Feeling down? Need someone to talk to confidentially? Reach out to Heather Mason. Appointments not necessary but appreciated. In person at Robin Deli/Sessions with Heather or over network. Video, text, voice, action accepted.
( although their conversation is through audio, the intensity in which his words are spoken almost permeated through and she truly felt she was there. the little noises, the shuffling sounds, it was all painfully audible to heather and as she deciphered what he was trying to say, it seemed like he had been through quite a lot.
just not exactly the journey she had been through, but a lot of parts there that slowly started to make sense. as for the part where he saw that man as a child then as an adult, when she thought back on it, she saw herself at that amusement park.
truly anything was possible. )
This Walter guy....it sounds like he's responsible for all this in a way? Maybe? Does that sound right?
( maybe propelled by a cultist? something about an orphanage? was he an orphan? so many questions, but she didn't want to push henry away or stress him out. )
I found a note in the orphanage... it didn't make much sense... [ His head shakes. His words are jumbling, again; he, at least, is grateful for Heather for giving him that phrasing. It helps him figure out how to unjumble the mess he's saying. ]
Re... returning to the orphanage... it was in shambles and seemed to have been empty for awhile. But there was a note there... it mentioned Walter. Asking about how his progress was. And also mentioned an Alessa. [ A beat. ] But, in all the worlds I traveled, I never met anyone by that name... so I don't think that part matters. [ Whoever she is, he hopes she was able to stay out of their grasp. ]
There was also some pages about a ritual... I couldn't make any sense of it. [ However. ] So... he might be the one responsible... yeah...
( she's just trying her best here henry, to make sense of it all.
however she understood where he was coming from— not long ago she was in his shoes, feeling a wave of desperation, anxiety and annoyance over her own situation. it was only with time and coming to terms with things that she learned to just accept that some things were always going to be outside of her control no matter how hard she tried. with a soft sigh she leaned forward from where she was sitting, elbows resting upon her knees with her hands cradling her face. it was starting to seem that the town of silent hill, its essence transcended far beyond the scope of the city limits.
it went as far as it wanted, possibly even dragging in people who had nothing to do with it. then again, if what she knew about james was true—
she had to wonder what exactly henry did to attract this. )
Henry you know...you're making this really hard for me to keep this whole thing professional.
( because of course she had to be mentioned in all of this. )
I'm going to have to tell you about myself more now, because I know who Alessa is. Although her story might not have too much to do with your own given what you've told me so far.
[ As short and reflexive as the word is, there's sincerity wrapped around it. ]
You do? [ His eyes gloss around the ceiling in thought. He supposes that makes sense; she said she was born in Silent Hill. ] ... the note said they were looking for her. Was she able to get away? If... you know that, I mean.
[ Simply because Heather knows how someone is doesn't mean she will know the answer to his question. But he decides to share his hope with her. Just reading the notes in that prison, he wished something could have been done to save those children. ]
I hope you'll tell me she got away... and is living well somewhere... even if you don't know where... [ A beat. ] Ah... never mind what I just said...
[ If Alessa's story has an unhappy ending, it would be hard to tell. And it'd be even harder to tell knowing the listener is hoping for a happy conclusion. While he intended to share a hope with her, he realizes how selfish it is. ]
( that's all she can say in turn as she gathered her own thoughts and held back her own tears at his kind words. for as scattered and dream-like as his words and movements could be, somewhere between the haze of his personality was a good person underneath it. it wasn't hard for heather to really see that―
during their first interaction he offered to look out for her of his own volition. she didn't understand it at the time but now she did. so it wasn't difficult for her to want to open up to him, even if the voices in her head screamed and told her not to.
how could she not? he was one of the few here who could possibly come to understand her, even if he did end up leaving like james had. )
That girl suffered a lot Henry, a lot of torment and abuse from her mother and schoolmates, but I want you to know despite the many things that cult did for her, there was another man much like you, kind, who came into Silent Hill and saved her.
Not in the traditional sense, but that girl is here in Etraya. Her name now is Heather Mason.
[ Henry makes a soft noise at the compliment; it's more acknowledgement than agreement. Chewing the inside of his cheek, he keeps himself from saying anything unnecessary or derailing.
He can't stop the pained sigh he breathes out at hearing Alessa suffered. Sure, he doesn't know her, but does a person need to know someone to be upset they endured hardship? A cold feeling settles on his shoulders before she gets to the part where she was saved.
