socrowdedinhere | (no subject)

Vashti: *softly brushes the back of her fingers along his cheek* I am not going to hurt you, Darnell. I am not going to abuse or mistreat you, and when your time has passed I will see you supplied to safely travel home.

Darnell: *visibly catches himself from flinching back from her - he /really/ doesn't want to be touched right now, and any approach to his face, especially by someone he's unsure of when he's in such a state of mind, will /always/ get a reaction . . . finally does look away and down again* Why? Why did you bother with me today? Why not just leave me to it?

Vashti: Because I wronged you a couple weeks ago when I let you be taken from here. I knew you did not deserve punishment, and I still let him take you. I was wrong.

Darnell: .......... *soft snort and shakes his head, crossing his arms...fairly hugging himself* No, you didn't. I knew /exactly/ what I was in for as soon as I saw my knife in Rai's chest. I was foolish and /arrogant/ - *and terrified* - to think I could /buy/ my way out of it. The rest is just the way of things.

Vashti: Perhaps, but I would have allowed it had the officer not been there to enforce the law. You do not deserve punishment for Rai's death, Darnell, and if I could release you without consequence to both of us, I would.

Darnell: ................ *leans forward, face in his hands, elbows propped on his knees, just...he just wants this to all be over, he just wants to go home...he still has his /entire/ sentence ahead of him...*

Vashti: *touches his shoulder, a comforting gesture, before shifting back to lean on her desk* If you wish to send a message to anyone, I will see it done.

Darnell: .........t-the...the officer did when I....um, that...that first night. I have a friend who knows what happened and should have already claimed my belongings.

Vashti: *nods* You can send messages as often as you wish while you are here. I am afraid it is all I can offer you while you are here. Half a year will pass more quickly than you might be able to believe right now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Warik: *gives him a moment and offers a hand to help Darnell out...*

Darnell: .....sorry... *will work his way out from under the bed, /grimacing/ in pain but not saying anything*

Warik: *smiles* What for? *will help him out* Where's that cream? It's about time to put some more on.

Darnell: I'm...I'm all right. *doesn't want to bother the man or use too much, not sure if he'll need/want more later and not be able to get it*

Warik: There's no need for you to hurt, Darnell. When the cream is used up, Rashek will make you more. Get it out and I'll apply it, then we'll go get dinner. *Yup, this j'har is telling a human what to do*

Darnell: *has kind of gotten used to that with Raida, plus he grew up only on the fringes of society, so he's aware of but not in the habit of /expecting/ a j'har to act as anything but an equal . . . Warik may or may not note that Darnell doesn't react to being "ordered" by a j'har, but he genuinely doesn't, just nods and pulls the jar out of his toiletries bag*

Warik: *will get to work applying the cream* The chest at the end of the bed is yours. You can keep the key with you or wherever you want it. No one is going to hurt you while you sleep. *so don't be afraid to sleep /on/ the bed*

Darnell: *swallows and nods* Thanks. *though how long it takes him to sleep /on/ the bed, the whole night, remains to be seen. He looks over at the dog* Yours, I take it? The lady lets you keep a pet?

Warik: He's a special dog. Dox is good, you don't have to worry about him.
Dox: *perks and walks over, looking up at Darnell and wagging his tail.*

Darnell: ......... *looks at Warik, then at Dox, studying him...not sure if he should ask, so he doesn't, just pets him with a small grin* Pleased to meet you, Dox. *on that note, he...he hopes Alem is all right, hopes he stuck with Raida...hopes /she's/ all right too...*

Dox: *enjoys the petting, happily pushing his head into Darnell's hand like an excited pup.*
Warik: *closes up the container and hands it to Darnell* There. We'll apply again right before bed so you can make it a good way through the night. Up for dinner?

Darnell: *regular meal time, not an off-time like earlier, in a dining hall filled with the rest of the slaves of the household, all of them j'har and amin...reluctant but nods* Yes.

Warik: *nods and will put an arm around Darnell's shoulders if he'll allow it.* C'mon. You'll be all right.

https://socrowdedinhere.dreamwidth.org/354152.html?thread=8042600#cmt8042600