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[A breath escapes her as Riley's arms wrap around her - part from the squeeze but mostly from the relief. She's doing good. She's doing something right, she's helping. Even if it's just a little bit. And the response is, thank god, clear and easy to understand. Nothing to guess or risk, not like spoken words. Bodies are honest, and Mukuro has always been better in tune with nonverbal language.

But she knows how it can get, with the static in your head - she remembers, how much having something else to focus on helps. So Mukuro ducks her head, the better to murmur right by Riley's ear.]

It's okay, Riley.
I'm staying here. With you.

[And stay she does. If this goes on long enough, she'll sink slowly to the couch, sit with her rather than lean over her - but she won't let go of Riley no matter what.]

Edited 2021-05-04 00:55 (UTC)

[ Mukuro's soft voice right at Riley's pointed, feathery ear sends a rippling wave of shivers up her spine. So close. So incredibly close, in way she doesn't let herself be with people. It urges her to cling tighter. To try and readjust her arms so the positioning is better.

And...she stays like that, for awhile. She doesn't know how long. Until the clinging and crying stops and she just lets the tension seep from her muscles. It's mostly from exhaustion, not actual relaxation. At some point, she wonders if Mukuro's arm has fallen asleep. It's around that time that Riley starts to realize her breathing's slowed. ]

I... [ Her voice cracks, even though it's barely a whisper. ] 'm s- sorry. Sorry.

[Mukuro is very good at waiting.

She thinks about hours spent stretched across a rooftop. Heat radiating off the concrete, sweat sticking her bangs to her face, the weight of a long-barreled rifle in her hands. Still but for her breathing, for as long as it took for her target to appear. This is - not easier, but more comfortable, and it feels more important, too. So. She waits, for as long as it takes. For Riley's breathing to even out, for the tears to stop, for her shaking to still as she relaxes.]

It's okay. You don't need to - apologize to me.

[Her low voice comes in response only a beat after Riley speaks.]

You helped me, remember...?
I want to be here. I chose to.

[She repeats Riley's wisdom back to her, soft and sure. After a moment, she allows herself to move, just to rub idle circles along Riley's back. Her next sentence is slightly more stilted, a phrase she almost never used:]

...Do you want to - talk about it?

[ The last time someone rubbed her back like this, between her large wings that could stretch the whole span of the couch if she wanted them to, it was Steve—first at the Iskall Resort, where she freaked out at just a single glass of wine and he took her away from the crowds, the mingling. The first person to remove her from a situation since Cairo. It's almost funny, thinking back, because then, she'd thought she...liked him. Like, liked him.

Now the thought of even being perceived like that makes her want to puke. Still, it reminds her, and...the feelings, how warm it felt. She remembers that. Almost like she's feeling it again.

...Oh, no. Steve, did he see too? What would he think, would he be afraid of her? Would he think she's dangerous?

Still trembling a little, only not crying from lack of tears to cry, she sniffles. ]

N- I don't... [ Her voice cracks again. ] I just...wanted to fix it.

[ Fix it. The words leave her mouth naturally. It's how she's been thinking about it all for...for a long, long time. But now, it scares her. ]

[Mukuro takes a slow breath in, holds, releases. It's - wrong. It feels slimy and wrong to not confess her own sins, but it's not about her, right now, and she doesn't want to burden Riley any more than she already is. So she tucks those feelings aside, like carefully sealing a box full of scorpions. She'll deal with it later.

For now, she just keeps rubbing Riley's back.]

I believe you.

[Soft, monotone. Something stable to hang on to.]

What happened...?

[ I went crazy and murdered two of my teammates, I sent an innocent girl to prison, I've been lying for months and months and I've lost the chance to make anything useful of it— ]

He... D-did- d-d-d- did anyone...t-tell you, about the... About what h- happened...in March?

[ Every word feels cracked and broken as she drags them out. Each feels like it's cutting her open, like every moment is bleeding her dry. Riley Williams is so avoidant in explaining this part of her that every step closer claws up her throat and leaves her more hoarse. ]

[She gives a small shake of her head, keeping her eyes on Riley. Her stammering is worse. This is so hard for her, but Mukuro can't think of a way to make it any easier.]

...It's okay.
There's nothing you could say to scare me.

[Except maybe that, in her quiet even voice. Even if she hasn't given every detail of her work, she can still remind Riley she is a soldier, at the very least.]

