2.3 ✞dictated.

[bloodsugar]

[filter to: Elektra]

When you get this -- get back to me right away, alright?

[/end filter.]

[filter to friends & acquaintances of 'Charlie,' aka The Question; dictated]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but... it seems Charlie's gone back-- ah. Home.

[...;( luckily, not too many people know what that means for the poor bastard.

Abel doesn't have much more to say than that; it seems all good things come to an end and this is no exception. his 'family' here couldn't last forever, and it had been... very good, while it lasted. time to go give what's left of it a big hug; the journal shuts quietly. he'll get back to your replies if you when he's done SQUISHING THE LIFE out of certain adorable children and badass women in a most conciliatory fashion.]

Comments

[bloodsugar]

[the question has him perking up a bit -- quick to paste the smile on his face and gesture once more in a placating manner.]

--I'm fine, Elektra! It's... just a surprise, and takes a little adjusting to, right?

[pausing, he nudges his glasses further up his nose in search of a distraction, before exhaling a bit of a sigh.]

...What about you...?

[likethetragedy]

I already proved I can handle it.

[She answers automatically. Elektra had gone through this with Abel before. Same thing, right? Well she's convincing herself of it.]

[bloodsugar]

[that answer confuses him; he isn't following her... interesting logic.]

...What do you mean?

[likethetragedy]

I handled you. [She says it as if it's completely obvious.]

[bloodsugar]

[w... whoa. whoa, is... she putting him on the same level as Jyuu?

--but... beyond that (it's got him a little red-faced), it's...]

...It's not the same, Elektra.

[likethetragedy]

It's close enough. [She's going to be stubborn about this. She's determined not to wallow in self pity again and have to go running to someone else for comfort.]

[bloodsugar]

[touched as he is by the comparison... Abel knows it isn't true, and he hesitates a beat... before he rests his hand lightly on her shoulder.]

...It's not. You know that.

This is... much different. [he's sorry, but... it'll hurt more if she buries it away and dismisses it as nothing rather than lets herself acknowledge that it's painful to deal.]

[likethetragedy]

[She's shrugging it off. Elektra is defaulting to anger if she isn't allowed to be apathetic. This shouldn't be a surprise.]

Why can't you just leave it alone?

[bloodsugar]

Because-- I... don't want this to eat at you. [and it will if you leave it like this. ;( sadly, he was expecting her brush-off, even if it makes his heart tug because he knows she's covering pain with anger. ;;]

...He's gone. The person that loved us as... family, is gone. It isn't the same, and... I don't think it will be, again. [it's a painful reality, but it's one they both have to accept.]

[likethetragedy]

[That stings despite the brave front she put up; the lies Elektra is trying to convince herself of.]

I know. He might as well be dead. [The bitterness is unmistakable in her voice.]

[bloodsugar]

[in a way... she's right. he can't deny it, can he? the Jyuushiro they knew was a product of years and scenarios that can't be replicated.]

...So, it's... not the same. [much as they wish it was. could be. it isn't and won't be. Jyuu doesn't remember, and he isn't going to if he's already here.

and that means she is left floundering the same as him. he has every right to worry ;(]

[likethetragedy]

Fine. It's not the same.

[Elektra will feel guilty later for lashing out yet again when being put in this scenario. Abel didn't deserve it any more than Matt did all those years ago.]

Are you happy now I had to acknowledge I've lost three parents? Does it make you feel better about losing just the one?

[bloodsugar]

[...ouch. it stings, but... he knows she's only acting out of hurt. he doesn't blame her.

there's apology in his eyes as he shakes his head.]

...You know it doesn't. Nothing about this feels... good, Elektra... least of all knowing you're being hurt, too.

[likethetragedy]

[The guilt rises up quickly at that look. She glances down at the floor. Don't apologize while she tries to tear you down, Abel.]

I know this hurt, Abel. You don't have to worry about me.

[bloodsugar]

[babby ;(...

he reaches to rest his hand at her shoulder again, despite not being well received the first time around.]

...Of course I do. You're still... family. [some of the only 'family' he has left, so... he's going to make sure he keeps hold of it tight.]

[likethetragedy]

[That's the right heart string to pull. She's not shrugging him off this time, but not looking up either.]

... I'm sorry about what I said before.

[bloodsugar]

You can make it up to me with a hug. I do like hugs.

[and he thinks you could use an excuse for one, too.]

[likethetragedy]

[Heh. That earns a smile.] You play dirty. [Have one reluctant hug.]

[bloodsugar]

Only sometimes. For a good cause. [hmmnnn you're getting a mushy squeeze.]

...It'll be alright.

[likethetragedy]

[She sighs. There might be a little more returning of that hug, Abel.]

It has to be.

[bloodsugar]

It will. We're not alone, right? Even... if it's just us.

[likethetragedy]

... There's more than just us. Even if they don't fit into the 'family' we shared.

[bloodsugar]

You're right. [but 'family' was 'family,' right? it's sad to think of losing any of them.]

[likethetragedy]

[She pulls away a little to look at him.] Just keep in touch.

[bloodsugar]

I will. Even if I'm bad at it, I'm going to remind myself more often, okay? Really.