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Set on December 11th, 2022
Avery Frisk:
Avery needed to talk, and when she needed to talk it was usually Asbolus she went to. But he was working so she did the obvious thing for an anxiety filled Beast to do...hid in his office until he was free. She was tucked into a dark corner, the Mein just about melting into the shadows. The Mask was more feminine today, a loose black shirt with leggings, plenty comfortable to move around in. Their eyes and ears were trained on the door, waiting on their mentor to be free from their job.
Asbolus:
Avery would have a bit of a wait on her hands, but eventually Asbolus did make his way into his office after the night's production was put to bed to get some paperwork done before heading home himself. The Darkling was dressed sharply in a mostly-black ensemble, a wine-dark vest adding a small bit of color.
The door opened just enough to let light in before it stopped, the presence already in the room registering to Asbolus' keen senses. After a moment he continued to open it and stepped inside, the wariness on his features immediately shifting to concern as he spotted Avery curled up in the corner. "Are you alright?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery had no problem waiting. It let them spiral more which was exactly what she needed. As soon as the footsteps approached, Avery perked up and waited. She thought she was being quiet but were clearly too anxious for that.
As soon as her mentor saw her, she stopped trying to hide, looking up to meet his face. There was an animalistic anxiety to her eyes, that of a prey animal spotted but not quite engaged yet. There was a subtle shake of the head 'no'.
Asbolus:
Asbolus moved to join Avery in their chosen corner, keeping his pace even as to not startle the anxious Courser. He dropped into a crouch, looking her over and offering a hand as an anchor if needed. "What happened?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery slowly reached out and grabbed the hand, taking slow and deep breaths. "I messed up...and...I feel like I'm in danger. I can't tell my head no."
Asbolus:
"You're safe right now, Avery." He reassured the young Beast, giving his hand a light squeeze. "Everything will be alright. Just relax, I'm here."
Avery Frisk:
They nod for a couple dull seconds, a subtle pull on Asbolus's hand to ask him to sit. "I...tried to be social...like we talked about...it didn't go too well."
Avery holds out one of their knives, its long since been cleaned but...she looks at it like it still has the Witch's blood on it.
Asbolus:
Asbolus nodded and sat down beside her, the still-lingering burns on her hand earning a fresh wave of concern. "It's good that you tried, though, no matter the outcome." He replied, looking between the knife and the Lost who held it. "Where did the burn come from?"
Avery Frisk:
"The Mage that was banned... it was my fault. She threatened him and I just... reacted. I shouldn't have....im sorry Asbolus." Avery looks like they are trying their best not to cry.
Asbolus:
"It's going to be alright." He reiterated, shifting his position so Avery could lean in and have a good cry if she felt the need. "Something that happened at Maddy's, I take it?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery leans in, but doesn't cry. They just sit there, next to their mentor. "Yes... the diner. It was loud... and the one with the Raven was there. "
Asbolus:
"One with the Raven..." He repeated, thinking on that a moment as he looped an arm around Avery's shoulders. "Doesn't ring a bell, admittedly."
Avery Frisk:
Avery pauses, nodding. "I am...jumping thoughts...I need to slow down. Yes.."
Avery is shaking slightly. "The Mage...Bones? She called the one with the Raven, Titania. I... saw her on a roof... she is pale and doesn't breathe...a Vampire. She has a raven that is made of smoke and has served her since it was made and... and... she gets to choose his form...it felt....like..." Avery didn't finish.
Asbolus:
Asbolus listened intently as Avery explained, making notes of the unfamiliar names. "Don't believe I've met either of them at this point. I take it that hit a little too close to home for you, though..."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods. "She wouldn't let him go... asked me... if it were better to be caged or dead... the answer is dead... thats my answer. I hate cages."
Asbolus:
"Not a fan of them either, as you can imagine." He nodded quietly. "So what happened with you two at the diner?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery slows their breathing, trying to keep calm. Their hand squeezes a bit harder to stay present.
"It was loud...and was talking to...Vinny. New friend." There was a slight bit of a blush that Avery pulled their hood up to hide. "Young Vampire. Was...forced to be turned into one so related a lot to us. Not having a choice."
