled, I understand her reasons. [There's a firm tone that enters her voice and her hazel eyes go dark in a way Squalo has probably never seen before.] ...She should never try it again.

[But it goes away, quickly as it comes.]

I hope it never did. [Her 'trips' so far have been awful.]

It's been happening since the festival, I really don't know what's been going on. But I want it to stop.

[sharktrash]

No kidding. [ But there's a glint of something in his eyes as he smirks again. ] But I'll be ready next time.

[ Then he's frowning again. So it sucked for her too, huh. ]

Right. You might want not to mention it to your manager.

[scalpedsociety]

[Murder!Mother/Son. I'm just saying. >_>]

I'm not. We are often at odds anyway. She's... ugh, I hate using this word- kind of a poser. All she cares about is how we look. I like to dress, but every so often I want the opinion to dress down you know.

[And every so often she wants to wring that twits neck.]

[sharktrash]

[ Excellent. ]

Mm. Sounds annoying.

[ He chuckles a bit. ]

We don't even have a makeup artist. But it's lucky I like leather.

[ Spooning that soup now. ]

[scalpedsociety]

More than you know, my Shark.

But never mind about her, how's the stew?

[sharktrash]

I wouldn't be so sure.

[ He knows quite a bit. The distraction is most welcome. ]

It's great. I see you've still got it.