strongroots | [thecity] inbox

No, I wound up going through by myself... A lot of people were looking pretty hurt when I made it to the top floor, but I thought that was just because of the ghosts.

Do you think it happened because they went in together?

[ well thank god for Robby at least giving her something to focus on beyond being terrified at the idea of attacking him. ]

That could be it -- or could it've had something to do with the ghosts? Don't ghosts possess people in some stories? [ Should he just treat anything as possible??

Regardless, his point is: ] We don't know enough to make guesses. We should see if more people talk about it; maybe something happened to the friend that Daan didn't see.

But we can warn everyone about what's in there. [ ...actually, since he's saying that: ] What was in there? Was there a party?

Right... [ She takes a deeper breath. Okay. Focus on what she saw. ]

The majority of it was a haunted house--like, they set it up so you had to go through it to get to the party. Those people who chase you halfway and then go back to their places, animatronics, things like that were on the first floor, then the ghosts on the second... there were dorm rooms you could duck into to try and hide from them, but... I found Mel's tarot deck under one of the beds.

[ She's speaking a little distantly, trying to separate herself from it. ]

Third floor was the party. Music and food and drinks and also the way out of there.

[ He takes a moment to let that all sink in, the comment of Mel's tarot deck not lost to Robby, at the very least. One of his thumbs rubs temporarily, idly, against her arm, and he takes in a breath through his nose. ]

...we know they can make things appear they shouldn't have. They're always using the people we know to throw us off--I bet whatever we'd find in there would be the same, too.

[ He's not directly mentioning Mel, but Robby can guess without even thinking too hard where his mind might go if he saw something of his mom's in that place. The same thing he thought when he saw her in the mall, and went running after her. ]

Yeah, that's kinda what I figured. It just... you know.

[ Quieter, a little more subdued. Familiar faces, dead or alive... she's beginning to firmly believe it's for the best if she's the only one here from home. ]

... Do you wanna sit down? Are you still seeing things?

[ Don't think Robby is getting out of being fussed over. ]

I'll sit down if you wanna sit down.

[ There's a sliver of playfulness in his tone, but it's light in its delivery. Not avoiding the latter question, but if she wants them to move over to the sofa, they can.

A better place for continuing to share things. ]

I'm doing better. [ ... ] I'm more worried about everyone else who was there. I don't know if there were actually ghosts there, but-- something was going on. I don't think keeping it off the network made a difference.

[ She huffs a little, moving to nudge him over to the sofa because yeah. She wants to curl up because things are a little less awful with good company. ]

Well, that answers one question. And also kind of shows that they really want us to go along with their stuff.

... I'll keep an eye on the people who went to ours, see if things get any better... or any worse, I guess. And we should keep each other updated too.

I will. [ Keep her updated. Even if right now he's kind of glad to be sitting on the sofa with her, body turned to face her. He's even taken one of her hands to hold in his, and his lips are pursed, but he loosens them to speak, quietly. ]

...it isn't enough, is it? What they can do to us, and what we can do back. [ It doesn't compare--it's unequal, meaningless in comparison. ]

And there doesn't seem like there's any point to it.

[ She gives his hand a squeeze, honestly just grateful to have the additional bit of contact when things sure feel... unsteady, right now. ]

I want to say it's more than we knew, which is true...

But it's frustrating. [ And Tsuruno will admit this honestly. ] That maybe we ticked them off, but ultimately, people are still suffering. The ones who had no intention of going and the ones who decided to go.

[ They always knew. They talked about it, but it doesn't make it easier; ever since the night started, it wasn't easier. It seems useless to bring it up now when they can't change anything, only hope that things get better for the party-goers in the morning, at least (and isn't that funny, when hope has been the thing they've been banking on this entire time). ]

... Daan. You said he opened a door and he ended up at the haunted house?

Yeah. I think he said it was when he was just leaving his office.

He said he'd be on standby, if he could... that he might be really busy before this whole thing ended.

[ Beyond just fussing over Tsuruno's cuts and bruises. ]

Keeping our doors open might be a good idea, then. I mean--it can't just change into a different place if we do.

[ right??? That'd be like, breaking the rules? ]

We can definitely try. [ But-- ]

But when I said I got stuck in the closet earlier, I mean it felt like something shoved me and then I couldn't get the door open for...

... Well, probably hours. I wonder if that's also part of it. Maybe they also make doors shut so you have to open them?

