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

[tigermillionaire]

Oh, good. He rubs it through his hair sort of clumsily, but it gets the job done. His curls are sort of a mess when he's done, but what's fine.

"Yeah," he says, bringing down the towel. Having warm, dry clothes on feels a lot better, even though he hadn't really been conscious of the discomfort from being wet at the time. "Thank you."

[blindfoldcode]

She pulls a blanket over him with a concerned look. She tries not to touch him, but trying not to make it obvious that she's trying not to touch him. Just in case.

"Get some sleep. Maybe it'll help."

[tigermillionaire]

He doesn't really notice that she's not - he's too spaced out for that kind of subtle observation. But he does snuggle in with the blanket, feeling a little bit ill but managing it alright.

But then he tries to reach out and take her hand.

[blindfoldcode]

She has to make conscious effort not to pull back. Instead she takes his hand in both of hers, running her thumb over it, frowning at any cracks.

"What can I do?"

[tigermillionaire]

He likes that, at least. He smiles just a little, glad that she's still here.

"I don't want to be alone," he says softly, his fingers griping the hands beneath them.

[blindfoldcode]

She doesn't even know what to say to that. Her hands are shaking and she doesn't... really have words?

But.

"None of us can guide you.
Now we’re on our own...
Still, I’m right beside you.
You are not alone...
No one is alone. Truly.
No one is alone..."

Her voice is soft and sad and it's kind of like the tune of a lullaby, trying really hard to be comforting. Even as scared as she is of being around him right now, maybe he can understand how much she cares about him.

"All we see is fear now...
Who knows what to say?
Nothings quite so clear now.
Feel you've lost your way?
You are not alone, believe me.
No one is alone, truly..."

[tigermillionaire]

Singing is, and always will be, deeply soothing to him. It reaches him with a sense of security even now. When she starts, he seems to relax, taking that as a good of an answer as any - he holds her hands in his, close to his body, and gradually closes his eyes.

He feels very tired already, so it doesn't take much to start luring him into resting. The comfort and warmth of the situation makes it easier to ignore the discomfort in his body, and for now he seems content.

[blindfoldcode]

She pulls one of her hands back, but only to stroke his hair as she continues, softly, "People make mistakes.
Sisters, brothers
People make mistakes,
Holding to their own,
Thinking they're alone.
Honor their mistakes
Everybody makes
One another's terrible mistakes."

She's not going to leave until she's sure he's asleep, watching him fondly. But that aching fear in her chest won't quite go away, the lump in her throat almost making it impossible to continue.

"Children can be right, Monsters can be good.
You decide what's right, you decide what's good
Just remember:
Someone is on your side
It might seem like they’re not
While we're seeing our side
Maybe we forgot: they are not alone.
No one is alone.
Someone is on your side
No one is alone."

[tigermillionaire]

It's weird, how a gesture that used to annoy the hell out of him has come full circle into something that is an active comfort. Especially now. He can't remember why he ever would have disliked or been afraid of this kind of intimacy. Right now it's the only thing that makes things seem better.

He doesn't question what she'll do when she's done or anything else about what's going on. He just lets his mind rest after what seems like an extremely long time. It doesn't take long at all for him to become still enough with sleep that the grip of his fingers loosen and his breath deepens.

[blindfoldcode]

She pulls her hand from his grip carefully so as not to wake him up. Lifting the blankets to be firmly tucked around his shoulder, she lets out a shaky breath and moves to the door. A glance over her shoulder and her heart crumples as she wonders, faintly, if he'll ever get better.

And for a moment she sees, instead of Tiger, the flash of a dark haired boy who was the biggest crybaby she knew, the stream of texts to him without answers, Ayano's crying and it's like a punch in the gut.

And she shuts her door before she can break down again and wake him up.