022 - Before You Finally Go, There's One Thing You Should Know

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Misaki is in the bar, nursing--a cup of coffee. Plain old coffee, no alcohol added. It's not even coffee so much as drinkable mud. She looks tired and angry and upset, and vaguely like she's been crying and is trying to hide it. She stares into space for a moment, looks down at the mug, and then lays her head on her arms and to all intents and purposes falls asleep.]


[[SO Misaki traded her voice for one of the translation notepads. So she can't talk, but she can communicate! The pad translates whatever is written on it into an acceptable language for the reader.]]

Comments

[contract_star]

Ah...sorry. Didn't mean to startle you.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't say anything, instead writing something on the pad and pushing it over to him.]

How are you feeling?

[contract_star]

[Looks at the paper and nods.] I'm alright, but... [Pauses and blinks.] Wait. How can I read this?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Watches the ink wobble and translate his message, then doodles a reply.]

Traded my voice for it.

[YEAH SHE'S SORT OF CASUAL ABOUT IT. But she's tired. And stuff.]

[contract_star]

[Stares at the ink, looking rather shocked.]

Traded your--why? With the Twins? Why would you do that? It's--this whole thing will be over in a few days, these things always are!

[Helplessly,] Misaki...why?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

I'll get it back in two weeks--when the paper stops working.

[contract_star]

Just like that? No catch?

[Sits down next to her. He's frustrated with her, but he's also very tired and worn out and doesn't have the energy to be really angry.] Misaki, why would you do this? There was no point.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She thinks about it. And then shrugs.]

I don't know.

[contract_star]

[Very heavy sigh. He leans his elbows on the bar and rubs at his forehead.]

Well...at least you can talk to people, now...

[Long pause.] I'm...sorry about...before.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head.]

If I had known he was planning that, I wouldn't have let him.

[contract_star]

It's not that I'm angry with him. Or even that I...blame him. Just...I can't see him as being anything but connected to them. No matter what they do, no matter what happens, he still...he would still choose them, in the end.

And I get that, but...I can't handle that right now.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She nods.] I understand.

[A pause]

Would you let one of the other Doctors help you?

[contract_star]

Help me? With what?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[This takes a minute of scribbling.]

They told me there's a non-invasive form of psychic therapy that helps soothe memories or make them easier to deal with. I said to try it on me first, so I could tell you exactly what it entails before you make a decision.

[contract_star]

[He stares at what she's written and a small bubble of panic rises in his chest.]

...You let them into your head? Just like that?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head.]

No. But there are other Doctors here whom I trust enough to. If it would help you, I would do it. It might help me too. Who knows?

[contract_star]

[Obvious sigh of relief.]

It might, but...but you should...don't let people mess around with your head like that. Just--just don't.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Still not making a sound, but now looking very worried at you, Hei.]

[contract_star]

[Looks up at her, but quickly looks away.]

Don't. I'm alright.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Of course you're not all right. You don't have to lie, you know. But I'll try not to look at you like that if it makes you feel better.

[Have a little smile, Hei.]

[contract_star]

[Tries to return it and manages a wee tiny smile.]

It's fine. Just...I'm still not really used to people worrying about me. It's confusing.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[contract_star]

[That face gets more of a smile out of him.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Yay! And him smiling gets more of a smile out of her.]