[network] @ADMIN; Obituary [Day 208]

[snowblindmods]

We mourn the loss of those who have died in the time between the last announcement and this one:

Charlie Kelly
Stephen Strange
Clint Barton
Davesprite

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action;

[lacecase]

[So this is the follow-up to the worst night ever. Of course Ginger managed to find it within herself to stop crying buckets and buckets of tears after Charlie and Davespite messaged her on 206 about being locked out, but now here's the reminder that they're gone and it just brings her back to how it felt to get those messages. She puts her tablet down and struggles with her breathing, wiping her face with the back of her good hand.

At least she doesn't have to worry about her heart hurting anymore when she gets too upset.]

Why does every guy I like here end up dead?

[She doesn't really mean to say it, it just sort of comes out.]

[keepscalm]

[Dealing with the messages must have been painful enough; being in the same house as Ginger, there was really no avoiding the knowledge of what happened to the people on the obituary, even if England had wanted to. As it was, he preferred to comfort Ginger. It was only a few days ago that he'd received a similar message, after all, and Ginger is much more delicate than he.

The obituary adds insult to injury. Even still, England isn't expecting something so ghastly to come out of Ginger's mouth. The sadness that strikes his expression is immediate, and he moves to sit down gently next to Ginger.] It's not you. People...people die here all the time.

[That's not really a positive thing, but he doesn't want Ginger to think she's cursed or something.]

[lacecase]

I know...

[She does know, but still, it doesn't feel right. It feels like she's done something to make this happen. Or like she's being punished or something. Her head bobs downward guiltily as she sniffs.]

I just, like, don't want to go through this again. Maybe I should stop letting myself get so attached...maybe that would be better for more than just me.

[keepscalm]

[Though he can't know what it's like from a human perspective, England is very familiar with this kind of loss. He has loved and lost many times in his long life, and it never gets easier, not when your heart has settled upon someone like that.

He lifts a hand to smooth it over the hair on the back of her head.] You aren't putting anyone in danger with your care. If you wish to distance yourself, I understand. But— please know that it's easier to keep fighting when you have other people to fight for.

[He can't begrudge Ginger her decision. It's a decision he's had to make many times over. But it's not one that should be taken lightly, especially for someone like Ginger, who loves easily and strongly.]

[lacecase]

[Ginger takes several deep breaths and tries not to succumb to the urge to sob uncontrollably as England comforts her. She understands how big of a gesture this is from him. She also understands that she shouldn't push it too far.

But all she wants to do is wrap herself around him. He's been here with her for so long now, always so helpful. Both him and America--but especially knowing that it isn't exactly an obligation for England makes it something even more important. Ginger doesn't mean to do it, but it's hard to remember to control herself.

So her arms wind around him, and she presses her head into his side.]

Maybe I'll just fight for you two for awhile.

[keepscalm]

[While this is not England's area of expertise, he's been here long enough that Ginger's affections don't particularly perturb him any more. Especially when she's so upset. He lays an arm over her shoulders and uses his other hand to continue stroking her hair.] That's all right. We'll be here for you.

[And the world will keep turning even while Ginger recovers, bleak though it might be.]

[lacecase]

Thank you.

[She's silent for a long time after that, trying to clear her mind. It's easier to do when she focuses on England's hand in her hair. Eventually, though, she finds herself thinking out loud. Her voice comes out in a whisper.]

When we go home, I won't get to see either of you again, will I?

[keepscalm]

[That's a fear that England has had to drown out with more pertinent worries, but he can't say it hasn't occurred to him in the quiet moments where he reflects on his friends from other universes here.

He tells Ginger the same thing he always has to tell himself.] We don't know that for certain. Something was able to bring us all here, after all.

[lacecase]

I guess that's true...

[She hadn't thought of it that way.]

I just want to be your friend forever.

[And she doesn't care of saying that makes her sound like a child.]

@makeme; audio

[coyoteking]

[He doesn't make a proper comment, because he can't bring himself to. He knows if Charlie was back, he'd have said something.]

Fuck everything.

[And that's it.]