[It may come as a surprise to her that he seems to grab her forearm without any sense of hesitation or fear that would normally come with trying to do this. Not that he would do it to anyone, but there is a sort of desperation in his grip to keep her close. Although, he keeps a distance between the two so that she isn't uncomfortable with his presence being so close to her. He knows that he needs to give her some space, too, just in case.
Scott's departure did a number on him, and it feels like Maelle may be the only sibling figure that he has left. He wants to latch onto it as much as he can, in fear that she'll disappear too.]
... Huh?
[Asleep or catatonic for a month. Or both. It sounds familiar. That look that she gives him is even more familiar to him. The look of despair and fear.
Still, he owes her an explanation. It doesn't stop him from letting his head drop to hide his face. He fears that if she were to see him be weak, then she might judge him for it. Even though, deep down, he knows that she'd be the last person to judge him for being. Normal.]
... It is hard to describe, and I have learned that it's more of a modern thing than anything.
[Alexander lets go, letting his eyes peer up into her own again.]
It just happens. There are times where my body becomes numb and overwhelmed with sadness that I cannot get rid of. It is quite severe, and I have been given medicine for it but I suppose it was one of those... Months. It would be dangerous; but my anatomy is different from a normal person's.
[He shifts in his bed a bit, letting his eyes wander to the other bed that he put in here for her. It's been used a few times, it seems.]
[ In many ways, Alexander is still such a mystery to her, and not only because of this. The way that he reaches out as if to make sure she's real, steadying himself with a hand at her arm... The teenager frowns softly, taking it all in with a lot of questions that she keeps contained within herself. ]
"Modern?" ...Oh. You mean...it's only started happening recently? [ Why? Because of the fae? She huffs out an exhale at the idea that their captors might be inflicting even more hardship on some of them than usual, defensiveness flaring up within her. But...he goes on to explain and that inner fire quiets down again as she listens. ]
I'm sorry. [ She offers gently. It sounds like the kinds of things all the 33s were struggling with after the beach. Number. Overwhelmed with sadness.
It's the kind of thing she's been feeling a lot here lately, too. ]
Does anyone else in your family have this happen to them? [ Maelle asks, shifting her weight a little where she sits. Hopefully it isn't too invasive. ] Or is it just you?
Edited (shakes fist at html) 2026-02-06 18:49 (UTC)
[It comes to mind that he should be the one to apologize. That's what he's been doing for the last several centuries when his body gives in like this. He worries everyone when he's in this state, and then he continues to worry people when he wakes up from his stupor. This is no different.
He wants to open his mouth to apologize, but his words fall short when she shows empathy to him. He would have expected it from his family, and his friends back home that had to deal with it once in awhile but... Truly, when he thinks about it, she stands with those people.]
No... I was born with it. There was not a word for it when I was born but modern doctors and researchers have given it a word.
[He's too tired to think about the proper wording. Instead, he just focuses on her question, which... Makes him feel awful. He doesn't know why, but it does. He tries to hide it on his face, and looks down instead.]
It's just me. It's just me.
[Alexander tries not to sound bitter as his words are hissed out.]
[ She tilts her head to indicate her quiet curiosity, but doesn't press when he doesn't define it. He'll share when he's ready, if that's something he'll ever be. ]
It's okay. [ Maelle stresses, concerned most of all by the way he's acting: blaming himself for something clearly beyond his control, and which hadn't done her any harm (beyond worrying). The teenager just shakes her head to dismiss his apologies, sitting back and continuing to frown at him as if ready to chastise him for any further self-flagellation. ] Really, Alexander. I'm just glad you're okay.
[ The idea of losing anyone else is...too much. So she's more than happy to just focus on the relief that his waking up brings her. ]
Things've been...okay, yeah. [ They haven't, but she isn't going to burden him with that when he's just woken up. ] I can catch you up once you've had some time to really wake up. Maybe...get something to eat?
[It's been several centuries, and even now, he feels like he has to explain. It's not just toward her, but everyone. His loved ones especially. They always give him the same answer though. The same one that Maelle gives. It's comforting, but it doesn't stop the guilt. Those awful thoughts that he's had for several centuries now. The ones that attack him the most when he's at his most vulnerable.
