sating: (karl summons his army)
[personal profile] sating
[ As everyone is dispersing for the evening, Hannibal lingers for a moment to survey everyone. With the stress of the day, he imagines that there are quite a few people feeling stressed (to say the very least) by the day's events. Eventually, his attention stops on Sei and Xion, who had both been quite hopeful in their defenses of Tiara. Sei had asked to speak with him on medicine, and he considers going to her, but... That break in Xion's voice is fresher in his mind. It's also more vulnerable.

He follows her to the hall, then reaches out to place a hand on her shoulder once more. This one is lighter than before, but still kind. Even in such a simple gesture, there's worry. ]


Excuse me, Xion—

[ He hopes it isn't too rude to refer to her so casually when they hadn't been properly introduced, but she seemed fairly amenable to being casual in the first place. ]

Forgive me if I'm intruding... But would you like someone to talk to? I can gladly lend an ear. It's something like my duty, considering my line of work. [ He withdraws his hand, but nods to her lightly ] Though only if you would find it helpful. I don't wish to pry or push.

Date: 2017-01-22 06:53 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#8806906)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ Xion hugs her knees to her chest and watches him talk with curiosity. ]

... there's doctors ... for stuff like that, huh?

[ She ducks her chin, quiet for a thoughtful moment. When she looks up again, it's with a very crooked smile. ]

Maybe ... that's something I could have used a long time ago.

[ Her smile fades, and Xion sighs. ]

It's ... it's hard, I guess. I'm not even really sure... how to talk about my feelings. I don't really ... understand them. I've never ... felt things before like I've been feeling the last two days.

Date: 2017-01-22 07:47 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#6832609)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ Not alone...

Well, that makes a smiler flicker across Xion's face, too. At least for a moment.

His question makes her pull in a slow breath. She really, actually, honestly thinks about it, her brow furrowing as she considers everything they've been through in the last two days. ]


... I can use a few words I do know. I've been ... scared, and really, really angry. But ... as more and more things happened, it just became... too much. It was like... feeling empty, or ... like I was being pulled in every direction at once. I didn't know how to handle it. [ Embarrassed, she murmurs: ] I cried a lot. That's never ... really happened to me before.

Date: 2017-01-22 07:38 pm (UTC)
ceded: (pic#8806887)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ Quiet, for a moment. ]

I didn't know ... that I could? [ She says it like it's a question, looking a little confused. ]

My last memory before waking up on the train... is of crying, for the very first time.

[ Xion glances up at him, shy and worried, before staring down at her knees. ]

... I don't feel things the way normal people do. Shinnosuke said that the way I was acting was normal, but ... that can't be right. There's just no way ... that I can feel like everyone else does.

Date: 2017-01-22 08:34 pm (UTC)
ceded: (pic#6832584)
From: [personal profile] ceded
... I'd hide, or ... sometimes I'd run away.

[ Though those were somewhat more desperate measures.

Somewhat despite herself - despite the fact that she raised this point, she chose to tell him - Xion's jaw tightens at the mere idea of really admitting what sets her apart. The nervous, buzzing terror she feels over anyone discovering her true nature, no matter how seemingly trustworthy, makes her want to run out of the room and never speak to him again. She doesn't get the feeling like he's judging her, or even like he finds her strange, but... will that change, if he knows the truth? Can she risk it? Should she risk it?

After a very extended moment, she finally replies, her voice hushed. ]


... promise me you won't tell anyone? I ... I don't know what I'd do if the others found out.

Date: 2017-01-23 03:51 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#6877607)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ Xion swallows, holding a breath without even realizing she's doing so. He seems ... so much like he means it.

But will that understanding turn into ... something else?

She's already sworn him to secrecy. What might he imagine, if she doesn't tell him now? ]


I'm not human, [ she says, through numb lips. Then she freezes, every piece of her body screaming out her desire to run. But she stays, through a visible effort of will, and swallows thickly. ]

Humans ... have had real lives, and ... families, and they ... they have hearts. I don't know ... if I have a heart. My superiors always told me that I didn't, no matter how I felt.

[ The words get easier as she talks, gaining at least enough strength for her to be audible without having to strain. Xion sighs out low and slow and shuts her eyes, resting her cheek on her knee. ]

Everyone keeps treating my age like it's a big deal, too. I wonder how they'd feel if they knew how old I really was. [ a mocking note enters her voice, but her derision is entirely for herself. ]

Date: 2017-01-23 05:51 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#8806900)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ That comment just serves to confuse her. Someone was never really taught basic anatomy during all her training in The World That Never Was.

Does he ... know something about lacking organs?? Why does he have experience with that? Xion just kind of frowns a little and tilts her head. ]


Um... I'm not really sure what you mean, but I'm built pretty differently from a human, too. You see, I'm just a doll. Something that someone made. I'm called ... a Replica.

[ Her breath shivers when she says it out loud. Admitting it is making her chest feel so tight, but he isn't glaring at her, or acting afraid. After a moment, Xion shifts in her seat, tucking her legs up beside her instead of curling up into that tight little ball. ]

I think ... what you said, about the heart being a construct? That part is definitely correct. We were told ... that hearts would allow us to feel, and make us human again. Of course, I wasn't like the others. [ bitter, bitter. ] I don't know if a heart would really help me at all. But ... no one in the Organization really felt anything, even if we all pretended we did. So ... it's really hard for me to understand emotions. I don't know the name for a lot of things, and I don't even know if what I'm feeling is the real thing.

what's an organ???????

Date: 2017-01-23 06:24 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#6832622)
From: [personal profile] ceded
Well ... okay.

[ She seems content to let it go, trusting that it's not important.

Xion is a little visibly nervous as he thinks, even though his disposition hasn't changed. She's starting to have this feeling like even if he did have distaste for her, he wouldn't be overt about it. Or ... is she just so stuck in the belief that everyone will hate her for being a Replica that she's imagining him judging her even when he's not? Get a grip, Xion.

His question gets her eyes to widen, and she pulls in a slow breath, sitting forward. With heartbreaking sincerity: ]


More than anything.

Date: 2017-01-23 06:48 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#6832613)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ Xion stares at him with eyes that shine.

Whatever you are feeling, that is real enough.

With no real warning - or, perhaps, this was obviously going to happen - she dissolves, just a little, misting over as she retreats a little into herself to rub at her face and sniff quietly. She has to swallow, and take a breath, but she manages to calm down pretty quickly.

Once she does, she unfolds completely, setting her feet flat on the floor and sitting up straight. The look on her face is very determined. ]


Okay. If I really understand emotions, then... I can be a better friend, and support everyone who's supporting me. I'll learn, whatever it takes.

Date: 2017-01-24 05:35 am (UTC)
ceded: (pic#6877519)
From: [personal profile] ceded
[ Was ... he going to offer her that? (What's the word... handkerchief?)

Xion sighs out through her nose, her expression softening slightly. She's ... really lucky that she met someone like him. Someone kind that she can trust, someone who won't mock her or treat her like she's worthless...

Pressing the heels of her palms into the chair besides her thighs, Xion tilts her head slightly, considering the question. She sounds a little uncertain when she answers, but not nearly as scared as before. ]


No, it's okay. I don't mind answering. I was created a little over a year ago. Actually... my birthday was on Friday, if I counted the days right. [ Her smile turns a little sad. ]

Profile

sating: (Default)
dr. hannibal "polite vore man" lecter

February 2019

S M T W T F S
     12
3456789
10111213141516
1718 1920212223
2425262728  

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jun. 9th, 2025 03:31 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios