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nix-rose · 2 years ago

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Rocket's Little Girl ii

Phoenix flung her curtains open gazing out to see-

A brick wall. Yeah, her hotel room wasn't the best but it was Day 22 on this interesting little planet and also the day that she had set as her birthday.

There were always markets going on in this area. Maybe she should go to socialize a little bit to treat herself.

Self care is good, she thought silently

Recently the young woman had been so wrapped up in moving from place to place, she hadn't done any exploring in this little run down town.

Well, no time like the present, she thought to herself, feeling excited for the day.

After grabbing her key card and her translator, Phoenix left the room wiggling the earpiece on and stuffing her key into her small backpack.

Before she left the lobby she turned to the person working behind the counter.

“Excuse me, are there any exciting places to go around here?”

The being glanced up at her. The only way to describe the look they gave her was incredulous.

“There's a couple of bars down the way. 'Herjard' and 'Drinks, Drink, Drunk'. If you’re looking for something a bit more lively there's a market downtown.“

Phoenix grinned thankfully. “Perfect! I really appreciate it.”

The response she got was a mere grunt.

Phoenix pushed her way through the door, into the busy street.

The hustle and bustle of the city hit Phoenix like a train.

The blunt force of the horns honking, people yelling, and strange smells made Phoenix's head spin. Taking her breath away as she turned left and hoped she was going the right way. There were no signs so Phoenix decided to wander until she wanted to ask for more explicit directions.

The mix of old and new architecture fascinated the young woman. She ran her hand over the uneven stones that she supposed were to resemble bricks. They were cold and rough, the next building was different. Newer. Its walls seemed to be made of a smoother material. Phoenix paused at one of the mirrored walls, fixing her outfit. It was one of her favorites and oh so comfy. Green is a good color on me, she decided with a smile as she turned back to the sidewalk.

The breeze was stagnant and full of dust, although Phoenix was quite sure she could smell some sort of food being cooked.

The sunlight was warm and glittered off of the large buildings, creating a soft light in certain areas. It put a hazy glow on her surroundings.

Soon enough the woman stumbled upon 'Herjard'. It was a bit run down, a couple of window shutters could definitely be replaced and the stairs could really use a touch up but Phoenix heard a lively tune from inside and followed her gut.

Pushing open the doors, Phoenix saw that the interior was no different from the exterior. A couple of walls looked too old to be standing and the ceiling seemed to be caving just slightly but no one seemed worried by any of it. Some people were sitting at the bar and some were sitting at the few tables scattered around the room, none seemed very tipsy and quite a few were on the dancefloor spinning to the music the jolly fiddler was creating.

Phoenix let out a chuckle and made her way to a less populated area of the bar.

With a small sigh the young woman settled into her booth, her seat seemed as if it had been cushy at one point and the table held carvings of initials, dents, and what seemed to be various stab marks. Phoenix ran her fingers over the wooden surface. The texture was soothing to the woman and she quietly continued her pastime, enjoying watching the spinning dancers.

"Whatch'a want, hon'?" A voice startled Phoenix out of her staring. "Or are you jus' living vicariously?"

“Oh,” Phoenix glanced to her menu, not really looking over the options. “I think I'll just get a water. Thank you.”

“S’no problem, I'll be out with that in jus’ a little bit.” And with that the woman turned back to the bar and soon disappeared into the back room.

Not too long after the small exchange, the song ended and the fiddler, along with the people who were dancing, went to the bar to have a break.

The quiet murmur of voices created a white noise which put Phoenix on edge, the change was too abrupt for the woman. Too sudden. Nothing to listen to. Just her head creating its own world of what could happen. A distant shout tore Phoenix from her fantasy, she brought her guard up. Eyes flashing around the room.

Raised voices could be heard but Phoenix couldn't pinpoint from where. A slight sense of dread filled her gut as she heard a loud bang from below. People soon became a little restless around her as footsteps grew louder around her feet.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and glanced around. Maybe this is normal…? she thought to herself. A few individuals looked just as confused as she was. Good. Or bad. A loud yell from below then alerted more people to the unknown guests. The bustling bar then began to grow just a tad quieter.