It takes him a full minute to close his eyes. He only cries in front of the people he trusts the most. It's a silent cry, though, and Maelle might be able to see a few tears falling from his eyes that he closes away. He can only hope that the darkness of the room makes it hard to notice.]
...?
[That's an odd reaction. Something has clearly happened -- something or maybe someone? He doesn't know yet, but he wants to know. He's tired, but it's hard to deny that sharp, almost murderous look. Not at her, but at whatever might have happened.
The look is terrifying.]
... I do not need to eat or drink to survive; my anatomy is different.
[He hasn't really spoken about it to anyone. It didn't really matter in hindsight, but he didn't want to worry her. He's done that enough. Like he always does.]
[ Her breath hitches when she sees the tears and she assumes something's wrong, but...she doesn't comment. It's possible he doesn't want her to see, after all, and so she glances away out of respect for him, though her concerned expression and pinched brow remain. ]
Right. I forgot. [ That he doesn't need to eat or drink. They'd met after he'd baked for her, after all, and so she tends to associate him with food to a degree. ] Sorry.
[ Not that he'd made her feel bad for it, of course, but because it seems like an important thing to remember. Maelle is immediately distracted by the question, though, and she stiffens a little as he asks. ]
I... [ Where to begin? But just as quickly as the thought occurs to her, she banishes it with a sharp shake of her head. ] No, that isn't important right now. I want to make sure you're okay. And I'm fine, alright?
[ At least for now. She can be fine to ensure she's able to look after Alexander. ]
[He can't seem to keep that pointed stare for too long. If she doesn't want to talk about it right now, then she doesn't. He isn't mad about that at all, but it doesn't make him feel less terrible for being incapacitated. He can't help it at times; it's just what his body does but. When he wakes up and hears that something has happened, he can't help but feel disappointed in himself.
For being this way.]
... I'm fine.
[He truly looks like a bear that just came out of hibernation, though. His hair is all over the place and his pinions are likely covering the blankets underneath him. Though, he still looks exhausted. Not exhausted enough to not move his body, scooting toward the middle of it so that Maelle can have a place to sit if she should want to sit there. Though, there was a bed ajar to them if she didn't feel comfortable sitting by him.]
Truly, I am. I will likely just lay in bed for a few more days before I stand up and do something else.
[A pause.]
You caught me at a good time... Being awake before I fall asleep again. Though, I suppose I would just be laying in bed -- not dead to the world.
[Unlike himself, Maelle does need to eat or drink something. He figures that she's familiar with the layout of this place to find herself some snacks if she were hungry. As for water...]
How long have you been here for? Did you eat or drink water?
Okay. [ She has to trust that he's being honest...to a degree, though her fretfulness is plain on her face anyway. ] You'll message me if you need anything though, right? I'm not gonna let you...I dunno, keep quiet 'cause you think it's a bother.
[ He doesn't seem the type, but maybe he could be if he felt it was imposing on her. And there's nothing Maelle wants less than to feel like someone she cares about is struggling, but not telling her about it. ]
I'm glad for that. [ She scoffs. That he isn't "dead to the world," that is, even if it's just a figure of speech.
The questions earns him a tired nod as she tucks a wayward piece of hair behind her ear. ]
Yeah. I've been okay, I mean. I've been coming and going. [ Being here makes her anxious, being away makes her anxious. So...her compromise is to do both. ] You don't have to worry about that, okay? Seriously.
[What is she? Sophia? Alexander, despite his tiredness, can only make a face at her. She isn't wrong; he would simply stay quiet and go back to sleep if he could. Though, he knows that would just worry people even more, and Maelle confirms that he can't just keep quiet like he usually does.]
If that is what you wish... I do think that I'm a bother, but if you would rather I bother you then I will. But you've just made a dent in my plans to go back to sleep for the next few days.
[Probably for the best he doesn't. His body feels sore, and he slowly stretches out in place like a cat. Every bone in his body possibly cracking from being asleep for far too long.]
