[Jesse practically powerslides into the photo scene--from the jist of what he got, Aubrey's life is not good. He remembers the house he'd gone to collect money from, the little boy in tattered clothes who would let a stranger make him a marshmallow sandwich because he was just that hungry and alone.
Then suddenly they're here with kid Aubrey, and now teen Aubrey's here too and tearing things up. Jesse doesn't want to fight a young girl, but she's also attacking Mafuyu, so...]
Yeah, what Mafu said!
[He does move forward to stand in the way of the two girls just in case, though.]
Look, I get it, you're pissed. It sucks when your pals leave you and people you love die and you can't do shit about it. But taking it out on the kids ain't gonna make you feel less shitty. [Jesse frowns, his face clouding a bit.] Trust me, man, I know.
They aren't even real. They're just ghosts of a time left behind.
[The frustration is clear in her voice as she takes another swing, this time at Jesse - but misses (10). It does still tear up the photo even more, however.]
I understand this pain, Aubrey. I know what it feels like to want to destroy everything around you- it's either that or yourself. You won't help anything like this.
( ...
mafuyu inhales, and draws the bow. )
You're going to kill your own heart before you do anything for anyone like this.
[Her eyes go wide as she's shot - but curiously, the hole it leaves doesn't bleed, instead looking like a puncture through paper.
Aubrey(?) doesn't move like she's been shot, either, still approaching to take another swing (7) - causing no damage to the two in front of her, but creating yet another tear.]
...Why do you even care? Why do you keep fighting back?
Because if I turn away from someone hurting when I am, I am deserving of nothing. If I let you hurt- then... I can't say "I want to be friends" or "I want to understand" sincerely. Because I- even if I don't believe it sometimes, there are those I love who believe that people like us can heal. And I want to help that. You didn't deserve this pain. Or this loneliness. Neither did they.
Don't make us fight you, Aubrey. Please.
( its. a good thing jesse is here, actually. or she would stop defending herself again. )
( mafuyu nods at jesse's observation, narrowing her eyes and drawing another arrow. ... )
And he was wrong. And probably needs a lot of help that you can't give- which isn't your responsibility. But when you're left with the ashes, what then? What comes next?
[Jesse looks a bit shocked at hearing about what this "Sunny" did.]
What a dick. [God, this sounds so damn complicated and Jesse isn't sure how equipped he is for this.] This ain't about him, though, it's about what your friend dying did to you. That's probably why your friends are--
[And then he gets swung at with the bat, one of the nails grazing his shoulder.] Hey, knock it off, yo!
[Jesse attempts to use the Pinkpyre to create some distance. And hey, maybe fire beats paper?? (11)]
As in, she catches aflame, and it's clear it's going to travel up her whole body, consuming every last bit. Her eyes go wide as she realizes what this means for her, opening her mouth soundlessly for a full moment.
“...
I just... wanted to see us happy again. But...
It was never going to happen. It isn’t the same anymore. ...It’ll never go back to the way it was.”
Her form buzzes with static, before fading away into shadows. In her wake, a single item is left behind:
Red Ribbon Tie: A thin ribbon meant to be worn at the neck. When worn as an accessory, the wearer will not be targeted for an attack the next round. Three uses.
The rips in the photo remain, however - looking closely, there seems to be a room beyond the tear. And, thanks to all of the fighting, it should now be big enough for everyone to slip through. But before they do, characters may note that the light seems to shine on a nearby picnic basket set under the window. Inside are yummy chocolate chip cookies that couldn’t have been there before - anyone who pauses takes a bite will find their health and SP restored to full.
[Oh, shit. Jesse now feels a bit bad about having lit a girl on fire, but hey, at least it's not a real girl. And hey, there's a red ribbon. He's about to give it to Mafuyu when she gives him a hug.
He does not actually know a ton about giving actual comfort, but clearly Mafuyu cares a lot about what's going with everything she said, so he gives her a hug back and pats her on the shoulder.]
Hey, it's gonna be fine. We just gotta go get the real Aubrey and talk some sense into her. [Jesse offers her a little fistbump of encouragement.] You're a good pal, Mafu.
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( ... she's not attacking. not yet. maybe- maybe she can talk her down. )
cw child neglect
Then suddenly they're here with kid Aubrey, and now teen Aubrey's here too and tearing things up. Jesse doesn't want to fight a young girl, but she's also attacking Mafuyu, so...]
Yeah, what Mafu said!
