[Voice]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[The video doesn't turn on. Instead, there are only muffled sounds- as if the communicator is hidden in a pocket, or something similar. The only noise that can be heard is that of sniffing, and an occasional choked sob. Someone is trying not to cry, and not doing a very good job of it.]

Comments

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Why should I not care? I mean you no harm, I promise.

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

No one else did.

[The boy doesn't uncurl or get any closer to Cecil, but he doesn't pull away further, either.

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

I'm not everyone else.

[ ]

Will you tell me your name? I told you mine.

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

...Theodor.

[He looks down at Cecil's hand before glancing up at his face. Theo's eyes widen as he takes in Cecil's appearance fully.]

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

...Theodor?

[ ]

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[And if Cecil needed any more confirmation, Theo nods and adds on:]

...You look like Mother...

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Your mother... is not here, is she? Or your father?

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[The smile doesn't do much to help, considering that Theodor breaks down in tears again at the mention of parents, even though he tries not to.]

Th- they're dead.

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

As are mine. I know it hurts. I'm sorry.

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[The moment Cecil hugs him, Theodor clings to him, crying into his shoulder. It's the first time since even his father's death several months ago that he's let out his grief at losing them.]

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[Eventually the crying slows, then stops. Theodor lifts his head to rub the tears from his eyes, but he doesn't move away from Cecil at all. He's still upset and hurt and confused, but for once, he hasn't been ridiculed or even hurt for showing it. And that helps a lot, even if it doesn't directly make things better.]

Sorry...

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

Apologizing for crying? [ ] You don't have to be sorry. It's all right to cry sometimes.

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

But I'm not supposed to.

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

...Who told you that?

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[He looks down at his feet, hunching in on himself as if even saying will summon the person who told him that. With the way Kain has been trying to trick him, it's a strong fear.] ...Zemus.

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Zemus cannot hurt you here. I promise you that. I will ensure he does not.

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

But I heard him... he said he would...

[If he were older or less frightened he would question how Cecil knew that. But he mostly wants the reassurance.

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

You heard him? Here? Just now?

[ ]

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[He nods.]

He didn't want me to trust you.

[Action]

[proteusmoon.livejournal.com]

[ ]

What do you think you should do? What do you want to do?

[Action]

[rebornaninsect.livejournal.com]

[Clinging.]

I don't know.