Whumpee finally escapes. Or were they let go? They honestly aren't sure which. All they know is that they finally got everything they wanted, they're free. But something is wrong. It turns out whumper might have been right. The world is just a bit too big for them. It's scary, dangerous... overwhelming. Whumper was right when they warned them outside was actually less safe. Less comfortable. Less kind. Suddenly whumpee isn't sure they want to be free. Maybe whumper is keeping them safe after-all. Before they know it they find themselves back where they'd just escaped, on their knees in front of whumper. Words pour out of their mouth, begging and sharing and emotional dumping, and just pleading, pleading whumper to take them back in, where it's calm and quiet and there's simple rules, with simple results. They'll do anything. They're so so so sorry they left. They're sorry they didn't listen It had just gotten too much, it hurt too much, and they just wanted to stop hurting. They didn't mean to leave, they didn't mean to put themself in danger. They just couldn't handle all the feelings anymore. Please all they're asking for is a little more kindness and they'll stay forever. They'll do anything, anything, whumper wants.
Whumper watches them, cold, expressionless, for almost half an hour. They listen to whumpee plead and sob and cry until their throat is sore and their mouth is dry. And then slowly, they nod. "Welcome home whumpee dear. Of course we can be more gentle, if you finally understand your place. I only ever was correcting you to keep you safe like I told you. If you're finally willing to learn better, it's wonderful to have you home."
That night, for the first time in a long time, whumpee didn't sleep on a floor. They fell asleep on whumper's bed, curled up to their chest, shivering as their touch starved body and affection starved brain curls up tight and close. Not caring that this is the monster that had been torturing them for months. This was their proper owner now afterall. They hadn't been lying. They had been keeping whumpee safe. And the arms around them felt too good. A soft bed. An arm tucked around protectively. A belly full of Chinese takeout. Whumpee doesn't know if they escaped, or were let go. All they know is they're home finally now. They drift to sleep in Whumper's arms. Safe.
Infodumping Whumper who excitedly explains the nuances of the torment they're putting whumpee through. Explaining the mechanism of waterboarding or Chinese water torture, or pointing out the muscle groups and tendons that are strained by a certain stress position. Rambling about the specifics that went into creating this particular blade and the names of each part of the piece, gesturing where the blade spine has been covered in whumpee's blood. A whumper that makes their own rope or leather restraints and talking about the methods they used, or even enlisting whumpee to display different embroidery techniques by being the canvas.
Infodumping Caretaker talking because if they're talking about whumpee's injuries like a medical journal, they can't think about how it's Whumpee that's hurt and potentially dying. Getting too caught up in describing the potential long term effects of the torture and realizing they've just said, very plainly, that Whumpee will never walk or see or strum their instrument again. Discussing the benefits and the history of a certain medical procedure and how it was discovered and perfected. Talking Whumpee through a field surgery because there isn't any anesthetic, none except for Caretaker's words and distractions.
Infodumping Whumpee talking themself hoarse. To fill the silent, long hours waiting for rescue or for Whumper to return. To keep their mind off the secrets they're trying to protect even as they're tortured and interrogated, or to send a code to their team through the wire they wear or the live stream or recording whumper sends them. To annoy the Whumper so they keep their attention off the other whumpee in the cell. To have something else to focus on other than the agony they're in, their potential future with Whumper where this is only just the start.
And of course, infodumps by the author, where you can see what areas they themself researched heavily either for their occupation, studies, or hobby and interest.
Note: Dunno where I was going with this, but this was vaguely inspired by how I had my glasses off during a lunch break. A lunch break that, coincidentally, saw my boss stop by with a possible new recruit to the lab, calling me the “best person in my department” when I couldn’t even make out her face.
It is fun being the only senior worker in the department when everyone else has left despite being at the company for only 6 months. The daily fatigue is something I could die for. (sarcasm)
Otherwise, here's some more reading material for everyone, perhaps? I'm thinking @hasquetzdoneanythingwrong and @siegfaerie for now, just because of all the reviews from this past weekend. Just a passing thought.
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“Senpai, you’re not wearing your glasses!”
