Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory [OPEN]

[solvethepuzzle]

Who: Nathan, and OPEN
Where: Shepherd's Haven
What: Nathan relives a really bad memory
When: September 22
Warnings: Possible mentions of suicide.


Even amidst all that is happening, at least a semblance of a normal life goes on. It has to. Nathan's day revolves more around tending the plants than the animals. It's soothing work, in its own way, if messier than what he'd been used to before the invasion. There is a predictable pattern to it all that he finds comforting.

He is already kneeling when the feeling hits him, fortunately. Like everything around him has suddenly changed. Instinctively, he curls inward, wishing to make himself smaller. This isn't right. Isn't right at all. What is he doing in this room that he knows is from another life?

Anyone who passes by will notice him hunched there, almost eerily still, except for his quiet speech, uncaring in tone . . . that seems to be directed at no one. Any attempt to shake him out of it will result in no reaction. And then a pause, for a couple of moments, a stricken look passing over his face. More quiet talking, but more subdued in nature this time.

And then suddenly he's back. Back in Shepherd's Haven, not in that room. That room where . . . where . . . No no no no no no . . .

He lets out a gasp, but it doesn't stop there. His eyes are wide, terrified. He's shaking, breathing hard, trying desperately to get himself under control. All in an open field where anyone could see him.


[[OOC: If anyone might be in position close enough to hear Nathan's end of this, the recurrence starts halfway through page 7 to the end of page 12. (Content warning for suicide.)]]

Comments

[meteormercenary]

Jacob happens to be strolling nearby when he sees the kid curl up to himself. He keeps his distance, watching the kid to make sure he's okay. He'll stand and observe as he waits. And, when Nathan starts freaking out, he moves in at a fast but steady pace. He kneels down on one knee next to him, not making any effort to give the kid a physical touch. It looks like the kid is having a panic attack.

"Hey, are you okay? Do you need something to drink? Eat? Do we need to get you somewhere safe?"

He's not sure what caused the poor kid to trigger like this, but he'll do anything he can to help.

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus doesn't know what the hell is happening today; one second he was getting out of the shower and drying off, the next he felt like he was between sleep and wakefulness, reliving an odd memory where a man's life was in danger and he had to do something about it, even if the plan was cobbled together, makeshift, and more than a little bit insane. It involved entertaining businessmen with models, lots of alcohol, handstands on guardrails, and a few disguises... and incredibly enough, it had worked.

It also leaves Lazarus fully clothed in a paramedic's uniform of all things. Apparently, he hadn't been exempt from wearing a disguise, even as the world's greatest computer detective. Mystified, he wanders out the door, hat and all, because if past experiences are any indicator, he's not the only person this has happened to, and he wants to talk to Nathan and Misa specifically about the experience. Perhaps they can compare notes, especially since Misa happened to be in this particular memory.

Nathan's not at home, but it doesn't take Lazarus long to track him down. It takes him one moment of looking to hasten his steps, rushing toward the diminutive, kneeling figure. He manages to get there in time to hear some of those soft words, they got us, something about the SPK, members having been killed.

"Nathan..." he's kneeling too, hands hesitant, then decisively reaching out to hold the younger man by his shoulders. Anything to become a protective shell for the boy echoing back his Other's successor, anything to shield him from whatever horror he just witnessed. "You're here, you're safe..."