(All good! ^^)
Sky flinches slightly at his reply, mainly after there’s something very wrong with him. “Yes, but… isn’t there a little ‘something wrong’ in all of us..?” She created a small cube made of shadows, using her umbrakinesis. “For example, my parents… especially my stepmother… they called me evil. An abomination. Just because of my powers… I-I’m getting off topic.” She clears her throat. “All I’m saying, little one… don’t judge a book by its cover. I promise, he’s nicer than he may seem…”
(That ran a little longer than I expected 👀)
Joel looks at Sky.
"That's not what I mean. . . there's a darker being in him, another entity. I saw his form flickering between a writhing, dark shadow and his human form. I heard his voice changing. I don't trust him, there's something in him that he can barely keep ahold of. What I'm saying is, I mainly don't trust that entity. I don't trust his ability to keep it properly restrained." he murmurs.
"And I'm sure I know how it feels to be called an 'abomination.' After all, being able to shift into an animal. . . how much more of an abomination can you become?" he whispers.
“Another entity..?” Sky shuddered. “That- that can’t be right…” It reminded her of an assassin where she was from. Pandora… Gryffon? She always had another entity following her… but Joel means inside. “all we can do is hope he can control it, I’m afraid.”
Sky put her hand on Joel’s shoulder. “You’re not an abomination, Bǎobèi…” she murmurs. “…and neither am I. We can’t listen to the people who call us these things, because they’re awful.”
"I heard it. . ." Joel confirms. "And he nearly lost control. That doesn't bode well for his ability. . ."
"Even if they're awful, sometimes they're still family. Sometimes the only family you have." he mumbles.
Sky flinched again, remembering the times her parents had yelled at her… screamed at her… thrown things at her… but they were still family… But they hated me… she closed her eyes, trying to fight off the bad thoughts. She couldn’t be this vulnerable. Not now. Not ever. “Well— well, we can be a family to each other… little brother.” She forced herself to smile, to seem happy in front of the child. nothing’s wrong, just keep smiling.
(y'all narrating without me lol)
"i- I'll be going. You're pretty smart, kid. But I'll explain later. I'm not a danger unless i have to be. I didn't want to hurt you, but i didn't know if you were a threat. I see now that you're not, so. I'll be going. I trust you know the way back, Sky?" he pointed east. "that way. Sorry kiddo, I'll explain later. I need to do something first." he vanishes. RinRin teleported into his void once more, deciding to come back later.
(Lol)
Joel freezes, a series of short fragments of sound and images flashing through his head violently, making him stumble back, then down to his knees, at Sky's use of "little brother." His face was towards the ground, and he was shaking violently.
He doesn't react to anything else, not even RinRin disappearing or his words.
(NOOOOOO)
Sky made a distressed noise. “Joel? I- What- what’s wrong..?” She reached toward him and hesitated, her hands shaking severely. “I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to upset you..”
("Stop- trauma time!" [to the tune of can't touch this by MC Hammer] XD)
A single tear drops from Joel's face.
"It's nothing you did. . . it's something I did, a month before I ended up in this world. . ." he murmurs, voice trembling with the effort of suppressing sobs.
Maya blinked, somewhat surprised. She let out a sigh. "You know, with you, it's hard to know if you're joking or not. Because catching a serial killer is definitely something you would inadvertently do."
"Well-" He started, cutting himself off as he noticed his sister starting to wake. He stayed quiet. This would take precise timing to escape, and he couldn't have anything throwing him off. Like a game of chess, he needed to plan his moves perfectly.
Franziska sat up, and Miles practically scurried away.
(meanwhile RinRin in the void: 'this kids got trauma! That's what's up. Starts screaming cause everyone his parents and older sister died)
(yay depression)
Sky reaches over and awkwardly hugs Joel, tensing a bit to keep from shaking. “I’m still sorry, little one… I obviously said something to remind you of that… I’ll be more careful next time.” she restrained herself from saying sorry again.
(indeed)
Joel shakes his head slightly.
"My mistakes and the emotions that come with them are always there. They have nothing to do with what you say or do. Whether you call me 'little brother' or just 'Joel' is irrelevant, it's simply who I associate with those words and the way they're said that causes these things." he says softly.
(shit idk if i want RinRin to appear as like, himself suddenly shocked and caring or if if should stay gone for a bit)
(Lol entirely up to you, friend!)
(the agony of indecision strikes again)
(I have. No idea what to say)
RinRin spends an hour alone in the void, vanquishing Rinshen for the time being. But in the real world it would only have been seconds passed. He emerged from the darkness, letting the portal be seen. He gingerly kneels down. A few feet away, careful to keep his distance. "Look, kid. I didn't mean to scare you. You wanted an explanation. Here it is. You see my eye?" he asked pointing towards his right eye. (read character page for details if you haven't already)
