Have A Seat!

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*A bar that was… certainly not there before has appeared in the headspace.*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Where's mum and dad?

*{They pad over to Squa, wobbling a bit and hovering around him, taking a small peek at the book.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Somewhere around here, i suppose.”

[[He murmured, subconsciously adjust in the book so that they could see it better. It was a cookbook, apparently.]]

“Do you need anything?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

It's so... Quite... Even the archives would never be this... muted.

*{They're both unnerved and a bit amazed at the absence of noise, they don't mind it much but being alone makes the quite uncomfortable for some reason, they can't remember why but it's probably a good thing... Their head spins a bit more.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“I understand.”

[[Squa moved over on the couch he was sitting on, allowing Caoimhe to sit if they so pleased.]]

“I could put some music on, if you would like. There is a phonograph a few aisles down.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

That'd be nice...

*{The words a mumbled out as they move to sit down, stumbling a bit.}*

It's... Hard to do any reading because I Know the stories already... Even if I've never seen the book before.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“…I can see how that would be uncomfortable. Would you like me to carry you?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Carry me? Why?

*{They were still trying to ignore how dizzy they felt, how it blurred their vision, they didn't even realize that they had stumbled in the process of sitting down.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“To the phonograph. It’s fine if you would prefer to walk yourself, it was an offer.”

[[He looked over them.]]

“Are you alright.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Fine! I'm okay.

*{That came out too quickly for it to be the truth, Caoimhe knows that, but they pray that Squa just brushes it off.}*

And I don't mind being carried, I just wasn't expecting the offer so I got a bit confused.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Squa stared at them blankly.]]

“…I am not going to force you to say anything, but I can tell there is something wrong. You aren’t acting like you usually do. I can tell. I will not make you tell me.”

[[He tucked his book under his arm, then held his hands out to Caoimhe.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{They pressed their lips tightly together, nodding while taking his hand and standing up, their vision darkening slightly and they squeezed his hand, feeling as if a heavy fog settled over them for a moment before it passed, though the dizziness persisted.}*

Thank you, Papa...

*{Even if they didn't remember much of their past life they Knew that it wasn't often an adult didn't pressure them for answers.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Squa scooped them up, holding on tightly with Caoimhe in one arm and his book in the other.]]

“You are welcome, Caoimhe.”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Where's mum and dad?

*{They pad over to Squa, wobbling a bit and hovering around him, taking a small peek at the book.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Somewhere around here, i suppose.”

[[He murmured, subconsciously adjust in the book so that they could see it better. It was a cookbook, apparently.]]

“Do you need anything?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

It's so... Quite... Even the archives would never be this... muted.

*{They're both unnerved and a bit amazed at the absence of noise, they don't mind it much but being alone makes the quite uncomfortable for some reason, they can't remember why but it's probably a good thing... Their head spins a bit more.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“I understand.”

[[Squa moved over on the couch he was sitting on, allowing Caoimhe to sit if they so pleased.]]

“I could put some music on, if you would like. There is a phonograph a few aisles down.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

That'd be nice...

*{The words a mumbled out as they move to sit down, stumbling a bit.}*

It's... Hard to do any reading because I Know the stories already... Even if I've never seen the book before.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“…I can see how that would be uncomfortable. Would you like me to carry you?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Carry me? Why?

*{They were still trying to ignore how dizzy they felt, how it blurred their vision, they didn't even realize that they had stumbled in the process of sitting down.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“To the phonograph. It’s fine if you would prefer to walk yourself, it was an offer.”

[[He looked over them.]]

“Are you alright.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Fine! I'm okay.

*{That came out too quickly for it to be the truth, Caoimhe knows that, but they pray that Squa just brushes it off.}*

And I don't mind being carried, I just wasn't expecting the offer so I got a bit confused.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Squa stared at them blankly.]]

“…I am not going to force you to say anything, but I can tell there is something wrong. You aren’t acting like you usually do. I can tell. I will not make you tell me.”

[[He tucked his book under his arm, then held his hands out to Caoimhe.]]

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Where's mum and dad?

*{They pad over to Squa, wobbling a bit and hovering around him, taking a small peek at the book.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Somewhere around here, i suppose.”

