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Tonya Brooks:
Tonya was wandering. And not that good kind of wandering. She walked until her Light Shy ran out, and kept walking, not realizing. A left here, a right here. Jumping at shadows, ignoring what was probably actual danger. Its a miracle she wasn't hurt. At least...physically.
Aurelio Menegi:
As fate would have it, another touched by the Wyrd crossed her path in the form of one (1) Elemental emerging from one of the store fronts, dressed in all black as he was wont to do with a reusable tote bag in hand. He started heading for his motorcycle parked nearby but paused as he spotted the wandering Wizened, a small frown crossing his features as her distress became clear. "Do you need help, signora?"
Tonya Brooks:
She was mumbling something under her breath. Were those....spell components? Aurelio can probably hear SOMETHING like "eye of newt" or the like.
But despite this, she doesn't react. In a bit of a daze.
Aurelio Menegi:
The frown deepened at that, moving to intercept her path in as gentle a manner as possible. His hands remained at his side, showing no signs of aggression.
Tonya Brooks:
She jumps that tiny bit as she finally processes the other Lost. She feels that flash of fear at seeing a Lost she doesn't know, and her mantle flares slightly. A cool autumn breeze filled with knowledge. Warning that she is capable of defending herself.
Aurelio Menegi:
That little flare didn't go unnoticed, countered in short order by the pleasant warmth of a spring morning to announce his own seasonal allegiances. "Are you alright, signora?" He asked, stepping back a pace or two to give her space. "You seem in need of aid."
Tonya Brooks:
She relaxes a bit at the Spring air.
"No, no I am not. I am...it is a lot. I am not well."
Aurelio Menegi:
"What can I do to assist?"
Tonya Brooks:
"I... everything is wrong. Nothing is right. I saw her... and now I just..." she grasps at the air like it might help stabilize her.
Aurelio Menegi:
As she reached for the air he offered an arm instead, the marble cold to the touch but not enough to be uncomfortable. "It will be alright." He said, meeting her gaze with those ice-blue eyes. "The ground below you may be shifting, but it will level out in time."
Tonya Brooks:
She grabbed onto it. Didn't paper normally beat rock? She was confused for a second and why there was still an arm there?
She looks up into his eyes, blinking and nodding slowly.
"It...it's a lot. Can I sit...I want to sit."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Of course." He led the way to a nearby bench, setting his bag down beneath it before helping her get settled. "I am Aurelio, by the way."
Tonya Brooks:
She looked hesitantly at the bench. What if there was something lurking under the bench. Waiting to grab them? Could she trust it? She did in front of it for a long minute before trying to sit, knuckles white from gripping the arm rest.
"I feel like I'm falling... or I'm going to fall. I'm... Tonya."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Good to meet you." He remained standing with her until she was comfortable enough to sit, keeping his arm in easy reach if she needed the extra support. "What happened to put you in this place?"
Tonya Brooks:
She kept her hand clenched on the bench, and the other on his arm so she couldn't fall. What happened....that was a great question. Oh! The meeting the...everything. The pain shone in her ryes.
"I- I met with a friend. From Before. She...she lied to me. She hurt me. But...I hurt her and I don't know how to feel."
Aurelio Menegi:
"I am sorry to hear such." He nodded quietly. "A blade wielded by a friendly hand tends to hurt the most."
Tonya Brooks:
She nods.
"It hurts...a lot. I thought I could trust her still. And... now I'm not sure. Because she's also... changed. So... what if thats not her anymore?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"If her heart has changed then perhaps that trust can be rebuilt. It is for you to decide, but if you Desire it then it is worth pursuing."
Tonya Brooks:
"I...I do like her. A lot. Perhaps... more than I can even remember. But the way she has hurt me, it makes trust hard. I want to trust her but my mind is spinning."
Aurelio Menegi:
"What happened, if you wish to say?"
Tonya Brooks:
"I am...afraid of voicing it, because I am afraid it will hurt her. I am upset, and hurt, but I do not wish her dead."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Understood. A grave wound, though, by the sound of it." He nodded, mulling a moment. "Was she an anchor for you, something that called you back and offers relief when the world shakes?"
Tonya Brooks:
"She was. She is what I remembered to get back from There this time..."
A frown.
"That's ironic..."
Aurelio Menegi:
"'This time'?" Cue a slight arch of the eyebrow. "You were there more than once?"
Tonya Brooks:
"Twice. I...I lead a few others out. Two of them are still with me... we rejoined the Freehold's last week. Or...I rejoined and they joined."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Ah...good to hear you were able to return, at least. Was only there once, but for quite some time."
