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Post by Kris on Aug 5, 2008 17:44:21 GMT -5
Kris stared at Brandi's back, dread gripping her insides.
"What happened?" she asked quietly, fearing the answer.
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Post by Brandi on Aug 5, 2008 17:49:29 GMT -5
"Cry-Baby..." *Brandi started, but her voice wavered.*
"He...he..." *She tried to wipe away the tears that had started again.*
"He's gone."
*Her chest heaved in sobs that she was no longer able to contain.*
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Post by Kris on Aug 5, 2008 17:55:10 GMT -5
Kris was at her side in an instant.
"But he can't be!" she said. "Not... not gone gone."
She wrapped Brandi in her arms.
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Post by Brandi on Aug 5, 2008 18:18:37 GMT -5
*Brandi tried to calm her breathing enough to explain, but it was hard, all that forced down in her begging to get out.*
"No..." *She finally managed.* "Not forever, but..."
It might be.
"He...he had to go...to keep from..."
*She turned to embrace the woman blindly, not understanding the full implication of it at the moment. She needed comfort, and Kris was good at it. She sobbed against her shoulder.*
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Post by Kris on Aug 6, 2008 10:23:06 GMT -5
Kris held her tighter. She understood the need to cry--she only hoped that her propensity for putting her foot in her mouth didn't make it worse.
So she cheated. She concentrated, and accessed Cry-Baby's posts in a sort of brain-dump.
"Oh," she said quietly, and rubbed Brandi's back.
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Post by Brandi on Aug 6, 2008 10:33:57 GMT -5
*Brandi sniffled and rubbed her wet face against Kris's shoulder. It was better, it all getting out. Her eyes bright red, she finally leaned back to look Kris in the face.*
"I...I'm sorry." *She whispered, strangely calm.* "I didn't mean to get all...yeah."
*She shrugged.*
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Post by Kris on Aug 6, 2008 11:46:41 GMT -5
Kris shook her head, her expression concerned.
"No, it's okay. Really. I can't even imagine what you're going through. I know he only... he just wants to protect you."
Even when he's kind of stupid about it.
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Post by Brandi on Aug 6, 2008 11:58:12 GMT -5
*Brandi found herself nodding unexpectedly.*
"I know, but..."
*Her eyes wandered the floor.*
"It doesn't make it hurt any less."
*She chewed her lip, trying to keep from the wave of despair that threatened again. She tried to shrug it off.*
"Just...want him home."
*She peeled a bit of skin from her lips she worried it so hard.*
"I know...it ain't gonna happen right now. I don't really expect it soon even. Just...hurts."
*She looked surprised for a moment, lifting her hand to her lip, blood peeking. Her brow lowered.*
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Post by Kris on Aug 6, 2008 12:18:36 GMT -5
"Yeah," she said, because she wasn't sure there was anything else she could say. She'd never felt about anyone the way Brandi and Cry-Baby felt about each other--and she'd never been through anything like this.
She worried about both of them.
"Look, anything I can do to help--anything--you just ask. I know you guys. I know you'll get through this."
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Post by Brandi on Aug 6, 2008 12:22:53 GMT -5
*Hearing it come from her was a bit of a comfort. More than she expected, to be honest. She snuggled closer, embracing her warmly.*
"Thanks." *She whispered in her ear, the echo of some distance peace in her voice. Only then did Brandi realize...and pushed back, blinking.*
"I...you?" *She looked befuddled.* "I don't...when...huh."
((Sorry, complete sentences tend to be the first thing to go for me. Ask Jeremy. Makes him crazy.))
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Post by Kris on Aug 6, 2008 13:44:11 GMT -5
Kris stared at her expectantly, hoping something else would be forthcoming. Had she done something?
Brandi wasn't touching her anymore.
"What'd I do?"
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Post by Brandi on Aug 6, 2008 13:47:04 GMT -5
*Brandi blinked.*
"Nothing." *She whispered, hope in her eyes. She took a step closer, her gaze wandering over Kris.*
"I...I didn't feel...the need, when I..."
*She cautiously reached out to touch the back of Kris's hand, prepared for the worst.*
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Post by Kris on Aug 6, 2008 14:04:32 GMT -5
Kris just blinked at her for a moment.
"You mean you don't want to jump me," she said. Beat. "Well. That's flattering."
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Post by Brandi on Aug 6, 2008 14:16:35 GMT -5
*Brandi looked aghast and gave her a playful shrug.*
"Come on now, you know I don't mean it like that. Well...it's just..."
*Her face was softened by hope.*
"It's awfully nice to touch someone because I want to and not 'cause I have to."
*Gently, she took Kris's hand. It was softer and smoother than Cry-Baby's, more like her own in size. It made her smile.*
"I wonder if it's because you're a sueauthor."
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Post by Kris on Aug 6, 2008 14:36:40 GMT -5
She wove her fingers through Brandi's.
"Then touch away," she said. "Maybe it's because of the other thing, though. Because I'm not... you know, real."
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