[[He murmured, subconsciously adjust in the book so that they could see it better. It was a cookbook, apparently.]]

“Do you need anything?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

It's so... Quite... Even the archives would never be this... muted.

*{They're both unnerved and a bit amazed at the absence of noise, they don't mind it much but being alone makes the quite uncomfortable for some reason, they can't remember why but it's probably a good thing... Their head spins a bit more.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“I understand.”

[[Squa moved over on the couch he was sitting on, allowing Caoimhe to sit if they so pleased.]]

“I could put some music on, if you would like. There is a phonograph a few aisles down.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

That'd be nice...

*{The words a mumbled out as they move to sit down, stumbling a bit.}*

It's... Hard to do any reading because I Know the stories already... Even if I've never seen the book before.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“…I can see how that would be uncomfortable. Would you like me to carry you?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Carry me? Why?

*{They were still trying to ignore how dizzy they felt, how it blurred their vision, they didn't even realize that they had stumbled in the process of sitting down.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“To the phonograph. It’s fine if you would prefer to walk yourself, it was an offer.”

[[He looked over them.]]

“Are you alright.”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Where's mum and dad?

*{They pad over to Squa, wobbling a bit and hovering around him, taking a small peek at the book.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Somewhere around here, i suppose.”

[[He murmured, subconsciously adjust in the book so that they could see it better. It was a cookbook, apparently.]]

“Do you need anything?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

It's so... Quite... Even the archives would never be this... muted.

*{They're both unnerved and a bit amazed at the absence of noise, they don't mind it much but being alone makes the quite uncomfortable for some reason, they can't remember why but it's probably a good thing... Their head spins a bit more.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“I understand.”

[[Squa moved over on the couch he was sitting on, allowing Caoimhe to sit if they so pleased.]]

“I could put some music on, if you would like. There is a phonograph a few aisles down.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

That'd be nice...

*{The words a mumbled out as they move to sit down, stumbling a bit.}*

It's... Hard to do any reading because I Know the stories already... Even if I've never seen the book before.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“…I can see how that would be uncomfortable. Would you like me to carry you?”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Where's mum and dad?

*{They pad over to Squa, wobbling a bit and hovering around him, taking a small peek at the book.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Somewhere around here, i suppose.”

[[He murmured, subconsciously adjust in the book so that they could see it better. It was a cookbook, apparently.]]

“Do you need anything?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

It's so... Quite... Even the archives would never be this... muted.

*{They're both unnerved and a bit amazed at the absence of noise, they don't mind it much but being alone makes the quite uncomfortable for some reason, they can't remember why but it's probably a good thing... Their head spins a bit more.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“I understand.”

[[Squa moved over on the couch he was sitting on, allowing Caoimhe to sit if they so pleased.]]

“I could put some music on, if you would like. There is a phonograph a few aisles down.”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Where's mum and dad?

*{They pad over to Squa, wobbling a bit and hovering around him, taking a small peek at the book.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Somewhere around here, i suppose.”

[[He murmured, subconsciously adjust in the book so that they could see it better. It was a cookbook, apparently.]]

“Do you need anything?”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{The kid pokes their head around the library, looking for one of their parents or Matilda. Things have been too quiet recently and they're a bit worried.}*

Hello?

*{They don't like how floaty their head feels but they ignore it for now, more focused on finding someone else... Anyone else.}*

@cecesslesswatcher

[[Squa looks up from a book he was reading.]]

“Yes, Caoimhe?”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

”hey.what,,, what do you call it when a bunch of crows go to a bar?”

*Silence, followed by him trying not to laugh at his own joke.*

“a crowbar!!!!!!”

*giggling, followed by a loud kneeslap.* ”ow-“

-🧀

[[Tri stifled a laugh.]]

I think a crow came to the bar once… really creepy about it though

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{ Time passes, probably only about an hour or two before Caoimhe wakes up again, shifting around a bit.}*

*{Watcher still sits on the floor at the end of the bed, disappearing once Caoimhe is fully awake.}*

[[Tri had fallen asleep in the meantime, and Octo and Squa were quietly talking to each other. They fell silent when Caoimhe began waking up.]]

