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

Kel: We know. *voice soft, and a small smile on his face.* We've all heard of what happened, and we don't blame you. You didn't do anything to him on purpose. We're just sorry you've end up paying for it the way you have. It's not right.
Zasha: *nods* If nothing else, hon, we know Rai, he'd be so upset that you were in trouble for his death, the least we can do is honor him by welcoming you the way he would.

Darnell: *looks at them, visibly affected . . . nods* Thank you. Both of you. I've never wanted to hurt /anyone/. I only learned throwing knives because a friend was adamant that I learn to defend myself with as much as I travel, usually alone. *shakes his head* I won't be touching them again after this. Too much risk of something like this happening again, either to a traveling companion or someone random, like Rai.

Skif: *puts a comforting had on Darnell's arm...and then shifts to hug him*
Zasha: I'm sorry this happened, Darnell. You really will be okay until you are free again. You're in a good house.

Darnell: *wraps an arm around Skif, easily hugging back* Thank you. *glances around the room* Is there anyone I should, ah, keep an eye out for? Someone with a grudge against humans? Not that I'd blame them at all.

*They all kind of exchange looks.*
Zasha: Really, the only one who /might/ give you any trouble is Vin. There won't really be any avoiding her if she decides to approach you. She's not going to try to deliberately get you into trouble, though he may try to provoke you a bit. Just...be polite and she'll let up, assuming she approaches you at all.
*The others nod*

Darnell: *nods* I will. I really don't want any trouble with anyone, and I have nothing against anyone merely based on race or parentage. *shrugs*

Kel: I have to admit, that's rather unusual among humans, what brought you to believe that? *not distrusting, hells, Darnell has already proven himself to be polite and caring towards the other races, just curious what life events led Darnell to see other races as people when so many in society don't.*

Darnell: *gaze drops and he shrugs* I...didn't have a conventional upbringing. I think I can safely say that I know what it's like to be enslaved, though.

Kel: Sorry to hear that. You won't have to deal with that kind of stuff here.
Zasha: *nods* You're part of the family while you're here.

Darnell: *looks at them, looks at Warik and Skif . . . small grin* I'd like that. Thank you.

Skif: */snugs/ Darnell*
Zasha: *will also slip her arm around him and give him a light snug* You have any plans for the rest of the evening?

Darnell: Ah, no...? *glances at Warik - does he? Is there something he should be doing?*

Warik: *small shake of his head*
Zasha: *smiles* Would you like to join us?

((I just realized, Darnell likely has a brand on him somewhere...wrist shoulder likely))

((....inside right forearm. XD))

Darnell: Eh...if you'll have me, sure. I'd be honored.

((It's a good thing Raida (or any other spirit wielder) can get rid of it, because I've got plans for that spot))

Zasha: *grins* Of course we'd have you.
*they'll chat and finish eating, drop off their dishes, and head to a room that's clearly set aside for just sitting in and hanging out. Zasha will draw Darnell along with them.*

((OH DO YOU? XD Would he be /able/ to have it removed, or would people look for that there? I'd imagine he'll have to carry some kind of record now? That he's a convict, even if he's served his sentence? If you've got a plan, I'd be happy with this somewhere else. XD))

Darnell: *finally really starting to relax with this small group, happy to be included*

((I do. Partially formed yet, but there. As far as that, I'm half thinking that because of the type of "crime" that once his sentence is served it'll be wiped from his record because it was accidental, perhaps just a mention, but people aren't /required/ to brand their slaves, he could say the first did something like Vashti does with the tags and no one would really question.))

*They'll have a nice evening together, and come bedtime Warik will take Darnell back to their room. He'll make sure that cream is reapplied, even if Darnell doesn't /need/ it yet, just to help him last the night.*

((XD okie...and speaking of, backing up a bit, did Kel ever bring up Darnell needing to be tagged? Since he's the one who does it...))

Darnell: *will /thank/ them all again for the pleasant evening and that he hopes to get to spend time with them again. He /is/ feeling better about things and will crawl under the covers into bed. At some point, however, the nightmares set in, and by morning, he's /under/ it again*

((That will be brought up tomorrow, but I'm backing things up again first...))

Darnell: *will /thank/ them all again for the pleasant evening and that he hopes to get to spend time with them again. He /is/ feeling better about things and will crawl under the covers into bed.*
Dox: *hops up on Darnell's bed and snuggles up to him*

Darnell: Ah! W-whoa, hey, uh...your bed's over there. *not really /trying/ to push the dog away, but if he's been used to sleeping on a bed of his own, this one isn't his anymore*

Warik: He likes to snuggle. If you really don't want him there, just give him a shove, he'll get the message and will come sleep with me.
Dox: *looks at Darnell, tail wagging lightly*

Darnell: *looks at Dox* ....no, it's all right. I don't mind. *will scoot over, giving the dog more room, pretty much pressing to the wall*