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 Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 5:46 pm
Brooklyn was quiet as they made their way to Talia’s house. The group meeting had been. It had been a struggle. She had been so excited to see everyone but it just felt…
She wished that she could have seen them when there wasn’t a big emergency with melting weapons and people unable to go home. That would have been nice.
Honestly, it tarnished the happy idea of her meeting with her friends again and just…
Kind of hurt. But it wasn’t their fault. It was all of this…stupid…
She let out a sigh and clenched her hands into fists as they approached and then, finally looked at Julian.
“...You’re really sure that she’s going to be okay with me just dropping in? I really don’t want to be a bother to anyone, and I’m sure I can find like…someplace to hide at the park? In like…playground equipment or something…”
She couldn't bother anyone in playground equipment…and if she was able to do that, if there was a problem…she could just deal with it…melting sword and all. It…would be great. Or! Or she could go to the 7-11 and ask again about that place to squat in! That was also a plan.
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Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 1:58 pm
Julian had done his best to be hopeful and carry Brooklyn’s spirit while she was palpably down. He was anxious and doing his best to remain hopeful in the face of it all.
“I’m really sure,” he insisted. “Please don’t go hide in the park. It’s dangerous, a youma could find you while you’re trying to sleep or something.”
They were walking up the driveway and though he was nervous it wasn’t because he doubted Talia in any way. “She told me to come over if I ever needed anything.” He’d have texted if his phone wasn’t dead so he was really hoping she was home–a concern that was rapidly dismissed when he saw her car in the driveway.
“We can just feel it out,” he promised. “If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to say. We’ll figure something out. But I’m sure she can help.”
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Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 8:31 pm
“That’s true…but…” Brooklyn hesitated. “...How would the youma know? Like if I were in a tunnel above ground…do they smell humans? Or find them by heat? I’ve never really thought about it…like, if I weren’t powered, maybe they wouldn’t be able to find me, but…I won’t test it right now, I guess…maybe she won’t turn us away…and I appreciate you coming with me. She’s. Really nice to you isn’t she? That’s nice.”
There was no malice in her words, but the thoughts on the youma did seem to have distracted her a bit from her melancholy, and that…was only a good thing. Could only be a good thing.
“Do you ever come stay with her?”
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Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 6:32 pm
“Um, I haven’t, but please don’t let that deter you! She said I could. And any time I do see her, she’s always trying to make sure I have everything I need. She always has a lot of food. She’s said I can come by anytime but I don’t really have a lot of opportunities to. Most of the time I have to be at school. Maybe over the summer but I don’t really know what I’m doing yet. But it’ll be okay!” he promised.
He didn’t slow his pace as he made his way up the driveway and stopped on the door but he did hesitate before knocking. He looked at Brooklyn and smiled in a genuine attempt to reassure her.
“We’ll figure something out if you don’t feel safe. But I’m sure you will. I hope Maxim is here, he’s a really nice dog. He wants to be everyone’s friend so I’m sure he’ll try to make you feel right at home. Talia, too.”
Finally, he nodded, and stood anxiously on the doorstep as he waited. He believed in his words; nothing he said was a lie.
He was just naturally anxious and hoped Talia would come quickly so neither he nor Brooklyn had time to expect the worst.
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Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2024 8:38 pm
Brooklyn paused and wrinkled her nose slightly, wanting to ask Julian what he meant, but she just nodded, filing that information away for later. “Talia is really nice, I know. I had a lot of fun with her at the zoo, I…kind of hope we get to go again sometime. Or like…that I get more animals…”
She cut herself off, feeling her chest twinge. If she ever ended up being able to get back to her Wonder…that.
Maybe thinking of cute animals was the last thing she should be thinking of and…just focusing on getting back should be the thing she really strived for.
For a moment, she looked at Julian, and opened her mouth to really ask about his words, but before she could get anything out, the door opened and a smiling Talia looked at the two of them.
“Julian! Brooklyn, hey! What brings you two here?”
