[Oh. Ohhh. There's no real probing behind Rei's line of questioning, Max just assumed there was. And now she's given it away. But... it won't hurt to just talk about Arcadia Bay, right? Not necessarily tell Rei anything big.
And Max told Chloe about a month ago that she'd try to rewind less, so she'll see how this conversation goes before resorting to that.]
...Okay. But I don't even know where to start. [She shrugs. There's still that lingering look of surprise and worry on her face.] It's a seaside town, and quiet most of the time. Just a lot of boats and trucks... a bunch of artsy students up at Blackwell Academy. I studied there for a while.
[She'd appreciate a lack of rewinding, generally, yes. Better to have a conversation in good faith.
Especially something as innocent as this. Naturally ideas have sprouted, but she's sensitive enough to other people's feelings to know when not to pry.]
Blackwell Academy...is a private school? [Chloe hadn't mentioned her schooling, but then Rei didn't really ask.]
She went for art or something, didn't she? And what about you?
[She hasn't talked about Blackwell in ages, except to mention it in passing. It strikes her as an odd topic all of a sudden. Like a whole different life, more of a dream than even Deerington.]
She didn't have a specialization yet. Maybe science or art at some point. But I moved to Seattle, so... [She still doesn't look Rei in the eye.] I went back and took photography classes years later, and by then she wasn't in school anymore.
[Right. Chloe had mentioned she'd dropped out, hadn't she? Rei swallows the last of her tea and leans back, focusing more fully on Max.
Why was she so skittish...?]
Max...I know it's not really my place to pry, so if talking about this is a sensitive topic, we can change the subject. I came here to try and help you, not...make it worse.
...No, it's okay. I just haven't talked about it in so long.
[She draws into herself a little before finally looking up at the other girl.]
Chloe's had a crazy hard life. And so much of it is because I'm such a shit friend, and... And please, please don't tell her, but... She dies back home, because of me, and I-
[There's tears in her eyes again. She blinks and fights them but it quickly gets worse. So much of this is suddenly bubbling to the surface, pouring out of her if not for the fact that she's running out of breath.]
[This is...actually kind of a stunning revelation. Something, she's not sure what, has bubbled up inside Max and she's clearly reaching out for assistance and it takes Rei completely off guard. Whatever this is, it's clearly a huge deal, so she does her best to school her face into neutrality and just listen to the outpouring of sorrow.
When Max cuts off like that, Rei scoots a bit closer, her arms opening a little to offer a hug...or something? God, why is she so bad at this?]
I won't tell her, Max. [She says, hopefully reassuringly.]
But I don't think she considers you a shit friend. Quite the opposite, in fact. And what happened here isn't your fault. It's that maniac's, and only his.
[Unfortunately, Max is a similarly awkward person, and this moment is a particularly vulnerable one. She sees the offered hug and leans in to give a very brief, light one. But only a moment passes before she pulls away.]
I know, but... I'm sorry, Rei. I didn't mean to dump this on you. I don't have anyone to talk to about it...
[Admitting that actually brings her down a little. She shakes her head and turns away, hiding her face as she wipes her tears.]
[She pulls back and slides back to her original position, looking the younger girl right in the face.]
You aren't dumping anything on me. I'm here to listen, if you need to talk more, whenever you need. Even if it's late at night, you just need a to text me, and I'll come.
[Period, no questions, no judgments, she'll be here. It's the right thing to do.]
[Max turns back to her, eyes drier but still shining. Her expression is soft, vulnerable. But there's also a small sincere smile. Rei's offer isn't one Max takes for granted. It's a gentle but powerful thing.]
...Thank you.
[For the offer, but for the visit, too. For listening.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
son of a
Date: 2019-01-25 01:10 pm (UTC)Wh-what?
[Is Rei being serious? Max stares at her, searching.]
Why?
no subject
Date: 2019-01-25 02:29 pm (UTC)[Jesus...that's not the response she expected.]
Max, if that isn't an innocent enough question...then I'm missing something big. And I won't seriously tell Chloe anything, but...humor me?
no subject
Date: 2019-01-27 04:00 pm (UTC)And Max told Chloe about a month ago that she'd try to rewind less, so she'll see how this conversation goes before resorting to that.]
...Okay. But I don't even know where to start. [She shrugs. There's still that lingering look of surprise and worry on her face.] It's a seaside town, and quiet most of the time. Just a lot of boats and trucks... a bunch of artsy students up at Blackwell Academy. I studied there for a while.
[Years and years ago. She pauses.]
Chloe did too, actually.
no subject
Date: 2019-01-28 01:28 am (UTC)Especially something as innocent as this. Naturally ideas have sprouted, but she's sensitive enough to other people's feelings to know when not to pry.]
Blackwell Academy...is a private school? [Chloe hadn't mentioned her schooling, but then Rei didn't really ask.]
She went for art or something, didn't she? And what about you?
no subject
Date: 2019-01-30 02:06 pm (UTC)[She hasn't talked about Blackwell in ages, except to mention it in passing. It strikes her as an odd topic all of a sudden. Like a whole different life, more of a dream than even Deerington.]
She didn't have a specialization yet. Maybe science or art at some point. But I moved to Seattle, so... [She still doesn't look Rei in the eye.] I went back and took photography classes years later, and by then she wasn't in school anymore.
no subject
Date: 2019-01-30 09:23 pm (UTC)[Right. Chloe had mentioned she'd dropped out, hadn't she? Rei swallows the last of her tea and leans back, focusing more fully on Max.
Why was she so skittish...?]
Max...I know it's not really my place to pry, so if talking about this is a sensitive topic, we can change the subject. I came here to try and help you, not...make it worse.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-01 04:40 pm (UTC)[She draws into herself a little before finally looking up at the other girl.]
Chloe's had a crazy hard life. And so much of it is because I'm such a shit friend, and... And please, please don't tell her, but... She dies back home, because of me, and I-
[There's tears in her eyes again. She blinks and fights them but it quickly gets worse. So much of this is suddenly bubbling to the surface, pouring out of her if not for the fact that she's running out of breath.]
I can't-... save her. Even here, I can't-...
no subject
Date: 2019-02-01 10:17 pm (UTC)When Max cuts off like that, Rei scoots a bit closer, her arms opening a little to offer a hug...or something? God, why is she so bad at this?]
I won't tell her, Max. [She says, hopefully reassuringly.]
But I don't think she considers you a shit friend. Quite the opposite, in fact. And what happened here isn't your fault. It's that maniac's, and only his.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-03 02:53 pm (UTC)I know, but... I'm sorry, Rei. I didn't mean to dump this on you. I don't have anyone to talk to about it...
[Admitting that actually brings her down a little. She shakes her head and turns away, hiding her face as she wipes her tears.]
Uhm. Thanks for the food.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-03 07:37 pm (UTC)[She pulls back and slides back to her original position, looking the younger girl right in the face.]
You aren't dumping anything on me. I'm here to listen, if you need to talk more, whenever you need. Even if it's late at night, you just need a to text me, and I'll come.
[Period, no questions, no judgments, she'll be here. It's the right thing to do.]
I'll keep bringing you food, too.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-05 02:38 am (UTC)...Thank you.
[For the offer, but for the visit, too. For listening.]