[ No, you're just being Haunted.

She's also kind of grimacing, because why is it when she tries to explain things lately, it just sounds insane-- ]

[ Oh, right...someone forgot about the getting stuck in the closet part. And that it took hours? Kinda want to say something about that.....

But let's let it go, for now. It's been a hectic enough night. ]

Too easy a solution, huh. [ Well, there goes that idea. It at least puts a damper on it. ] We can still give it a go, but... well, we'll see what works.

[ It's frustrating, but that's the problem with all of this, already stated. And he wishes he had something else or more to suggest or give.

But all he feels is a low anxiety bugging at him about the night. Is everything really going to be okay...? ]

All we can do, right? Keep trying workarounds.

[ With one of her sheepish smiles, more out of habit than anything. ]

Thanks for coming, though. You're the best thing that's happened to me all night.

[ He smiles at her, a tug to one side of his mouth, playing with her fingers held in his hand. ]

...I can stay over for the night. --To be honest, [ and maybe he should be, letting go of his breath, ] I feel weird, walking the way back. I've been seeing things all night, and every time I'm out there, I keep thinking I'm gonna end up at the school.

[ But he knows what she might start to think, so the smile he gives her is more sheepish this time over. ] I didn't know how bad it was 'til I left the apartment.

[ whoops? ]

... I really should have gone out to meet you halfway.

[ Her exhalation is a little gusty; she hasn't experienced wanting to go to the university at all, beyond her own intentions, decided well before all of this had happened. But it's no surprise Robby would be trying to wrestle it off. ]

But yeah, I think I'd feel better if you stayed. [ For both their sakes; she doesn't clarify that, but he probably knows. Her fingers tap against his, lightly. ] Even if it won't be the most fun sleepover you've ever had, probably.

[ He angles his head, the side of it touching the back of the sofa. ]

Knowing you're here will make it okay. I'm okay with sleeping on a couch. [ So that's not a problem. ] I used to do it a lot.

[ Which either sounds weird, or okay. Robby doesn't look any different admitting to it. ]

[ ... No, it definitely sounds weird. ]

Did you like it better than your bed, or....?

[ He sucks on his cheek, wondering if he should really say, but... ]

My...mom used to stay out late a lot. Not all the time, [ just most of the time, ] but -- I liked to catch her if she came home.

[ It's awkward, but he gives a tiny shrug. ]

I ended up sleeping sometimes on the couch waiting for her.

[ Oh.

He'd looked at her so understandingly, back when she'd told him about her mother and grandmother, and she wonders if this is why. The situation isn't exactly the same, but...

She can picture it all too well, Robby waiting patiently for his mom to return and that maybe taking longer than it should have.

She squeezes his hand, once, lightly. ]

Speaking from experience, anyone who's got you caring about them is extremely lucky.

[ There's an urge to dismiss her sympathy, or to cover up the weight that lingers in what he's shared, to make it not as bad as it sounds (was). His mom is better these days, it doesn't matter; anything to not be seen or pitied much, even if he used to lived with a frustration in those days.

But, he should get better about that. Scoff lightly, look away sheepishly, but still with that look on his face. ]

Thanks. [ ... ] I'm just glad she isn't here. But I think that goes for anyone not stuck here.

[ He's not really into the hoping for more trapped friends, personally. ]

Yeah, that's how I feel too. I really miss people but at the same time, it'd be way worse if they also got stuck here.

[ Better not to even think about it, in her opinion. ]

But when you're ready to sleep, I'll bring some blankets out and you can let me know if you need anything. Okay?

[ First sleepover with Robby and they're both too stressed to enjoy it. What a tragedy. ]

I can get to sleep now if you're tired. [ Well. ] It sounds like you had a lot going on between the haunted house and your friends.

[ He rubs her shoulder. ]

You wanna get going?

[ Need that little reassuring nudge to get to sleep yourself, Tsuruno? It's hardly early into the night, anyway... ]

[ Truthfully, she doesn't exactly want to leave Robby's side right now. It's been way more comfortable with him right there.

But at the same time, she has to acknowledge he's going to need to rest too and Tsuruno exhales quietly. Right. Don't be selfish. ]

Let's get you set up, then.

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REE GO TO BED

https://giphy.com/clips/studiosoriginals-CvF6vRAf7QUgCvQ9KK

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