empathicfault | IC Inbox

[ Will looks up at the knock, away from the lure he'd been working on as a way to settle his mind. His heart leaps in his chest, but- well, this happens sometimes. And it hasn't been that long since he saw Ilde's post. His strong association of her with Abigail is not a mystery.

Why she'd be here, though, is. He swallows as he stands. ]

Yeah, I'm here. Hang on-

[ He holds his breath as he opens the door. ]

I thought I’d come visit, [Avalon says quietly.] May I come in?

[ Will blinks, and then blinks again. He's not able to banish the image of Abigail from his mind. He doesn't see Ilde under it. He's- he doesn't have control. He's hallucinating. His face pales as he takes in a deep breath, lets it out. ]

...Abigail. Of course.

[ He doesn't know if he's even moving as he backs up and Winston comes over to sniff at her, his tail wagging. Will could just be lying on the bed right now and he wouldn't know. ]

Are you really here? You can't be. I've been- I've been missing you.

[They were not expecting the dog. Quietly, they bend down and stroke Winston’s head. They let their bracelet be absorbed into their body when they took this form, and his fur feels strange on their bare wrist.]

I’m here.

[They wonder if they should embrace him, but decide against it. Their hand wanders down Winston’s back.]

All right. Just checking.

[ Winston seems okay with this new person, even if it doesn't smell like Abigail- it's been a long time since then. He wags his tail and licks at her hand, just a bit.

Will looks deeply conflicted as he watches them interact- he probably wouldn't imagine that, right? It's very specific. But...okay, they're in his cabin, no one sees it, and he can just let this play out. And if she's really here, then no harm. No foul.

After all, he doesn't want to scare her, like he did when he was sick. (Is he sick again?) ]

Did you hear I finally made it to the Barge? Inmate, of course. At least I don't have to wear a uniform this time.

[ God, he's terrible at starting a proper conversation. He just wants to know one thing, anyway: ]

Are you okay? Where you're living now? I...heard you graduated.

[The forms of the Wendigo and the stag in Will’s memories float in Avalon’s mind. They could gore him right now and he would never see it coming. They want to. The more they interact with him, the more they associate him with the friend.]

I…yes, I’m okay. And I did graduate. I’m living with my girlfriend.

[ Will breathes out in staccato, not quite able to hold in the mixed emotions he's feeling. But even though tears are coming to his eyes, and he suspects that this is his brain trying to give him some closure, he still smiles at her.

Whether it's real or not, his defenses are entirely down. Abigail might be the only one who could've done that. This form is a good choice. ]

That's wonderful. Really, Abigail. I'm so glad.

I'm s- I was never able to keep you safe. I'm sorry. I'm glad...you had help here.

[They smile, albeit somewhat tightly. They step forward as if to embrace Will. As they reach for him, they let the Wendigo’s form spill from their mind and settle over their body.]

[ Abigail's smiles were frequently tight around him, so he doesn't think anything of it. He's moving to open his own arms for a hug, but- she changes. She covers with black, thinning out, and Will already knows where this is going.

Eyes widening with fear, his legs give out and he falls backward onto the floor. This monster had practically been an old friend to him, lately, but he'd always had control of it. Abigail turning into this doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense, but Will knows his mind doesn't always make sense. Unfortunately, he's still trapped in this.

So he just does what he can. He kicks himself backwards until he hits his back against his bedframe. ]

No, I- stop. Whoever- whatever this is- stop.

[ He feels like he's lying to himself, pretending that it's not just him. He shuts his eyes tight. He wills them to show him something real. ]

...stop.

[Will’s fear stops them in their tracks. Behind their eyes, Will’s face morphs into his eyes in the mirror, the friend’s eyes seeing them, his form materializing across from them in the Rift—No one asked your opinion!

Avalon freezes, momentarily unable to separate Will from the man who took their missing bead.

They are reminded of the pendulum from Will’s Flood memory, and they call the image to their mind, trying to pull themself back to the present moment, force themself to see Will rather than the friend.

They reach out impulsively, dragging their claws across Will’s arm, then leave his cabin.]

This needs to end, [they whisper, almost to themself.] This needs to end soon.

[ Will cries out as the claws scratch him, but he doesn't open his eyes- instead he shuts them harder. Hannibal is not here, he can't be. There's no flood and nothing else going on. He just has to let things settle.

So he starts counting his breaths- or he tries to, anyway. By the time he stops hyperventilating, he finally opens his eyes to see...nothing. It's gone. Winston whimpers at him.

Will brings his hand up and curls his fingers in, noting that the deep scratches might've been his own nails. He sighs and smacks the floor with one hand in frustration. ]

Sorry, Winston. I know. It's...it's okay now. C'mere.

[ He's going to be on the floor for awhile. ]

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