Morning, kiddo!

“Mornings don’t exist here.”

well- i know, just a figure of speech-

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri sighed, putting a hand on her hip.]]

“He doesn’t really like goin’ alone, but he wants to… prove he’s well enough to do so.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Caoimhe only frowns, a pouty look.}*

But he... Isn't, not entirely... He shouldn't have to force himself through uncomfortable things constantly...

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Hes also a stubborn ass sometimes.”

[[Tri says teasingly, smiling.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

Heh... He does seem stubborn...

*{Caoimhe shifts around a bit, looking to Matilda.}*

Hello... Sorry about how you... Initially met me, I'm Caoimhe.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Matilda smiled, holding a hand out.]]

“It’s quite alright. My name is Matilda, it’s lovely to meet you nonetheless!”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Glad it doesn't bother you much... Uhh, it looks like... Watcher pulled out a few books.

*{They looked at the ASL books that laid kind of abandoned after what had happened.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

Ah- Right-

[[Octo took one, flipping through it.]]

I’ve always been meaning to get around to learning ASL..

“Oh! I know a little! Nimar is teaching me!… well, the alphabet!”

[cecesslesswatcher]

I assume it pulled this out so it could talk without the need for paper constantly?

*{The kid smiled a bit, finding it kind of sweet that Watcher was actually willing to get over that barrier in some way so they didn't have to play translator.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Most likely…”

[[Octo saw the kid smile, then smiled himself, turning to Matilda.]]

You think we could check all these out?

“I mean, yall have been staying here at the library for a while, so you shouldn’t even have to! I’ll know where they are.”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{ Time passes, probably only about an hour or two before Caoimhe wakes up again, shifting around a bit.}*

*{Watcher still sits on the floor at the end of the bed, disappearing once Caoimhe is fully awake.}*

[[Tri had fallen asleep in the meantime, and Octo and Squa were quietly talking to each other. They fell silent when Caoimhe began waking up.]]

Morning, kiddo!

“Mornings don’t exist here.”

well- i know, just a figure of speech-

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri sighed, putting a hand on her hip.]]

“He doesn’t really like goin’ alone, but he wants to… prove he’s well enough to do so.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Caoimhe only frowns, a pouty look.}*

But he... Isn't, not entirely... He shouldn't have to force himself through uncomfortable things constantly...

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Hes also a stubborn ass sometimes.”

[[Tri says teasingly, smiling.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

Heh... He does seem stubborn...

*{Caoimhe shifts around a bit, looking to Matilda.}*

Hello... Sorry about how you... Initially met me, I'm Caoimhe.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Matilda smiled, holding a hand out.]]

“It’s quite alright. My name is Matilda, it’s lovely to meet you nonetheless!”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Glad it doesn't bother you much... Uhh, it looks like... Watcher pulled out a few books.

*{They looked at the ASL books that laid kind of abandoned after what had happened.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

Ah- Right-

[[Octo took one, flipping through it.]]

I’ve always been meaning to get around to learning ASL..

“Oh! I know a little! Nimar is teaching me!… well, the alphabet!”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{ Time passes, probably only about an hour or two before Caoimhe wakes up again, shifting around a bit.}*

*{Watcher still sits on the floor at the end of the bed, disappearing once Caoimhe is fully awake.}*

[[Tri had fallen asleep in the meantime, and Octo and Squa were quietly talking to each other. They fell silent when Caoimhe began waking up.]]

Morning, kiddo!

“Mornings don’t exist here.”

well- i know, just a figure of speech-

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri sighed, putting a hand on her hip.]]

“He doesn’t really like goin’ alone, but he wants to… prove he’s well enough to do so.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Caoimhe only frowns, a pouty look.}*

But he... Isn't, not entirely... He shouldn't have to force himself through uncomfortable things constantly...

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Hes also a stubborn ass sometimes.”

[[Tri says teasingly, smiling.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

Heh... He does seem stubborn...

*{Caoimhe shifts around a bit, looking to Matilda.}*

Hello... Sorry about how you... Initially met me, I'm Caoimhe.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Matilda smiled, holding a hand out.]]