Avery pauses to take a few breaths. "She joined...and the Mage. And it was loud and she wasn't helping. Vinny and Bones tried to help calm me...she threatened Vinny for giving her a look...and I reacted. I didnt stab her...I told her to go....she stabbed her. Then the mage made fire and..we were both banned...we left after."
Asbolus:
The hint of a blush was noted but not commented on at the moment, simply nodding along as she spoke. "By 'she stabbed her', do you mean she ran into the knife while you were holding it?"
Avery Frisk:
"I held it to her throat...I'm in control... she leaned into it..." Avery sets down the knife on the floor gently.
Asbolus:
"I see." He offered another nod, glancing towards her hand. "I take it the fire is where the burns came from?"
Avery Frisk:
She nods, not letting go of his hand to look at it. "It wasn't bad... it was too make me drop my Talon... but I was still burned and it hurts.. and I feel like I deserve it and..." Avery cuts themself off, trying not to spiral again... it doesn't work and she lets out a sob..."and tomorrow is the 12th..I don't feel safe."
Asbolus:
"You don't deserve to be in pain, Avery..." He said quietly, his features softened as his heart ached for the young Beast. "You made a mistake, yes, but it is one that can be remedied. You don't need to punish yourself further for it."
He gave her a gentle hug after the sob, thinking a moment. "Would you like company for tomorrow, then?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery doesn't respond verbally to Asbolus's words, but squeezes his hand gently. Likely making the wound hurt a fair bit.
At the offering of having company, Avery's eyes go wide and she shakes her head. "No, nonono. What if He comes. What if He takes you too? I dont want Him to take you too." Avery looks almost pleadingly to make sure Asbolus won't be in danger.
Asbolus:
"I felt the same way when I first came back, sure that She would reclaim me without being able to do a blessed thing about it." He watched Avery with a small smile on his face, his tone reassuring. "We have strength in numbers, and you know that I would let no harm come to you if I have breath in my body."
Avery Frisk:
Avery shakes. "I was His eyes...I know that there's strength, but He has...armies...the Einherjar are all warriors. He would take me and...He would know so much...I see and hear too much. What if... what if He just wanted me here as a spy. I wouldn't have a choice..."
Avery let's go of Asbolus's hand, curling into a feathered ball against the corner.
Asbolus:
"I understand those worries, trust me." He gently placed a hand on Avery's shoulder. "I was one of Her Chosen, tasked with seeking out others who rebelled against Her will and bringing them forcefully back into the fold, and the thought that my escape was a ploy to find Her new victims tormented me constantly."
"But know this." He continued, doing his best to look Avery in the eye. "No matter how many warriors he may have to call on, no one here will stand for any attempt at dragging a single one of us back across the Thorns. We have each other, all pulling from our own experiences and using that fire to forge ourselves into one grand defense against them."
Avery Frisk:
Avery looks up at him, still shaking slightly. Her eyes were wet with tears but she held his gaze. "I...yes. we protect each other..."
She takes a couple deep breaths, having stopped the spiral finally but still not in the best of head spaces. She tries to fix it by repeating his words...they made her feel better in his mouth, maybe they will in her own. "And we have... lots of us who are strong...I am sort of strong...and we can stop Him...Them...from taking anyone, yes?"
Asbolus:
"Exactly." He nodded, a small but comforting smile on his face. "And don't sell yourself too short; you have quite a bit to call on yourself."
Avery Frisk:
Avery shakes their head. "I... what if I don't? I can't get hit... and I have so many weaknesses... what if I let everyone down?"
Asbolus:
"You being there and doing your part is what's important. What weaknesses you may have can be covered by the strengths of others and vice versa."
Avery Frisk:
Avery goes quiet for a second, starring down at the knife. "My part is...I stab good? And help protect people...and that's important."
Asbolus:
"Very much so, yes."
Avery Frisk:
Avery picks up their knife, turns it for a second, and puts it away. More smoothly and quickly that most eyes can see.
"Um...I have...another question. Not...as important." A slight blush hits her face again. "But you made me feel better about those problems...like so many other problems...and this is a problem too."
