cardcaptured | IC INBOX

[ Syaoran will receive a text rom Glitch late in the month; ]

Hey, I got something with your name on it in my basket. Let me know where and when I hand it to you.

[After debating to himself for a good ten or twenty minutes whether or not this was a smart idea-- he knows Glitch would probably freak out at his current condition, no doubt-- he finally responds, curiosity overtaking his trepidation.]

The library, whenever it's safest for you to get over here. I won't be leaving it for a while.

Yeah, I can be there soon no problem. Magic jumpin' boots help to get over the blood rivers and the zombos. Just sit tight.

[ And he'll be on his way. Not really knowing what to expect when he finds Syaoran at the library. ]

[He almost wants to make a remark about that being the only thing he can do at the moment, but he decides against it. Glitch will find out soon enough.]

See you soon, then.

[And then, after a moment of thought:]

Just... don't freak out when you see me, okay?

[That's the only warning he'll give before he waits for Glitch's arrival, tucked into his usual far-off corner of the library. Compared to the death and injuries others have sustained throughout the month, he got off fairly easy... but it's still hard to look at all the same. Not with the cast on one of his legs, the fading bruises along his throat, and the uneven hitch of his chest, all while swaddled up in a beige bear kigurumi to boot. He's a little better than he was when he had first arrived, physically and emotionally, but there's still an air of exhaustion to him, a lack of light in his eyes after all the nonsense he's had to deal with over the past few weeks.

Who was he kidding? Glitch was probably going to flip his shit, regardless. And the worst part about all of this was that he had no one to blame for this except for himself.]

[ When he had his freak out with Dipper, he knows it served to only shut the conversation off. It's hard to shut that part down of him being concerned and being reactionary to a kid who didn't ask to be here. So, when he does come across Syaoran at the library looking beat to shit there's a definite frown on his face.

He approaches them, and knocks on a shelf a few feet from Syaroan's corner to get his attention. Glitch face is exhausted and his neck also marked in fading bruises but regardless, Glitch tries to force a smile. ]

Hey, kid. [ It's a soft hello as he steps over to hold out the gift to him. ]

Here.

[He's in the midst of absent-mindedly thumbing through a random Sibling Brothers book as Glitch approaches (thanks, Dipper, for getting him hooked on these Hardy Boys knock-offs), his head glancing up at the knock on the shelf. The smile on the other boy's face definitely looks forced, but Syaoran's at least relieved he's keeping an air of calm. Considering Glitch was one of the few who warned him against making the incense, he really didn't want to talk about his mishaps this month if he can avoid it.

He raises his hand to return the quiet greeting, making sure to set the book onto his lap before reaching over to accept the gift.]

Ah-- t-thanks.

[The voice comes out in a slight rasp, breathier than his usual tone and a bit brittle around the edges. Turning the gift around in his hands, his eyes glance back up at the other boy, brow furrowing in concern as he studies him. He initially had wanted to ask about the present, namely what it was and how it wound up in his basket, but the words that leave his lips wind up veering on a completely different path instead.]

... what happened to you?

[With his gaze fixated on the faded bruises around Glitch's throat, it's not hard to tell what prompted that question. Maybe the one who needed warning about not freaking out was Syaoran, instead.]

[ He's a little surprised when Syaoran asks him that question. He's not really sure what Syaoran means. He couldn't be talking about the exhaustion or the fact he's probably looking a little dirty. After all, not like anyone's showers were really working right now.

But, when he goes to rub his neck Glitch's tired mind catches where Syaoran's looking. Oh. He retracts his hand to give a small shrug. ]

Oh. It's nothing. Person went crazy and got a good hit in.

Nothing I couldn't handle. [ However, he sits down beside Syaoran. ]

Anyways, open your gift. I heard people like getting them. [ that may be a small joke.. ]

[The worry doesn't let up from his face as Glitch explains, eyes carefully tracking the other boy as he goes to sit down beside him. With everything going on this month, it was easy enough to believe-- and Syaoran unfortunately was both victim and perpetrator to that-- but it still doesn't feel like the whole story. Granted, maybe it wasn't fair to pry when he himself didn't walk to talk about what happened, but even so...

Before he could bring it up further, however, Glitch encourages him to open his present, effectively distracting him for the time being. Nodding hesitantly, he begins to unwrap the package, taking care not to accidentally tear or damage whatever is within it. This wasn't the first gift he received from another Sleeper via Sodder (the bear kigu he was wearing was an indicator of that), but it did surprise him it came from Glitch, of all people. What in the world did he want to give him...?

He finds out soon enough as it finally tumbles into his hands, his eyes wide and curious and just a touch confused as he observes it.]

... a bracelet?

[He turns his gaze back over toward Glitch, face and voice questioning.]

But... what for?

[Not that he didn't like it-- with the black beads and simple design, it looked like something he could wear with just about anything-- but it did seem like an odd thing for Glitch to give out of the blue. And no doubt if it came from Sodder, it was probably more than just mere jewelry...]

[ Glitch watches the unfolding of the gift but every so often can't help but glance at how battered Syaoran looked. He wonders what could've given him all those injuries or who. Was it another sleeper gone deranged? Or a monster? Or was it himself?

It's a lot to think about but he'll push it when he thinks it's better to ask.

Finally the gift is revealed and Glitch looks to Syaoran as he asks what it is. ]

I was already thinking of demanding Sodder give me something to help you out if you needed it and well. This showed up in my basket with your name on it.

[ Glitch gestures for Syaoran to put it on. ]

I think it helps keep your head on straight when the town messes with you. So, a handy little thing to keep on you.

[It was a mix of the first and the last that did it to him, unfortunately, though he won't elaborate on it if he's asked. He didn't know how this new form of Usagi's connected to her Sailor Moon identity, but he was still intent to keep her secret despite everything that she had done to him. That, and recounting the story would inevitably lead to him admitting that he messed up with the incense and made himself go off the deep end, which he really did not want to talk about...