[ Riley meanwhile can't keep her eyes anywhere in particular. They dart around, not focusing on anything. ]

We... S-s- someone...did something. An-n-nd it...w-we all for- forgot...who we were. We w- were all...human, and...th- there were other m-m- monsters, and- and we'd lived hhh- here. [ The emphasis is there, but mostly the word comes out hard because Riley's having trouble stringing the sentence together. ]

S-s- some of us...h-had f- f-f-families. Like, of...p-p- people here. [ She stops. She stops, very abruptly. This is— ] I didn't— m- my— ...mine b-b- back home, they're not. Um. They're...

[ She can't talk about this. She'll get in trouble. She'll make them hate her more. She'll— ]

I didn't. H-have that. Before. A- um. A g- good one.

[ It's so quiet in here. Riley wonders if Mukuro can hear her pulse too, or if it's just because it's beating in Riley's neck, her ear, all around her. ]

[Mukuro listens, giving Riley as much space as she needs to force out the words. The situation is unbelievable, and Mukuro accepts it instantly. In a world after death where people become monsters, what more could really surprise her?

But there's a particular pause, a very specific hesitation in Riley's speech, that draws her focus. An immediate sense of danger, curling low in her belly before she even fully registers it. Something trained into her long before she ever joined Fenrir, when her surname matched Junko's and neither of them had quite grown their fangs. She's very suddenly reminded of Mikan, of every awful mark under those bandages, and even before that she remembers how that fear felt crawling up her spine, how Junko would shake --

She swallows, and speaks, her voice low and slightly scratchy.]

...Yeah. I - me either.

[She realizes, coming back to herself, that she's gone so still she's stopped rubbing Riley's back - and corrects that, immediately. The last thing she wants is for Riley to feel like she's done something wrong, and she knows how very easy it can be to jump to that conclusion.]

And then...?

[ Her too? That alone, that and the sudden ceasing of steady massaging gives Riley such pause. At the moment, the two of them are close, incredibly so. As such, she can feel the way Mukuro tenses. She can feel the admission before it comes. The worst part of it is after the initial shock, an eerily calm part of her acknowledges that makes sense. Mukuro's—she assumes—around the same age as her, and yet she's a soldier. A soldier good enough to have her talents studied at that fucked up excuse for a school. Even Riley knows, no one with a good family would have that kind of trajectory.

Even after Mukuro prompts her, Riley stays quiet as she considers. Her frantic, avian eyes stop darting about as much, and they even start to wander to glance at Mukuro now.

When she does speak again, it's slow. It's even quieter. It's emphasized, and pronounced. ]

He...killed him. M-m-my— [ Again, she pauses. She tries to get the words right. ] My dad. Aunamee...killed my- my dad.

[ How does she explain this? How does she explain the mental leap, to... ]

When they- they c- caught him, I— I c-c- couldn't just. It... It made sense, t-to.

[ Knife in hand. The sound of a person choking on their own blood. She doesn't know if she's thinking of Aunamee, or Chess. ]

[It's taking so much for Riley to admit this, but Mukuro can't help her immediate thought: is that all?

If anyone had hurt Junko, killed her - Mukuro almost flinches away from the thought alone. She would have done a lot worse than just killed her murderer. She would have destroyed - everything. Everything, as many lives as she could -

But Riley isn't like her. Like them. Hurting someone - doesn't come as naturally to her, it's still something to be ashamed of. So. She just nods, adjusting her position a little to hug Riley tighter, just for a moment. She needs to know Mukuro's not scared of her.]

...I would've done the same thing.

[Her voice is very low. She is very, very sure.]

[He doesn't know that on the other side of this door is a tense conversation, that Riley is breaking down even further with the admission of his death so someone who—to him—is a stranger. All Eridanus knows when he approaches Riley's apartment is that he can hear her voice, and he doesn't wait long enough to wonder if she's developed a habit for talking to herself.

Instead, his mind races. He thinks of a hundred scenarios where Aunamee tracked her down, and then a hundred more. It hastens him beyond reasoning, leads him to that door knob with all the preparation to rip it off of its hinges just to get to Riley a fraction of a second faster.

But it's unlocked, which almost concerns Eridanus more. Slowly, he turns the knob and peeks his head inside. It's a scene he expects, and there's the additional figure he speculated, too—but it isn't a man dressed in white with shattered glass for a head. It's a young girl, likely Riley's age, and he exhales a sigh of relief at the sight of her.]

Riley? [He calls out as he steps into the apartment, and closes—locks—the door behind him. His expression is strained, but gentle, with concern tinging his soft tone.] I'm here now, my dear... I am so sorry it took me so long to arrive.

[ The sound of the door opening sounds warning bells in Riley's ears. She tenses, her head shoots up, and the feathers on her head—those have been molting something fierce, the last few days—shoot out into a shocked crest. ]

The door- you didn't—?! [ It opens before she can finish the question, and she almost feels whiplash from the relief that floods her body.