Coming and going is not exactly a great thing, but if being here brings you some sort of comfort, then I am happy that you have this place. Like many others back home, my siblings come in and out of my room to keep my body company. ... Unfortunately, I lack the technology to keep you entertained for too long.
[He has his phone that has a charge here and there but he'll live.]
You don't have to say anything if you don't want to; I won't bother you about it.
[He's learned long ago, and even from his own self that no one will say anything unless they feel like. No amount of prodding will ever make someone talk. ... Unless you employ his other methods but that doesn't count.]
What have you been up to? Other than coming and going from here... There must have been some things the fae have done while I have been asleep.
[ Maelle watches as he stretches, arcing her own back a little until her spine and shoulders give one or two pops. She hasn't been holed up here anywhere near as long as Alexander, but just the time she's spent in the tree house today has her body aching a bit from the way she'd been sitting. ]
I don't need entertainment. [ She chuckles, shaking her head. ] That's not why I stop by. I'm here to check on you.
[ So help her if he apologises one more time for being asleep!!
Fortunately it's easier to segue into the conversation about what's been going on in the fae realm lately. Maelle hums thoughtfully, shifting her position again as she thinks back. ]
Oh, well. Daytime's back. That's a huge one. She'd almost forgotten to bring it up, even as the sun peeks through the wood slats of the tree house. ] Don't ask me the details though, I can never remember all the fae drama. [ What else? ] I helped someone named Peter to recapture a star, which sounds crazy. It was actually really cute, though. Like a little rabbit.
[ They almost hadn't caught it, too, skittish as the thing was. ]
[Alexander may or may not look horrified to hear the sound of a crack or two coming from a young lady. However, given what she's told him, it's no doubt she holds stress. Anyone would be stressed with the emotional load that's been given to her at such a young age.]
Your body shouldn't be making sounds at that age, but mine shouldn't either.
[Still, with his body stretched out and thoroughly cracked, he leans back against the bed with his arms crossed in thought. Just barely staring through the cracks that showed daylight from outside.]
No, I wouldn't expect you to give me details like that. I hardly pay attention to what the fae do... Most of it is nonsense to me.
[Even as she mentions capturing a star, he can only laugh. It's absurd, but surprisingly cute.]
Is it truly all that crazy when we are stuck in this place? Still, I am glad that you experienced a pleasant thing, rather than something nefarious. I wouldn't want you to turn into stardust for touching a star.
[Overall, she looks fine though... No visible changes that he can see.]
[ Maelle has to laugh a little at his words, offering a one-shouldered shrug. ]
I think it's normal. A little bit, anyway. [ Not like the way old people (in their 30s) creak and groan. She isn't quite there yet.
He decries the fae and she nods along with it, ever in agreement about their shared dislike of their captors. ]
"Nonsense" is right. [ The fae are petty in a way she hasn't encountered before. So many of the people back home are overly serious and sincere, given the kind of world they all live in, so to be under the thumb of almost immature, but powerful, beings is...annoying. ]
Oh, hadn't thought of that. [ The stardust bit. Though she pauses thoughtfully before adding: ] Actually, I never touched it. We lured it in close and just sort of...got it to go in the lantern. So I've got no idea what would've happened.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
prestigiously) wrote2025-07-30 08:31 pm
no subject
Scott's departure did a number on him, and it feels like Maelle may be the only sibling figure that he has left. He wants to latch onto it as much as he can, in fear that she'll disappear too.]
... Huh?
[Asleep or catatonic for a month. Or both. It sounds familiar. That look that she gives him is even more familiar to him. The look of despair and fear.
Still, he owes her an explanation. It doesn't stop him from letting his head drop to hide his face. He fears that if she were to see him be weak, then she might judge him for it. Even though, deep down, he knows that she'd be the last person to judge him for being. Normal.]
... It is hard to describe, and I have learned that it's more of a modern thing than anything.
[Alexander lets go, letting his eyes peer up into her own again.]