His eyes widen hearing that she's in Etraya. He straightens his back and looks around the room, like she may manifest, but more accurately, he thinks he'll go out to meet and make sure she's okay. But it seems - he already did. ]
... you're Alessa? [ Said more like a question than anything else. He squints, eyes roaming the ceiling, as he does some quick math in his head. But he gives up on logic. He met the child version of Walter Sullivan, after all. ]
I'm ... I'm glad you're all right. [ And she's doing so much for others. She spoke earlier about becoming friends, finding connections, and other things that sounded like good advice but Henry wasn't sure how to start on any of those tasks. ] What you're doing now... offering to look after and help people...
[ A pause as he sorts out what to say. ] ... it's ... [ His eyebrows come together. ] ... great. [ That's not quite it. ]
I... [ No, that's not it, either. And he starts again: ]
... you're proud of what you've accomplished... right?
( on the other end of the line, all that could be heard was soft rustling sounds— it was from her hands lifting up and rubbing against her eyes, pushing away any remnants of tears that remained. she swore at the time when the memories first came flooding in that she could handle it, that when that voice took over, it was her and only her. yet the memories played like a movie in her mind, and it was only later now that the emotions, pains, and fears she felt before came flooding in like an intruder. it was almost comedic in a way, when things were finally okay [even if the looming threat of god wrecking her world was hanging above], it was when the pain wanted to come back and remind her of what she went through.
she didn't want to dump all of this on henry, but he had asked and seen fragments of who she was. he knew about silent hill and they could understand each other. )
It's a complicated story, I'd have to tell you all of it in person one day but I reincarnated from both Alessa and a part of my soul I split off long ago. I have all of my memories from back then, but....
Yeah I guess I'm just doing the best that I can to live you know? To be free of all of that and the cult but it seems like even if I'm here, their reach still got as far as...well to your apartment. I'm guessing Walter was just another one of their unfortunate 'disciples'.
( whatever that meant— as for his next question, she hummed a bit, sadness still threatening to make tears pour down her face. )
I don't know Henry....I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm trying to just live a normal life here and help others because I had no one to help me back in those days. Maybe I'm just being a selfish idiot in trying to do this but....I hope I've been able to help you. Even if I did derail things.
[ Just hearing that much, he agrees that it sounds complicated. He still isn't sure he fully understands what is (was?) going on with Walter.
Did he also split a part of his soul? Is that why there are two of them? But why?
He hears the sound of rustling and wonders what it is. Eventually, he decides she must be feeling restless, too. This sort of talk is the kind that gets under the skin. Someone told him that he needed to pull himself together; he wasn't sure how. But everyone is going through something.
Henry understands that hearing Heather's voice and words. ]
I don't think you're selfish. [ He tries to sound firm. ] You're helping others, too. People need someone to talk to, and you're listening. [ A frustrated yet thoughtful sigh. ] Everyone's ... their burdens aren't just... you're trying to do good.
[ He struggles with putting his thoughts together and tries again. ]
No one was there... and now you're here for others... isn't that worth something?
( it was in moments like these that heather's age truly showed or rather her own insecurity caused by the way she grew up came through. she wanted to do right by others, provide a service that could help people feel connected here and yet despite her resolve and head-strong attitude about it all; she was insecure sometimes. she wondered if she would be good enough to do this or if this was all self-indulgent for her, a vehicle for her to heal her own trauma.
yet in henry's words, regardless of what brought them to this point, she felt a sense of security. he was right, people needed someone they could turn to and while she couldn't give advice or the answers people needed, sometimes most people just wanted to vent.
was it a bit different with henry given his unique circumstance and their shared experiences? perhaps but she would still try. )
You're right, and you have a lot for me to listen to. I'm actually....I know this is weird but Henry? I'm a little bit happy we can at least share this together. You know not everyone understands the things we've seen or been through because of that town, or maybe they view it as something we deserve...
but I'd like for you to tell me more if you can? What happened with this Walter guy in the end?
cw: vague mention child abuse, suicide... why are the silent hills like this?
He feels comfort in being able to tell someone what happened and having them understand. Not that he understands all the ins and outs of what occurred. ]
You didn't deserve what happened.
[ That is one point that he wants to make. She didn't deserve to be treated so horrifically by her mother and that cult. No child could do anything to deserve such abuse.
