|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:58 pm
 Not too much time passed since the incident between Nemesis and Pearl. Her whole body ached and quivered with pain and fear. Each breath seemed more painful than the last. It was practically a miracle that she was still able to breathe relatively normally since then. Even more so for her to gain enough will power to move underneathe the table. She practically crawled her way under there since whenever she lifted her paws any higher than shoulder length they'd scream in agony.
The fragile creature laid there beneath the table attempting to recover to the best of her ability. She would've crawled home, but she doubted she had that much strength let alone will to do so at this point. In all honesty, at this point she wished she wasn't even alive. The pain was overwhelming, and if even breathing hurt so much she just wanted to stop. But of course her body would tell her otherwise. She didn't have the will to even stop breathing. Everything was painful, a chore now.
Her soft yet dirty head laid softly against the hard wooden floors, at least the side that laid against the floor wasn't as swollen as the other. It didn't hurt nearly as much, but at this point the pain was almost numbing. If her arms didn't hurt so much, resting her cheek against it would probably hurt less.
Without a doubt in her mind she regreted approaching Nemesis. She should've hid her curiosity away for that time. Letting it out of the bag at that time was a poor choice entirely on her side. The Nightmare made a warning not to approach him, yet she did so anyway, thinking naively he wouldn't actually physically harm her. It was a stupid choice, and now she was paying the price for it.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:53 pm
 Pearl had been under the table for several minutes at least before Darkside even entered the HQ building again. He had been preoccupied with the rescue of another small female kitsusagi... one that was pregnant. One that he didn't really understand why he had felt the need to step in on her behalf. When he had first come to recognize himself as his own entity he'd not have cared. Several worlds ago, he would not have cared. But the longer he existed, the more he studied and knew and came to understand the hearts that his lesser brethren hunted, the more he realized that he was... changing.
Not that Darkside gave himself over to feeling turmoil, but he was perhaps a bit perturbed. Those thoughts faded, or rather melted, away when he stepped into the HQ though. Just inside the door there was a terrible feeling of FEAR/PAIN... and he knew which heart it was that cried so. His little Pearl...
This time those urges to find/help/protect did not seem so strangely foriegn, and the kitsu-mass of blue lit shadow drifted to the table under which she hid. -It is I, little Pearl.- A reassurance and a warning as he put himself partially beneath the table cloth to survey the damage done to her. And damage indeed! A far more familiar flair of emotion lit upon him then, a dark urge to hurt whoever had so defiled HIS little Pearl. It was a gentle voice that spoke into her mind again, however. -May I help?-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:29 pm
If she had the strength to scamper away as she usually would, she would do so in a heartbeat. Surely she did not look as innocent as she did before. Her fur no longer ths soft whites and pinks it carried. Instead it was tainted, much like her heart now. No longer beautiful in appearence, no longer as innocent as she was. Even if she could see herself right now, she wouldn't want to. She didn't want to face Darkside like this. This was another reason why she hid under the table, as futile as it was. She didn't want him to see her this way, so helpless and weak. At least before she could stand on her own without the help of others, but now...probably not.
Her heart was torn in two. She wanted to see him, yet she wanted to run from him. Even though she knew he wouldn't do ANYTHING in the world to harm her, those feelings of fear would not melt away. She felt the world was against her now, and everyone in it was out to get her. It didn't matter who it was, they would want to harm her...or at least that's how she felt at the moment.
Instead of running, she would only barely turn her head away from him. More than any other time she wanted to whimper and cry, but she was afraid that would only make the situation worse. Last time if she did so, the giant creature might find sick pleasure in her pain. She moved a paw slowly in attempts to cover her head even if only a little. Right now she didn't want anyone to be near her, and if she had the strength she would move away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:01 pm
Darkside was hesitant for a moment and then withdrew, letting the tablecloth drop between them so that she could see the blur her vision allowed of his paws but he could not see her physical body. The anguished, pulsing glow of her heart remained, and he could not bring himself to turn away. The feelings that flew from it in waves told him more than even her body language would allow.
-There is still kindness and hope in this world, little Pearl. And you are still bright, do not fret.- There was a long pause, and when he spoke again there was a timid sort of tenderness to the tone. -I know where to retrieve the kindness some have left here, that would help you. Please... do not flee.-
With that he stood and walked slowly away, heading for a closet where-in someone had left potions labeled to heal various things. More than one someone... whom he could now identify personally after his brief adventure of a rescue. He retrieved something for infection and flesh mending, and something for broken bones that was mixed with a pain reliever, and then he went to the kitchen to retrieve a bowl of gently warm water and a cloth.
He returned after some long moments with the items, and slid them one after the other carefully beneath the table. He was particularly careful with the potions, for he had opened the bottles first to save Pearl the trouble. -The bottles will help you heal. The water is for cleaning yourself, if you wish. Take as long as you want, little Pearl. I will keep you safe.- And with that he moved just a few paces away and lay down on his belly, facing the exits. A movement guided toward giving her some privacy without making her feel like she was alone. Though what she felt in truth he had no control over.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:04 pm
Even if she wanted to flee, her physical state was in no condition to move. If she did, she would probably end up worse than before. Plus, she had a feeling that if she tried, Darkside would probably stop her. He would probably stop her due to two reasons: she was too injured to move so much in the first place and because she needed someone to assure her not everyone was a terrible person out to get her in the world.
