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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 14:40:42 GMT -5
Ben hadn't gone to work that day, he had sent a telegram informing his employers that he was terribly ill and wouldn't be in for the next day or so. The truth was that he hadn't slept, he hadn't slept because Phoenix hadn't come home, he knew she was working hard both at the club and at the theater, but she would have called or something.
He was laying down in her bed staring at the ceiling when he heard the door open, flailing he stood up and ran toward the front room. What he saw caused him to squeak.
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 14, 2009 14:43:16 GMT -5
Phoenix's eyes flew to Ben's face, and seeing his face there--however different, however unlike--caused her to panic slightly. Her eyes widened, her breath caught, and the look of fear on her fact was unmistakable. And unmistakably directed at him.
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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 15:00:26 GMT -5
Ben caught the look and his eyes widened "Phoenix...?" He called out to her, his voice strained from no use. "Oh gott" he covered his mouth with his hands.
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 14, 2009 15:47:51 GMT -5
There was a moment of strained non-recognition--non-recognition of Ben, as himself, that is--and then everything clicked and Phoenix seemed to stutter to life again like a clockwork doll wound up.
"Oh Ben," she said, gasping. "Ben, I..."
She fairly threw herself into his arms, because aside from wanting the comfort, it meant she didn't have to look at him--and he didn't have to look at her.
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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 16:27:22 GMT -5
He wrapped his arms around her waist and didn't move, he wasn't really sure how to react.
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 14, 2009 16:30:56 GMT -5
Suddenly it was as if a dam had been demolished, and the tears flowed. Incomprehensible, Phoenix sobbed against his thin chest, seeking the remotest comfort the heat of his hands could give. She trembled, too, at his touch, but the need to flee and burrow warred within her, comfort winning out just barely.
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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 16:33:34 GMT -5
He breathed hard as she began to cry, his grip still loose, but firm. There was a light coming from the window just large enough to shine on Phoenix, allowing Ben to see all of the bruises. It took all he had not to cry with her. "Vat... happened?"
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 14, 2009 16:56:28 GMT -5
She shook her head against his chest. She was leaving a wide swath of wetness, her nose starting to run, but she didn't know how to stop.
"I can't," she gasped. "I can't go back there."
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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 16:59:33 GMT -5
((Moulin Rogue anyone?))
Ben knew exactly where she was talking about and why, he didn't have to think twice about it. "Sat vile bastard" he cursed softly and shh'd her "you von't haf to, you'll nefer haf to go back sere again."
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 14, 2009 17:05:17 GMT -5
She shook her head again, but there was no telling why. Was she denying the accusation? Wondering at his accuracy?
"Ben," she moaned. "How could he? You were right, you were right..."
She still couldn't look at him, still couldn't bear the thought of meeting his eyes.
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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 17:11:11 GMT -5
But I didn't vant to be he shook, not only from Phoenix's shaking, but from the rage that was building up inside of him. He couldn't get angry, not yet, he couldn't "Because he's se devil."
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 14, 2009 17:18:45 GMT -5
Her hair fell in a curtain around her tear-stained face.
"I didn't think anyone... I didn't believe that he was actually capable..."
She scrubbed her hands against her eyes, exhausted and feeling old and worn despite the early hour.
"Ben, he told me I couldn't leave. He said..."
She squeezed her eyes shut. She was afraid to look up. To see him in Ben's face again. To have this, too, taken away from her.
"I never said no before," she said dully. "It wasn't like we hadn't... I disgust you now."
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Post by Benno on Apr 14, 2009 18:34:30 GMT -5
His eyes opened wide "Nein" he touched her chin, but didn't pull her face up, he could only imagine what she was going through "you could nefer..."
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 15, 2009 9:59:05 GMT -5
"I do, I do!" she insisted hotly. "You don't approve of me to begin with... the life I lead... the things I've done... me and your brother... And now, when I'm trying to do things right, to get things straight, he... he..."
She couldn't go on. How could anyone be so hateful? How could anyone get... was it revenge? Just petty revenge on Benno, on herself, for attempting to seize some quiet happiness?
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Post by Benno on Apr 21, 2009 1:41:43 GMT -5
How was he suppose console her, what was he suppose to say? She was right of course, he had never approved of any of it, but he hadn't known any different. He couldn't say what he was thinking, he couldn't tell her, that her situation was a direct consequence of the life she had lead. That it was going to be hard to change it, that the road to good is riddled with the fallen and the bad.
But he didn't.
"Phoenix, vat I sink is unim-im, is not meaninks anysink vright nows" he shh'd her.
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