However, for himself, he'd like to think he deserved what happened. It's better than thinking he did nothing and was targeted, if he was honest. Does it ease his anger and frustration? No - but it at least gives him a small sense of control when so much of that has been taken from him.
He pauses and thinks Heather might want that for herself, too. But his point remains the same - a kid shouldn't feel like they did anything to be treated poorly by those that should be protecting them. ]
Sure. [ There's an anger inside him for her, too. But there isn't anyone he can direct that upon. ] That's... so... [ He pauses. ] Walter became a serial killer when he grew up. But he was captured and killed himself in prison. Supposedly.
But then this all happened... and I saw his child self... and his adult self. I don't know what happened to either of them after that, unfortunately. [ Even if she can't see it, he shakes his head helplessly. ] I crawled through a hole I created in my apartment... and woke up in Etraya.
( his words certainly were leaving an impression on her because of all the words, sympathetic expressions, and comfort she had been provides, that specific phrase coming from someone she hadn't known for very long was comforting. she hated to feel like the kind of person who needed such words but in the end they made her feel better about herself. so with a smile, her voice became softer as she spoke back. )
Thank you.
( for now she remained silent, finally sitting in peace with the weight of his words resting on her. she didn't want to steal the entire focus of this conversation towards her so she simply let things be and continued on to the next bit of information he revealed. )
Do you think then maybe the town had something to do with it? Silent Hill? It has these powers...maybe it animated him somehow or another to torture you guys...the holes though I just don't get it but as far as Etraya goes, I don't think you'll find a hole here that leads back to your world.
Or if you do, let me know. I might join you given it's my world too.
( and she had some unfinished business to take care of after all. )
[ Henry lets the silence settle in. He wonders if he's left her with enough to think about and should attempt to end the conversation. Venting to her even a little bit, he worries if he had her second guess her decision to open herself up to listen to others. He hopes not; this is something she chose to help others.
While he doesn't want her to weigh herself down with the troubles and pain of people around her, he also doesn't want her to give up her desire to help. But how can he look out for her? Could he do the same? Offer to listen to the listener? He muses on this point.
... she has more questions for him and that breaks up his thinking. He lets out a single hum to indicate he is attempting to now think on the answer. ]
It's a ritual. [ It's really all he can say. ] I found a lot of pages about a ritual. I don't know... if it has to do with Silent Hill... or something he could do. But how can an ordinary person do something like that?
[ Another dead end. ]
... sorry, that's a crazy thing to say.
[ A beat. ]
But hey, Heather, can I ... I'll ask you something, okay?
( she remained silent for now, waiting to hear what he came up with. although she didn't quite know him as well as she would have liked, it did seem he was the kind of person who took time to process the things said to him and asked of him. even if half the times his words came out all jumbled, each word nearly tripping over the next.
she didn't hold it against him by any means―
after all she was trying here, really trying to connect with him and form a bond. he was the only other person here who was from her world and wasn't actively trying to manipulate her or guide her towards a certain goal [at least she hoped]. it was only when he got those words out that she understood what he meant and how things could possibly be all connected. james and his otherworld, the way he was drawn into that town ― and henry and his holes, how walter seemed to have been guided by the cult for some reason or another [if she had to guess, perhaps it was to bring her to life again]. )
Trust me Henry, my whole existence has been one crazy thing after another, this....this makes more sense to me than you could have imagined.
( she could only wonder who might have set all this in motion, but she'll probably never know. to his next statement or question rather, she made a soft sound of curiosity. )
[ It's unfortunate that anything that he's saying makes sense. Just hearing it sounds like insanity to him, but she understands what he means. It's good to commiserate and it makes him feel less crazy to talk about it with someone, but it can't be good?
He scratches his eyebrow. He doesn't think that it's good that these things happened, to put it lightly. He doesn't think he'll ever fully understand what happened to him or why. There's frustration in knowing that's how it is; there's frustration in knowing how many people died because he was a little too slow to warn or get to them.
Henry feels his mouth quirk at the idea of being able to ask her anything. ]
If... if anything gets too much, you can tell me. I'll do what I can for you.
[ Which isn't asking her anything, but: ] I'm asking you not to carry too much on your own, I guess.
[ Another long pause. ] Yeah, can I ask you not to be alone with your thoughts?
