I'll tell you all how the story ends

[cleartranquil]

Who: Ghost Quest kids and all those who want to see them.
What: So as it turns out, going against the label might've been a bad move. Who knew, right? 
When: Feb 3rd and after 
Where: Pride HQ
Warnings: Talk of torture, aftermath of violence, aftermath of brainwashing, dudes there's some dark stuff.

For the past three days, the troublemakers and ghost helpers of Pride Records were kept locked away from their friends and their bands. 

As far as everyone else knew, they were just gone. And then they were back. 

They are all worse for wear, some far more than others and some much more mentally than physically, but they are all returned to their penthouses, finally, at the end of their ordeals. 

But, at least they're back. Somewhat in one piece. For the most part. 

Comments

[traumatizing]

[Terry usually resists this kind of hug. He usually thinks Garnet's being over the top, reacting too strongly to minor upsets. Not this time. When Garnet has him, he clings to her like it's the only thing keeping him afloat right now, and his chest heaves in a sob that he's been straining to keep in.]

[twoscompany]

[And she holds him, feeling his pain. And as she does, she feels...anger. This...this isn't like him. Terry is a strong kid, and crying like this...

After a long, long time, rubbing his back, cradling him gently, she speaks, her voice low.]

What happened to you, love.

[traumatizing]

I fucked up, Garnet.

[He has his face against her shoulder and it probably comes out muffled, but he's not moving if he doesn't have to.]

We pushed too hard-- I should've known better, I know what Santiago's capable of, but I...

[Terry trails off, but it's probably not hard to fill in the blanks.]

[twoscompany]

[She rubs his head, gently, shushing him.]

It's all right. You don't have to tell me. You, and...

[The others. Genos. Yuffie.

Steven.]

Oh god.

[traumatizing]

I'm sorry. I couldn't help them.

[His voice comes out weakly, he just feels so bad. He should've been able to do something. Anything.]

[twoscompany]

No.

[Her voice is firm, at this, at least.]

Never say that. This wasn't your fault. Whatever you did, you didn't deserve this.

[traumatizing]

[He doesn't believe that. If anything, Terry feels like he should've gotten way worse. A bit of pain? Whatever. He may not think it should be Lesedi who got to do it, but he let them down. He let everyone down.]

[Terry lets out a shuddering breath and leans back so he can look at Garnet, though he ducks his head first to dry the wetness around his eyes. Despite himself, he's embarrassed.]

Thanks, Garnet.

[twoscompany]

...I won't let them hurt you any more.

[She goes to wipe hair and tears from his face, if there are any.]

I won't let them hurt anyone else.

[traumatizing]

I can't-- [No. He takes a deep breath.] I don't know what they're doing but... I don't care what happens to me.

[He swallows and looks up at Garnet.] I just wish I could've done more. Stopped everyone doing it or... Something.

[twoscompany]

...Terry.

[She looks down at him, shaking her head with a sad smile.]

I care. We all care about you. I can't just watch you be destroyed. I couldn't bear...

[No, don't cry again. Not now.]

We...still don't know what happened to Richard. I couldn't bear not knowing where you, or Naiko, or Mei went like this. Heck. Maybe I'll be worried about Sabo, too. You know?

[...Well, ok, she would be worried about Sabo, too.]

[traumatizing]

[Maybe Sabo too, huh. That gets a small chuckle out of Terry, but it also brings something else to mind. If there's anything the two of them have in common, they're both hotheads where the people they care about are concerned. He sucks in a deep breath, worried about how what he's about to say is gonna go over.]

Garnet, don't... Please don't do anything. You don't know-- [He almost looks panicked, now he's started.] You don't know...

['You don't know what they're capable of,' is what he wants to say, but he can't seem to finish.]

[twoscompany]

I know what I see.

[She tries to give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Of course, there's that part of her that's telling her its folly to even think of doing anything. But her friends have been hurt. Her family's been hurt.

How can she just stand by and cower like a little coward when that's happening? That's what her gut is telling her. And the answer is, she can't.]

And I don't like it.

[traumatizing]

[He reaches up to take her hand from his shoulder, holding it in both of his.]

What if they hurt you too?

[twoscompany]

[She stares at him, her three eyes wide.]

...That's a chance I'm willing to take, right now.

[traumatizing]

[Terry spends a moment searching Garnet's face for... Something. Some hope he can talk her out of acting out against the label, but he knows it's a lost cause.]

Just... Be careful. Please.

[twoscompany]

I will be.

[A pause.]

Can you tell me what I can expect, at least? Guards, or...or door security...

[traumatizing]

[Oh. He bites his lipring, fussing with it while he tries to decide what to do. He really doesn't want Garnet to do this, but he also doesn't want her to get hurt.]

[Maybe if he can impart on her how dangerous it is, she'll decide against it on her own? Maybe.]

Yeah-- All of it. It felt like they just kept coming when we were down there. And they're fucking tough.

[twoscompany]

How many guards were there? Five, ten, more...?

[She's not going down to any lab. She only knows a few details about the lab, but that's not her primary location, anyhow. The office above. That's where she wants to go.]

[traumatizing]

Um-- Five? Maybe?

[He's breathing a little heavy, but he swallows that. Gotta be strong.] I'm sorry, I don't remember it that well.

[twoscompany]

Its ok. It is.

[She sighs.]

Guess I've got my work cut out for me on that. But the door...it was open, right? Not locked?

[traumatizing]

It wasn't, but... She might start locking it after what happened. I dunno.

[twoscompany]

Then we get hairpins or something...is there anything else we should know?

[traumatizing]

Security cameras, I think?

[twoscompany]

...Hm.

[Naturally. That will make things incredibly difficult. Moreso than it already was.]

No way to know for sure until we get there, then.

[traumatizing]

I don't suppose I can talk you out of this?

[Hoping for a yes here.]