[closed] in the hazy ⓑⓛⓤⓔ, i almost ⓕⓞⓡⓖⓔⓣ

[bleedinghare]

Who: adeline & the S.Q.U.I.P
When: during the little dorchacht arc
Where: housing districts
What: *merry-go-round of life starts playing* the squip rescues adeline from a would-be kidnapper and offers her a bit of welcome safety.
Warnings: kidnapping scare, manipulation


𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕞𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ⓟⓐⓢⓣ

―she wasn’t exactly unaware, but she certainly wasn’t abreast of the situation regarding Dorchacht and its treatment of her newfound kin as others may have been. Coping with changes of her own had drawn Adeline inside herself, inside her little flat― conveniently keeping her naive to the perils the black market held, such a force instead seeking her instead of being sought for.

Even at twilight as it may have been, she hadn’t thought of a shadow just around a streetcorner, waiting with leather hands poised to seize soft arms; in a similar manner, the creeping comfort she had found settling with change set a newfound courage inside her, one that hadn’t considered donning her hood again after lowering it in the midst of compassionate company. Tea with Justine did nothing to prepare her guard for what was coming, and her new keenness for danger wasn’t yet honed enough to induce anything save for mild malaise.

The trap is sprung: a hand catching her arm, a wordless cry, an arm about the waist when the fighting half of a sharpened instinct is dashed― leaving only interrupted flight, air pushed from her as her captor squeezes the bellows, starving a scream of sound.

Comments

[bleedinghare]

She gives a haughty little scoff. "―oh, please! How can my disguise possibly be lacking? I've grown a tail!"

That pouty frown on her features is still present, but there's a bit of a twitch at the edge of her lips― telling, when paired with the flush on her features. Pretending as it may have been― and naive as she might be to the irony of it all― it was certainly enough to make her squirm, especially after seeing the more brutish edge to Dorchacht's ways.

"...staying in did no more to keep me safe. I suppose if it were temporary, then―"

Upon the passing-by of others, Adeline's thought trails off, replaced instead with a rather pointed look. She probes its features for motive, but the machine is much keener than she― programmed perfection.

[fromjapan]

"You don't need a Monster disguise, Ada," it says with a smirk, its fingers shifting a bit at her waist as they walk. "You need to look like a Monster that's already owned. They'll be much less likely to try and take a Monster that already belongs to someone."

The SQUIP pulls her closer as they pass the others, tipping its chin up to them in a confident gesture of recognition.

"... of course," it says softly, once they've passed, glancing briefly over its shoulder at the passerby. "You can take it off as soon as you're out of sight."

[bleedinghare]

Adeline's little flat isn't a far walk― just a slim handful of blocks before they arrive at her door. She cuts her eyes up at it, rosy cheeks puffed out rather pointedly.

Once inside, she sheds her cloak, sinking into a heap upon a nearby settee, scrubbing her eyes with her palms; the downy ears atop her head sink in an almost comical display of defeat.

"―I'm tired," She whimpers petulantly, drawing her jewelled slippers onto the couch, looking like a plush toy someone made very upset. "I'm tired of this awful place! I want to go home!"

[fromjapan]

The SQUIP follows after her, reaches out to offer a reassuring hand at her soft shoulder; its touch is light, its gaze earnest, though just how genuine that earnestness may be would likely be called into question by anyone more familiar with the SQUIP and its methods.

"We all do, Adeline," it says softly. "I understand your frustration. I personally left someone... very important behind, and every day has been difficult here without him."

[bleedinghare]

The gaze she offers in return to its own is heartrending― hurt, fearful eyes gone wide with emotion, winking two different colours in the low light.

"I have never been so― afraid, and alone," She murmurs, giving a little shake of her head. Her expression tenses painfully. "a world of strangers. I can't stand this awful, empty feeling..."

She feels pathetic. "Might I ask you to stay a bit longer? Please, ser."

[fromjapan]

"... you're not alone, Adeline."

It reaches out to gently wrap its arms around her, holding her carefully; not forcing it, allowing her the slack to slip away or keep her space, should she want it, but a gesture of comfort, of protection.

"I'll stay as long as you need me to."

[bleedinghare]

She allows her head to loll against its shoulder, her voice a quiet sound amongst the troubled sound of her breathing.

"―what you said― weeks ago― was it true? Would you take me with you, if I sought it?"

Despite herself, she feels her face go warm; half-embarrassed at the question, half-humiliated in needing something so base. She feels like she's regressing as the fear mounts inside her, feeling her nerve lose its sharpness.

[fromjapan]

"Of course."

It gently strokes fingers over her golden curls, tucking her soft head beneath its square jaw and against its chest.

"If that would make you feel safe, it's no problem at all. I have a guest room no one is using, so you can have some privacy, even in my home."

Success.