She was thrilled, honestly. Seeing the two of them, it brought her nothing but joy…okay some worry if something was wrong she wanted to be able to help. These were two of her knights. Her…favorite knights, but she was biased and did love all of them, at least all that she knew right now.
“Come on in, can I get you anything?”
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Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 3:09 pm
Julian smiled at Talia, though there was a bit of worry imprinted on his brow. “Um, actually we are sort of having a little emergency,” he said, and he stepped into the house. He held his hand out for Brooklyn so she could use him as a link to come inside and he began to take off his shoes.
Maxim trotted over enthusiastically, tail wagging. He nudged his nose into Julian’s knee first and then did the same before he looked up at Brooklyn expectantly. He was obviously waiting for her to greet him and give him a good pet.
“Is now an okay time to talk? I have to ask a really big favor too, maybe. Um–we’re okay,” he insisted, before she could worry. “It’s just a little complicated.”
…He was ready to explain, he just didn’t want to blurt out all of their problems on the off-chance that someone who didn’t know about Knight or Senshi things was here, too.
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Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 5:55 pm
Brooklyn forced a smile, but stiffened slightly when Julian classified this as an emergency...it sort of was, but not one that Talia had to deal with…it wasn’t that dire and she could take care of herself…the park would be just fine, the youma couldn’t have heat sensors so…
She waved at Talia and shrugged. “It’s…not that bad…not really.”
Talia’s warm smile turned into a frown and she nodded. “Of course it’s a good time to talk, come in, please come in…”
She gave Brooklyn a worried look, not liking the smile that she was giving. If it was an emergency? If something was wrong, at least the two were safe. If they were safe then…the emergency wasn’t quite as dire as they might have thought…or at least.
“What can I do for you two?”
She backed up and allowed the two into the house, closing the door behind them with a soft click. “How can I help?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2024 9:49 pm
“Our magic is acting up. Hers, and mine. And a lot of our friends, too. We’re all Knights,” he whispered, just in case. “Some of us are having a hard time powering up, or down. Or our weapons are being weird. Brooklyn can’t get to her Wonder, and that’s where she’s been staying,” he explained, far more chatty than usual. But, Brooklyn was in trouble. She needed help. He was passionate about doing whatever he could, especially because she kept trying to minimize the problem and talk her way out of asking for help.”
Julian was tugging at his sleeve anxiously as he spoke.
“We don’t know what’s going on. It’s probably just a fluke,” he insisted, “But if she can’t get back to her Wonder, then she doesn’t have anywhere to stay. Is there–”
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Can you help us, please?”
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2024 7:47 pm
Brooklyn felt…not quite…well. Yeah. Ashamed. She felt ashamed and uncomfortable but was absolutely glad that Julian was doing the talking. She really didn’t thinks he could say much of anything right now, and it felt as though there were a huge lump in her throat.
She should have just…let Julian know she had somewhere else to stay. Should have lied. Should have gone and talked to Todd, she had some resources…she…
Ugh.
Talia nodded, without hesitation. “Of course she can stay here. Of course I can help you. I’m glad that you came to talk to me.” And she was. It was good to know that Julian trusted her, especially with something as sensitive as this situation. “When did this start? Do you know? Has it been going on long?”
If there were something going on with her Knights…or Knights in general then…that’s just.
That was an issue.
“I can take you both up to Lysithea if you want and we can see if we can get to Stirling from there…” Even if she had no idea where to find the Wonder up on her moon but…she could, and would do her best.
“But there is always room here for either of you, at any time. No questions asked. And I hope that you both know that.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2024 8:22 pm
“Um, today, I think. I’m not sure. That’s when I noticed it.” He looked at Brooklyn as if waiting for her to confirm or clarify but she seemed like she was clamming up. He didn’t want to put her on the spot. Even though he felt a bit warm and anxious, he sucked in another breath and continued.
“Stirling’s Wonder is by mine, if that helps. Um.” He looked at her, trying to determine if she thought going up there now was a good idea or if she had something else in mind.
“We were talking with some of our friends, they were all having kind of different problems. The only thing we have in common is that something’s wrong. I don’t know if that helps you at all. Has anything like this ever happened before, do you know?”
