prismatica | video - > text | un: stormflower [Backdate: June 30th]

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video - > text | un: stormflower [Backdate: June 30th]

[Sounds come first, scraping and rustling with a black screen until the viewfinder is finally shifted enough to catch a glimpse of the outside of the Moon Knight's HQ before turning fully and capturing a very haggard, exhausted, pale looking Lie Ren, one hand picking bits of crystal out of his long unkempt hair and the very red remnants of what killed him on his face and neck. Not scars exactly, and they'll fade with time, but for now it's a painful reminder on his skin of what happened to him.

He blinks in an almost startled manner after a moment, seemingly catching his own face in the video. He quickly tugged a hood over his head then shut the video off, opting instead for text.]

I'm back.

I know people were looking for me.

I'm sorry for being the cause of worry.

I'll be heading back home shortly.

[He doesn't offer an explanation for anyone who missed what happened. If asked he'll say, but he won't name the person responsible if it's not already known.

He could also be run into on his way back to Level 2, if anyone chances upon him that way.]

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Something light would be fine right now. Soup or something.

I'm at home now.

[He sends his location - one of the slightly nicer apartments on level 2.]

okay! i think i have something that'll do just fine.

be right there.

[ Give him, like, 15 minutes. Then there's a knock! Hunk's here with a neat, little, homemade carryout bundle. ]

[Ren answers the door looking... noooot much better than before! He's at least in clean clothes now, but he still hasn't bothered to brush his hair - something that would be unthinkable on any normal day. The red marks are still there, mostly obscured by clothing that's at least two sizes too big. Borrowed from Jaune, more than likely.]

Hey...

[ Shoutout to a fellow Yellow Man. Still, Hunk kinda has to resist reaching out to touch, to check that it's not some kind of open wound. He manages, of course, but... It might be audible, the nervous swallow before he pushes up a big smile that doesn't quite keep the worry from his eyes. ]

Hey, man. [ He holds up the food package. ] I've got congee and rousong. I can do up an egg or two, too, if you want.

[ His expression has calmed into something more earnest and hopeful. Hopefully it's a decent meal, and Hunk can help make whatever shitty situation this is a little better. ]

[Ren's current state doesn't make him completely oblivious to the reactions of others, and he's always been better at reading people than dealing with his own emotions. He can see the hesitation and concern despite the smile and it prompts him to tug the hoodie's collar closer to his neck. They're not open wounds at least, more like a rash that doesn't itch.

He doesn't quite light up like he normally would at the mention of food, especially foods that are also available back home, but he does manage the tiniest of smiles in thanks.

You're too sweet, Hunk.]

Thank you.

[He steps back, motioning to the kitchen. Tadashi has been rather mellow, seated on the couch looking interested at the company with his big doggie eyes but not jumping up to greet excitedly like he normally would. It's been a trying time for the dog, too.]

[ Hunk definitely PEEPS THAT DOG as he makes his way in and towards the kitchen. It makes it a little easier to put more cheer into his voice as he starts working. The congee could do with some re-heating, so he focuses on that first. ]

I didn't know you had a dog. What a cutie!

What's his name?

Oh, right. I think I met you... before I got him.

[Ren goes over and sits next to the big fluffy boy, Tadashi sitting up only to fwump against Ren's side and earn a soft laugh from his owner as Ren starts petting him.]

Tadashi. He's about a year old now.

[And twice the size of most dogs that age.]

Jaune told me he was pretty upset when I was gone.

[ He is a beautifully big and floofy boy. Hunk almost mis-hears the name and considers asking about it. 'Takashi' is a familiar enough name, and he doesn't know if they're similar in meaning.

But 1) that might be a dumb topic of conversation and 2) they've circled back to... whatever's going on with Ren. Is it worth the effort to keep avoiding the elephant in the room? ]

So, uh... [ He's talking as he's working, trying to seem particularly casual. He brought eggs, so as to not use up someone else's, but he finds a pan to borrow. (He'll wash it right away, too!) ] What's up, man? How long were you gone?

[Probably not at this point. Hunk would be considered a good friend by now even if they don't talk super often that Ren figures he deserves to know anyway.

Ren absently scratches at Tadashi's ears, going silent for a long stretch after the question.]

Two weeks.

[According to Jaune.

He doesn't want to talk about it but it's just going to be awkward dancing around it if he continues to keep quiet.]

... I was killed.

... Oh.

[ Yeah, he... doesn't even know what to say to that. Shit, dude. ]

S-sorry, I-- [ "I didn't know." No. "I would've--" Oh, yeah, like... What would he or could he have done? Saying anything like that is pointless. ]

I don't know how that stuff works here, really. I'm sorry that happened. I hope it wasn't too painful.

