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[sadpoem]

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[a_cute_batata]

[There was no doubt about it: something about this place was triggering, and Sunny wasn't feeling good. Now that she gave it another look, it seemed like there was some kind of packing of the items that was never finished.

But now that she hears what Sunny is saying, he has her attention].

Your house? Were you moving?

[sadpoem]

[Sunny nods.]

Tommor-- I-I mean...[Not...tomorrow, but...]

If...I went back...

The next day, I'd...be gone...

[But...how does this place...? Surely, he must be imagining things. Reality doesn't feel quite so, all of a sudden. He places a hand on his head.]

[a_cute_batata]

But there's no way that this place should know that. It's not grabbing things from our memories, is it?

[Luz is looking at Sunny with concern though. This move was obviously not a thing that he was happy about, or even seemed to have control over].

Why were you moving?

cw: death, grief, suicide imagery

[sadpoem]

[It could...just be another place filled with boxes. A lot of living rooms look the same, right? But it's eerie - too familiar; it unsettles him regardless.

[The question, too...

[Why...? Did Sunny ever truly understand? Did he even really ask?

[Because Mari's room was left just as it had always been, the door shut for four years; because there's still a stump left in the backyard from the tree where Mari's body swung; because her grave is only blocks away in the back corner of Faraway Town's only cemetery; because people know them there, ask them questions; because Sunny is afraid to leave the house; because his mother can't stand to look at him and its easier to get lost in a bigger city; because--]

Mom...got a new job.

Re: cw: death, grief, suicide imagery

[a_cute_batata]

Luz wasn't sure what was happening here, but clearly the move might not have been something that Sunny wanted. It was likely that something happened that precipitated the move, and that was a situation she was actually a bit familiar with.

So there was likely a lot more to this than just "mom got a new job."]

Did you want to go?

cw: suicidal ideation, depression (lmk if u need more at any point)

[sadpoem]

[Sunny's brow frowns. He's looking toward Luz, but not really looking at her. He shakes his head.

[No, he didn't want to go. He just wanted to stay in bed, or...

[Die, maybe. Rather than go anywhere else. He thought about it...]

[a_cute_batata]

[Luz could see that Sunny was looking over her, so she understood enough that he was looking over her. A part of him was likely still here, and the way this place was, she could tell he was likely not in a good place when it happened].

I know what that's like, to not want to move from your home, but you have no choice. It sucks. But you're a kid. You don't really get to have control over where you go.

[sadpoem]

[Sunny's eyes focus on Luz. Yes. I do.

[Sunny will go home with Xie Lian to the Ghost City. He's decided. It's why Kel hates him now. Aubrey might, too, when she finds out - but he'd take her with him if he could. Maybe she'll agree...]

What...do we do next?

[a_cute_batata]

[Luz looked back at him, nodding.

It would have been a surprise to find out Sunny wanted to not go back to his world, though maybe the moving was part of why he wanted to not go back].

I guess we look around and find out what we have here that's might get us out. Maybe there's something we overlooked. Let's check out the TV first.

[sadpoem]

[There are plenty of reasons that Sunny doesn't want to go back. Maybe he'll be able to voice them all one day - likely not. The truth is, there's just nothing waiting for him back home. Even his beloved friends will end up out of touch and a city away. He's tired of rotting.

[He tries to think of something else. He's still here. They'll focus on the TV. Sunny goes over to it, fiddling with the buttons, trying different tricks to turn it on. It's a familiar type to him - just like something from his world, his...living room.

[He can't get it to come to life.]

[a_cute_batata]

[Luz was still pretty sure she died, so she was sure that she could at least relate in some way to not wanting to rush home.

After all, she might be facing what happened after death, and that was a pretty upsetting concept.

Luz watched him, smiling a little because obviously that TV was not a thing she really saw too much of these days].

How do those things work anyway?

[sadpoem]

[Sunny glances over his shoulder at Luz. He still feels...unmoored and half-awake, but...he can talk about a TV. That's easy enough. He gestures for her to come closer, then points out a few of the buttons.]