It just happens. There are times where my body becomes numb and overwhelmed with sadness that I cannot get rid of. It is quite severe, and I have been given medicine for it but I suppose it was one of those... Months. It would be dangerous; but my anatomy is different from a normal person's.
[He shifts in his bed a bit, letting his eyes wander to the other bed that he put in here for her. It's been used a few times, it seems.]
You used your key. Good.
no subject
"Modern?" ...Oh. You mean...it's only started happening recently? [ Why? Because of the fae? She huffs out an exhale at the idea that their captors might be inflicting even more hardship on some of them than usual, defensiveness flaring up within her. But...he goes on to explain and that inner fire quiets down again as she listens. ]
I'm sorry. [ She offers gently. It sounds like the kinds of things all the 33s were struggling with after the beach. Number. Overwhelmed with sadness.
It's the kind of thing she's been feeling a lot here lately, too. ]
Does anyone else in your family have this happen to them? [ Maelle asks, shifting her weight a little where she sits. Hopefully it isn't too invasive. ] Or is it just you?
no subject
He wants to open his mouth to apologize, but his words fall short when she shows empathy to him. He would have expected it from his family, and his friends back home that had to deal with it once in awhile but... Truly, when he thinks about it, she stands with those people.]
No... I was born with it. There was not a word for it when I was born but modern doctors and researchers have given it a word.
[He's too tired to think about the proper wording. Instead, he just focuses on her question, which... Makes him feel awful. He doesn't know why, but it does. He tries to hide it on his face, and looks down instead.]
It's just me. It's just me.
[Alexander tries not to sound bitter as his words are hissed out.]
... Sorry. Have things been okay?
no subject
It's okay. [ Maelle stresses, concerned most of all by the way he's acting: blaming himself for something clearly beyond his control, and which hadn't done her any harm (beyond worrying). The teenager just shakes her head to dismiss his apologies, sitting back and continuing to frown at him as if ready to chastise him for any further self-flagellation. ] Really, Alexander. I'm just glad you're okay.
[ The idea of losing anyone else is...too much. So she's more than happy to just focus on the relief that his waking up brings her. ]
Things've been...okay, yeah. [ They haven't, but she isn't going to burden him with that when he's just woken up. ] I can catch you up once you've had some time to really wake up. Maybe...get something to eat?
[ He must be starving, right? ]
no subject
It takes him a full minute to close his eyes. He only cries in front of the people he trusts the most. It's a silent cry, though, and Maelle might be able to see a few tears falling from his eyes that he closes away. He can only hope that the darkness of the room makes it hard to notice.]
...?
[That's an odd reaction. Something has clearly happened -- something or maybe someone? He doesn't know yet, but he wants to know. He's tired, but it's hard to deny that sharp, almost murderous look. Not at her, but at whatever might have happened.
The look is terrifying.]
... I do not need to eat or drink to survive; my anatomy is different.
[He hasn't really spoken about it to anyone. It didn't really matter in hindsight, but he didn't want to worry her. He's done that enough. Like he always does.]
What happened?
no subject
Right. I forgot. [ That he doesn't need to eat or drink. They'd met after he'd baked for her, after all, and so she tends to associate him with food to a degree. ] Sorry.
[ Not that he'd made her feel bad for it, of course, but because it seems like an important thing to remember. Maelle is immediately distracted by the question, though, and she stiffens a little as he asks. ]
I... [ Where to begin? But just as quickly as the thought occurs to her, she banishes it with a sharp shake of her head. ] No, that isn't important right now. I want to make sure you're okay. And I'm fine, alright?
[ At least for now. She can be fine to ensure she's able to look after Alexander. ]
no subject
For being this way.]
... I'm fine.
[He truly looks like a bear that just came out of hibernation, though. His hair is all over the place and his pinions are likely covering the blankets underneath him. Though, he still looks exhausted. Not exhausted enough to not move his body, scooting toward the middle of it so that Maelle can have a place to sit if she should want to sit there. Though, there was a bed ajar to them if she didn't feel comfortable sitting by him.]
Truly, I am. I will likely just lay in bed for a few more days before I stand up and do something else.