Without even realizing it, she stood, her feet making a way for the door before she even blinked. Seconds after she left her seat a crash below sent the entire room into a state of frozen panic. Something in her head seemed to shift. The thought that they might be coming for her crossed her mind. Phoenix couldn’t help it, she knew it wasn’t the case… they couldn’t have found her. Rocket had helped her escape them…but Rocket was gone now.

Phoenix had to gulp and shake her head to try and focus. It’s just some random fight, just some random fight…

“Just some random fight,“ Phoenix whispered to herself. After which, she felt her lungs burn. She wasn’t breathing. Phoenix had to get out of here. Forcing a deep breath, Phoenix turned back for the door, as multiple other people began to stand from their seats. Not a moment later, the whole floor shook next, then a loud amount of crashing and shaking filled the whole room.

People started yelling in the bar and scurrying out, but Phoenix just stared at the door. Her body refused to move, instead her hands instinctively went to the knife on her side. Seconds before she was aiming to leave for the door, now her body was betraying her. Keeping still means death. Keeping quiet means death.

Why wasn’t she moving?

Why was everything so distant?

Why was it so loud?

A scream cut through Phoenix’s head, and behind her the floor burst open. They were here. They found her. Tears pricked her eyes as she whirled around and launched herself at the nearest man with a weapon, letting out an ear piercing scream. It honestly might have not been her screaming, but she couldn't tell. All Phoenix knew was that she couldn't see, she couldn't breathe.

She was panicking, the walls were closing in, all she could do was blindly rip open the man in front of her with the blade she clutched like a lifeline. There were voices, the dust was thinning, Phoenix’s heart was racing, she was there again. The screams, the yells, it was all too much. Flickers of lights. Flickers of burning sun in the ceiling. Her hands felt warm and fuzzy. Warm and fuzzy.

Phoenix stared down at the bloodied body and the red staining her hands. The fuzzy feeling made her want to puke. The blood made her once again see the blood on Rocket's back. The blood from her recent stitches that would rip apart. She was ripping apart. They were going to rip her apart.

A person stumbled into the corner of her vision, and her head whipped around, launching at the person. The knife dug into the man’s shoulder as Phoenix started to lose every thought of her present state.

“I CAN’T GO BACK!!” her voice cracked, immediately making her throat burn. All she could see was dust, flickering and flashing lights, and the blood on her hands. She only could hear distant yells, and the pained foreign words of the man in front of her. All Phoenix felt was warmth, and yet she trembled like she was freezing.

A few seconds later, Phoenix stood over another limp body, her own hands shaking. At this point her vision was gone, she could just barely comprehend that blood had dripped into her eyes. With an ever so delicate shaking hand, she wiped away a stream of tears, readjusting the grip on her knife. Then she saw the form of a fuzzy figure. Something about that made her snap. Her body seemed to float, and feel weighed by a thousand planet’s gravity.

Voices drifted around her slipping in and out through her ears. Strangers' muffled tones made her stumble to look around. They were going to open her up again. They were right there. She lunged for the closest person to her, and the knife dug into the woman’s arm. A scream, a yell, and a stinging in phoenix’s cheek were the only things that truly registered. Phoenix wrestled for her own life, only for a voice to cut through the haze.

“-it’s not one of them, kid! You are in a bad smelling bar, surrounded by worse smelling people,“ the gruff voice quickly spoke. The voice. His voice.

Phoenix dared to blink, her movements freezing, and the woman below her also began to cease. “That’s it, kid,“ said the voice in breathless relief.

“We aren't there, we got out. You're on this weird happy planet. You're safe,” he continued. Phoenix felt the air become stuffy and smell like alcohol and iron. A huff was heard but Phoenix could barely comprehend who it came from, she didn’t dare look anywhere but the knife in her hand.

“I am Groot.”

“Yeah I know what I'm doing, ya idiot.”

Phoenix’s heart slowed. With a hard blink, she sat back, the woman below her getting up.

“I- I'm so sorry..” Phoenix gasped. "I swear- I- oh my gosh.. "

People huddled away from the young woman in fear. None of them would make eye contact, scared that if they did she would go feral again.

"You didn't mean to. It was an accidental kinda thing."

He spoke again, taking the attention off of the other beings, who were quickly making their way out of the bar.

Phoenix looked at the owner of the voice, it had been so long…

There was no way…part of her said, but it is him. Her other side assured.

Only one being that she remembered ever talked to her that way.