Everything's going to be okay. He's here now. ]

Dad...! [ She moves to stand, but one of her talons is caught in the couch that she's kind of ripped apart. So, uh, instead, she almost faceplants right into the table, grabbing instinctively at Mukuro to keep her balance. ]

[The door makes her jump a little, too, and she realizes that she definitely hadn't locked it behind her - she'd forgotten, with the blood, and - shit.

But - it's not a stranger, Riley's relief is palpable even before she speaks. 'Dad.' Her grip loosens as soon as Riley moves to greet him. And then reverses very quickly when Riley almost falls over - Mukuro catches her immediately, looking away from the newcomer to her in concern. She stands with her, helping to support her so she can get her talons untangled from the cushions.

Her gaze darts back to Eridanus quickly, though. Riley knows him, trusts him, and that's enough that Mukuro isn't going for her knife, but she can't will away the instinctual nerves around a strange adult man.]

[Eridanus nearly leaps to the side of both girls when Riley trips, though he's stopped only by the fact that his daughter falls right into the arms of her friend. He watches them, silent for a moment, observant of the stranger who seems to be lending her company to Riley. She's tense, that much is obviously—tight shoulders and a darting gaze—she isn't used to strangers, either.

But his focus remains steadfast on sweeping towards them, and dropping down to kneel beside Riley and assist in untangling her. Once freed, Eridanus pulls her into his arms, embracing her tightly.]

I am here, Sunshine. Everything will be alright... I won't let him hurt you. [He sighs the words into her feathered hair, concerned for the loss in their mass, though he won't comment on it for now. And then, his gaze turns upward, towards Mukuro. Though he doesn't look suspicious of her, his eyes are sharp, as if it were the silent stand off between two predator animals.]

Who is your friend? [He asks, voice low, gaze unwavering,] thank you for looking after my daughter, Miss.

[ It really is a rare opportunity that Riley's too distressed to feel embarrassed. Nearly crashing into her coffee table would usually be the perfect recipe for her to fret and freak, but all of this—all the emotions and people, the ones she's accepted support from, the ones she's pushed away—has her too raw to acknowledge any feelings of shame not related to her murders and lies.

As such, she simply clings to Eridanus, desperate for him to wrap her up in his arms like he's been doing since she was a little girl (a few scattered times, from a man she'd met half a year ago). She believed she was all cried out, but a few stray tears escape as she trembles in his arms.

She's afraid of Aunamee, yes. But the more she thinks about it, the more she's afraid not of him hurting her...but of him dissecting her, mentally and emotionally. Every conversation since she murdered him, it's like every foothold she had has turned to sand, washed away by dark waves that threaten to pull her into a whirlpool she's been trying to outswim for longer than she'd ever realized.

The very thought has her trembling. ]

Mu- Mukuro. She's- [ Riley feels like she should say something concrete but nothing's coming to mind. ] She. She lives ac- cross the hall.

[She returns his gaze just as steadily, despite how much smaller and weaker she may be compared to him in his monstrous form. They're clearly measuring each other up - not to fight, probably out of very similar protective feelings. Riley obviously feels perfectly safe, so Mukuro doesn't need to worry for her - so when she speaks, it's in a low, polite voice, if a bit guarded.]

You're welcome, but - you don't need to thank me.
...I owed her.

[She will not elaborate. If she's 'Mukuro from across the hall,' that's exactly what she'll give and nothing more; she's well trained in blending in and playing the role she's given.

Besides, even if she wanted to, she's barely sure of her own feelings or how being friends even works. It's not like she's ever had them until now.]

Edited 2021-05-06 03:35 (UTC)

[Where Riley clings to him, Eridanus falls into the familiar habit of stroking over he hair, her shoulders, holding her to his chest and running his thumb gently over her cheeks to wipe the tears from her eyes. Despite having knives for hands, his tenderness is no doubt seen and felt, as he takes the utmost care to not harm Riley further.]

Your neighbor, I see... [He exhales a quiet sigh, his breath ruffling the hair-feathers that crest her head as his gaze remains on Mukuro. It's softer, now, than it was a moment before. He doesn't sense any malintent coming from the girl, even if she seems to be the seasoned type, based on her body language before.] I will always thank those who choose to help my own. You are a kind girl, miss Mukuro.

[Eridanus stands, bringing Riley with him as he does. He looks down at her, trembling in his arms, and doesn't see the harpy that she is. He sees his daughter, weeping with skinned knees when she fell off her bike. He sees his daughter, bawling after her first competition loss. He sees nothing short of his baby, rolled up into his strong arms, where she will be safe for the rest of her days.]