A flush of color pops onto his cheeks as Glitch admits to getting something for his sake from Sodder, though, the look on his face both surprised and a bit embarrassed.]

Y-You didn't have to do that...!!

[Not that he was upset about it or anything-- it was a nice gesture, especially from someone he's had a rocky start with, and it was admittedly a bit touching that Glitch thought about doing that for him. But Syaoran also didn't want him asking Sodder to get him things when he's in just as much need of help right now himself.

At Glitch's gesture, though, he starts to slide the bracelet onto his wrist, but before he can thank him or ask what it does exactly, the other boy goes ahead and answers it for him. It's like a candle being snuffed out, the way his flustered expression immediately turns pale as he pauses in his actions, his eyes wide and stricken. Silently, he stares down at the black beads circling his hand, mouth going dry and stomach roiling as his mind travels back to the past few weeks. The irony of the gift wasn't lost on him, and he has to wonder-- did Sodder know all along what would happen? Was it just a coincidence? Or was this some cruel joke on her behalf?

When he finally speaks up, his voice is raspy and quiet, as if navigating a particularly thorny path, his gaze nothing but serious as he glances back at Glitch.]

When... did you get this, exactly?

[ It's not hard to take in Syaoran's body and facial language here. Something seemed off about it especially when he had brought up where he had gotten the gift and what it did. Glitch immediately looks concerned raising a brow and so he's unsurprised when there's a question being asked and not a thank you. ]

Uh. A few days ago. Is that important?

[ It's not meant as an accusation because it's of genuine concern. Had something happened that was significant with a gift? ]

[... ah. So maybe it was just a coincidence after all... that, or Sodder was just trying to prevent this from happening again. Either way, his shoulders slump slightly, shaking his head carefully in response to Glitch's question.]

... no. Just curious, that's all.

[Though judging by the look on his face, he's not exactly telling the truth-- but he wasn't really in the mood to explain it in detail at the moment. He does his best to put on a smile for Glitch, however, small as it may be, hoping not to worry him too much over his own tangled knot of unspoken issues.]

Thank you for this, though. I'll make sure to make good use of it.

[That much is true, at least-- after what he had been through over the past month, he definitely wasn't going to remove this bracelet any time soon.]

[ He definitely feels he isn't getting the full story here, especially with how bad Syaoran looked. A small quiet look he gives before he sighs. Well, he'll try and gently nudge... ]

Hey, look. If something did happen you can tell me, okay? No judgments from me and it's not pity either. If this were the other way round you'd want me to share, right?

[ Hopefully that'd be a good enough argument to have Syaoran open up. Still, he nods. ]

Good. In this town we'll need every advantage we can get.

[He's silent for a moment as he digests Glitch's offer, eyes glancing once more to the faded bruises around the other boy's neck. In a way, it was the other way around-- he can't help but be concerned over what might have happened to him this month, aside from the obvious. However...]

... yeah, I guess so. But... I wouldn't pry if it was too much for you to talk about, either.

[Because that was most certainly the case with him, anyway. He wasn't about to be asking people about their traumas when he had his own that he was refusing to share. He lets out a small breath before he continues, his voice soft.]

I just-- made a stupid mistake, that's all. [Well, more like multiple stupid mistakes, but--] I don't really want to go into it any further.

[ Well, that could mean a multitude of things and nothing to narrow it down. Dipper had once said he did something stupid with his eye like he made some mistake, but it had been the town and it's weirdass effects. So he wonders if it has to do with that.

There's a long pause as he just lets out a small sigh. ]

All right, I won't dig in if you don't want me. But, just to let you know, kid-

[ And he turns to look to him. ]

If the town made you lose your mind that's not on you. Whatever it is.

[It's a sentiment he's heard from numerous people by now, trying to absolve the awful things he had done throughout the month. As well-intentioned as they were, though, it didn't make him feel any better-- in fact, it just made him feel worse. It'd be one thing if it was solely the town's influence that made him lose his mind, but...]

... yes it is.

[His voice is quiet as his lips tighten into a thin line, shoulders tense and rigid.]

It's entirely on me. I was just too stubborn to realize it.

[If he hadn't made that stupid incense, if he had just stopped and listened to people for once-- none of this would have happened.]

[ There's a pause as he looks at Syaoran with a look. There's not much he can say if Syaoran wanted to believe it was his fault. So, with a small sigh he looks forward and leans back in his seat. ]

Okay then, if this were reversed. If I had been in your place and ended up doing the same things and looking like what you do right now;

would you think it's entirely my fault too? [ Because whatever answer he gets it'll be telling enough. ]

[He's quiet as he takes Glitch's words into consideration, his fingers tugging at the end of his kigurumi sleeve as he tries to look at it from a different point of view. If he was aware that the other boy was doing something risky... what would he wind up doing?]

... I guess it depends on if I tried to stop you from doing it in the first place.

[Which he definitely would have if he knew what was going on. Not that he thinks Glitch would listen to him in that sort of scenario, though...]

I wouldn't blame you for getting hurt, but-- I would be mad at you for not listening to my warnings.

[It's a vague enough answer, but it's enough to give Glitch something of an idea of what might have wound up triggering this whole thing to begin with.]

[ He's not sure there's much he could argue against that logic. From the sounds of it Syaoran had done something and had it ended poorly. So, what's he too say? So, he goes silent for a bit and the only thing he does do is bring a hand up and rest it on Syaoran's head. It's the only comforting gesture he can do as he ruffles the kid's hair. ]

Yeah....yeah, I guess I can see why you're upset with yourself.

IC INBOX

late october text

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sorry for the late response