strongroots | [thecity] inbox

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.

Thank you. [ Yes, he knows that they're dating, and maybe he doesn't need to say that as sincerely as he does--but he's going to, anyway. Drawing away from her in a small way, just to give her room, to move his limbs back to himself.

He has to remind himself that this is the right thing to do, especially as he stands up, looking over at the doorway out with the knowledge of--if he went out there right now, would he end up at the haunted house?

And wouldn't that be a good thing?

...it might've distracted him from the fact he wanted to come and collect the spare blanket with her than just make Tsuruno do all the work........... ]

[ Yeah, how dare he make his girlfriend carry this Extremely Heavy blanket and Even Heavier Fluffy Pillow, how negligent of him. Which is what she lugs back after a minute, after moving away from him (reluctantly). She, at least, isn't experiencing that kind of impulse but she can only worry about him, about leaving him potentially alone to deal with it, but at least Tsuruno tries to be swift about it.

And maybe he's still standing there (and ideally he isn't getting closer to the front door) when she returns, arms full with acquired sleeping materials. ]

... Okay, I think--are you a one or two pillow kinda sleeper?

[ Her magical girl arms are in overwork this night. Robby is failing feminism.

But he is still standing there, not having moved, but he has a hand over his eyes, held there more in the way that someone might do when suffering a headache or dizziness than pressed too closely. Not noticing she's returned until she speaks--and his head shoots up, a confused look on his face. ]

Uh--yeah, sure.

[ That's not what she asked, Robby. ]

...

[ Oh, boy.

Tsuruno looks him over, very clearly concerned and not bothering to try to hide it. What's the point in fooling someone who's just as worse off as she is, if not more?

So instead, she offers him the blanket. ]

This might sound a little weird, but is it okay if I stay out here with you until you fall asleep?

[ tsuruno, why can't you just ignore every signal that he's not doing well right now. :(

Even if Robby knows he wasn't hiding it well, he still manages to look ashamed when she makes her request: biting on his lower lip and clearly struggling with wanting to accept it. He's taken the blanket from her, standing there a for a moment until he does set it down onto the sofa, though he's slow to move--he hasn't answered her yet.

Ugh. ]

I don't want you losing sleep 'cause of me. [ He knows, he knows how she is, and yet--maybe they both have their habits. The blanket may be on the sofa, but he's still holding a part of it, fiddling it as he admits: ]

I'm just feeling bad about tonight.

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REE GO TO BED

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

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