week one, friday morning

[jettisons]

[Bellamy wasn't expecting things to go south this quickly and this brutally, and it's like a punch in the gut. Worse is the fact that it was poor Haru to go first, who was gentle and kind and far, far too good for this.

It takes him a bit to calm down from his initial anger, but when he does, he realizes Serph has disappeared. They need to figure out what the hell they're going to do, so Bellamy sets off to look for him, combing the beach. When he finally does, his voice is low and a little urgent.]

Serph. You okay?

Comments

[varunastra]

[ Serph is feeling a lot better since getting away from it, honestly. It's easier to ignore hunger when he's not staring the corpse down. ]

I am.

[ They've still got 99 problems and Hal is all of them, but he can think a lot more clearly about them now, and that's something. ]

[jettisons]

You disappeared.

[Not that Bellamy can blame him.]

You want to talk about it?

[varunastra]

I think there's little to be said.

[ He was hungry. He got the hell out of there. He's...still hungry, actually, but not so much that he can't think clearly.

Serph's not great at articulating feelings. ]

[jettisons]

I can't read your mind, Serph.

[It doesn't come out harsh at all, just firm. Spill!]

[varunastra]

It's difficult to focus when faced with what you're trying to deny yourself.

[ well okay that's a little clinical but it's...better than nothing? ]

[jettisons]

[That is... not the direction Bellamy expected this to go at all, and for a moment, he's struck silent. He has to force the words out.]

Do you mean... Haru?

[varunastra]

[ Silence for a moment, because...yep. ]

I don't want to think of her this way. I'd prefer not to think of anyone this way.

[ He's pretty much made his peace with tearing apart the people who try to kill him first, but he has no ill will for anyone here. ]

But the smell of blood...

[ It Does Things to his subconscious and it's really just better for them all if he steps away from that before it gets any worse. ]

[jettisons]

[He's trying very, very hard to ignore the revulsion and anger that rises up in him at that. They're partners. Stay focused.]

How well can you control it?

[varunastra]

[ Serph used to feel disgusted with himself, but now...it is what it is. ]

For now, I'm fine. I'd sooner be too cautious than not cautious enough, though.

[ Which means as little time staring at corpses as possible. ]

[jettisons]

For now. And what's the point where you hit "not fine"?

[varunastra]

I intend to get myself away from anyone before I reach it.

[ That, technically, is not an answer, but he wants to be clear that if he peaces out of the village entirely, and not just in the "sit somewhere quiet by myself for a bit" way, that is a very bad sign.

But even if he hasn't gone point of no return himself, he has seen it. More than once. ]

...the others transformed, involuntarily. And attacked indiscriminately. Friend, enemy - anyone they saw, they tried to devour.

[ Don't go crazy in the Junkyard. It's a bad time. ]

[jettisons]

So what can I do? We're partners, remember?

[Peacing out of the village isn't exactly a longterm solution.]

[varunastra]

I don't want to hurt anyone here.

[ He's very clear about that, too. ]

If we can't find another solution, don't let me.

[jettisons]

[Bellamy crosses his arms, letting out a sigh.]

Hiding from everyone isn't a solution. This island isn't big enough for that.

[varunastra]

[ Serph just. Looks at him.

Okay, so who are you suggesting he eat then. ]

[jettisons]

[Wow Serph, no one!!!]

I need to know what we're dealing with. No more vague answers or dodging the question. What do I need to do to make sure you stay fine?

[varunastra]

I need to eat.

[ So, unless you're offering an arm or something, yes, his plan is "go be a hermit before I try to snap someone's face off." ]