Tonya Brooks:
She grips his arm slightly. Looking like she was focusing. Like one might focus on details to ground themselves.
"I was...born in 1895. She Took me in 1918....then...I Escaped in 1964 the first time....the second time I was Taken was 5 years later."
Aurelio Menegi:
He listened intently as she found the words to say, offering a small nod. "I was Taken close to your birth and returned at the start of this decade. It was...quite the shift, as you may know."
Tonya Brooks:
She looks surprised, then gives a smile.
"It's nice to have someone else who understands that shift. It being split in two has been...harsh, in its own right. Cellular phones are...a lot. I am just now learning how to use them."
She pulls out her own. Something small and likely out of date, carefully holding it like it may shatter just from her touching it.
Aurelio Menegi:
"That they are." He smiled a touch, giving a nod. "They take some getting used to but are very helpful once you learn their ways."
Tonya Brooks:
"So I've been told. It takes time."
She looks it over.
"The last I remember, they finally shrunk a computer down to seventy pounds, and this runs powers of ten better than that did...and fits in my pockets."
A look.
"Pockets, that too. Pockets are so small. I do not like them. And everything is so expensive."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Very much so. Add a change in currency and it took me a while to adjust." He said with a chuckle. "Thankfully I was able to find work in my former field and have made a small name for myself through them."
Tonya Brooks:
"Oh my, that would cause some troubles."
She seems to gradually be getting calmer, if still suspicious of any and everything outside of their little safe haven.
"I am glad you were able to find that connection. I...was not as lucky the last time. I was a teacher Before, and needing to be in an enclosed space for so long was...not ideal."
She slowly lets go of the bench, her hand having imprints in it from griping it so hard.
"I opened a library last time I was here. It is still standing, but has fallen to the board of trustees. I'm having to reapply as a worker to my own library which is...quite annoying. But...better than it could be."
Aurelio Menegi:
"I can imagine. I hope that goes well for you, though."
Tonya Brooks:
"I...I am sorry. I am rambling now, aren't I."
Aurelio Menegi:
"No worries." He replied with a warm smile. "You need to talk, and I am here to listen."
Tonya Brooks:
"Yes, thank you. Being alone was not...is not good for me."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Very welcome." He offered his hand for her to take if she wished. "We all have our low points, and raising others out of them is a fine task to take up."
Tonya Brooks:
She takes the hand.
"We do. And I am very glad you were here. Are you a Joyaeux then?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"I am not. I serve as a Claviger." he replied as he gave her hand a light squeeze. "Doing such things is not just for that role, however."
Tonya Brooks:
She smiles.
"Well, I am certainly glad you choose to do more than your role. I..think I may need a Joyaeux...or to be home. One of those with me was a Playmate."
Aurelio Menegi:
"I can help on that front if you wish. Either way, would you like a ride back?" He tilted his head towards the nearby motorcycle. "It would not be a bother."
Tonya Brooks:
"Please. I...I would like that."
She eyes the motorcycle.
"I...am slightly worried of falling."
Aurelio Menegi:
He nodded, holding her hand and speaking quietly in his native tongue. As he finished the larger cracks in her stability closed up, lessening the weight of the previous revelations on her mind. Once the contract did its work he smiled, moving to stand and help her onto her feet. "You will have nothing to fear."
Tonya Brooks:
She takes a few breaths, the world being less intense, less untrustworthy, less terrifying after just a moment. She was still on edge, but it was manageable, and she looked far less distant than she did a moment before.
"Thank you. My thanks cannot possibly be enough for this."
She takes his hand, daintily raising.
"If you are certain, than I will join you. I have missed that Contract."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Very welcome. Happy to do my part where I can." He nodded, leading the way towards the motorcycle and guiding her onto the seat. "It is quite useful, no? One of the first weavings that I learned upon joining the Verdant."
Tonya Brooks:
She follows his lead, getting on the motorcycle.
"I would not mind learning it once more, but I am not in the mindset to learn right now. I suppose that is just more reason to see you again in the future."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Indeed. Let me know when you are ready, or if you need any other aid in the meantime." He got settled on the seat, motioning for her to hold onto him. "Where are we heading?"
Tonya Brooks:
"Fishtown. I am ready, I think I will be okay."
She holds onto him.
Aurelio Menegi:
"You will be." He looked over his shoulder at her, offering a small smile. "It may take time, but you will be."
And with that the engine roared and the pair took off, making its way through the city traffic back to home and her companions.
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