( there was something just so kind about henry that could nearly drive heather to tears—
in fact it did. despite how fragmented all of his phrases were and just how he phrased things, his intentions were the most important aspect of it all. so on the other end, if he listened closely he would be able to hear the sound of things being shuffled about. the sound of a cage opening, shoes being tossed on the ground, and a bunch of other little things. she replayed his words over and over again in her mind before she took a deep breath and spoke back out. )
Don't be sorry, life is one hell of a thing but if we don't raise our chin up and bear through it as best we can, it'll swallow us and beat us down. It's best to keep on smiling and looking forward to the more happier things life has to offer.
( was it naive? perhaps but to heather, this was a form of liberation. life was meant to be enjoyed and while troubling times came to everyone, she refused to be held hostage by those emotions. at least for now, when she had been through the worst.
but there's something else she wanted to say. she'll answer his question shortly. )
[ Rather than chastising her, he agrees with that belief. It's why he tried every day to call out of his apartment; why he beat his hands against the door; why he waved his arms in the window. He believed that something would change to let him have a better tomorrow. While that did not come to pass, he doesn't see why he can't continue those thoughts going forward.
He may not be able to improve his situation, but he might be able to improve others. At least, he hopes that he is able to do so. He can't say that he's great at conversations or expressing himself, but he'll ... try. He'd like to try, anyway. Instead of just existing in the space next to others, he'd like to live with them.
( before he had a chance to protest or say anything else, she ended the conversation and gathered up her pet. she sprinted out the door of her apartment barefoot and in her usual outfit, making her way towards his and peaking in through the doorless apartment.
with a smile on her face, she knocked and waited for him to answer before she called for him. )
Hey Henry it's Heather and Mr. Cheese, let us in will you?
(now giving you the same icons in two different threads)
When people say that they're coming, he goes to walk out of sight rather than be doing as he was doing - standing in his living room staring off at the windows or walls. Someone once asked if he was worried about people coming into his apartment without the door; he thinks that he probably worries them more than the lack of door.
After all, he isn't sure how he'd take someone just standing around staring at nothing. Granted, he's just thinking his thoughts versus doing anything, but -- he gets that'd be a little scary.
Walking around the corner, he offers her his small half-smile. ]
( there's a bit of a strain in the sound of her voice and as she began to walk in, she held mr. cheese close to her chest. once inside, she stood before henry, looking up at him with a smile before she held out her left fist out towards him. )
I just came here to tell you....I won't hold back my thoughts and feelings from you anymore. I'll tell you when things are bothering me and if you want to hear about the stupid things that come up during my time here, I'll tell you that to so...
( holding back a few tears she smiled at him brightly, laughing just a bit. )
[ Normally, in these situations, he would stare at the person and give a small nod. However, he realizes he should say something; Henry's glad he said something first instead of just stared at her thinking that he should say something to such a heartfelt promise. ]
Well good, I hope you're not busy then because Mr. Cheese wanted to also hang out with you. You like Cuban sandwiches? Let's get you some food.
( and with a bright smile she simply tapped his hand lightly before she grabbed it, tugging him along to an adventure he surely would find a bit awkward to be in.
regardless of his feelings, heather was clearly showing him she liked him and cared about him. right down to his weird way of talking and interacting with others. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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just not exactly the journey she had been through, but a lot of parts there that slowly started to make sense. as for the part where he saw that man as a child then as an adult, when she thought back on it, she saw herself at that amusement park.
truly anything was possible. )
This Walter guy....it sounds like he's responsible for all this in a way? Maybe? Does that sound right?
( maybe propelled by a cultist? something about an orphanage? was he an orphan? so many questions, but she didn't want to push henry away or stress him out. )
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[ This Walter guy? ]
I found a note in the orphanage... it didn't make much sense... [ His head shakes. His words are jumbling, again; he, at least, is grateful for Heather for giving him that phrasing. It helps him figure out how to unjumble the mess he's saying. ]
Re... returning to the orphanage... it was in shambles and seemed to have been empty for awhile. But there was a note there... it mentioned Walter. Asking about how his progress was. And also mentioned an Alessa. [ A beat. ] But, in all the worlds I traveled, I never met anyone by that name... so I don't think that part matters. [ Whoever she is, he hopes she was able to stay out of their grasp. ]
There was also some pages about a ritual... I couldn't make any sense of it. [ However. ] So... he might be the one responsible... yeah...