Asbolus:
"Something to do with that young vampire you mentioned before, I take it?" He asked with a small smirk, noting the blush.
Avery Frisk:
Avery curls back into a ball, this one more embarasses, but she nods.
Asbolus:
"Having feelings develop for one of the Others isn't a bad thing in its own right. Just be careful, especially as he is still finding himself in his current state of being."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods. "How do I know if...I have feelings or if its something else? I dont remember any feelings from before but...he was nice."
Avery goes a bit quieter. "And understood...about my Fetch."
Asbolus:
"It may take a little time to sort that out. I know for myself that I need to get to know someone properly for feelings to develop, but it can happen faster for others." He nodded quietly. "That's a mark in his favor, I would say."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods slowly. "I... don't know how I feel? Emotions are hard and... theres too many. They make it hard to just...be? Having to think is just...hard."
Avery blushes a bit deeper. "He...was...a good listener I think. Didn't...like that we were Taken or... especially that the Fetches replace us. He seemed...eager to learn too. But...he does need to find himself...like you said."
Asbolus:
"It is, but running on impulse all the time can be difficult as well. Finding the balance between the two takes a little work but is worthwhile in the end."
"My advise would be to get to know him and see where things develop from there. Having someone who went through something similar at his side may help his adjust in a smoother fashion than without that assistance."
Avery Frisk:
Avery curls up a bit tighter, hands beneath the cloak. "I like impulse more than thinking... but it gets me in trouble... that balance is hard."
A tilt of the head as Avery thinks. "So like... paying it forward? Like you did for me? "
Asbolus:
"Indeed. You two may not have walked the exact same path, but some of the steps are similar enough that you can be an understanding shoulder to lean on."
Avery Frisk:
Avery gives a slow nod. "Ill try to be an understanding shoulder... if that helps him. He does seem nice...I hope?"
Avery gives a thinking face, but doesn't say anything quite yet.
Asbolus:
"One can hope indeed." Asbolus replied, nodding with a small smile. "Something else on your mind?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery shrugs. "Maybe...I don't know. I asked you a lot of things and...its not too important."
Asbolus:
"It's important to you, by the sound of it. Go ahead."
Avery Frisk:
Avery hesitates, not quite sure. "I...think...I think that I want to find my Fetch..." Avery looks slightly ashamed to admit it, like it was a part of them they didn't want to reveal.
Asbolus:
"To what end?"
Avery Frisk:
"Its...dumb." Avery shakes their head.
Asbolus:
"I won't judge. I know my own relationship with my fetch is considered unorthodox by some, so I can't say much myself."
Avery Frisk:
Avery hesitates a moment longer. "I get glimpses of them... and... it confuses me. I have no idea who I was before...Him. He took my memories.... and...I may be able to learn about me... but I don't know if I want to."
Asbolus:
"I share a similar tie with mine, which is one of a number of reasons he and I are as close as we are." He nodded, looking Avery over. "Finding out may offer some closure, but nothing says you have to be that person now. Forging yourself anew is a more than valid path to take."
Avery Frisk:
"I know they are happy...and I don't want to disturb that...but I'm...I don't know what I feel? Emotions are hard..."
Avery shakes her head. "Can we...talk about something else?"
Asbolus:
"They can be, yes. And certainly, whatever you like."
Avery Frisk:
"Anything... or just... letting me stay for a bit...I know you were working."
Asbolus:
"I have some paperwork to do for the end of the night, but you're free to stay if you like." He moved to stand, offering Avery a hand up. "Wouldn't mind the company, in truth."
Avery Frisk:
Avery hesitates, then reaches with their injured hand, pauses, and reaches with their healthy hand. "If I could stay...please? I can be quiet."
Asbolus:
"Of course, and you don't have to stay quiet if you don't want to be." He took the offered hand and pulled the Courser to her feet, smiling softly. "And promise me you'll get your hand looked at before you head home, hmm?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery gets up, and looks at their hand. "I... it will be fine..." a look to Asbolus, and a guilty expression before they relent. "No promises...but I will see someone..."
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