( OPEN ) Frank Castle

[bellare]

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬, 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐞𝐭𝐜.

Comments

[bellare]

[ science is like magic. the simplicity of her words is sweet, even if he doesn't agree, necessarily. he hears a noise behind him and turns to see the pot boiling over — of course. he'll tend to that while he processes her information, dumping the noodles in and stirring the water so it will stay inside. ]

They went down saving my life. I'm not saying I don't want— to see them again. [ his voice grows tight with that confession, he still can't turn around to look at her while he talks. ] But there's only going to be one time we reunite. [ and that's when frank dies. ]

[emori]

[Emori is quiet for a long time, taking in Frank's words. It's obvious that he means in the end. Her people had many stories for what happened when you die. Yu gonplei ste odon, your fight is over, they'd whisper to dying people. At least, that's what Emori saw in her travels. She was tossed out of her clan long before she could learn it. To her, death meant nothing. Nothing happened when you died. You became food for the Earth.]

Is that what... happens when you die?

[bellare]

[ it's a loaded question, naturally. ]

I'll find out someday. [ but knowing his luck? not any time soon. he puts their noodles in bowls and sets them down at the little table. ] Careful, it's hot.

8 DAYS AGO HOLY SHIT SORRY CA ILU

[emori]

[Emori cups her hands around the bowl as much as she can-- her different hand has fingers that don't seem to want to bend.]

What else do you believe?

[She looks down into the noodles and smiles at him softly. Making food for someone was like telling them you loved them.]

You're my family too, Frank.

you're fine!!

[bellare]

[ that's certainly a loaded question, but he smiles while blowing on his soup. ]

Ultimately, I believe people get what they deserve. I believe in justice, Emori.

[ he has to or he will lose what little wits he's managed to hang onto up until now. frank goes to take a bite of his noodles when she drops that bombshell and his utensil clatters against the bowl as he drops it, splattering some hot broth onto his shirt and bare arm. ]

I... [ his gaze is wild, not the usual sedate charge she's used to. ] I'll do my best to live up to that.

[emori]

[That was noticeable. Emori sets her own utensil down against the bowl's lip and looks at him very plainly.]

I can distance myself if that's what you want. I just wanted to tell you that you mean something to me. I collect family members. Not like... trinkets, but like memories. [She lets out a huff.] That sounds like poetry Harper would like. I just mean that I didn't have a family so I make it.

[bellare]

[ it's what he should want, he thinks. even a year ago - even a few months ago - he might have told her as much. ] Who's Harper? [ he asks as he picks his fork back up to stab at some noodles. ]

[emori]

[Emori used to be able to keep her emotions hidden well. But after being around loving and supportive people who also had their own issues bottling up feelings, well, things changed. She's visibly hurt.]

She's like my sister. Blonde hair, very pretty. Her and Monty were inseparable.

[bellare]

They're here? In the pods? [ he asks softly, gaze shifting sideways. ] I think it's... admirable, collecting people like you said. I'm not as good at forming attachments.

[ but with her, it hadn't been a chore. he's only grateful she allows him to stay in her life. ]

[emori]

[She nods, a mouthful of noodles preventing her from speaking. Once they're done, she babbles on.]

If you lost something, the thing you replace it with will never be as good as what you had. But it's enough to keep you sane. You ... didn't seem to care for me collecting you.