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however she understood where he was coming from— not long ago she was in his shoes, feeling a wave of desperation, anxiety and annoyance over her own situation. it was only with time and coming to terms with things that she learned to just accept that some things were always going to be outside of her control no matter how hard she tried. with a soft sigh she leaned forward from where she was sitting, elbows resting upon her knees with her hands cradling her face. it was starting to seem that the town of silent hill, its essence transcended far beyond the scope of the city limits.
it went as far as it wanted, possibly even dragging in people who had nothing to do with it. then again, if what she knew about james was true—
she had to wonder what exactly henry did to attract this. )
Henry you know...you're making this really hard for me to keep this whole thing professional.
( because of course she had to be mentioned in all of this. )
I'm going to have to tell you about myself more now, because I know who Alessa is. Although her story might not have too much to do with your own given what you've told me so far.
cw: child death and abuse (vague mentioning)
[ As short and reflexive as the word is, there's sincerity wrapped around it. ]
You do? [ His eyes gloss around the ceiling in thought. He supposes that makes sense; she said she was born in Silent Hill. ] ... the note said they were looking for her. Was she able to get away? If... you know that, I mean.
[ Simply because Heather knows how someone is doesn't mean she will know the answer to his question. But he decides to share his hope with her. Just reading the notes in that prison, he wished something could have been done to save those children. ]
I hope you'll tell me she got away... and is living well somewhere... even if you don't know where... [ A beat. ] Ah... never mind what I just said...
[ If Alessa's story has an unhappy ending, it would be hard to tell. And it'd be even harder to tell knowing the listener is hoping for a happy conclusion. While he intended to share a hope with her, he realizes how selfish it is. ]
cw: child abuse mentions
( that's all she can say in turn as she gathered her own thoughts and held back her own tears at his kind words. for as scattered and dream-like as his words and movements could be, somewhere between the haze of his personality was a good person underneath it. it wasn't hard for heather to really see that―
during their first interaction he offered to look out for her of his own volition. she didn't understand it at the time but now she did. so it wasn't difficult for her to want to open up to him, even if the voices in her head screamed and told her not to.
how could she not? he was one of the few here who could possibly come to understand her, even if he did end up leaving like james had. )
That girl suffered a lot Henry, a lot of torment and abuse from her mother and schoolmates, but I want you to know despite the many things that cult did for her, there was another man much like you, kind, who came into Silent Hill and saved her.
Not in the traditional sense, but that girl is here in Etraya. Her name now is Heather Mason.
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He can't stop the pained sigh he breathes out at hearing Alessa suffered. Sure, he doesn't know her, but does a person need to know someone to be upset they endured hardship? A cold feeling settles on his shoulders before she gets to the part where she was saved.
His eyes widen hearing that she's in Etraya. He straightens his back and looks around the room, like she may manifest, but more accurately, he thinks he'll go out to meet and make sure she's okay. But it seems - he already did. ]
... you're Alessa? [ Said more like a question than anything else. He squints, eyes roaming the ceiling, as he does some quick math in his head. But he gives up on logic. He met the child version of Walter Sullivan, after all. ]
I'm ... I'm glad you're all right. [ And she's doing so much for others. She spoke earlier about becoming friends, finding connections, and other things that sounded like good advice but Henry wasn't sure how to start on any of those tasks. ] What you're doing now... offering to look after and help people...
[ A pause as he sorts out what to say. ] ... it's ... [ His eyebrows come together. ] ... great. [ That's not quite it. ]
I... [ No, that's not it, either. And he starts again: ]
... you're proud of what you've accomplished... right?
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she didn't want to dump all of this on henry, but he had asked and seen fragments of who she was. he knew about silent hill and they could understand each other. )
It's a complicated story, I'd have to tell you all of it in person one day but I reincarnated from both Alessa and a part of my soul I split off long ago. I have all of my memories from back then, but....
Yeah I guess I'm just doing the best that I can to live you know? To be free of all of that and the cult but it seems like even if I'm here, their reach still got as far as...well to your apartment. I'm guessing Walter was just another one of their unfortunate 'disciples'.