[ He's just kind of standing awkwardly in the kitchen, now, holding a pan. He takes a deep breath and keeps going, setting it on the nearest burner and turning it on.

He can loop around again later, dig in gently so that he can offer what help he can. For the moment... ]

Uh. How d'you like your eggs? You just want 'em fried?

[Going up against a Devilman even as a Paladin of Voltron is probably not the best idea. At least not without your lion, Hunk.

It was actually incredibly painful! But... he'll keep that much to himself.]

I guess it's something like a complete chroma drain. I was crystalized for that time so I don't remember much after. Just what they told me.

[Leaving out, of course, that he was literally murdered by someone he cares deeply about and that they ripped his throat out...]

Uh-- oh. Fried is fine, yes, thank you.

[ Hunk nods at the answer, holding is hand about the pan to check the temperature. Then it's the rest of the initial steps in short order. Butter the pan, crack a couple of eggs...

He goes about re-heating the congee, too. ]

I haven't known anybody that's happened to, death or Chroma drains. [ He's got a moment, now, so he leans out of the kitchen to get a more direct look at Ren. ] Uh, I can-- If you ever need help or need to talk about anything, let me know, okay?

Me either, until now.

[Weiss had apparently gotten close once, a long time ago, but even he only knew passing details about that.

It's difficult to look at such an earnest expression when Ren is the one who feels responsible for what happened. He refuses to blame Akira, but he also knows that's not likely to fly with his friends.

He shifts a bit, slumping against Tadashi with a tired sound.]

I'm--

[Not okay.]

... I'll let you know if I do.

[ Yeah, the wear in Lie's general posture… It's hard to buy that he's over it. Not that he's really attempting to convince Hunk of anything. There's viability in not wanting to divulge this, that, or the other.

Hunk hums and leaves it alone for the moment, returning to the stove. It's only another couple minutes until everything's ready to roll. He tops the congee with the eggs and brings the rousong and other condiments (soy sauce, sesame oil, on the side. That way, Ren can add as much as he wants.

He passes off the bowl and utensils with an almost-hopeful smile, because… Yeah. It is hope. He hopes that, if nothing else, a good meal will make this whole thing a little more bearable. Caring for people in this manner is something that Hunk really enjoys, something that he hopes is successful. He wants people to feel safe and loved, basic needs met. ]

Here you go. Bon appetite.

[It would really be amazing and worrying if he got over that so quickly. Still, he's trying very hard to push as much of it down as possible. Not for his own sake but for the sake of others around him.

The food does smell amazing, though, and even his nausea subsides enough at the warm scent that he thinks he can eat at least some of it. The bowl is taken with a thankful nod, carefully held so it has time to cool.

Normally despite how quiet he usually was he would at least attempt small talk, but he can't even think of what to say right now besides a muttered thanks after a too-long pause.]

[ The silence is fine enough. If Ren doesn't mind, Hunk'll just let him eat and stay occupied with the dog. After a good moment or three of silence, though, he... finally figures that maybe he should double-check that. ]

Oh, uh, I should've-- I can leave, if you wanna eat in peace and rest up or whatever. I don't mean to crowd you if you need the space.

What-- ?

[Oh.

Wow, way to be even more awkward than usual! Ren shakes his head quickly, trying to relax. Everything right now is just an annoying buzz in his head that he can't quite figure out how to be rid of but that's not at all Hunk's fault. It's probably nerves, and Brothers knows what other sort of psychological trauma he's endured from literally being murdered.]

You're fine. I... probably shouldn't be alone too much anyway.

[Jaune, Pyrrha and Rise had been there but ducked out while Ren was attempting to sleep to shop for groceries and whatever else might be needed for a long stay inside while he recovered. One of those trips that really does take three or more people to accomplish.]

Besides, Tadashi likes you, and he could probably use the attention right now.

Ah, well, if it's for Tadashi...

[ Hunk half-coos the dog's name, cradling his head and scritching. He tosses Ren a wink while he's at it, just to assure that it's not just cute dogs he's here for. That'd be a bit of a mean serve, huh?

And to double up on that assurance, just in case: ] Hanging for a while's cool. I'm here for as long as you need, man.

[Tadashi is absolutely eating this up. He loves his human plenty but vigorous head scratches haven't been much of a thing since Ren got back.

Ren managed a faint smile, barely there but lighting his eyes in a way that was less dull and exhausted than before.]

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

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video - > text | un: stormflower [Backdate: June 30th]

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