Power...volume up...down...channel up...down...

[But...it won't turn on. Ready to be packed up, he supposes.]

[a_cute_batata]

[Luz did come closer, because it was always nice to learn something she didn't know about someone's world, even if it was related to her own].

Oh, so. The buttons are actually on the TV then. And are actually big instead of small! Whoa. Simplicity. Sounds like a nicer time!

[Luz hit it a few times, then sighed].

Should I kick it? I feel like I should kick it.

But let's see what we can get out of here. If this place is messing with you, I don't want to keep you here. Especially when it comes to moving.

[sadpoem]

It's not-- [Sunny hears the sharpness of his tone and clamps his mouth shut. He doesn't mean to get harsh with Luz; can't tell what it is that's making him prickle. She's right. He doesn't want to be here anymore...]

S...sorry.

[Sunny moves away from the TV. Everything is packed in boxes. He opens one of the cabinets and...

[There's a game, and a message flashing on the screen; a coin to be found. He glances over to see if Luz has noticed.]

[a_cute_batata]

Hey. Sunny.

[Luz put her hand on his shoulder].

You can express yourself, okay? Just say what you were saying.

[Luz did note what the arcade cabinet said, but didn't see what it would result from.

She didn't have a coin, after all].

[sadpoem]

[Luz touches Sunny and he flinches; doesn't move away, but feels tense. He feels a spotlight - more than acknowledged, too, and it isn't a bad feeling, albeit an uncomfortable one.

[He feels himself swallow; takes a deep breath.]

It's not...about moving.

[a_cute_batata]

[Luz notices his flinch so she moves her hand away slowly, but still does have her hand right at his elbow, so she wouldn't be too touchy but gave the impression that she was still supporting him].

I had a feeling. Wanna talk about it? No one else is here, and I'll keep looking for something for us to get out.

[That way he could talk without feeling like he was on the spot].

[sadpoem]

["Wanna talk about it?" Simple question, right? Sunny could - should - normally would - just say, "No," and leave it at that, but it's not just that.

[He knows what will happen if he tries to tell Luz too much, or if Luz pushes too far. Her offer is kind - he should be able to trust her, but he doesn't...]

I can't. [It comes out weak, pained; Sunny hugs himself with his arms wrapped tightly around his middle.]

[a_cute_batata]

Oh.

[Luz was watching him, more than looking for a way out. Sunny was not just some kid, or Aubrey's other boyfriend: he was HER friend, and he was still trying to compose himself so he wouldn't freak out.

She remembered their conversation about Omori, and how he was frightened about what might happen].

Sunny. I'm going to look for way out for us. If you don't want to talk about anything, I get it. I understand.

But know I won't tell anyone, if you do. Your secrets don't leave this room. Even I know that sometimes there are things I need to say to other people.

If I keep it to myself, it can take me to some dark places.

cw: alters/shifting, violence/threats SORRY LUZ

[sadpoem]

[Sorry, Luz, but you just don't know him like that.

[A knife is produced from the boy's pocket - flipped and caught in his hand. He juts his arm out and holds the knife point only inches away from Luz's throat.]

That's enough.

Find the coin.

[a_cute_batata]

[She thought this might happen. In fact, she was counting on it].

Put that away. You know what I can do. Don't think I can't disarm someone with a knife.

[Luz was speaking soft, but with conviction].

I was meaning to talk to you.

[sadpoem]

[Omori tilts his head to the side.]

You'd hurt Sunny? [The knife flips once more in his hand.] But you're such a good friend.

[a_cute_batata]

You shouldn't assume that my tactics only end with just violence. I know magic, and that means I have several ways of dealing with my enemies.

I'd hope you feel the same way. That it doesn't just have to end with someone getting hurt.

I don't want that for him. Or you.

[sadpoem]

You don't know me.

You don't know him, either.

[a_cute_batata]

Maybe not. But I'm trying.

And I care about him. I know you have to know that.