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 9:11 am
Brooklyn nodded. “Yeah…I was trying to get back home and it just…wouldn’t allow me. It’s. Really not ideal…”
Honestly, she didn’t think that Lysithea would be able to help–the Moon hadn’t allowed Mary or Effie to go to their Wonders so obviously. Why would Lysithea? Just because she was a princess? That…seemed just like…a long shot and really, Brooklyn didn’t have the energy to hope right now. “I’m not sure that you’d be able to help, Talia…but that’s okay…if I can just stay here tonight, I’d really appreciate it.”
Talia furrowed her brows at everything she was hearing. This was an issue that was for more than just them, which…meant it wasn’t…it most likely wasn’t an issue just for Lysithea as a whole, which…was reassuring. Brooklyn’s words though, they made her worry. She seemed so aloof and just…
“Brooklyn, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need or want to, there’s no time limit…and no, Julian I haven’t heard anything like this…I mean, as far as I can remember.” She hesitated, and felt a little guilty. She didn’t have a long memory at all, but.
“I’m happy to ask around to those who do remember more than I do.” Hopefully…there would be answers somewhere.
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 12:59 pm
Though Julian had never had any doubt that Talia could help them, he breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. “Thank you, Talia. I’m sorry for all these questions. I’ll try to find answers, too…”
He just didn’t really know anyone more connected than she was, probably. Most of his friends were his age and when he had a problem or a question he felt like he always went to them or her.
Maxim nudged his nose into Brooklyn’s hand and licked. He was sensitive to emotions but he got that from Evan. Naturally, he wanted to make her feel better.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Julian asked, determined to do whatever he could to make sure Brooklyn didn’t feel like a burden and to make everything as easy on Talia, too.
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 6:42 pm
Brooklyn looked down and rubbed the dog’s head softly. He was so cute, and she couldn’t stop a real smile from spreading over her face. But she looked at Julian. “You staying too, or no?”
She hoped he would say yes, but wouldn’t be surprised if he said he couldn’t, or just. Something. But…
She really didn’t want to be alone.
“You are both welcome to stay if you want, and Julian, I’m so glad that I can answer what I can, and I’ll try to get more, I promise…but. If you need anything, either of you. I’m here. I’m always here.” She smiled at the both of them and gave a look around. “Come on, let’s get you settled, Julian, you are welcome too, always.”
She had said it before but Talia wanted to make sure he really knew.
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Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 7:28 am
A guilty expression crossed over Julian’s face, and it was clear that he wanted to stay–at least to support Brooklyn. “If I’m not back at the dorm, I might get in trouble,” he said softly.
He was already pushing his luck by being out so late, but now that the adrenaline was fading, so too was his bravery. He didn’t want to get in trouble at Hillworth, or fall under any extra scrutiny. If they noticed and started watching him too closely then he and Luke might be in trouble.
“But I can keep my phone on me,” he suggested. “We can talk. You won’t be alone.”
He’d be here in spirit, though he was obviously sorry he couldn’t do more.
“Thank you, Talia. I really appreciate it.” Gutted, he said, “I should probably get back now. Can I come back first thing tomorrow morning?”
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 5:38 pm
Of course not. Brooklyn just nodded and continued to pet the dog. “No worries. I’ll see you soon!”
She wished she had lied. She wished she hadn’t been with Dering for all of this to happen. She should have made her excuses and just slept in the park or done something else but.
It was one night. She could handle one night. Even if her chest was hurting. Even if she wanted to cry and scream and rage.
She could handle one night.
Talia glanced at Brooklyn, frowning slightly and then back to Julian. “If you want a ride, I’d be happy to take you…” This was hard on them. On the both of them and she could see it but…
She wasn’t a Knight…and even though she was Lysithea…how was she supposed to fix this? If Brooklyn thought she couldn't go home…honestly not withstanding the fact that she thought her wonder was her home…
Guilt. Talia was feeling a lot of guilt right now, and she wasn’t sure how to go about getting rid of the feeling. “You’re always welcome here, Julian. Come back tomorrow absolutely.”
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