video; ~5 pm

[momchester]

[Mary looks... well, alive, which is a bonus, but also frazzled and exhausted, with pale skin, dark circles under her eyes, lips chapped, hair falling out of her ponytail.

But more than that, she looks haunted.]

I'm back. I'm alive. [Her lips press together in a thin line. She bows her head and talks to her knees.] No thanks to those monsters.

I don't know if anyone else made it out... there were no- [sniffing hard to avoid tearing up.] -shelters. Nothing Darkness proofed. [Head still bowed tightly.] I don't know if any of those people I fought with made it out alive, but if they didn't, I'm going to tell you all right now.

[She finally looks up, eyes welling now with tears she refuses to cry.]

They hunted us. They bound us, put collars on us, they put us in cages. They chased us and hunted us down like we were fucking dogs and we couldn't-

[she claps a hand over her mouth, breathing hard to rein in her emotions. When she opens her eyes again, there's something chilling and deadened in her eyes.]

When I died at home- the first time, before I came here... it was a demon. A demon pinned me to the ceiling and burned me alive in my baby's nursery, and I didn't feel as violated as I did those two days. In that cage. [She shakes her head intently, looking away.] Those monsters kidnapped children. They wanted to see every one of us die like dumb fucking animals.

I wonder what would happen if I prayed for them. [There's a weird look in her eyes. Something you wouldn't leave your children alone with.] It's the Christian thing to do.

Would I get their souls into Heaven, or their heads on a plate?

[With a last ugly look at the NV, she turns the public feed off.]

[Private to Jinx]

I found a plus one.

[Private to the angels]

Did you hear my prayer? [The one she whispered as she lay dying.] Please, tell me none of you- tell me you didn't go there. Please.

Comments

Filter;

[momchester]

[So simple. She looks down at her hands in her lap, answering quietly.]

I wish I could have a love like that.

[Something strong enough to move mountains for. Someone who would move mountains. Maybe it's an unfair thought, but that thought bleeds right into the one next to it.]

You two make it look so easy.

[mulletrock]

[Dean watches Ben scoot inside. The kid's got a knack for knowing when to bite his tongue and when to run his mouth. He remembers being the same way. Sure, it was harder on the road, town to town, but he still had his dad. ]

Hey. [Now that he had his mom back he was willing to risk everything to make sure she was alright. He'd screwed it all up not being able to save her from MANs hunt and the look on her face broke his heart.

He steps forward into the room to set the bag of cat food down and pulls her into a tight hug.]

[momchester]

[She folds into the hug instantly, burying her face into Dean's shoulder with a broken kind of sound. Mary already cried with Meowth, so she isn't so pressurized and tense that she has to explode, but it was a different kind of release with him than what she wants and needs from Dean- from the person she's come to love so dearly, from family.

In a second her hands fist in his shirt, and she starts to cry.]

[empetre]

[She lets out a gentle sigh of relief as she sees the cats begin to follow her instructions, licking and purring and nuzzling.]

Thank you so, so much. I'll make sure to find some extra special toys just for you two beauties!

[Her expression softens a bit, though, as she looks back at her friend]

I... please let me know if there's anything else I can do. I promise, nothing's too much to ask of a friend.

uguuu yes

[momchester]

[She draws a quick breath and tenses up instinctively, shivering against his touch for a long, locked-up moment. It's hard to marry her reality with what's happening to her in the moment, to find a halfway between how she started this infinitely long day with being caught in John's strong arms with his hand in her hair, but slowly his words and gentle soothing get through to her. Slowly she squirms closer and lays her hand on his chest, fisting his shirt like a child clinging to its mother- or someone finally feeling a strand of comfort, finally.

It's almost a relief when she buries her face in his chest and lets out a broken sob- enough that it's only a minute or so before her breathing levels out again.]

[momchester]

[In between Orange licking her and Apple somehow managing to slither up her body to her shoulder, Mary looks at Fluttershy with a soft expression.]

Thanks. I'll remember that. I'm sorry I didn't take you seriously.

Action;

[momchester]

Oh- [Her grip gets suddenly tighter, arms squeezing him close like she's suddenly afraid he'll disappear on her.] Hey, I'm here, it's- it's okay-

[But it's not.

The thing is, Mary hasn't cried about this yet. She awoke in a daze, got to John in a daze, she was dissociating and slipping out of touch with herself when John cried on her before. What few tears she herself shed were in a cone of silence about what really happened to her- so this, here? This is the first time she's really been faced with the reality of it while mentally present enough to deal with the person in front of her.

So she cries. She grips him close and buries her face in his fur and cries.]

[empetre]

[She shakes her head at that, smiling gently at Mary in return]

It's alright. Not many ponies do. I, um, I've gotten used to it. A-And sometimes, I know it's... if you show just a little kindness, no matter what's shown to you, it can heal even the most wounded hearts. And I would never show anything other than kindness to you, Mary. You've been so helpful every time I talk to you.

Everypony says things they regret when they're upset. It's up to a friend to remind them that they're cared for. I just hope I can keep helping, e-even if I can only ask your kitties to keep you company.

[Y U P.

Fluttershy just pulled a "What did we learn about friendship today?"]

[mulletrock]

[Dean buries right up against her and wraps his arms around her tight. He smooths his palms over her back and rests his chin down on her shoulder.] Hey... It's gonna be okay.

[Video]

[seaphonic]

You are alive once more. I am glad.

[momchester]

[Did she just get schooled in relationships by a pony.]

...Can you remember that speech, Fluttershy? I have a feeling I'll need it again.

Action;

[jokerofcrime]

[This would be a much more touching moment if Meowth didn't wail like a Jewish housewife.]

I hope nothin' like that ever happens t' you again. [sniff] Even if I gotta make it sure of it myself.

[empetre]

[It happens, Mary. Don't even worry about it.]

I'll do my very best.

[momchester]

[...sob yes, it really would. Mary still lets herself cry, though, taking advantage of the moment even if she can't let go like she needs to, and his almost offensively adorable display of emotion gets a teary smile from her.]

Thanks, sweetie. [Hugging his furry little body. :|]

[Video]

[momchester]

Me too.

[A nod.]