[He does move forward to stand in the way of the two girls just in case, though.]
Look, I get it, you're pissed. It sucks when your pals leave you and people you love die and you can't do shit about it. But taking it out on the kids ain't gonna make you feel less shitty. [Jesse frowns, his face clouding a bit.] Trust me, man, I know.
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[The frustration is clear in her voice as she takes another swing, this time at Jesse - but misses (10). It does still tear up the photo even more, however.]
Get out of my way.
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I understand this pain, Aubrey. I know what it feels like to want to destroy everything around you- it's either that or yourself. You won't help anything like this.
( ...
mafuyu inhales, and draws the bow. )
You're going to kill your own heart before you do anything for anyone like this.
( and the arrow releases. 9. ... )
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[Jesse doesn't intend to actually hit Aubrey when he fires the gun, just get her to step back, but...it's a 16.]
Oh shit--
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Aubrey(?) doesn't move like she's been shot, either, still approaching to take another swing (7) - causing no damage to the two in front of her, but creating yet another tear.]
...Why do you even care? Why do you keep fighting back?
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Don't make us fight you, Aubrey. Please.
( its. a good thing jesse is here, actually. or she would stop defending herself again. )
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It ain't Aubrey. Or she's like trapped in the paper or something? I dunno, but...we got this.
[He gets back to shooting, but he kinda whiffs it (2). At least talking is a free action.]
You ain't acting like someone who doesn't give a shit about them, Aubrey. That's gotta hurt.
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The first time we'd seen each other in four years, and he and Kel picked a fight with me. And he stabbed me, the little freak!
[She takes another swing - and actually catches Jesse (13) with it this time.]
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And he was wrong. And probably needs a lot of help that you can't give- which isn't your responsibility. But when you're left with the ashes, what then? What comes next?
( she doesn't give her a chance to answer. 14. )
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What a dick. [God, this sounds so damn complicated and Jesse isn't sure how equipped he is for this.] This ain't about him, though, it's about what your friend dying did to you. That's probably why your friends are--
[And then he gets swung at with the bat, one of the nails grazing his shoulder.] Hey, knock it off, yo!
[Jesse attempts to use the Pinkpyre to create some distance. And hey, maybe fire beats paper?? (11)]
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As in, she catches aflame, and it's clear it's going to travel up her whole body, consuming every last bit. Her eyes go wide as she realizes what this means for her, opening her mouth soundlessly for a full moment.
“...
I just... wanted to see us happy again. But...
It was never going to happen. It isn’t the same anymore. ...It’ll never go back to the way it was.”
Her form buzzes with static, before fading away into shadows. In her wake, a single item is left behind:
Red Ribbon Tie: A thin ribbon meant to be worn at the neck. When worn as an accessory, the wearer will not be targeted for an attack the next round. Three uses.
The rips in the photo remain, however - looking closely, there seems to be a room beyond the tear. And, thanks to all of the fighting, it should now be big enough for everyone to slip through. But before they do, characters may note that the light seems to shine on a nearby picnic basket set under the window. Inside are yummy chocolate chip cookies that couldn’t have been there before - anyone who pauses takes a bite will find their health and SP restored to full.
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( before anything else, she is going to hug jesse SO tight- )
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He does not actually know a ton about giving actual comfort, but clearly Mafuyu cares a lot about what's going with everything she said, so he gives her a hug back and pats her on the shoulder.]
Hey, it's gonna be fine. We just gotta go get the real Aubrey and talk some sense into her. [Jesse offers her a little fistbump of encouragement.] You're a good pal, Mafu.
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( mafuyu inhales and lets go, cupping her hands over her face before realizing- ... ah, he really likes these. doesn't he?
she returns it and tries to smile and nod. )
... The cookies might be important. Should we...?
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[Hey, it is the one way he knows how to make a pact while also maintaining the cool guy image.
Jesse observes the cookies, and decides to take one.]
Hell yeah. I'm never gonna turn down bitchin' baked goods.
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( cookies... she will nibble.
... oh that worked rather nicely actually- )
It's like when Dawn and Mina had those snacks in the saferoom. ... What's that red ribbon?
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Oh, uh, Paper Aubrey dropped it. You take it, Mafu. I ain’t gonna end up wearing it.
[He would not rock the ribbon necklace.]
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( he wouldn't but she would! and does. it's going right on, yes. )
Thank you. Let's go, then...?
( also this seems like a good time for a level up maybe! hurray! )