"Rocket?"

The furry being took a slow step forwards, so as to not frighten her again.

"Yea. It's me, kid, " he breathed out.

Phoenix felt her eyes tearing up, a waterfall of emotion cascading out as if a mental dam had been broken. She reached out in an unspoken question and she grabbed the creature in front of her in a rib crushing embrace.

Phoenix could feel the texture of his fur mixed with the metal embedded in his skeletal system. The smell of grease and dirt mixed in a soothing manner. The way he tensed but melted into the hug as if he fell asleep. Everything was once again right in the world. It was like everything she feared melted away the second she felt little furry claws hold onto her.

"I missed you," she whispered, almost worried that if she talked any louder, he would disappear.

“I missed you too, kid," he whispered back, echoing her own tone.

Phoenix could stay like this for eternity, never letting go again. All too soon a cough came from behind Rocket, that broke the two apart.

"Kay, Rocket. Dude. This seems important and I feel very uncomfortable right now."

Phoenix's head shot up as she let go of her old friend, she hadn't noticed Rocket's companions.

"Oh my god, Quill. Shut up." Rocket snapped at the tall man.

Phoenix tuned-out the bickering and glanced down to her hands. The knife still rested on the floor beside her. Blood and dirt covered her forearms, hands and even her torso.

It was a disturbing image that made her stomach churn. She had ruined her attempt at a normal day and injured multiple beings.

"Oh my gosh I attacked someone-" she rubbed her hands on the floor aggressively to get rid of the blood but her panicking was cut short when she heard her name being called.

"Kid, stop that. Kay? We'll get ya some other clothes as soon as possible. I feel like I'm forgetting somethin'." He turned to Groot, one of his ears was twitching with annoyance.

"I am Groot."

"Oh! Yeah. Introducing the idiots. Blondie is Thor," Rocket nodded at the woman's confused expression "Yea, he's the actual god of lightnin' or something like that. Now, that jacka-"

A scoff cut off the raccoon. Phoenix looked to the man who Rocket had gestured to.

"The name is Peter Quill, princess. But you can call me Star-Lord. And what's your name?"

Quill stepped forwards and offered her his hand. Phoenix drew back at his outgoing attitude. Didn't he just watch me kill three people…? She asked herself, confused as to why this man would want to know her. He was very nice on the eyes, of course he wasn't the god of lighting but his smile held a boy-ish element that drew her in.

By the time all this had gone through her head, she realized an awkward amount of time had passed since his question.

"Uhm, I'm Phoenix.." she stuttered out. She hoped that she wasn't as red as she felt. Thankfully Rocket saw her struggling with the interaction and quickly stepped in between the two.

"Muscle guy. Drax. Metaphors are gonna go right over his head. Completely literal."

Phoenix nodded to the last male being as Rocket introduced him.

"There's only one girl and she's got some kinda mindreader thing but with feelings, I guess. Her name is Mantis. "

Phoenix gave a little wave to the other woman and thankfully the empath, who didn't seem overly worried about Phoenix, waved back.

"I am Groot!"

The woman smiled at the Flora Colossus. He was smaller than when she last saw him but it was the same Groot she used to know.

"I missed you too, Groot. You've gotten… younger..?" Phoenix questioned, unsure how such a thing could happen.

"I am Groot, I am groot. I am Groot." Groot explained excitedly.

A small giggle escaped the woman. "So you're the reason the galaxy is safe right now?"

The small tree nodded, his chest puffed up.

"Well, I believe it. Rocket always got into big problems with ease. And it looks like you've picked up quite the circus."

Rocket rolled his eyes. “Whatever kid, you're just as much trouble. D'you remember planet 429?" He grinned wolfishly at the woman's horrified expression.

Phoenix stood up at this comment and pointed an accusing finger at her furry friend.

"Listen up, fuzzy, we agreed to never speak of that. Ever."

"I am groot!"

Rocket cackled while the woman glared at Groot "See? Even Groot agrees."

Phoenix rolled her eyes with a grin on her face. She missed this banter. "Whatever."

"I am done with this. Why are we still here?" Drax grumbled loudly. "I am all out of chips. Mantis ate them all. "

Mantis looked at Drax indignantly. "I did not! It was pEteR! I don't even like the type of things those are!"

Rocket sighed at the group.

