[ buries his face back in his arms now as he is absolutely disgusted and miserable and full of guilt and self-loathing right now, combined with an extra special dose of feeling absolutely worthless on top of the effects of torture and abuse involving forced starvation. his hunger is ravenous, but he has no energy to do anything about it, and all he can really manage in his head at this point are the god awful screams of that storyteller being burned alive, the hatred and fear and pain of the storyteller that was starved and abused, and the despite of one that was hung and sentenced to death by lightning strike only for them to not be lucky enough to die from it.
for the first time since he's been on this boat— or hell since he can even remember —he starts to really sob (quietly but not silent), having the one last thing he had at least been able to hold onto this entire time on the boat finally taken away from him: even if he was alone, he could always take care of himself even if left for dead. as someone who only sees the value in himself as a tool, this new revelation is now proof to him that he's really never been more useless and worthless than he is now.
and he hates it.
he doesn't want to go home. he doesn't want to see anyone. he doesn't wish for things to be different. he doesn't envy anyone else even though there's so much to envy. he simply wants to cease to exist because for him there is nothing worse than this feeling of inadequacy, because it means things can no longer change for the better. how do you come to terms with the fact that you aren't good enough to survive on your own when you have no one? how do you walk a lonely road knowing now that you can no longer weather the storm by yourself?
you don't.
( you just fall apart and let the pieces lay scattered because no one will be picking the pieces up to help you, and you no longer are useful enough to do it yourself. )
of course, in reality he has people. they care, too, he won't belittle their feelings by ignoring them, especially with one of them right here granting his request to look away— but none of them care in the way that he needs, and he will never try and ask for more than he is given. and because of that he will never have someone in the way he needs it, especially right now.
[ will eventually kiss Jewel's knuckles finally before speaking up, his voice quiet but not as raspy and raw as before. He will not pull his hand away and keeps their fingers laced, just watching their hands holding each other. ]
Almost never on anyone else unless it could save their life.
I don't even let other people know because I don't want them afraid I'm tampering with their memories. You can tell when I have versus when I don't unless I'm with you every day at least for a period of time... but that's not very comforting for anyone.
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[ that's something he wishes he could say louder, but there's no way for his voice to heal any faster. ]
You can go back, though. I probably need to stay here a while... not very comfortable for you.
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I'll wait.
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... Not that I don't... want you here, but...
[ it just seems like the other can do better with his time for his own well-being. ]
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Please care for yourself, too. This isn't good for you if you care.
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I promise I am very cared for.
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...Then please look away for a moment.
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for the first time since he's been on this boat— or hell since he can even remember —he starts to really sob (quietly but not silent), having the one last thing he had at least been able to hold onto this entire time on the boat finally taken away from him: even if he was alone, he could always take care of himself even if left for dead. as someone who only sees the value in himself as a tool, this new revelation is now proof to him that he's really never been more useless and worthless than he is now.
and he hates it.
he doesn't want to go home. he doesn't want to see anyone. he doesn't wish for things to be different. he doesn't envy anyone else even though there's so much to envy. he simply wants to cease to exist because for him there is nothing worse than this feeling of inadequacy, because it means things can no longer change for the better. how do you come to terms with the fact that you aren't good enough to survive on your own when you have no one? how do you walk a lonely road knowing now that you can no longer weather the storm by yourself?
you don't.
( you just fall apart and let the pieces lay scattered because no one will be picking the pieces up to help you, and you no longer are useful enough to do it yourself. )
of course, in reality he has people. they care, too, he won't belittle their feelings by ignoring them, especially with one of them right here granting his request to look away— but none of them care in the way that he needs, and he will never try and ask for more than he is given. and because of that he will never have someone in the way he needs it, especially right now.
so he needs this moment to grieve about it. ]
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he'll squeeze back lightly in return but only because it still hurts. If it didn't, he would probably be clinging a lot more tightly.
regardless it helps. it helps a lot, even. ]
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...Is your voice okay?
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[ He'll gently tug Jewel forward a bit as he goes to lift up and very carefully kiss against one of his ears. ]
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[Reaches up to pat his back gently]
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...I'm sorry. You don't have to explain, but if I can do anything, don't hesitate to tell me.
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As for the latter... that is more difficult. If it really becomes too much, though, I can help with that a little.
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Sam is quiet a moment after being asked that before finally replying hesitantly: ]
...I... can erase and rewrite people's memories with my Blessing.
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That's quite the blessing. Have you used it much?
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I don't even let other people know because I don't want them afraid I'm tampering with their memories. You can tell when I have versus when I don't unless I'm with you every day at least for a period of time... but that's not very comforting for anyone.
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