Her blurred vision focused on the potions and bowl of water in front of her. She was hesitant on reaching for them, as for one she didn't enjoy the pain she felt whenever she moved and two, she was unsure of herself. Would it really make it all ok if she just took a couple potions and cleaned herself up? It wasn't as if the experience would magically disappear just because of that. Even if the physical pains were removed, the cause of her emotional distress would not simply disappear so easily.
It was better to only have to deal with one, she deducted. A paw slowly moved towards the bottles while the pain shot through her arm. A wince and a soft whimper escaped her maw. Still, her paw ever so carefully pulled the bottles closer to her one by one. With each move it felt as if her arm was tearing off her bones, and each move felt heavier than the last.
With small sips she eventually drank the bottles, though at first drinking was quite the task itself. Cleaning? No, she'd rather not. She had enough for the day. Maybe another time. Of course, she felt a lot better than before. Though her body physically didn't feel as numb anymore, her mind was a completely different story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:35 am
Darkside waited patiently for a shift in the light radiating from Pearl's heart, and finally there was. The turmoil and anguish were still there, but there was less of a reaction to the physical pain. He did not shift just yet, leaving Pearl to her need for privacy, but he talked. His tone was kept carefully soft and soothing as his voice floated over to her mind, along with that splash of timid tenderness he could not really control.
-They are very kind, the hearts that left those things here. I can feel the residue, if you will, of what they felt at the time those bottles were placed here. A desire to be able to help someone if they needed it. They also help to keep the kitchen pantry full, so no one who comes here need have an empty belly. And they do it not just for friends, but anyone.- His head came to rest on his paws. -I met some of them tonight, in fact, little Pearl. I helped one of them to get home, else I might have been here to help you. I apologize.- Another pause. -You would like them, I think, if you could put up with the noise.-
He sat back up, and this time did turn his head to face her. -The world has kindness enough to counter the cruelty, little Pearl. It might be difficult to believe right now, but I know it very well. And you... are stronger than you feel you are little Pearl. It may take time but you can overcome what has happened.- He was certain enough of that. He was also certain that woah betide the creature that did this to her if he ever found it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:53 pm
Her ears listened closely to his kind words. They started sinking in, but she was still doubtful of his words. Not of the kind people who left behind those nice potions, but of the rest of the world. She knew there were others in the world who shared the same kindness, but what of those who didn't? Such as the one who put her in this state in the first place? The world was full of questions, but not enough answers. Apparently letting curiosity get the best of her was wrongful? It must be so, why else was she punished so heavily for this crime?
It's not...your fault... she voiced to him in a whisper-tone voice. It was...my fault... Or at least that's how she felt. Though it was partly, if she listened to her instincts screaming at her to stay away from the monstrosity, she would be perfectly fine now. She just felt very lost...very confused about everything. Too many thoughts about many different things stirred in her mind, and in her heart.
Soft paws lifted up and covered over her head as she curled up against herself. Even now she was still very frightened, shocked and even more so confused. She felt so vulnerable now, even with Darkside there not too far away. Certainly she felt a little safer, but not the same way as before. It just felt very cold and dark everywhere. Enough to make her shiver lightly. She just felt so isolated...so alone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:15 pm
-It wanted to hurt something, little Pearl. Perhaps it would have let things pass if you avoided it, and perhaps not. Perhaps it would simply have gone off to hurt someone else. I can not discern what motivated it to harm you... but do not think it was entirely your actions that gave this result.- He stood and slowly padded closer, laying just on the other side of the table cloth. -And you are still bright, little Pearl... the dark things in life may hurt you, for that is what dark things try to do. Whether they simply dislike the light or want to steal it for themselves because they have none, they will try. But they cannot dim you, little Pearl, cannot put out who you are unless you let them.-
And who would know better? He'd stolen his share of lights... put out his share of people. But it was the ones who fought, who didn't give in to temptation or fear that always managed to survive. It was the ones who believed the most and fought the hardest that gained the power of a keyblade, at least in part. And for once it was important to him to try and get someone to fight. -I can not tell you what to feel, little Pearl. But I would ask that you not give up. You are... my friend, and I care. If that means anything to you, right now...- She was... and he did. And that was certainly something he'd never expected to happen when he came here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:39 am
She didn't entirely blame herself at first, but as time grew on she took on the whole thing as her fault. It was a struggle of constant "if...then"s. She just constantly regretted it so much. Pearl wasn't one to simply move on, she dwelled on things for long periods of time, either it be good things or bad things. If she had the courage to move on already, she would've. She lacked that courage right now, though. Maybe with a couple more pushes, she would eventually start walking towards the path to recovery, but first she had to come to terms with herself. She had to understand this wasn't her fault. Even if Darkside told her so, she, herself had to understand it first.
It meant a lot to her right now that he was there at the very least. He was helping her, and she appreciated his efforts and kindness. It means...a lot...thanks... She replied softly. Pearl just...needed more time. As they say, time heals all wounds. It was her first actual frightful encounter. A life and death situation, certainly. She just wasn't used to it. Or expected it rather. Eventually she'd come to terms with it, most likely with Darkside's help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:08 pm
Darkside realized that... and he would try to help prod her along, but he would not push. Pearl needed time. He would just try to keep her from becoming too deeply depressed about what had occured. -I will be here, little Pearl, until you feel well again. And I will try to be here if e'er you need me.- He peeked an eye below the tablecloth for a moment, the glowing orb trying to be comforting. -Just know that you need not be alone.-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
