agent--shadow

[agent--shadow]

Shadow finally manages to stop laughing and look up at her handler and ask "A little help here?" With the kind of tone that makes Kai burst back into laughter, which obviously sends her back to cackling as well.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Blue doesn't hear much from the hallway except the two siblings trying- and failing to say anything through their laughter, tangled in limbs, red in the face as Shadow tries to stop cough-laughing.

Kai is a walking slapstick.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

im a fucking sucker for the “character gets so badly injured that they can’t think clearly and start calling for help in a distressingly vulnerable way.” characters who start using nicknames for their friends they haven’t used since they were kids. characters who start begging for their brother they haven’t seen in years to be there. characters who would usually use their parents’ names or call them mother/father/etc crying out mama when they go down. u understand.

[agent--shadow]

Shadow nods, she knows it'll be anything but soon, she just needs to know the possibility is there. It's comforting to know that there were people on her side.

"I know." She says with a calm surety in her voice.

Kai interjects, his legs protesting the prolonged stand "Welp, we better get going." And he leans a little harder on Shadow's wheelchair as he turns towards the door, "Thanks for letting me borrow her!" He half jokes at Blue as he wheels her out the door.

@blueorchid-95

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow takes another few moments in her head, the looks Blue ( @blueorchid-95) in the eyes with certainty, "I want to go. I- if that's possible. But I know I want to try." She looks up at Kai and he is just... So relieved. So, So relieved. He thought she might have mixed feelings about visiting one of their parents, but it turns out she wanted closure just as much as him.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow swears she saw the pale red head in front of her for a moment, but after shaking herself out of her thoughts, she sees it's just Blue, and a sigh of relief releases some of the tension in her body.

"Y- yeah, just... Remembering things. You know how it is..." She doesn't look her handler in the eye as the faint memory of her mother's voice rings in her ears.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow didn't think she'd ever hear that name again, she only heard it a handful of times, back in Lalokiem, on the dirt road with a house that was falling apart, but not as much as the family living inside it.

Her mind flashes with blurry images of the woman who left her behind, alone in the dirt. Only sparing a single pained glance as their father tugged her towards the truck that had her brother in it, driving off before she could even realize what was going on.

"It's... My mother..." She says with a thousand yard stare, processing the sudden wave of memories that came crashing back up on hearing her name for the first time in decades. So she was dead... Huh. She guessed it was... Nice to know...

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Normally Kai would feel comfortable in the lightened mood, but he tenses up a bit as he pulls out a crumpled piece of paper, stopping and starting as he tries to phrase the question that felt all too personal to be coming out of his mouth. "Do you think... There's.. any possibility, w- with enough time of course, that I could.. maybe visit this place?"

He hands Blue the paper, it reads:

Certificate of Death

Name: Esmeralda Umberush

Place of death: Gerom, Munche

Date of death: 5-23-19##

Cause of death: Gunshot wound

Place of burial: Hillsdale Cemetery

The paper is scratched and creased, a little hard to read, but the important parts remain intact.

Kai takes his weight off the wheelchair and tries to infuse a little confidence into his wavering voice. "If I'm not mistaken, I don't think Hillsdale is too far from here," he rubs his arm sheepishly, he knows it's a long shot, but he's got to try.

Shadow looks up, decidedly confused. "Can someone tell me what's going on here? What's Hillsdale?"

Kai looks down at the ground, the words caught in his throat, his brain is, unfortunately, done with words, though he tries to look to Blue, she seemed closer to his sister than he was at the moment. Though the look on her face was... Less than comforting...

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Leaning on the wheelchair Kai sticks his hand in his pocket, fiddling with a paper, debating whether or not now was a good time.

He tries his best to make eye contact with the handler, "Um, Can I... Ask you a question?" He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, and Shadow looks up at him in curiosity, or confusion, one of two, she couldn't tell yet.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Kai shrugs, a bit unstable on his feet though trying to hide it. "I'm aight. Could be better." The dark bags under his eyes indicate that he hasn't slept much, or at least, not well.

"Rough couple days, y'know?" He stretches his back and leans heavily on Shadow's wheelchair to keep his balance, making it creak a little.

@blueorchid-95

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow sinks further into her handler, her breath calming down as she absorbed her words. She felt calm. For the first time in who knows how long, she felt peace washing over her. A sheet of unfathomable relief was draped around her, hugging her back as she proved her anxiety addled brain wrong. It was okay, and it would be okay.

* * *

A few days later Shadow is given the all clear to start physical therapy. The bandages had mostly come off by now, and she has a wider range of mobility in the waist, but she still couldn't stand very well, and needed to use a wheelchair.

While she was recovering, Kai was getting a few early sessions so he could actually walk and take Shadow to and from the room instead of the doctors having to do it. He still needed a lot of help, but he was in good enough condition to push her to and fro a few times a day... Probably.

He pops into her room the day she was supposed to start, and ruffles her hair, "you ready for this?"

Shadow swats his hand away playfully. "I have been for days."