Drax glared over at the leather-wearing man.

"What?" Peter whined "I was hungry, dude!"

Phoenix chuckled at this. She didn't fully trust the group but they were with Rocket and Groot, and quite hilarious

She was startled by a hand on her shoulder. It was Groot again.

"I am Groot."

Phoenix paused. It wasn't a difficult choice, she would love to go to their ship but would they want her?

"Yeah, um, if that's okay, Groot."

Rocket let out a noise in-between a grunt and a scoff.

"Of course it's good. I thought we already established that you were gonna spend the day with us."

Phoenix grinned at the raccoon as Groot led her out of the bar.

"I sure hope this works out.."

When the group had made it to their ship, each being had gone to their respective rooms and ater getting the woman a change of clothes, Rocket took Phoenix to the main area.

He then explained how his group had crashed on this planet after they forgot to make a pitstop for gas and how the crew was now looking for little jobs here and there and how they were the Guardians of the Galaxy.

“I got somethin’ I need to work on in the engine room and it gets hot as heck in there so you're welcome to check out everywhere else here on the ship,” he stated, hopping off of his chair. “It's good to have you back, Kid. ”

A small smile spread across the woman’s face. “It's good to be back,” she admitted.

Rocket padded out the door, but not before Phoenix caught a toothy grin spread across his furry face.

“Oh, yeah!” He stuck his head back in the room, “There's another person here, Nebula. She's a real charmer. Don't piss her off. And stay away from Quill. And if you need anythin’ let me know.”

The woman chuckled quietly, the racoon was never one for being sentimental.

A few minutes passed.

Being alone now, Phoenix’s eyes swept over the messy room.

There was a layer of grime on many of the pipes. It also covered the walls and she didn't even look at the floors. The smell of alcohol and engine grease were the only smells she could distinguish.

Makes sense, it’s mostly a bunch of guys living on one small ship. Of course it was a disaster. She snorted to herself.

Peeking out of the room she could hear a clunking and beeping coming from far below her feet. Taking a breath, she stepped into the hallway. The ship wasn't as stuffy as she expected, cold oxygen filled her lungs. But the hallways were dark and small, putting her on edge slightly.

“Yeah, I'll just stick in here.” Phoenix mumbled to herself, not wanting to have a second episode today.

Turning back to the cockpit, the woman stepped back to the windows. Unfortunately, because of her unawareness she didn't see the divot on the floor until it was too late.

Her ungraceful flailing resulted in a loud crash that rang through the ship, jarring her head and making her bite the tip of her tongue.

Phoenix winced at the flaring pain in her joints and mouth.

"I hope no one heard that," she muttered tersely at her ignorant exploration. Slowly standing up and rubbing her knees and elbows trying to soothe the sting, she kicked at the divot. As if to get payback on the inanimate object.

Looking around once more, she noticed a stack of crates along the wall next to her crash landing area, a flash of orange deep within caught her eye.

Crouching down, Phoenix placed her hand on the side of the bin. The metal chilled her scarred fingers. Despite how warm it was in the room, the woman felt a shiver run down her spine.

The orange object was hidden away under quite a bit of rubble. But soon enough, after moving the countless batteries, blasters, and miscellaneous out of the way, she could safely pull out the strange contraption.

It was some sort of foam piece attached to a few wires, the wires seemed to be buried deeper beneath more junk so, Phoenix kept digging. Her interest grew with every piece of trash moved from the crate.

Reaching her treasure she pulled out a blue box with buttons.

She sounded out the word, tracing her fingers over the letters printed by the little window.

“Saw-ney?” she sounded out, silently wondering how to pronounce the strange word.

"Actually, it's Sony. But good try." A voice from the doorway made the woman jump and drop the box on her lap.

Phoenix whipped her head around to see Quill leaning against the frame staring at her, she felt as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. Until she realized he had spoken to her and was expecting a response.

"Right, thank you, Quill." She bowed her head, hoping the man might go away.

Incoming footsteps shot that wish right out of the sky. Phoenix stayed completely silent as Quill sat down next to her.

"So, d'you know how to use that? "

The woman looked at the leather-clad space pirate in confusion. "Not really?" She said it as more of a question than an answer.

The man laughed. It wasn't a loud guffaw, it was warm and caring and Phoenix found herself becoming more and more entranced by it.

