forum “What is with this sassy, lost child?” // closed with @whathappensifidothis

Started August 27, 2023 by @the-void-phantasmic language

tune

Resh looked at Ren and nods. “Unfortunately, yes. I don’t like to venture out a lot because of it.” He opened up his cloak a bit as Juni crawled out of his lap.

Juni continued to stare at Ren, walking over to her and standing right in front of her. She just stared, barely even making eye contact.

(Sorry for smal response)

Ren shifted uncomfortably in her place on the floor. Why was Juni staring at her so much? She stood up and walked up to the cave entrance, looking around outside. It was mostly just significantly more broken rocks and dark crystals than there was before.

How did these two survive in a place like this? She had a swarm of questions for Resh already. But maybe she should say something in response to him first. “They would be bearable if they weren’t as loud.”

Resh notices Ren’s discomfort and gives her an apologetic look. “She stares a lot. Not much of a talker. Come on, kiddo.” He reaches out with both arms, and Juni quickly turns around and lets him pick her up.

Resh stands up and looks outside the cave. “…Do you want to go back home? Or do you have anywhere else to stay?” He’s clearly addressing Ren.

Ren whirled around to face Resh again, barely letting him finish his second question before responding. ”No-“ She couldn’t go back there. It was difficult enough to run away. If he tried to take her back-

Her eyes widened when she realized she interrupted him. “_Sorry- I don’t… no. I’m alone.”

Resh gave Ren a sympathetic look. He raised his free hand slightly in a surrendering gesture. “Hey- It’s okay. I won’t force you to go back.” He looked down, thinking for a moment. “…You really don’t have anywhere to stay? Are you sure?”

“If I had anywhere to go, I wouldn’t be here.” Ren gestured to the view of Eden. Her tone carried a sense of finality. She truly didn’t have anywhere else to go—she had no friends to speak of.

“…You probably already pieced together my first plan.”

Resh sighed. “A little bit, yeah.” He looked down for a bit. “…You could stay with me and Juni, if you’d like to.” He didn’t expect Ren to accept his offer, but he still felt like it was important to ask anyways. Just in case.

(Right yes- sorry been distracted by well you know)

Ren blinked at Resh. She could what?

She looked at the two of them for a long moment. And she… was actually considering it. But she also had her doubts. And they weren’t just about Resh and Juni.

“I would just be a burden to you two.”

Resh shook his head. “Ren, why would I offer to let you stay with me if you were just going to be a burden? Besides, I’m not letting you die here, so it’s either that or we find someone else to take care of you.” He was determined tp give Ren somewhere to stay. He realized that his tone was a little more harsh than he intended, and added in a gentler voice, “…I know it seems weird, but I want to make sure you’re safe. Please let me do this for you.”

Ren shifted on her feet. She didn’t know how to respond. She didn’t know how she should respond. “I-“ Tears threatened to spill already as the weight of Resh’s words got to her. Damn it- keep it together!

“_Okay…“ Ren looked at the ground instead of Resh. She knew if she did that she would lose control of her emotions. And when she did that, there was consequences.

Resh looked a little frustrated for a moment. But not with Ren. Damn it, you made her cry. Well done, dumbass. He took a deep breath, then crouched down in front of Ren, lightly placing his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m not angry with you. I just…” He trailed of, not really sure what to say. “…It’s okay to cry, if you need to.”

Juni looked at Ren, visibly worried. She looked up at Resh curiously and he simply shook his head at her. Not now, Juni.

Ren shook her head and wiped away her tears. “Thank you…”

Truly, it was genuine. And with Resh’s gestures and reassurances, Ren had begun to take a liking to the man. She almost felt… safer, around him. Even though she had only met him not that long ago.