( whatever that meant— as for his next question, she hummed a bit, sadness still threatening to make tears pour down her face. )
I don't know Henry....I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm trying to just live a normal life here and help others because I had no one to help me back in those days. Maybe I'm just being a selfish idiot in trying to do this but....I hope I've been able to help you. Even if I did derail things.
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Did he also split a part of his soul? Is that why there are two of them? But why?
He hears the sound of rustling and wonders what it is. Eventually, he decides she must be feeling restless, too. This sort of talk is the kind that gets under the skin. Someone told him that he needed to pull himself together; he wasn't sure how. But everyone is going through something.
Henry understands that hearing Heather's voice and words. ]
I don't think you're selfish. [ He tries to sound firm. ] You're helping others, too. People need someone to talk to, and you're listening. [ A frustrated yet thoughtful sigh. ] Everyone's ... their burdens aren't just... you're trying to do good.
[ He struggles with putting his thoughts together and tries again. ]
No one was there... and now you're here for others... isn't that worth something?
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yet in henry's words, regardless of what brought them to this point, she felt a sense of security. he was right, people needed someone they could turn to and while she couldn't give advice or the answers people needed, sometimes most people just wanted to vent.
was it a bit different with henry given his unique circumstance and their shared experiences? perhaps but she would still try. )
You're right, and you have a lot for me to listen to. I'm actually....I know this is weird but Henry? I'm a little bit happy we can at least share this together. You know not everyone understands the things we've seen or been through because of that town, or maybe they view it as something we deserve...
but I'd like for you to tell me more if you can? What happened with this Walter guy in the end?
cw: vague mention child abuse, suicide... why are the silent hills like this?
He feels comfort in being able to tell someone what happened and having them understand. Not that he understands all the ins and outs of what occurred. ]
You didn't deserve what happened.
[ That is one point that he wants to make. She didn't deserve to be treated so horrifically by her mother and that cult. No child could do anything to deserve such abuse.
However, for himself, he'd like to think he deserved what happened. It's better than thinking he did nothing and was targeted, if he was honest. Does it ease his anger and frustration? No - but it at least gives him a small sense of control when so much of that has been taken from him.
He pauses and thinks Heather might want that for herself, too. But his point remains the same - a kid shouldn't feel like they did anything to be treated poorly by those that should be protecting them. ]
Sure. [ There's an anger inside him for her, too. But there isn't anyone he can direct that upon. ] That's... so... [ He pauses. ] Walter became a serial killer when he grew up. But he was captured and killed himself in prison. Supposedly.
But then this all happened... and I saw his child self... and his adult self. I don't know what happened to either of them after that, unfortunately. [ Even if she can't see it, he shakes his head helplessly. ] I crawled through a hole I created in my apartment... and woke up in Etraya.
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Thank you.
( for now she remained silent, finally sitting in peace with the weight of his words resting on her. she didn't want to steal the entire focus of this conversation towards her so she simply let things be and continued on to the next bit of information he revealed. )
Do you think then maybe the town had something to do with it? Silent Hill? It has these powers...maybe it animated him somehow or another to torture you guys...the holes though I just don't get it but as far as Etraya goes, I don't think you'll find a hole here that leads back to your world.
Or if you do, let me know. I might join you given it's my world too.
( and she had some unfinished business to take care of after all. )
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While he doesn't want her to weigh herself down with the troubles and pain of people around her, he also doesn't want her to give up her desire to help. But how can he look out for her? Could he do the same? Offer to listen to the listener? He muses on this point.
... she has more questions for him and that breaks up his thinking. He lets out a single hum to indicate he is attempting to now think on the answer. ]
It's a ritual. [ It's really all he can say. ] I found a lot of pages about a ritual. I don't know... if it has to do with Silent Hill... or something he could do. But how can an ordinary person do something like that?
[ Another dead end. ]
... sorry, that's a crazy thing to say.
[ A beat. ]
But hey, Heather, can I ... I'll ask you something, okay?
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she didn't hold it against him by any means―
after all she was trying here, really trying to connect with him and form a bond. he was the only other person here who was from her world and wasn't actively trying to manipulate her or guide her towards a certain goal [at least she hoped]. it was only when he got those words out that she understood what he meant and how things could possibly be all connected. james and his otherworld, the way he was drawn into that town ― and henry and his holes, how walter seemed to have been guided by the cult for some reason or another [if she had to guess, perhaps it was to bring her to life again]. )
Trust me Henry, my whole existence has been one crazy thing after another, this....this makes more sense to me than you could have imagined.
