Library [07-18]

[furnaceface]

Jono was being functional and productive, all of that good stuff today at the library during his shift.

... No, really.

Honest.

He was making important lists, filled with things that needed to get done before he left to move his things to the cabins!

In his head.

With his feet up on the desk.

Must be Sunday.

[Yeah, I don't even know. Hey, I'm back, look at that! OCD-free today, because my brain ran away with the spoon. Open!]

Comments

[living_endless]

The weekend had been weird. Didi felt like she should have a better word for it, a more complete one, but she didn't.

She missed her brother. And -- selfishly -- she missed her power.

She wasn't sure how Jono had felt about the whole meeting; it had ranged from terrible to perfectly smooth.

"You look relaxed," she observed, sauntering up to the desk. "Good day at work?"

[furnaceface]

//Not a particularly busy one, just yet,// Jono allowed, shrugging his shoulders just slightly as he nodded Didi's way. //I'd rather be here than in th'dorms or heading on to th'cabins, I suppose. It's quieter, here.//

Less emotional psionic backlash from his peers, smacking him in the face with an overwhelming feeling of loss that he couldn't block out, exactly. He could just hold his hands on the sides of his head and close his eyes and think to himself, 'la la la, it isn't really there, I'm just going crazy, la.'

He'd take the library shift over that nagging itch that things were amiss.

//How're you doing, luv?//

[living_endless]

"About the way you'd expect," Didi said slowly. "I miss ... not Dream, so much. He made his choice. But I miss being Death. I could have helped people, there's so much pain, and right now I ... can't do anything any other girl couldn't do."

She looked almost meek. "Did that sound dumb?"

[furnaceface]

Jono watched her for a moment, considering that before shaking his head, taking his feet down from the desk, and then walking around it, holding his hands out for her own.

//It didn't sound dumb,// he replied, carefully. //And you can bring yer perspective to all of it, can't you? You have a... A way with people. Not just any other girl understands people quite th'way that you do, luv.//

[living_endless]

"You're sweet," Didi said, squeezing his hands. "Thank you. I try, but ... I dunno. People here are a little more defensive than they are at home, sometimes. I don't always try as much as I could, either."

She'd developed this peculiar, human fear of bothering people.

[furnaceface]

//You try when it counts,// Jono decided, taking a half-step forward and leaning down to bump his forehead against hers. //You still know when people need yer help. That makes all of th'difference, I think.//

[living_endless]

"Not if I'm not giving help," she said, settling with her head against his shoulder and her arms around the back of her neck. "I keep ... feeling like I should do more. But thanks for the support. It helps."

[furnaceface]

//Well, I do my best to be supportive,// Jono replied, shrugging.

His best sometimes needed a good deal of work. He was ignoring that fact for the time being.

//Have you seen anybody who wants the help, luv? If yer concerned about not doing enough, maybe that's th'place to start.//

[living_endless]

"It's hard to tell sometimes," Didi said. "I need to pay more attention, I think. Or I could put out a booth like Lucy in the comic strip. Talk to Death, ten cents. Think it'd be a hit?"

[furnaceface]

//That depends on how badly you need dimes,// Jono decided. //You know... People around here are fairly independent. I mean, you knew that already, I'm certain. But I think in this case, many of them have already dealt with their losses once before. I don't think you're failing anybody by choosing to be a friend if anybody wants to come to you, instead of knocking on doors to check on each and every person who lost somebody for a second time. Where would you start, otherwise?//

[living_endless]

"Maybe." But Didi was still thinking about that sign; if nothing else, it might make her work day tomorrow more entertaining.

She'd put it up just for that.

"I could start with you," she decided. "Are you okay? I know Dream is, um, difficult. On a good day."

[furnaceface]

If Jono knew that she was planning on putting the sign up at work, he might have even made plans to swing by to see what sort of clientele she managed to pick up.

//I'm fine, luv. It wasn't exactly a comfortable conversation at times, but I think I'm glad we had it.//

[living_endless]

"Yeah?" Didi looked surprised, craning her neck to meet his eyes. "How come?"

[OOC: Night!]

[furnaceface]

Jono was just full of surprises, wasn't he? He almost smiled as he met her gaze.

//Because,// he replied, //he's yer brother.//

[Night!]