interstellar5555 | I'll tell you all how the story ends

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I'll tell you all how the story ends

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.

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[Her eyes light up at the word 'bath'.]

That... sounds pretty good, actually...

[Luci lets Squalo hold the door and she exits the elevator.]

Your place? Mine... I don't want them to see me yet.

[ He actually didn't expect her to decide to come with him rather than make him go with her, but he's not going to turn a friend away, especially not in this shape. He nods and rests a hand on her back to gently usher her in once he opens the door to the penthouse. ]

If that's what you want. Stay as long as you'd like.

[ A small pause and he adds, voice lowered. ]

Don't pick on Genos if you see him, okay? I'm not sure what they did to him but I think it's messed with his head a bit. Quiet and gentle, yeah?

I don't want to be alone right now, strangely enough... [She says quietly, holding Squalo's jacket to her a little more tightly as she comes into the suite.]

[The news about Genos gives her pause too, but she nods faintly.] I will. I don't really think I can do much else, given how I am right now. Right? [Luci smiles faintly at the self-deprecating joke.] We're all in this together, I think. As much as I never expected this to ever come out of my mouth... I plan on being kind for a while.

Understandable. Sorta expect her to pop up like that, no?

[ He frowns and gives her a once-over. Ouch. She's really acting... a bit subdued, which is no surprise, really, but it just makes it obvious how uncomfortable she must've been and it's. Ugh. ]

[ Fuck Lesedi. ]

Don't let us take advantage of that, [ he smirks, because gross humor is clearly the best way of coping, and leads her to the other end of the penthouse, motioning at a bathroom door. ]

This one's got the best tub. I've got some cooking to do, but if you leave the door open you'll hear me and we can talk. [ A pause. ] Or do you want me to go in with you? Shit, I'm bad at this whole support thing... [ the end of that is muttered, almost apologetically. ]

I'm trying not to think about the next time I'll be innocently checking Facebook and find myself in her office. [She grimaces, unbuttoning Squalo's coat and draping it nicely over a chair they pass on the way to the bathroom.]

[Luci smiles at him reassuringly and strokes the back of his head gently.] You're fine, I'm just sore, just need a soak. I'll leave the door open. Unless you think your band is going to get weird about me naked with the door open.

"Next time"?

[ He thought this was a one time thing. A favor for a favor. Luci seems to have a different idea. Holy shit this is insane. ]

[ He does his best not to focus on it at the moment since nothing will be achieved by him getting mad right now. ] Nah, they won't. [ A pause, then an actual genuine grin. ] Well, Roy might scream and cover his eyes, but that's fun, right?

[ He'll go into the bathroom for a bit anyway, to open the shelves and pull out a plastic box with his stuff for her to use. Shampoo, soap, etc, just in case she needs it. ]

[Luci's lips form a strong line, trying to hold her emotion in. Yes, probably next time. Lesedi had... more or less liked what Luci had done, it seemed.]

[Better to focus on scaring Roy. Luci barks a laugh and follows Squalo into the bathroom, ditching the sheet into the garbage and crouching down by the faucet. She winces from the muscle movement, and once she's sitting by the bathtub she's pretty sure she's not standing back up again before her legs feel better.]

That would make this night infinitely better.

[ ...right. Got it. ]

[ He'll turn the water on and leave her to her own devices, since he imagines she might appreciate some privacy right now. He actually manages not to stare at the marks of abuse all over her body. For some reason, they feel hauntingly familiar in a way. ]

Hold onto the hope, then!

Crossing my fingers!

[The water heats up and Luci slides into the tub, wincing as she does it. It hurts at first, but gradually the temperature starts to soothe the soreness. This is definitely miles ahead of how she'd been feeling in the elevator.]

What are you cooking? [She calls, her voice carrying quite easily. Obviously, she's a frontman.]

[ And Squalo's a Loud Guy. What a match. ]

Roy wanted spinach quiche. Genos said he doesn't have a favorite, so I'm thinking pizza. That's like, happy food around here, right?

Damn, pizza sounds amazing. Any chance of you throwing a slice at me? Pack me a snack for the second leg of my walk of shame?

Sure! I can make a bigger one and throw more than that. [ His grin is almost audible. ] Buzz off with the shame thing, or I'll dress you in five layers before letting you leave.

[Luci sits with her head in her arms for a beat, lacking a snappy comeback for the moment. She does feel some amount of shame, but not because she's naked and beat to hell. It's because she didn't do anything to fight back. She just... let it happen because she was scared.]

[She snaps her fingers and lights her thumb, drying it instantly, then puts it under the water. Obviously, it extinguishes.]

Can I wear those pants you wore at your last gig? The ones with the ladder-weave in the thigh?

[ Whoa. You can feel disappointed in yourself but not ashamed. Never ashamed. Not that he's really one to talk. ]

Ha? [ It takes him a moment to recall the particular pants. ] Yeah, sure. [ And then sounding like he's trying not to laugh. ] If you fit in them.

[ Well, to be fair, her thighs are probably thicker than his. ]

Watch me, stork-legs. [She calls back.] You've probably got butter, I'm not afraid to use it.

Shit, that's fucking hardcore! [ He's done unpacking, and starts preparing for the cooking. ] And gross! Pants is no place for food.

...yeah, you win that one, the thought of wearing pants slathered in butter just makes me want to scrub myself harder. [She does pull the bodywash over and a loofah-- the softer one-- and starts working on that.] I'll just borrow from... Jecht? He seems pretty easygoing.

See. [ crisis averted. ] Hey, I have looser-fitting clothes. But if you love that old man smell I ain't gonna stop you.

Fuck, that is cold. [Luci laughs, starting out on the process of, very gently, washing what she felt was three days worth of caked sweat off of her.] Just because he hits on your mom doesn't make him old.

[ asdjhaskjhd Luci did you have to bring that up. His expression turns a little murderous, and while she can't see it, she'll probably hear it. ]

No, the four decades he's got under his belt does.

I'll remember to remind you of this conversation fifteen years from now. [Oh come on, Squalo, let your poor mother have a little fun. At least there's someone around her age to have it with.]

You really don't like him hanging around Tamara that much?

What, you think I'm gonna say I'm still young then? [ WHICH ONE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT because his birth mom could use having a bit less fun thanks. ]

...nah. He's a pretty good choice, all considered.

[ INFINITELY BETTER THAN XANXUS FOR EXAMPLE ]

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I'll tell you all how the story ends

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