“It’s quite alright. My name is Matilda, it’s lovely to meet you nonetheless!”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{ Time passes, probably only about an hour or two before Caoimhe wakes up again, shifting around a bit.}*

*{Watcher still sits on the floor at the end of the bed, disappearing once Caoimhe is fully awake.}*

[[Tri had fallen asleep in the meantime, and Octo and Squa were quietly talking to each other. They fell silent when Caoimhe began waking up.]]

Morning, kiddo!

“Mornings don’t exist here.”

well- i know, just a figure of speech-

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri sighed, putting a hand on her hip.]]

“He doesn’t really like goin’ alone, but he wants to… prove he’s well enough to do so.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Caoimhe only frowns, a pouty look.}*

But he... Isn't, not entirely... He shouldn't have to force himself through uncomfortable things constantly...

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Hes also a stubborn ass sometimes.”

[[Tri says teasingly, smiling.]]

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{ Time passes, probably only about an hour or two before Caoimhe wakes up again, shifting around a bit.}*

*{Watcher still sits on the floor at the end of the bed, disappearing once Caoimhe is fully awake.}*

[[Tri had fallen asleep in the meantime, and Octo and Squa were quietly talking to each other. They fell silent when Caoimhe began waking up.]]

Morning, kiddo!

“Mornings don’t exist here.”

well- i know, just a figure of speech-

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri sighed, putting a hand on her hip.]]

“He doesn’t really like goin’ alone, but he wants to… prove he’s well enough to do so.”

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*rises through the floor*

i saw a rat.

“AAAAAAAAAAAA”

[[Matilda and Tri grab onto each other, and Tri throws a shoe at the wizard. Octo covers the kids ears, staring at the stranger.]]

…?????

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

*{ Time passes, probably only about an hour or two before Caoimhe wakes up again, shifting around a bit.}*

*{Watcher still sits on the floor at the end of the bed, disappearing once Caoimhe is fully awake.}*

[[Tri had fallen asleep in the meantime, and Octo and Squa were quietly talking to each other. They fell silent when Caoimhe began waking up.]]

Morning, kiddo!

“Mornings don’t exist here.”

well- i know, just a figure of speech-

[cecesslesswatcher]

Mmmm... Kinda... I'm feeling much more aware of everything that's going on around us but I feel like I could slip back at any moment, let's just... Hope there isn't any more triggers...

*{They mumbled, melting again.}*

And I was having a good day damn it.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Don’t let those assholes get you down, hon-“

“Language.”

“-they’re just pains in the neck. As you said, Tpm keeps em in here for a reason. And look! We’re here!”

[[The grocery section of the store stood before them, and Squa continued to lead the way.]]

“I’ll grab what we need, then we should go. I don’t want to stay here any longer than we have to”

[cecesslesswatcher]

*Good job kid, sure they didn't listen but still, glad you said it.*

*{Caoimhe jolts a bit at Watcher suddenly appearing.}*

Oh- I- thank you Watcher...

*{They nod keeping at least one eye on everyone. Herding behavior.}*

*Fuck off.*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Octo jumped when Watched appeared as well.]]

wh- oh, it’s you

[[The grocery store was near empty, and just as strange as everywhere else.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{It waves, quick and small, still keeping track of everyone. You're awfully protective as of recently.}*

*I'm with Squa, I don't trust this. It's been... Too good, we should get through this as quickly as possible.*

Is there something that you're holding back from me Watcher? Is there a danger we should be made aware of..?

*... I don't know for once... I wish I did.*

Oh dear Harmonia- that's never good...

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

Is something wrong?

“The only dangers are other citizens and the leftover traps. Both of which can be dealt with.. we can go somewhere safer after leaving here, if need be.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Watcher feels off, and... It has no clue why. Which is never good.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

…oh

“Things will be fine. We can go to the library or Nimar’s.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Who..?

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“FUCK yes i LOVE nimar she’s my girl for real”

“Nimar is a wedding planner here. She’s very calm and her home is one of the safest locations here. The library is where we have been staying for the most part, it is owned by Matilda, Nimar’s wife. The library is also quite safe. Also language.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

Mmm, yeah I'd... I'd like to get there soon...