"Well, if you want?" Quill was looking at her expectantly.

Crap. What did he say, she thought wildly. She had gotten too lost in the sound of his voice to notice that he had been talking to her.

"Oh, um. I- sorry. Well, that sounds interesting… "

Quill's grin made her feel as if there were a hundred butterflies in her stomach but that wasn't the weirdest part.

The weirdest part was that she actually enjoyed them. That was, until, Quill breached into her personal space, she yanked her arm back ready to punch him while backing up in alarm.

……

Peter could tell the woman hadn't been paying full attention when he was talking, most women didn't and he was okay with that.

Unfortunately, this chick could kill at least three people in a matter of fifteen seconds and she now was very ready to make that list four, it seemed.

"WOAH, Listen!" Peter put his hands up, surrendering to not escalate the situation. "I'm not gonna hurt you, okay? I'm just showing you what these do."

He saw Phoenix's eyes flashing between him and the headphones

"Just put your hand down. I'm not in any condition to attack you sitting on the floor here anyways. Actually-" Peter put the headphones in front of Phoenix. "You can put those on yourself."

Lowering the clenched fist, the woman glanced down at the speakers in suspicion,

"What do they do exactly?"

Peter stared at the brunette in disbelief. "They're headphones. You listen with 'em… Aren't you from Terra? "

The woman scoffed. "I'm no longer from anywhere. I live where I chose, Quill."

Peter rolled his eyes. God, are all Terran women this full of sass? he quipped internally.

"Listen, just put the dang headphones on so I can show you the coolest thing literally ever." Quill ordered, thrusting the headphones onto Phoenix's lap.

He grabbed his walkman and opened it up checking which one of his tapes were in.

Awesome Mix Vol. 1

Perfect. She looks like she'll know these. He thought giddily.

It had been quite a bit of time since he met someone who appreciated music like he did and finally popping the tape in, he turned to Phoenix.

"You ready?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with joy.

……..

She held the headphones on her ears waiting for whatever it was Quill was going to do.

A quiet melody drifted through her ears before gaining volume and quickening its tempo.

'Listen baby, ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby-'

Phoenix's eyes widened with excitement, she knew this song. She had no idea how, but it was familiar. Every note was perfectly sung, the horns were surrounding her, the crash of the symbols gave her chills. She couldn't remember the words but the melody was embedded in her brain like concrete. The world slipped away, the smelly ship, the leather-clad man in front of her, even the sunlight through the window felt different as the song played.

Humming along quietly, the woman had forgotten that she wasn't alone and soon enough was brought back to reality. Glancing up, obviously embarrassed that she had completely spaced out

Phoenix's eyes caught Quill's and a small smile graced his face in response. She slowly removed the headphones.

"So…?" The leather-clad man asked expectantly, as if daring her to say something against the song.

Phoenix let out a genuine chuckle "I really loved that song way back. I don't remember why exactly. But thank you for sharing with me, Quill."

"Aw! Hell yeah. It's a classic. Of course I would show it to you! You're the only other human I've met for quite a long time out here-" Quill rambled on animatedly, waving his hands around for extra effects.

Phoenix couldn't help but be taken back at his openness. She was never that open with others and others were never that open with her. It wasn't an issue, it was her lifestyle. She would repeat to herself. But then here came this music loving space man who completely turned her day upside-down.

Phoenix chewed the inside of her lip lost in thought.

A snap in front of her face bright her back to reality.

"So, spacing out seems to be a thing for you." Quill smirked at her rosy cheeks.

Phoenix fiddled with the headphones in front of her, setting them to the side she replied slowly

"Sorry… I'm honestly not used to having long conversations with anyone really. It can be a waste of time with a lot of people…" Phoenix looked down at her lap self-consciously. Playing with the hem of her shirt, her head was panicking.

Why did I say that… I shouldn't have said that.. He probably thinks I'm talking about him…

Quill got strangely quiet at her proclamation. He placed the walkman by his side and straightened his posture. “It's not a waste of time. Everyone needs somebody." He stated firmly. Although his expression told a different story. It was almost as if he agreed with her.

Phoenix felt extremely guilty at this, she obviously brought up something he would rather not talk about and she barely knew the guy.

