forum And the Skies Turned Gold (Reboot) // OxO // Closed

Started February 10, 2020 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

Davin nodded a little bit. "Right. But there are so many things about art that I don't understand, so." he shrugged.

“I mean, I know a bit about techniques. Less about the artists and the meaning, but that’s something I might be able to teach you some about- well, if you’d like…” Tohru said, “Although I can’t say I know a lot about things like sculpture.”

He nodded a little bit again, looking over at Tohru. "Yeah, alright." he replied slowly, running a hand through his hair.

Tohru smiled a bit. “I do a little art of my own. I’m mostly self-taught, but yeah, that’s how I know what little I do know.”
His smile fell when he saw Davin run a hand through his hair. Was that disinterest? Nervousness? Something else entirely?
“You alright?” he asked softly.

Davin blinked, looking at him. "Oh, that's really cool. You should show me sometime? If you're alright with that." He replied. "And I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

“Ah- o-okay,” Tohru replied, “And of course I can show you sometime. I’ve got a bunch of art supplies in my ship, and I’ve got a couple of sketchbooks back at our place.”

He nodded. "That sounds really cool. You don't have to show me if you don't want to, though."

“Sure I will,” he said, “I mean, it’s not like I’m trying to hide it. It just never came up before.”
He carefully eyed one of the paintings on the far wall. He was pretty sure it was some landscape from his home planet. It was next to other vastly different landscapes, and appeared to be part of a collection by an artist.

He smiled, nodding. "Hm. Alright." He replied, stretching a little bit as they walked, looking at the paintings.

Tohru kept moving, happily glancing over to Davin every now and then, until his gaze landed on a painting at the end of the hall. His mouth went horribly dry, and he didn’t even think in time to steer Davin away from it.
He couldn’t ascertain the exact details from this distance, but whatever it was was glorifying the genocide of the Kaythani.
He hadn’t even thought about propaganda art at all before they came here.

Davin hadn't thought of the possibility of propaganda at all, and didn't seem to notice the painting until they were too close, too close for Tohru to be able to pull him away, and then he saw it and the color was draining from his face, his eyes going wide and a strange, choking sound leaving his throat.

Tohru, still a little stunned himself, snapped out of it when he heard Davin’s response.
“D-Davin…” he choked out, turning as he made the realization.
He placed himself between Davin and the painting, trying to redirect his gaze.
“Davin, look at me,” he said, “L-let’s move on.”

Davin dragged his eyes to Tohru, gaze shaky and breathing shuddering. "I…I thought…" I thought this area would be safe.

“Davin, are you okay?” Tohru asked, “I’m sorry I didn’t notice in time. I-“
I was distracted…

"I…" He was shaking a little, not having been prepared to see something like this, not prepared for this level of hatred towards his people.

“Hey, hey, it’s gonna be alright,” Tohru soothed.
Yet he felt like there was a brick sitting in his chest. He was barely okay himself, even though this wasn’t his trauma. Even then, it was horrifying.
“Deep breaths, hold onto me if you need,” he said softly.

(gtg soon sorry)

Davin kept his eyes on Tohru, trying not to break down. "I'm…I'm sorry, I…" He swallowed, trying to calm down, but it wasn't working.

(Okay, see you later!)
Tohru turned and scanned the hall to find a bathroom.
“Here, wanna hide out in the bathroom for a minute while you collect yourself? I know it sucks. It bothers me too… but you’re gonna be okay. He tried to keep his voice calm, but the guilt clawing at the inside his chest was almost unbearable.

(nvm, back for a little bit!)

Davin nodded a little bit, breathing coming in faint, shaky breaths. This shouldn't have affected him so strongly, but he had let his guard down, had gotten comfortable and now he was paying the price.

Tohru nudged him on to the bathroom, trying to reassure him as they went.
“Davin, gods… you gotta breathe. H-hey, breathe with me, now.”
He took in a slow, deep inhale, trying to keep Davin’s focus on him.

Davin blinked, walking with Tohru and trying to push away the memory of that painting, but he had dropped his guard and now he didn't know how to fix it.

Tohru cast a worried gaze over Davin, yet he moved on to hold the bathroom door open for him. The bathroom was empty at the moment, which was a relief.
"Alright, let it out if you have to. I'm not completely sure how to help, but… but of course, if there's anything I can do, let me know."

Davin went into the bathroom, leaning against the wall and tipping his face to the ceiling. "I-I'm s-sorry, I don't…usually react like this, I just…I wasn't…e-expecting it, and…"

"You're fine," Tohru said, "It's okay if you do react like this. I don't care- I mean, I do care, but like… in the best way possible."
He smiled halfheartedly.
"We can stay out of there as long as you need. I-I'll make sure to watch out for you a little closer once we head back out. I'm sorry I let that slip past me…"

"It's okay…it's not your fault, I…" he shook his head a little, letting out a breath and trying to calm down.