[A pause.]
You caught me at a good time... Being awake before I fall asleep again. Though, I suppose I would just be laying in bed -- not dead to the world.
[Unlike himself, Maelle does need to eat or drink something. He figures that she's familiar with the layout of this place to find herself some snacks if she were hungry. As for water...]
How long have you been here for? Did you eat or drink water?
no subject
[ He doesn't seem the type, but maybe he could be if he felt it was imposing on her. And there's nothing Maelle wants less than to feel like someone she cares about is struggling, but not telling her about it. ]
I'm glad for that. [ She scoffs. That he isn't "dead to the world," that is, even if it's just a figure of speech.
The questions earns him a tired nod as she tucks a wayward piece of hair behind her ear. ]
Yeah. I've been okay, I mean. I've been coming and going. [ Being here makes her anxious, being away makes her anxious. So...her compromise is to do both. ] You don't have to worry about that, okay? Seriously.
no subject
If that is what you wish... I do think that I'm a bother, but if you would rather I bother you then I will. But you've just made a dent in my plans to go back to sleep for the next few days.
[Probably for the best he doesn't. His body feels sore, and he slowly stretches out in place like a cat. Every bone in his body possibly cracking from being asleep for far too long.]
Coming and going is not exactly a great thing, but if being here brings you some sort of comfort, then I am happy that you have this place. Like many others back home, my siblings come in and out of my room to keep my body company. ... Unfortunately, I lack the technology to keep you entertained for too long.
[He has his phone that has a charge here and there but he'll live.]
You don't have to say anything if you don't want to; I won't bother you about it.
[He's learned long ago, and even from his own self that no one will say anything unless they feel like. No amount of prodding will ever make someone talk. ... Unless you employ his other methods but that doesn't count.]
What have you been up to? Other than coming and going from here... There must have been some things the fae have done while I have been asleep.
no subject
I don't need entertainment. [ She chuckles, shaking her head. ] That's not why I stop by. I'm here to check on you.
[ So help her if he apologises one more time for being asleep!!
Fortunately it's easier to segue into the conversation about what's been going on in the fae realm lately. Maelle hums thoughtfully, shifting her position again as she thinks back. ]
Oh, well. Daytime's back. That's a huge one. She'd almost forgotten to bring it up, even as the sun peeks through the wood slats of the tree house. ] Don't ask me the details though, I can never remember all the fae drama. [ What else? ] I helped someone named Peter to recapture a star, which sounds crazy. It was actually really cute, though. Like a little rabbit.
[ They almost hadn't caught it, too, skittish as the thing was. ]
no subject
Your body shouldn't be making sounds at that age, but mine shouldn't either.
[Still, with his body stretched out and thoroughly cracked, he leans back against the bed with his arms crossed in thought. Just barely staring through the cracks that showed daylight from outside.]
No, I wouldn't expect you to give me details like that. I hardly pay attention to what the fae do... Most of it is nonsense to me.
[Even as she mentions capturing a star, he can only laugh. It's absurd, but surprisingly cute.]
Is it truly all that crazy when we are stuck in this place? Still, I am glad that you experienced a pleasant thing, rather than something nefarious. I wouldn't want you to turn into stardust for touching a star.
[Overall, she looks fine though... No visible changes that he can see.]
You look good though. I am glad you weren't hurt.
no subject
I think it's normal. A little bit, anyway. [ Not like the way old people (in their 30s) creak and groan. She isn't quite there yet.
He decries the fae and she nods along with it, ever in agreement about their shared dislike of their captors. ]
"Nonsense" is right. [ The fae are petty in a way she hasn't encountered before. So many of the people back home are overly serious and sincere, given the kind of world they all live in, so to be under the thumb of almost immature, but powerful, beings is...annoying. ]
Oh, hadn't thought of that. [ The stardust bit. Though she pauses thoughtfully before adding: ] Actually, I never touched it. We lured it in close and just sort of...got it to go in the lantern. So I've got no idea what would've happened.
[ Whoops! But all's well that ends well, right? ]