lantern_kid (lantern_kid) wrote in dc_nextgen,
@ 2010-03-30 18:27:00

Entry tags:

inactive - henry jordan, inactive - katima sers, plot - "hearts & brains"

Compassion's Firm Hand
Henry's been gone a few hours. A flight around the asteroid belt has helped him clear his mind. He's hoping Avalon's better now, and less prone to fly off the handle over these perceived slights.

Henry's still upset by some of the stuff Avalon said. But he's calm now, and he's willing to forgive and forget.

He phases in through the wall to the living room, shifting his clothes back to normal. "Blue? Josh? Dad? Kat? I'm home!"

(Post a new comment)

compassionate
2010-03-30 11:35 pm UTC (link)

Avalon was gone. She felt the absence the second she came in the door and it crushed her. Her chest felt tight and she felt hollow, a deep sadness that stole her breath and brought tears to her eyes. Defeated, she sat on the couch, arms about her waist as she rocked back and forth fighting tears. She understood now. Avalon had a deep and sacred love for Henry and while he would have been content in his own way to allow for Henry to love another, it was that Henry used others instead of truly feeling. He'd used Josh. And now he was using her.

She had felt with him. She had thought the same depth and soul was in him. She was so sure. But she'd been duped. And because of her ignorance, she'd hurt Avalon. She'd hurt Josh. She'd caused all this pain. There was no other choice now, to go back to the Tribe, turn in her staff, and let the universe do what it will.

"I'm here, Henry."

Her voice was dull, sad.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-30 11:37 pm UTC (link)
	He recognizes the sadness in her voice instantly. She didn't blame herself for that crazy Star Sapphire, did she? "Hey," he says gently. He puts a hand on her shoulder. "You alright?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	compassionate 2010-03-30 11:38 pm UTC (link)
	"No. I am not." She flicks her blue eyes up at him and watches him for a moment. "Henry. When you took me to your bed, what was that about for you?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-30 11:40 pm UTC (link)
	He considers. "You're beautiful. Inside and out. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. An amazing person. And... it seemed to be something you wanted, and it was something I wanted." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

compassionate
2010-03-30 11:46 pm UTC (link)

"So it was purely physical urges. There was nothing deeper for you. You felt nothing but those deep, base, primal urges to have sexual contact with another being."

The Indigo slumped a bit.

"I thought you felt. When I met you...I truly believed that you had a soul of depth, of honor, with a capacity for love and compassion even greater than your capacity for will. Standing in front of you and lying in your arms, I was certain that you felt it, the immense soul you have contained in your human form. Avalon thought the same. Josh thought the same. We all thought you could...love us. But you can't."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"You can't feel anything but yourself."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

lantern_kid
2010-03-30 11:50 pm UTC (link)

"No," he says, still gently. "I... I care about all of you, very deeply. I..." He pauses, searching for words. "It wasn't just physical urges, Kat. Some of the people I've been with, sure, that's all it was. But for you... and yeah, with Josh, too... it's more. I've barely met you guys, and I'm already thinking of you both as some of my closest friends."

His mind flashes back to Avalon accusing him of using Kat and Josh, and breaking their hearts.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

compassionate
2010-03-30 11:55 pm UTC (link)

"If you could stop thinking of yourself for a moment, you would understand the precious and sacred gift that both Avalon and Josh offered you and how cruelly you threw it in their faces when you took me to your bed. And you did it to Avalon the worst. You never even acknowledged the sacrifice and the loyalty he offered you with the all of his perfect heart."

She stood slowly.

"I hope someday that the capacity for love and truth that I saw in you will be a reality."

And for a moment she rest her hand on Henry's should and in that contact, it would be as though the entire universe opened up. Every word Avalon had said, every meaning...every feeling Josh held...and even everything she herself held would be undeniable. There would be no miscommunication. Every beat of every heart would be clear. Henry would feel.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-30 11:58 pm UTC (link)
	Henry can say nothing as she opens his mind to what he's been keeping closed away from himself. He stares for several seconds... then he looks up at her. "...oh, god, Katima... I fucked up, didn't I?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	compassionate 2010-03-31 12:02 am UTC (link)
	"Immensely, Henry. The damage is so great. And Avalon is gone. Josh will be gone. I cannot stay. It is due to me that all of this hurt came to a head." She shook her head. "I have never felt such a wound as this. I feel as though I may die." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-31 12:04 am UTC (link)
	"No." He stands up, and he pulls her to her feet to wrap his arms around her in a hug. "No, Kat. I'm the one who caused this." He takes a deep breath. "And I'm the one who needs to set it right. And I know I don't deserve a chance after what I did to all of you... but... please. Let me try." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	compassionate 2010-03-31 12:10 am UTC (link)
	"I...you must set things right with Avalon and Josh. I will be fine. I will go back to my Tribe. The love I gave you was real but you do not have to return it or apologize. Just set things right with them." Katima touched his face with her hands. "Nok." Her brow furrowed. She was saying goodbye. "Nok, Henry." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-31 12:28 am UTC (link)
	He reaches out and touches her face. His eyes are wet. "Please, Kat... don't go." He brushes her face. "I... If I set things right with Avalon and Josh, then I've only fixed two-thirds of what needs to be done." A tear begins to roll down his cheek. "Please... I need your help to set things right." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	compassionate 2010-03-31 12:32 am UTC (link)
	"I'm sorry, Henry. This bridge will only take you halfway there- The last few steps you'll have to take alone." She stepped back. "Be well." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-31 12:36 am UTC (link)
	Henry can't say a word. He stares, his heart in his throat. ...wait. "...Kat... did you say Avalon was gone? Like... gone, gone?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	compassionate 2010-03-31 12:37 am UTC (link)
	"Yes." She looks back at him, in agony. "He's gone. He could bear it no better than I can." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

lantern_kid
2010-03-31 12:40 am UTC (link)

"I need to get him," Henry announces. "I need to go apologize."

He closes his eyes. "Please... hear me out. I need to go to him... to apologize and try to set things right. But... I need your help. Not for my sake, but for his."

He looks her in the eye. "Please. Stay here. Watch the people of Coast City until I get back. If you want to leave then... I won't stop you. But I'd ask... please... stay just that long. I won't be here to screw up any more."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	compassionate 2010-03-31 12:41 am UTC (link)
	She sighs. "Alright. I will keep guard. But after that, Henry...you don't want me. You have to let me go." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lantern_kid 2010-03-31 12:45 am UTC (link)
	"You're wrong, Katima. I do want you." But he also wants Josh. And he wants Avalon. And he's probably screwed it up so bad that he won't get any of them. "But... hold on. I need to stop Josh from leaving, too." He leans forward and gives Katima a kiss on the forehead -- by Henry's standards, very chaste. "Thank you, Katima. For staying... and for helping me see." (Reply to this)(Parent)

scribbld is part of the horse.13 network
Design by Jimmy B.
Logo created by hitsuzen.
Scribbld System Status