You laugh until you cry; you cry until you laugh

[sailorgenerous]

Who: Virgo musicians - Ghost Quest people and their friends
What: When eight musicians go missing, what happens to those left behind? What happens when those eight come back far worse for the wear?
When: Feb 1st-3rd and after
Where: Virgo HQ
Warnings: Talk of torture, violence, brainwashing, etc. It's ugly in here, folks.

The past three days have not been kind. The hauntings were odd, yes, but when your friends went missing without warning or a trace - well.

How have you been coping? Have you been coping?

And then they came back just as suddenly, and...it looks like your worries were not unfounded.

This isn't good, is it.

Comments

[hanginginthere]

The glow goes out, Shen's eyes widening with the implications as something hollow seems to fill his chest. Something hollow, deep, and empty, and-

it's just him
it's just him and he's alone
and they're all in trouble and he can't
do
anything

"I don't believe you," he snaps, voice tight as he shoves the unwanted memory aside. "They wouldn't do that."

[exhumerus]

"Lemme know what world you're living in where that seems like a phrase that's true," Sans drawls, staring at him. "Sounds like a hot vacation spot. Might like to book a trip there someday."

[hanginginthere]

This is...

This is stupid. Sans is being stupid, moronic, asinine...

"So why don't you just leave, huh?!" He pushes himself to his feet. "Or- do something, anything? If you can't care about anyone else, if you're convinced they're gonna do something to you, why don't you just go away!?"

It's not like anyone'd miss him!

[exhumerus]

It's weird how that doesn't shake him. Not because it doesn't cut - not because it doesn't make some small part of him want to fight back. It's just that, when it comes down to it, there's no point in defending himself.

It's not worth it. He's not worth it. He just is what he is, and he will be until he dies at some point and no one is all that bothered about it. A completely mutual transaction.

"Can't beat free food, pal," he says, in so casual a tone it is probably insulting. "Where else am I gunna get a deal like that?"

[hanginginthere]

That...

Why did he ever think to ask Sans for advice!? Not only is he stupid, he's...!

He's Sans! Even Bill is a better person than he is - Bill's weird and creepy, but at least Bill doesn't just let things happen!

There's a disgusted, frustrated sound from Shen as he pushes himself up - and moves forwards, arms shoving at San's shoulders.

"What is wrong with you!?"

[exhumerus]

Sans is starting to realize a really annoying feature about being him: the fact that any angry nerd flailing in his direction is fully capable of harming him provided they actually land a hit. In this case, it's just a shove, there's only so much it can do. But his arm is still wounded from the fight at the concert, and that push back into the couch is enough to jar it to the point of being acutely painful.

He hisses through his teeth, grabbing his elbow right above the the hairline fractures in his ulna. The fear in him at the idea of getting into another brawl is reflexive and real. He curls back and squirms off of the couch with surprising speed, backing away from Shen with a look like cornered prey. His breath is already heavy with exertion.

He stares him down with wide, angry eyes.

"You think that makes it better, huh?" he manages, after a moment. "You think you're being tough?"

[hanginginthere]

It's a bit surprising - or would be, if Shen was able to think straight. But he's angry, which is rare for him; angry at Sans for doing nothing, angry at himself for thinking Sans would. Angry at whatever did whatever to Haru, and at the idea it could be Virgo, because it can't be, it just can't...

He lets Sans back away, breathing heavily, eyes brimming with something. Glow, water- hard to tell. But he swallows, wiping them on the back of his hand with a sniff.

"I think," he manages, "you don't belong here."

And with that, he turns to stalk out.

[exhumerus]

Sans lets him leave, watching him cautiously on the way out, as if making sure that he isn't going to come back for another bite. It's only after Shen has shut the door behind him, that some of the tension leaves, replaced by a dull kind of rejection.

Alright. Okay. Fair enough.

"It's fine," he says, to no one. "Won't be here much longer."