R1 DEADLAND

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[donotlick]

[ Ah, that's... Yeah, Hank doesn't have to guess why Rebecca would show up on Not A Friday. He won't ask. Whether it was a robot, Hanthaniel or something else... she probably doesn't need reminding.

There's gonna be plenty of other existential dread to go around. Right now, she probably just needs a shoulder to cry on and a pat on the back. ]

Hey, Becca.

[ He does just that, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, greeting her with a calm smile. What does it matter if she's dead now? Living or dead, Hank promised he'd be there for her. So he is. ]

This ain't the afterlife, don't sweat it.

[throwabookatit]

[ Well, there are a few people here whose comfort would just make her break down into tears. Viral's one of them, and here's the other one.

Rebecca looks up at him with an anguished expression, brows knit and lip quivering. That gentle smile and warm voice wash over her, replacing the image of a broken man in a golf cart that's been playing in her nightmares. ]

Hank... [ And she just dissolves into sobs, more like a little girl than a grown woman. ]

[donotlick]

Bring it here.

[ Hank pulls her into his arms, letting her squeeze as tight as she needs. He's held her through plenty of tears and sobs. He can think of no reason why this would be any different. ]

It's okay, Becks. You're okay now.

[throwabookatit]

I- I was- I-I was s-so--

[ She tries to form a sentence, just one damn one, but she can't. All the words are swallowed up by her sorrow. ]

[donotlick]

[ Hank shakes his head, rubbing a hand down her back as she cries. ]

It's alright. Whatever happened -- it's over now. We're here.

[throwabookatit]

B- but I st-still-- I- th-there was s-so much...!

[ Still can't seem to put her words together, but at the very least she returns the hug, gripping back as tight as she can. ]

[donotlick]

Shit, I bet there was.

[ Hank gives her a tight squeeze, letting her cry into his jacket. Hey, at least now it's his actual jacket. ]

You can tell me all about it later, alright? Let's take this one thing at a time.

[throwabookatit]

[ ...Yeah, you know that's actually a good idea. If she keeps dwelling on it all, she's going to lose her mind. Again.

So, she nods. Once, twice, three times, eyes squeezing tighter each time. ]

I- I m-missed you...so much, I thoug- I thought--

[donotlick]

[ Hank's been doing this a long time. He knows when you just have to let it out and cry. ]

Yeah. Me too.

[ He starts petting her hair, holding her close. ]

I missed you too. This place is... well, it's not the afterlife, like I said. But you might wanna sit down before I tell you, 'cause it's kind of a lot.

[throwabookatit]

I- I know s-some of it. It- it's a s- simulation, we're a-all-- th-that, in a- c-comp...

[ Stop trying to talk while you're literally sobbing Rebecca. ]

[donotlick]

Yeah.

[ You're literally sobbing Rebecca, it's okay. Hank just keeps soothing her. ]

Look, um... [ Hank takes her hand. He doesn't actually know how to interface yet so maybe Rebecca feels something or maybe she doesn't, but he is trying here, ok! He just wants her to feel better. ] Don't worry about that shit right now, okay? I'm sure you did your best, Becca.

I meant what I said at the thing yesterday. I'm proud of you.

references to suicide

[throwabookatit]

[ What...is that? That gently warm feeling? She can't focus on it right now.

Those words, they elicit another whimper and: ] But I- I let myself... I let myself get used a-and- and I left them all... I left them all alone...!

[ Rantaro, Edgar, Monika. Anyone else, who happened to arrive after her awareness faded, how- they had to see that, what's she done to them? ]

[donotlick]

[ Okay, cool, he's gonna keep that up. Just. Sending out calm feelings, because fuck it, if Connor can do it, Hank can too? Totally. At least he really does have experience with calming people down. ]

You didn't let anything, Becca. All the shit that's happened here -- that's all been the administration's fault.

[ Hank squeezes her hand, keeping those feelings steady. He's 100% serious with this. ]

You did all you could. They've got all the tools, you and me and Connor taught 'em how to use 'em. They aren't gonna forget that just because you're not there. It's alright.

[throwabookatit]

[ Honestly, Rebecca doesn't understand where it's coming from, but the calm that washes over her actually makes her take a deep breath and try looking at him.

She's safe right now. That's flooding in and pushing the pain to nooks and crannies. ]

How...c-could you ever think you weren't good at this?

[donotlick]

[ Hell yeah, hand-holding in deadland is the best and Hank's going to be so proud for getting this right. He knows Rebecca's safe now, all he has to do is think about how important she is for him, how much he cares about her and the warm feelings just flow naturally. ]

Well. [ He smiles softly. ] Used to be nobody gave a shit about me. Now I've got a whole bunch of lousy kids I can't seem to get rid of.

[throwabookatit]

[ What even is this? She can't understand where it's all coming from, only that...she thinks she has Hank to thank for it, just all the good filling her up. Maybe, through this...he can feel all the gratitude inside her, because it's what she's thinking about right now. Just how much she's wanted attention like this from a father figure. ]

N-not ever. If...even this place can't... Not ever.

[donotlick]

[ Yeah, he can feel that too. Maybe he should explain what's actually happening, but first he needs to make sure Rebecca is alright. And the first step to getting her there is to help her stop crying, and to hug her tight and give her just the kind of care she deserves. ]

You got it. [ He shakes his head, smirking. ] Never in a million years.

[throwabookatit]

Good.

[ The tension leaves her muscles with a steady, shaky sigh. ]

Nothing to do now...but leave it to them.

[donotlick]

That's right.

[ Hank runs a hand through her hair, smiling softly still. ]

We'll do what we can from here, and leave the rest to them.

[throwabookatit]

[ She swallows, and- he was trying to explain a few things to her, wasn't he? ]

Are we...are we really...in a computer, here?

[donotlick]

[ Hardest question first, huh? Hank nods, still calm. ]

Yeah. We are.

[ But before she panics, he'll give her something else to think about. ]

It's been a field day for Connor -- he's been figuring shit out faster than anybody. Won't be long before he's a pro at this place.

[throwabookatit]

[ Despite it all, she feels like she can offer a smile. ]

Of course he has. This must be just like...riding a bicycle, for him.

[donotlick]

Sure has.

[ Hank smiles. He's so proud of his boy!! ]

It's nice to finally see him smiling more. I think since it's more familiar to him, he's finally getting the chance to relax.

[throwabookatit]

For this to happen...for him to relax...

[ God, that's sad, but. ]

...At least...there's that.

[donotlick]

Yeah. If nothing else, it's good for that.

[ Hank smiles, sadly. He knows it's sad, but what can you do... ]

He's been opening up a bit more here. I think it'll be good for him.