The atmosphere felt awkwardly quiet now. Phoenix fumbled with the headphones before setting them in front of Quill. He took them and messed with the contraption before opening his mouth.

But instead of Quill's cocky tone, a deep, sonorous voice cut off the leather-clad man.

“Oh! I do hope I'm not interrupting anything.” Thor chuckled, stepping into the room.

Phoenix breathed out a sigh of relief at the god's arrival. Hopefully she could find an excuse to get out of this embarrassing encounter.

“Nope, yeah. No. Of course not,” the woman rambled while stumbling to her feet.

Quill was still silent, as he stood he seemed to be weighed down. The change in personality was a complete difference, like day and night.

“Quail, I think the Rabbit is in need of assistance.” Thor announced while 'Quail' rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, well. First off, it's Quill. And second, did he ask for help?” Phoenix could feel the opposite energies from the men clashing like oil and water.

“Yes, that's what I said. And of course! That's why I came to find you!” The god's cheer-y attitude seemed to agitate Quill even more and he stormed out of the room muttering curses under his breath.

Phoenix let out the breath of air she was holding and fiddled with the hem of her shirt. The god kept walking to the windows of the cockpit and slumped down in one of the seats.

“I hope he wasn’t making you uncomfortable, ah, feel free to take a seat,” he motioned to the seat across the aisle.

“Thank you.” She quickly sat in the squishy leather seat. “No, I think I just said the wrong thing. He was being quite nice. ”

Thor gave the woman a look of concern, before hunching forwards to rest his elbow on his knees. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

“Don't judge Quill too quickly, he lost a great deal and-...You do know about Thanos and the saving the world thing..?” he questioned tentatively.

Phoenix shook her head, confused at his hesitant tone. She hasn't heard of her old planet needing saving. “What's a Thanos? When was Terra or in danger?”

Thor froze, she could see the gears turning in his head. Maybe trying to find a way to explain? she thought to herself.

“Where to start… ” the god mumbled under his breath. “Well, a huge purple guy came down to earth and he had these powerful stones, super powerful, and all together he could erase half of all living things. He wanted to balance the universe and he did, he beat all of us and some lost more than others“ He took a breath, it seemed he was trying to keep control of his emotions which made Phoenix's heart ache, this poor man had lost a lot more than what he let on. She was sure of it.

“Everyone who was dusted came back in the end though. Those who didn't come back were killed by Thanos himself. Quill lost his partner, the earth lost three of its mightiest heroes, I lost my brother, and Nebula lost her sister.” Thor had his head ducked to hide, what Phoenix assumed were, unfallen tears. The thought of these kind people losing so much made her eyes water, she sniffled slightly which seemed to remind Thor of what he was doing and he quickly wiped his eyes and straightened up.

“So! You know, a few people are gone but we're learning to live with it. They will always be here in our hearts.” He ended with a saddened tone, a tone that betrayed the loss and grief he had gone through.

The man was in such a vulnerable state that Phoenix couldn't help but reach out to place a hand on his shoulder. The amount of emotion swirling through Phoenix's heart was overwhelming. She hurt for this man, she barely knew him but he immediately broke down her walls and was crying with her within hours of them meeting.

She knew what it was like to be alone, to wish someone were still there. How that heavy feeling pulls oneself down till you can't even imagine what happiness feels like.

“I'm so sorry,” she whispered, placing her hands in her lap. “I have an idea of what you're feeling and I know it's draining and hollowing but it gets better. ”

Thor looked at her, with a bittersweet smile “Thank you. I'm sure it will. I'm sorry that you've had to bear the same weight. ”

Phoenix let out a small smile, before turning to the windows in front of them. “Thank you.”

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, staring out the windshield at the planet in front of them. The dust and faint noise of the city was still noticeable through the glass.

The peaceful silence was broken by a question that made Phoenix tense.

“Do you mind if I ask what happened to you? ”

She swallowed thickly. “I'd rather not talk about it. It's something I'd rather leave behind. I've been working on starting over again and thinking about it isn't going to make any changes in my life right now."

“Of course, you shouldn't feel pressured for something like that,” he replied consolingly while nodding his head.

Phoenix let out the breath she was holding. She felt at ease with this man. He was pleasant to talk to and was extremely welcoming.

Please God, higher power, source energy, whatever you want to be called. Please help me make this group work. I really would love to stay…