Vy did nothing but blink at the sound of Mash’s voice, slowly raising her head in Mash’s general direction once the statement registered in her brain. “Aye…?” The darn corrective lenses were sitting around the dining table somewhere… Vy could’ve sworn she left them on a nearby napkin to put on for later. “Don’t needa read anything right now…?”
Maybe taking off her glasses for mealtimes might’ve been a bad idea considering how Mash’s surprised voice was still echoing in the Novum Chaldea Dining Hall.
Still, at her leftmost side, Robin made a snort-kind of noise, and Vy barely found any energy in her to move once an arm was reaching over and adjusting the green cloak sitting on her shoulders. Even with all the blurriness, it was obvious he was making a face at her. “Eat first, then talk?” Robin offered dryly in contrast to the almost feather-like kind touch lingering on her head. Was he patting her again? “You still look like you’re half-dead, little sparrow.”
Mash seemed to double-take at that part as she slowly approached Vy’s table with her own food tray, and Vy simply shrugged her shoulders, voice lost in her throat. I’ll take you up on that idea, Big Robin, she thought instead, hoping the mental connection helped fill in what her energy couldn’t provide as she absently poked a piece of tofu with her fork. Kinda here-there today…
I-Is that why you’re not wearing your glasses, Senpai? From the lack of energy? Mash said, her mental voice hesitant yet still all the more lovable-kouhai in feel from how it tickled Vy’s brain. I-I understand where you’re coming from, but won’t it be hard to see us?
It’s okay. Vy raised a single hand to make an “eh” gesture in the air. I got my first pair of glasses when I was 10, beloved kouhai, she replied quietly, absently noting Mash’s blurry figure sitting down in the chair across from her before closing her eyes and letting the blurriness fade for a bit. The world being blurry is nothing new to me. Even if I can’t read everything from far away, that doesn’t mean I can’t feel where you are. Even if it’s approximating most of the time. Taking my glasses off during meals just reminds me that I shouldn’t take them for granted, is all.
Hm, a new voice chimed in thoughtfully, and Vy blinked once the weight on her shoulders grew heavier. Another cloak? What can you see without your glasses, Princess?
Art-san, Vy said softly, at the same time Mash said, H-Hello, Arturia-san!
I’ve been wondering that too! Achilles was suddenly yelling, and Vy didn’t have to see all of Robin’s face to know the Archer was wincing at his fellow Servant’s mental volume. Could you still issue commands to us without your glasses, Princess?!
I-I’m amazed you two are curious about it, Vy muttered, but still felt a giggle bubble up in her throat. But to answer your questions, I can only see up to Big Robin’s right hand in terms of clarity since he’s sitting right next to me, so battle commands may be iffy. Probably wouldn’t be able to get around by myself if I didn’t have glasses to begin with, when I think about it.
The atmosphere suddenly seemed a lot less light with Vy saying that. It was enough of a tonal drop to make Vy wonder if she said something wrong.
Senpai… Mash said after a proper pause, knocking Vy out of whatever anxiety stew her mind conducted, Does that mean you can’t even see all of me?
Vy blinked her eyes open slowly, noted the blurriness of Mash’s figure, but still shook her head. I can see you, kouhai, she said, but not clearly. That’s all. In spite of lingering fatigue, Vy put on her best smile. It’s okay.
Still, Princess… Arturia said softly. Doesn’t that hurt?
Vy considered. She swiveled her head to the side a bit to take in the vague shapes of Robin’s fingers, of the intricate muscles that she could see, before shrugging. Compared to what everyone else had to deal with in their lives, my being able to see clearly doesn’t mean much. And I still have my glasses, Art-san. They’re somewhere on the table and I can pick them up to go back to normal. I’ll be okay.
It took a moment for Vy to realize four people were hugging her all at once. It took another moment to register said people as the Servants and kouhai originally sitting around her.
…You don’t have to worry about me, y’know, Vy said softly. I’m just tired today, that’s all. If it helps, I can put on my glasses after this so we can work on farming together. That is, if you all want that.
Robin snorted again. Don’t talk about farming right now. Just… Just take the hugs, little sparrow.
Vy decided not to question it in spite of the massive bout of confusion swirling about in her gut.