"That's not what your medical records say." Kai says with a chuckle, she was still so eager to jump the gun, it was strange to see how little had changed, and yet so much.

Shadow rolls her eyes and puts her hand on head, "Let's just go already."

"Alright alright" Kai sighs as he lifts his little sister into the wheelchair next to Blue, who was now considerably harder to ignore.

He gives her a nervous smile and waves after he sets Shadow down. "How're you?"

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow feels a void within her heart fill a little as she hugs her mom back with all her might. Tears spilling over cheeks and onto her handler's shoulder, "you're the first person who's meant it." She cries, but it's laced with joy. Pure unadulterated relief and comfort as her tired body sinks her handler's grasp, once again, after she thought she never would. It would be okay. Everything would be okay.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow is curled up in the fetal position on her hospital bed, sobbing quietly. Absolutely convinced that her mom handler is not coming back. That she too has been dragged away by the cruel abyss of reality. Her vision flickers between the hospital room and the dirt road, the sound of tire tracks spinning in the dirt ringing in her ears.

She hears someone coming down the hall and she shoots up from her bed, clawing at the last drips she's held on to that it's her mom. That maybe reality isn't so cruel sometimes.

Her heart leaps in throat when she sees her handler's face peak out from behind the corner, "BLUE!" She cries out, tears turning to absolute and utter relief flowing through her veins. The railing on her bed prevents her from lunging at her handler to wrap her arms her, feel her warmth, prove to herself that she did come back. And she always would. That there was no need to worry, that bad things happened, but the past doesn't always predict the future. That everything was okay.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow's eyes shake as she stares at her mom's unconvincing face. Too many people have said those words and not come back. Too many unfulfilled promises, too many people yanked away from her too soon, leaving her alone and scared. Again.

She feels the ice sneaking into Blue and her eyes well up with tears, she didn't have a choice. She had to leave, Shadow only hoped whatever was taking her would let her come back. Please, let her come back. Let her be different, please.

"okay..." Is all she's able to mutter, the last vestiges of strength leaving her body as her hand slips off her handler's, she can't afford to hope, not anymore.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow's eyes are wide as saucers, WHAT?! If she thought she could just brush that off as if nothing had happened, well then she had another thing coming.

"Don't lie to me." She says, her voice wavering, her eyes narrowed. "Please. I can't stand alone in the dark anymore. I don't care about the stupid sodas,"

"Don't leave me."

Lilac cried out towards her mother as they drove away on the dirt road, and Shadow eyes flickered between the past and present so much it hurt.

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow voice grows more concerned when her handler doesn't respond, "Blue? Blue?!" She puts her hand to her mom's handler's shoulder to shake her, her internal voice screaming a painfully familiar phrase

DON'T LEAVE ME

All of a sudden she's back on that street behind the dumpster, watching her parents walk away as her mom looked her in the eyes as she said "Don't worry, we'll be back soon."

She knew they were lying.

She wraps her arms around Blue and pulls her close, years prickling at her eyes, not you too, please. Don't leave me. Not again...

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95

[agent--shadow]

Shadow is tempted but knows better than to just move on. Her whole job is to detect when people were lying, you can't sneak that past her, especially not Blue, of all people. She didn't have to talk about it, but she did have to acknowledge it, and to not hide the anguish under a mask of the everyday.

"Only if you promise not to hide your heartache from me." Shadow's tone is light, but Blue can see in her eyes that she's serious, and she's not letting go until her handler admits it. "You don't hafta to talk about it, but you do have to let me be there for you. This is a two way street, after all."

Paper Relations

Shadow sat in her bed next to her handler, who was asleep at the moment, had been for a while. She'd inclined her bed to sit up, used all her spare paper to make paper airplanes, which were now on the floor and out of her reach, and she was bored. Kai was still recovering, her handler was asleep, and all she had left was a stack of paper to consent to group physical therapy.

Kai had requested to be in the same session at her, which she was happy about. She was overjoyed that he seemed like his normal self again and that she could finally spend time with her brother again. After all these years, it was exactly what she wanted. But if they were the case, then why did she have a sinking feeling in her stomach? The feeling that she was missing or overlooking something that would seem obvious later.

She wanted to trust him, wanted so desperately to believe that he was back just the way she remembered him. But... Things changed. She knew that well, and sometimes it was for the better, but oftentimes, especially in situations like his, there were secrets hiding within every crevice, waiting until you let your guard turn to rear their ugly head. She knew she couldn't wait until everything was figured out to trust people again, but... What if it ended until hurting more than just her?

She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to go down that path, and picked up the stack of papers and a pen, and sighed heavily. "paperwork" she muttered under her breath, resigned, distracting herself from her current dilemma with her disdain for such mundanities.

Though she couldn't avoid it for long, and eventually, after dawdling on things for longer than she could bear, decided to judge her handler awake, she'd gotten enough sleep, right?

"Blue," she whispered, trying to be gentle, "hey Blue, I need to talk to you about something..."

@blueorchid-95