( she could only wonder who might have set all this in motion, but she'll probably never know. to his next statement or question rather, she made a soft sound of curiosity. )
Sure, you can ask me anything.
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[ It's unfortunate that anything that he's saying makes sense. Just hearing it sounds like insanity to him, but she understands what he means. It's good to commiserate and it makes him feel less crazy to talk about it with someone, but it can't be good?
He scratches his eyebrow. He doesn't think that it's good that these things happened, to put it lightly. He doesn't think he'll ever fully understand what happened to him or why. There's frustration in knowing that's how it is; there's frustration in knowing how many people died because he was a little too slow to warn or get to them.
Henry feels his mouth quirk at the idea of being able to ask her anything. ]
If... if anything gets too much, you can tell me. I'll do what I can for you.
[ Which isn't asking her anything, but: ] I'm asking you not to carry too much on your own, I guess.
[ Another long pause. ] Yeah, can I ask you not to be alone with your thoughts?
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in fact it did. despite how fragmented all of his phrases were and just how he phrased things, his intentions were the most important aspect of it all. so on the other end, if he listened closely he would be able to hear the sound of things being shuffled about. the sound of a cage opening, shoes being tossed on the ground, and a bunch of other little things. she replayed his words over and over again in her mind before she took a deep breath and spoke back out. )
Don't be sorry, life is one hell of a thing but if we don't raise our chin up and bear through it as best we can, it'll swallow us and beat us down. It's best to keep on smiling and looking forward to the more happier things life has to offer.
( was it naive? perhaps but to heather, this was a form of liberation. life was meant to be enjoyed and while troubling times came to everyone, she refused to be held hostage by those emotions. at least for now, when she had been through the worst.
but there's something else she wanted to say. she'll answer his question shortly. )
Hey Henry, are you at your apartment?
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[ Rather than chastising her, he agrees with that belief. It's why he tried every day to call out of his apartment; why he beat his hands against the door; why he waved his arms in the window. He believed that something would change to let him have a better tomorrow. While that did not come to pass, he doesn't see why he can't continue those thoughts going forward.
He may not be able to improve his situation, but he might be able to improve others. At least, he hopes that he is able to do so. He can't say that he's great at conversations or expressing himself, but he'll ... try. He'd like to try, anyway. Instead of just existing in the space next to others, he'd like to live with them.
Henry pauses at the question. ]
I am.
— action
( before he had a chance to protest or say anything else, she ended the conversation and gathered up her pet. she sprinted out the door of her apartment barefoot and in her usual outfit, making her way towards his and peaking in through the doorless apartment.
with a smile on her face, she knocked and waited for him to answer before she called for him. )
Hey Henry it's Heather and Mr. Cheese, let us in will you?
(now giving you the same icons in two different threads)
[ He calls around the corner.
When people say that they're coming, he goes to walk out of sight rather than be doing as he was doing - standing in his living room staring off at the windows or walls. Someone once asked if he was worried about people coming into his apartment without the door; he thinks that he probably worries them more than the lack of door.
After all, he isn't sure how he'd take someone just standing around staring at nothing. Granted, he's just thinking his thoughts versus doing anything, but -- he gets that'd be a little scary.
Walking around the corner, he offers her his small half-smile. ]
Hello.
wonderful haha ♡
( there's a bit of a strain in the sound of her voice and as she began to walk in, she held mr. cheese close to her chest. once inside, she stood before henry, looking up at him with a smile before she held out her left fist out towards him. )
I just came here to tell you....I won't hold back my thoughts and feelings from you anymore. I'll tell you when things are bothering me and if you want to hear about the stupid things that come up during my time here, I'll tell you that to so...
( holding back a few tears she smiled at him brightly, laughing just a bit. )
Let's bump on it, make a promise okay?
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[ Normally, in these situations, he would stare at the person and give a small nod. However, he realizes he should say something; Henry's glad he said something first instead of just stared at her thinking that he should say something to such a heartfelt promise. ]
Okay, it's a promise.
ending this here ♥
( and with a bright smile she simply tapped his hand lightly before she grabbed it, tugging him along to an adventure he surely would find a bit awkward to be in.
regardless of his feelings, heather was clearly showing him she liked him and cared about him. right down to his weird way of talking and interacting with others. )