We should get her comfortable. A glass of water and tucked into bed, preferably. [Eridanus sighs as he rubs his opal-crusted cheek softly against her forehead.] I'll stay with you tonight, Sunshine... Mukuro too, if you like. We will protect you.

[ Unaware of anything she implied to Mukuro, Riley quietly hopes that...even if she hadn't "owed" her, the other girl would've come anyway. Showing all this, it's bad. It's dangerous. It's the opposite of what she's practiced her whole life, but—but it feels good, when someone actually...cares, despite it all. ]

You didn't owe me... [ Riley murmurs this quietly, as she clings to Eridanus. But, she won't protest too much. The water, the rest. There are people she was talking to, but...but they can wait. She's so very tired, so she leans into Eridanus' touch, closing her eyes. At last she seems to relax. ] Stay... Please stay.

[Mukuro glances Riley's way, looking faintly guilty, but - they can talk about this another time. Or not. They could also never discuss this again if that's what Riley prefers. She doesn't know how to navigate this, she just knows she helped and that's good enough for her.

She's already standing to leave when Eridanus extends the invitation - and Riley's murmured plea is enough to make her pause. It's not clear who exactly it's meant for, but. There's no harm in sleeping a room away from her usual couch.]

...All right.

[With that soft acceptance, she ducks into the kitchen to fetch water. Having a task is ideal.]

[Mukuro is apprehensive, but Riley is persuasive in her own ways. Eridanus continues to hold her to his chest, even when he diverges and takes her to her bedroom while her neighbor (friend) fetches a glass of water.

Within the confines of another room, Eridanus lays Riley down into her bed, pulls the sheets around her and sweeps away loose feathers with the back of his hand. He looks her over, minding the fresh cuts that have already begun to congeal and scab where she'd scratched herself too hard.]

I'm glad you had someone closer to you to come to your immediate rescue, Sunshine.

[He murmurs, and in the edges of his deep, rumbling voice is a sorrow of not being able to arrive sooner than Ryslig's bus system could carry him. Despite knowing how to drive now, thanks to that other version of their lives, he is still without his own vehicle to make it a faster trip.]

Does she know... about Aunamee?

[ About Aunamee. Not about anything else. Not about how she's a liar. A murderer. A person who would take away someone's special person—

Riley nods. ]

I... I told her. You can trust her. [ Mukuro burst in here, when... Ah. The scratches on her face. She had forgotten about them. Riley shuts her eyes tight, letting herself breathe slowly. ]

[A few minutes pass before there's a soft knock on the door and Mukuro slips in. She sets the glass of water down at Riley's bedside - as well as some cotton pads and wound cleaning solution. Supplies she'd ducked into 807 to fetch, wanting to make sure Riley's scratches are properly cared for.

She'll have to replace those tomorrow, but the walk to the pharmacy isn't bad.]

...Hey. Um. I'll - be on the couch. If you need me.

[Her voice is very soft, but her eyes dart between Riley and Eridanus one more time before she seems more or less calm. When she's mostly sure everything is okay.

She waits just long enough for goodnights before retreating again.]

[Eridanus nods, though really, it isn't a matter of trust or not. Trust was gained the moment he even saw Mukuro trying her best to calm Riley—anyone who would try to comfort rather than harm her when she was already in such a delicate state is someone he can rely on.

But he doesn't say as much to his daughter now, especially not when Mukuro returns with water and first aid. She's flighty though, with reason—he assumes it's because of his own presence.]

Do not be afraid, my dear. I have already told you that I will not let him harm you, [Eridanus tucks some misplaced feathers behind Riley's ear,] and having more allies will ensure that.

[He knows that Mukuro has already retreated to the living room, but an important discussion is yet to be had.]

Call you friend back in here, my dear. I'm afraid these claws of mine will be terrible for first aid, and you are too shaky to do it yourself.

[ Riley sniffles lightly, pushing even the thought of Aunamee approaching her in the back of her mind. Eridanus' gentle touch helps with that. Safe. Like this, she's safe. ]

What? [ She blinks and brings a hand up, to one of the deeper scratches on her face. ] ...O-oh. Right, I wasn't thinking.

[ She raises her voice just a little, despite how scratchy it is. ] Mukuro? Um... Can you come back here?

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHEERYCHERRY. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 019.46.820.17 * CHEERYCHERRY has joined 019.46.820.17 <CHEERYCHERRY> It's Riley! <CHEERYCHERRY> Please leave a message! <CHEERYCHERRY>** Please be someone with their priorities sorted out properly!

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cw: parental abuse

cw: parental abuse..... 2!

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