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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 12:29:29 GMT -5
Tea regretted getting up and trying to find the others he felt okay with. It was difficult, waking up and expecting there to still be death and carnage and cries of pain awaiting his arrival. Instead there were voices. There was concern and questions and the aftermath of devastation. There was reparation.
But in his wake, there was fear.
So many times he'd expected to be retaliated against, expected a cultist to take out their losses on him. So far that had not happened. But he'd only been awake a few days. A week, if that. There was an eternity of the unknown ahead of him.
He'd failed to make it to Leland's house, instead happening on the burnt remains of his old bunker. Had . . . had he done that? Or had Tapi? He didn't know. There was so much he didn't know. All he had were his scars to tell him what happened.
He flinched and jumped back when approached by the creature. Jinx. It was just Jinx. Jinx wouldn't . . . he didn't think . . . would he be the first to strike?
All the being's questions fell on deaf ears as Tea shook and held up his hands like he might be struck. His nerves were frazzled. Senses overloaded after having been asleep so long, the first thing he could muster was, "I'm sorry!" He apologized, for anything and everything. He was Tea. He always had something to apologize for.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 12:53:44 GMT -5
Tea had flinched again when Jinx had approached, then focused on the genuine concern the other had to offer. Focusing on that, allowing Jinx's kindness to wash over him in waves, he forced his breathing to slow. Then he admitted, "I don't . . . think I'm lost. I don't," he grit his teeth harshly. He felt ashamed. He should have stayed in his room in the manor but . . ., "I'm just overwhelmed." And all the energy in the manor had driven him out.
He just needed to collect himself. He just needed to get centered again, control the feelings corroding his own and confusing him. So much had happened. So much was happening. He needed to catch up.
And he needed to get back to work and make up for the hell he'd wrought on them. He gripped Jinx's palms tight thinking about what he'd done. He felt even more ashamed, showing this level of vulnerability to someone he had not been formally introduced to before.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 13:17:58 GMT -5
"I'm . . .," he didn't know how to respond to that. "I'm not sure . . . I'm not sure I agree." He thought he deserved punishment, and was still wrapping his head around the fact that he'd already received his punishment. "Quiet," he mouthed. Somewhere quiet. That sounded . . . that sounded really nice. He nodded curtly, swallowing before answering, "I would . . . I would like that. If-f you'd have me."
It occurred to him Jinx could be leading him into a trap so easily this way. He was overwhelmed enough that he wouldn't really be able to sense the deception that required. He had to trust Jinx not to do that.
Usually that was difficult, but this time it wasn't. He couldn't explain it. Just that he didn't feel threatened by Jinx. Again, his skin was so awash with other people's feelings the only reason he had an anchor on Jinx's was because he was holding the being's hands.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 14:01:36 GMT -5
The journey to the home was nerve racking only because the dogs barking worried Tea. He'd let out a bark of his own in terror by accident, quickly concealing his urge to sound off alongside the animals. He was still left shaken every time a noise not human slipped his lips.
It was because of Leland he didn't fear treading into strangers' homes as much. Leland and all those associated with the forest guardian were so kind. Jinx was so kind. You don't deserve it, a voice in his head told him. He shrank as he settled down on the floor in the house rather than one of the comfortable seats. Drawing his legs up to his chest self-consciously, he glanced up at Jinx's apology.
It was only then he realized someone had been speaking to him at all. "No, you're . . .," he wrapped his arms around his legs and squeezed. "You're fine. I'm . . . I'm okay." Be polite. "Th-thank you. For this."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 15:31:24 GMT -5
Tea shrank from the other, feeling reprimanded though he knew that wasn't the intention. Taking in the other's words, he relaxed a little more. Still, the guilt remained. "So many of you got hurt." He stared mournfully at Jinx. "Some even died-d. If not for Tapi . . .," he clamped his mouth shut. Then he whispered, "I wish I remembered." The blank spaces were what were bothering him most. Not knowing the extent of his punishment, only seeing the result. It was torture.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 17:31:30 GMT -5
Tea was still for a moment, then he loosened his hold on himself. "Th-thank you," he murmured again as his body went more slack. "I'm not hungry, though." There was a gnawing in his gut, but he wouldn't acknowledge it as hunger. He focused more on getting the energy currents running rampant on his nerves to slow to a halt. This environment was peaceful enough. He could finally focus.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2015 5:09:10 GMT -5
Tea nodded gratefully, leaning against a piece of furniture as Jinx moved. He closed his eyes, clearing his mind as much as possible before fighting off the energy that didn't belong to him. The quiet and calm of the home helped so much. Soon he found himself slipping into a trance as he grounded himself. Subconsciously he waited for the other to return.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2015 21:07:25 GMT -5
Tea shifted in his doze, ending up lying on the floor. His nerves buzzed from overuse, steadily growing quieter and calmer before allowing his mind to settle down with them. He breathed evenly, letting out hushed groans every now and then that sounded less human and more animal. His ears twitched slightly when he made these noises as he slipped deeper into his meditative doze. Jinx's home was comfortable. It felt just as secure as Leland's home. He . . . he liked that.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2015 15:43:00 GMT -5
It was a while before Tea stirred again, rolling on the floor and stretching. He stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling for a long time before turning his head to look at Jinx. He then remembered the state he'd been in upon arriving and . . . his nerves weren't buzzing anymore. His chest still ached, but his nerves weren't buzzing. That was a relief. The gnawing in his stomach was making itself known, however. "How long was I out?" he asked quietly.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 18:46:12 GMT -5
Tea nodded, rubbing his eyes blearily. Pushing himself upright off the floor, he said, "Thank you. For letting me rest." He had needed it. He didn't feel as terrible or wired. The edge wasn't fully gone but it was majorly blunted.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2015 5:44:03 GMT -5
"Do you have tea?" He had not yet even tried looking for his stash of tea in the kitchen of the manor. He hoped it was still there . . . somewhere. Sitting up straighter, he asked, "Is there anything you need help with in the house?" Jinx had been so kind to him. He'd like to repay him by helping somehow.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2015 11:55:29 GMT -5
Tea thanked Jinx, thinking quietly to himself. Then he added, "I don't like taking advantage." He didn't want to impose on Jinx. He was relieved to be getting tea, but wanted to help somehow.
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