Ugh

[outofyourshadow]

I really hate this place sometimes.

Like, one minute everything's going fine, and I can pretend there's nothing wrong. But then this world decides to remind me that everything actually sucks.














On a somewhat-related note, anyone know of a safe way to destroy a magical artifact?

Comments

[talkyourwayout]

I would ask if you're okay, but that seems kind of pointless.

What's going on?

[outofyourshadow]

I got an unexpected surprise from home, and I hate it.

[talkyourwayout]

[Magical artifact destruction? Surprise from home? H'boy.]

Seriously? Man, this place has problems.

[outofyourshadow]

Right? Some things about this place are seriously messed up.

[talkyourwayout]

Yeah... Sometimes I can forget, too, which makes it even worse when the bad things start up again.

[A bit of a delay before:]

Where are you?

[outofyourshadow]

Yeah, seriously.

[It made the pain of reminders like this hurt all the more.]

I'm at the dorms, but I'm about to head for the Great Hall.

[talkyourwayout]

Meet you there?

[outofyourshadow]

I'll be there.

[And, after about five minutes of staring into the void and hating her life, Lena heads for the Great Hall to meet Louie.]

[talkyourwayout]

[He spots her, once she arrives, and hurries over.]

How are you holding up?

[outofyourshadow]

[When Louie arrives, he'll find Lena sitting against a wall and throwing pebbles. Not at anything in particular, just off ahead of her just because she could.]

I've been better.

[Tossing another pebble, she then sighs and rests her head back against the wall.]

Sometimes I think this world, or someone, or whatever is going out of its way to piss me off.

[talkyourwayout]

[He hesitates, but sits down next to her.]

It does kind of seem like it... Uh. Sorry.

[He shakes his head.]

So what are you going to do about it?

[outofyourshadow]

[Despite her lingering mess of emotions, she breathes out a slow sigh. No use taking her feelings out on him, after all.]

I dunno. I can't really leave it anywhere. Who knows who might get their hands on it?

[woo_oo]

Depends on the artifact, you don't want to wind up cursed. What's the issue?

[outofyourshadow]

[By now, it's easy for her to recognize Webby's handwriting. And she'd rather not say exactly what it was over the boards.]

I think it'd be better if you saw it in person, Pink.

[woo_oo]

[Only one person calls her Pink.]

Meet me in my room after dinner. We'll talk.

[Text] -> [Action]

[outofyourshadow]

I'll be there.

[And, just as she says, Lena shows up at Webby's dorm after dinner, looking more than a bit uncomfortable.]

[woo_oo]

[Predictably when Lena arrives, Webby throws herself at her, giving her a tight hug before looking at Lena's face.]

What happened? Are you okay?

[outofyourshadow]

[She expects the hug, and is more than ready to return it. But she can't bring herself to meet Webby's gaze when she asks that question.

Without saying anything, she tugs at the cord around her neck, pulling out the all-too-familiar amulet from underneath her robes.]

[woo_oo]

[Webby gasps, and reaches for it - her first instinct is to smash the damned thing to bits - but she manages to stop herself before her fingers even brush it. What if Lena needs it?]

... How did it get here?

[outofyourshadow]

[She shakes her head.]

I-I don't know...! I was just...trying to get some kid to stop bugging me, and wishing he'd leave me alone, and then it just...showed up.

[Actually, her exact thought before the amulet showed up was 'I wish this moron would just disappear', but...]

[woo_oo]

[She keeps her eyes on it, as if expecting Magica to pop up any second now.]

... Have you... heard her? Or seen her?

[Obvious who 'her' is. The She Who Must Not Be Named of the duck world.]

[outofyourshadow]

[She shakes her head, letting the amulet hang from the cord around her neck.]

No...not yet.

[Because now that she has the amulet, she doesn't doubt for a second that Magica could show up.]

[woo_oo]

[She inhales deeply... then take's Lena's hands.]

If she does show up here... she's got an entire magic school that's ready and willing to kick her tailfeathers. We'll take care of this - and we'll keep you safe.

[outofyourshadow]

[Looking down at their hands, Lena gently squeezes Webby's; even just that much helps keep her grounded, something solid amidst the mess of emotions that are threatening to take over.]

I don't...want anyone to get hurt.

[Especially not Webby.]

[woo_oo]

I know... and I don't want you to get hurt either.

[She tugs on Lena's hands just a bit, so they can be closer, Webby pressing her forehead to Lena's - though she may have to lean up on her tippy-toes to do so.]

I'm going to protect you. I promised you I would.

[outofyourshadow]

[She rests her forehead against Webby's, closing her eyes with a sigh.]

I know...I just...I dunno what'd I'd do if something happened to you.

[woo_oo]

Then... we'll just have to make sure nothing happens, right?

[An earnest little smile.]

You're already doing a good job... you didn't hide this. You told me. That's a major step up!

[outofyourshadow]

[Despite everything, she does manage a slight laugh at that.]

Well, y'know...a promise is a promise, right?

[woo_oo]

Yeah. And I know you won't break it... and she won't make you break it either.

Just don't forget the promise I made to you too... I will always come when you call. No matter where you are, no matter what's happening.

[outofyourshadow]

[She nods.]

I know. You've always been better at keeping promises than I have.

[woo_oo]

Hey, you're getting better at it! Baby steps! No one is, like, the perfect friend or person right away.

[outofyourshadow]

[Glancing at her, she manages a smile.]

Yeah. It feels like I had a long way to go, though. But it's easier with you here.

[woo_oo]

[The sight of it eases Webby's heart so much.]

And I'm learning from you too, you know.

[outofyourshadow]

[She snickers a bit.]

I'm not sure how your grandma would feel about that.

[woo_oo]

Horrified, probably, but she'll manage. If she let me out to adventure with Uncle Scrooge, then I can get away with almost anything!

[outofyourshadow]

[She can't help a snorting laugh at that.]

I think I am a bad influence on you.

[Not that she really cares.]

[woo_oo]

[She tugs on her outfit a bit, smug.]

No one ever had fun with a perfect permanent record.

[outofyourshadow]

[That gets a louder laugh, and she throws an arm around Webby's shoulder.]

Oh my god, yes. I love it.

[woo_oo]

[Always hungry for physical affection, Webby leans in, pleased that she got approval.]

I learned from the best.

[outofyourshadow]

[With a grin, she tightens her hold just a bit to pull Webby closer.]

Heck yeah you did.