[ of course charles is there. checking in on the people he knows is a given, and when he finds out that scott's been brought there, well — there's not a chance in hell he'd stay away, then. this is perhaps his third visit since then; he's made it a point to come every day as scott recovers, deal with the mood, try and cheer him up the best he can.
this time, he's come with one bag of chips and another full of cashew nuts; that one he opens and leaves near phoenix, for her to snack on. he tosses the bag of chips on scott's bed and perches on the edge of it, then. ]
[Even Charles got the moody 'I don't want to deal with anyone' attitude from Scott. Mostly a demeanor that he put out when he was deep in recovery still, injuries fresh along with those awful memories. Hard to muster up anything but hurt and anger, even if he didn't fully lash out. Ever since some shit that happened two years ago, Scott's tried to make a point not to let his anger fully control him. Just be more things he'd end up regretting.
And he's already being a bitch to his friend.
It's a thought that becomes a little more clear as Scott gets better. He's not 100% himself by the time Charles visits for the third time, but at least he doesn't tell his friend to go away like the last two times. A part of him wants to apologize, the feeling somewhere in there amongst everything else, but nothing emits yet. But there's one improvement, with Scott slowly turning from the wall to actually look at him.]
...You're here again.
[Not answering him yet, maybe some guilt lifting to his voice because he did tell Charles to fuck off before.]
[ it's fine; he knows it wasn't personal, the moodiness from scott, unusual though it had been. so the comment earns him a smile, small and fond and genuine. ]
Yeah. Sorry, mate, you're not getting rid of me that easily.
[ and that's true: he won't abandon his best friend here, no matter what, even if scott himself tells him to. ]
Wasn't sure what you'd be in the mood for, so I figured crisps were a good option. And nuts for the lady. [ he grins at phoenix. ]
[That almost pulls a smile from Scott. He really sort of forgot about how good his friends are here and he just about took them for granted. Not everyone would've sat through his moods, his parents probably wouldn't (although maybe he's being too harsh because they genuinely care). But here is his friend again, visiting him for the third time or so, checking on Scott just because he cares and something less painful finally loosens in his chest.
Yeah, he was beaten black and blue from Kotone's transformation, but he's not alone. It's genuinely good to see Charles again and he's glad that he's okay. That's something he can almost focus on.
He still doesn't entirely smile, not fully, but something about Scott looks less on edge, like he's finally accepting Charles's help. Phoenix is already on board, the bird chirping happily at the edge of the bed and looking at the ghost with appreciation. Yes, good, giving her snacks catered just for her! He may be her new favorite now...]
Crisps, huh? [Scott can't help it, but a corner of his mouth finally twitches upward.] It's chips man.
[Just teasing him a little. Then a small pause, and finally:] ...Thanks man. For being here.
[ the softening of his expression already feels like a victory, and when scott actually smiles — well, there's absolutely nothing charles could do to keep from grinning back, unable to hide the relief that warms his eyes. ]
You Americans, [ he sniffs, shaking his head like he's an offended old lady... but then he snickers, breathing out a laugh that settles into something quieter, more genuine. ]
Hey, none of that. Of course I am. I told you, didn't I? I've got you, mate.
[ a pause. ] So... you wanna tell me what happened?
[It's good to see Charles smile again. All this probably hasn't been easy on him either, huh? Dealing with his own shit, seeing friends transformed... and having others in the clinic, including him. Yeah. He's been an asshole. An apology is about to leave from his lips, but he instead just nods at his friend. Yeah, Charles got him.
It's only when he asks what happened that Scott's smile fades slightly. He's not angry like before, not entirely closed off, but he stays quiet for a moment. His gaze returns to his lap, hands idly digging into the bed covers.]
I got beat up. [Vague, almost a smartass response. Scott isn't fully trying to be one, but it's the first reaction he can't help but give. Something instinctual while he tries to cope with everything and what he wants to say.] Got my ass kicked.
[ he doesn't need an apology — all he really needs is scott, back to himself, no longer trying to shut himself off, or push the world at large away from him, charles included.
still, the response almost makes charles roll his eyes... but he recognises it for what it is, a deflection, a desperate attempt to buy time. ]
Yeah, I sort of figured, [ he says instead, his own expression falling back to something quieter, concerned. ] Just like I reckon what happened is something you don't really wanna talk about. But, mate, you can trust me. And whatever it is... it'll feel better to talk about it to someone.
[It really is hard to push Charles away when he speaks like that. Maybe it's because Charles has been open to him about stuff, things that were probably hard for him to talk about. It makes him feel more okay with it. Or maybe he's pushed enough people already and he finally has the courage now.
Scott breathes in.]
You know the wish seeds? Fauna talked about it over the tablets... they've been transforming people into monsters. [A small grimace. Body tensing despite himself.] Kotone was one of the ones affected.
[Scott figures that he doesn't have to explain more than that. He's not sure if he can go into those specific details just yet, how she was trapped as Orpheus-- a mechanized Persona. She couldn't even talk, just scream through a speaker on her. Which. She did. While beating him nearly to death with a giant harp.]
[ he doesn't mean just the post that fauna had made — he means seeing someone transformed, too, remembers the slight weight of altius and his shadowy hand on his shoulder, the quiet whisper of his voice.
and then, as scott continues, his response is a succinct, ] Oh, bloody hell.
[ yeah, he doesn't need any further explanations. ]
[It always helps when he can focus on someone other than himself, especially if Kotone is the person he's putting his thoughts towards. It's that shift that brings some life back to Scott, the teen acting just a little more like 'normal.']
She's back to normal. [Which probably doesn't answer Charles's question too much about if she's really okay or not. He... he doesn't think she's okay, knowing her. Sure, she might be smiling at others, pushing her own guilt and feelings down, but that's how she always deals with things. He's worried. Of course he is, even if she's the reason why he's hurting so much.
It's not her fault.]
...But I don't think she's okay, Charles. [Should he speak for her like that? He can't help it, he's really worried. At least Charles is someone that they both trust.] I-I'm worried about her.
[Scott turns to Charles, something almost pleading about him.] Can you check on her?
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expiationlogs2025-03-11 10:18 am
atomised;
this time, he's come with one bag of chips and another full of cashew nuts; that one he opens and leaves near phoenix, for her to snack on. he tosses the bag of chips on scott's bed and perches on the edge of it, then. ]
You doing better today, mate?
no subject
And he's already being a bitch to his friend.
It's a thought that becomes a little more clear as Scott gets better. He's not 100% himself by the time Charles visits for the third time, but at least he doesn't tell his friend to go away like the last two times. A part of him wants to apologize, the feeling somewhere in there amongst everything else, but nothing emits yet. But there's one improvement, with Scott slowly turning from the wall to actually look at him.]
...You're here again.
[Not answering him yet, maybe some guilt lifting to his voice because he did tell Charles to fuck off before.]
no subject
Yeah. Sorry, mate, you're not getting rid of me that easily.
[ and that's true: he won't abandon his best friend here, no matter what, even if scott himself tells him to. ]
Wasn't sure what you'd be in the mood for, so I figured crisps were a good option. And nuts for the lady. [ he grins at phoenix. ]
no subject
Yeah, he was beaten black and blue from Kotone's transformation, but he's not alone. It's genuinely good to see Charles again and he's glad that he's okay. That's something he can almost focus on.
He still doesn't entirely smile, not fully, but something about Scott looks less on edge, like he's finally accepting Charles's help. Phoenix is already on board, the bird chirping happily at the edge of the bed and looking at the ghost with appreciation. Yes, good, giving her snacks catered just for her! He may be her new favorite now...]
Crisps, huh? [Scott can't help it, but a corner of his mouth finally twitches upward.] It's chips man.
[Just teasing him a little. Then a small pause, and finally:] ...Thanks man. For being here.
no subject
You Americans, [ he sniffs, shaking his head like he's an offended old lady... but then he snickers, breathing out a laugh that settles into something quieter, more genuine. ]
Hey, none of that. Of course I am. I told you, didn't I? I've got you, mate.
[ a pause. ] So... you wanna tell me what happened?
no subject
It's only when he asks what happened that Scott's smile fades slightly. He's not angry like before, not entirely closed off, but he stays quiet for a moment. His gaze returns to his lap, hands idly digging into the bed covers.]
I got beat up. [Vague, almost a smartass response. Scott isn't fully trying to be one, but it's the first reaction he can't help but give. Something instinctual while he tries to cope with everything and what he wants to say.] Got my ass kicked.
no subject
still, the response almost makes charles roll his eyes... but he recognises it for what it is, a deflection, a desperate attempt to buy time. ]
Yeah, I sort of figured, [ he says instead, his own expression falling back to something quieter, concerned. ] Just like I reckon what happened is something you don't really wanna talk about. But, mate, you can trust me. And whatever it is... it'll feel better to talk about it to someone.
no subject
Scott breathes in.]
You know the wish seeds? Fauna talked about it over the tablets... they've been transforming people into monsters. [A small grimace. Body tensing despite himself.] Kotone was one of the ones affected.
[Scott figures that he doesn't have to explain more than that. He's not sure if he can go into those specific details just yet, how she was trapped as Orpheus-- a mechanized Persona. She couldn't even talk, just scream through a speaker on her. Which. She did. While beating him nearly to death with a giant harp.]
no subject
[ he doesn't mean just the post that fauna had made — he means seeing someone transformed, too, remembers the slight weight of altius and his shadowy hand on his shoulder, the quiet whisper of his voice.
and then, as scott continues, his response is a succinct, ] Oh, bloody hell.
[ yeah, he doesn't need any further explanations. ]
Is she alright?
no subject
She's back to normal. [Which probably doesn't answer Charles's question too much about if she's really okay or not. He... he doesn't think she's okay, knowing her. Sure, she might be smiling at others, pushing her own guilt and feelings down, but that's how she always deals with things. He's worried. Of course he is, even if she's the reason why he's hurting so much.
It's not her fault.]
...But I don't think she's okay, Charles. [Should he speak for her like that? He can't help it, he's really worried. At least Charles is someone that they both trust.] I-I'm worried about her.
[Scott turns to Charles, something almost pleading about him.] Can you check on her?