*{They feel calm enough now, but they still don't like the fact that Watcher feels off.}*

Could you put me down mum?

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri set Caoimhe down, giving them a quick pat on the head, then continued following Squa. He had picked up a basket, and was picking out ingredients of what remained on the mostly bare shelves. Each ingredient he checked thoroughly first, dropping a container of chicken broth in shock once for it to spill out organs onto the floor.]]

Shouldn’t take too much longer..

[cecesslesswatcher]

Oh- is... That normal?- actually don't answer that, it's probably normal.

*{They hold onto Octo this time, keeping up with his pace, they just can't shake the feeling of something off, like something unidentifiable was lagging behind them.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[As they neared the exit, that possible “something unidentifiable” was revealed. Despair blocked the exit of the grocery section, teeth bared and a miserable Sorrow behind them.]]

“pleaaasee leave it be, you fool-“

“IM NO DAMN FOOL! And nobody’s gonna talk shit about me either!”

[[Squa took the front, putting a subtle yet defensive arm in front of the others.]]

“Nobody ever said anything of the sort. Let us leave.”

“NO! I’m not about-“

“oh, you’re as bad as he is-“

[[Everyone fell silent for a moment, Despair whipping around.]]

“EXCUSE ME?!”

[[The two began yelling at each other violently, Sorrow calling Despair a heartless murderer and Despair calling Sorrow a, and i quote, “motherfucking bitchass shitwad”. The arguing went on for ages.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! AGAIN?! YOU JUST HAD TO COME BACK EH? HOW SICK DOES YOUR NON-EXISTENT SKULL HAVE TO BE FOR YOU TO NOT REALIZE THAT NOBODY WANTS YOU AROUND YOU'RE TOO GODDAMN LOUD FOR YOUR OWN GOOD?!

*{The moment Despair tries to talk back Caoimhe interrupts them.}*

No. You listen to me. You are a plain asshole, and you fuck around... You'll find out.

*I stand awfully tall behind Caoimhe, staring down at Despair.*

Ceaseless Watcher. See this being see, this child who creates destruction around them, know them with every single inch of their being. Make them fall apart at the seems.

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Voices quietly overlapped beneath Caoimhe’s.]]

“Hey, hey we can-“ “Hush, let them-“ “oh, a fool, a damn fool- a murderer and a fool-“ “im not- what- stop, stop that- STOP!”

“STOP IT, I- STOP! ST-“

[[And just like that, they were gone. Perceive this end after ends however you wish. Sorrow stared at where Despair had stood, silent.]]

“…despair…?”

. . . holy shit- holy fucking shit-

“Let’s go.”

[[Squa took Caoimhe’s hand and quickly began walking, Tri and Octo having to practically sprint to keep up.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{The kid tries to keep up but passes out about halfway through.}

*Shit shit shit shit-*

*{Watcher scoops them up without missing a beat once the kid starts falling.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Squa stopped instantly, kneeling down.]]

“Are they okay. We need to go.”

hhholy shit holy shit holy shit-

[cecesslesswatcher]

*I wish I could reach ouuuuutttt.*

*{Watcher keeps moving, Knowing where the library is it leads over to there.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[The trio follows, leading to a strangely blank-looking building. On the front, above the door, Leyebrary was carved into the stone exterior. Octo went ahead to hold the door open for Watcher and everyone.]]

“I’ll go find Matilda, alright?”

“Don’t tell her what just happened, Tri.”

“But-“

“Please. We do not know what happened.”

“..alright, I’ll be back.”

Here- there’s a bean bag we can set Caoimhe down on over here…

[[Octo led Watcher away into a corner, which had plenty of pillows and blankets.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Watcher set them down, making a drinking motion.}*

*The kid needs something to drink once they wake up, damn why do I have to be non verbal!*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

…squa, did you get anything else at the grocery?

[[Squa offered a water bottle, seeming to get the message enough.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{ Watcher takes the water bottle and sets it in Caoimhe's lap, disappearing into the library, returning with a book on sign language in hand.}*

*I need some kind of easy communication with them.*

*{I am not shaming you, simply doing my job.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“Ah. This would likely be the easiest form of communication, yes.”

[[Squa took the book, Octo standing on a chair to read over his shoulder.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{It nods, going back and returning with two more on the subject. Once that's done it looks for some scrap paper and a pencil.}

*'This is what they did when I first came to you, twice in roughly two days.. It's concerning, they haven't had proper recovery.'*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

What can we do to help, then?…

[cecesslesswatcher]

*'Probably stay here for as long as we can, keep drink and food around as much as possible, and... I guess I avoid conflict and loud noises. That's all I can think of.'*

*{It's handwriting gets a bit sloppy as they write quicker then intended, but it's still readable. Caoimhe shifts and whimpers quietly, curling on on themself as if in pain.}*

*Crap, kid, hey hey hey hey, shhhh.*

*{Watcher is by their side almost immediately wrapping its shadowy arms around them and holding them close and tightly.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Octo stepped forward instantly at hearing their discomfort, offering his arms as well. Squa began pacing back and forth between the shelves.]]

[cecesslesswatcher]

*Tri, worry about that stuff, I can handle the kid...*

*{it pulled the child closer to itself and finger spelled Tri's name.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

Tri?- uh- she should be back soon, hopefully… the Library is pretty big, and Matilda roams around it a lot..

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Watcher nodded, rubbing the kids back up and down.}*

*Wake up soon kid...*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Tri came rushing back, dragging along Matilda.]]

“Seriously, I was- what is possibly so important that-“

[[She paused, looking down at Caoimhe.]]

“…a child”

“Hello, Matilda.”

“hello squa you are awfully pacing”

“Yes, I am aware.”

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{The kids breathing gets faster and faster, no matter what Watcher tries to do to calm them it doesn't work, eventually Caoimhe wakes with a start.}*

JONATHAN!

*{They're shaking and crying, nails digging into their arms as they try to calm down.}*

*KID! Breathe, calm, it's not real, your not dying, shh...*

Mum... I heard her, heard- Jon, Mike, Martin.... All of them.

*Shhh, calm down, it's okay, your okay.*

*{Watchers body wraps around them, losing the humanoid form and looking more like a shadowy blanket.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[Octo flinched at hearing his own name screamed out so suddenly, freezing for a moment , heart racing, before he carefully and gently pulled their hands off their arms, taking them into his own.]]

hey, it’s okay, it’s all alright-

[[A mouth ripped open on the wall nearby and made a loud “SHH!” sound before retreating and leaving a big missing piece of drywall that slowly mended itself.]]

“We’re all here, hon, i- who??-“

[cecesslesswatcher]

Mr. Sims... And his... Partner, Martin, a few other people I knew before...

*Breathe kid, breathe, it's just nightmares, it's okay...*

*{Caoimhe is trying to explain through it all, squeezing Octo's hands and sobbing quietly.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[All at once, every person there instantly knew that feeling they were talking about, and Octo sighed softly.]]

you don’t have to explain right now, just- just try to calm down, kiddo, everything’s alright…

[cecesslesswatcher]

*{Watcher forms back into a more humanoid look and let's Octo comfort the child while it explains everything, grabbing another piece of scratch paper.}*

*'Okay. Quick explanation, before Caoimhe originally died, they volunteered at an Institute known as the Magnus Institute, helping out in the archives, the head archivist was Jonathan Sims, there were also three archival assistants, one of them bring Martin Blackwood.'*

*{it pauses writing for a moment and shows the others, letting them read it before going back to writing.}*

*'A lot of shit happened that I won't go into detail about. Their home life wasn't the greatest, which is why they have issues with loud noises and conflicts, Jonathan reluctantly kind of took care of Caoimhe along with the assistants.'*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

[[All of them seemed equally confused, but they’d heard weirder.]]

…alright, would headphones help with loud noises..? There tend to be… a lot of those here.

[cecesslesswatcher]

*FINALLY A SOLUTION!*

*{Watcher vigorously nods it's shadowy head.}*

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

“…I can go look in the mall.”

“Do you want me to-“

“No. I am fine.”

…you sure?

[[Squa nodded before leaving.]]

[theliminalrestarauntofficial]

I mean- this kid isn't theirs, they have yet to go through the legal stuff from adoption but yeah-

“maaann what the heeellllllllll”