[ This is why she didn't want to say anything to him at all. It would make him this way, and none of this was his fault. He didn't initiate it nor was he there when it happened. He wasn't at fault and she would never blame him for what he couldn't control.
Hell, even if he could control it, she'd rather take the hit for it anyway. Thus, that nature of of Ishtar's selfless and reckless personality. Ishtar pushed her pets away from her, and pulled herself to her feet.
She didn't need to ask him to know what he was thinking right now, especially when his gaze was finally adverted form her. That was by no means a good thing either. She stepped over towards him, giving him a serious look when he stated that fact. ]
Maybe.
[ She replied softly. ] The sensation of dying isn't exactly something I would like to experience.
[ She paused a moment before speaking again, now that she was only a few inches from his person. ]
[ Oh for the love of freaking Phelios! She's not taking his bullshit like this ]
I don't think, I know! Somewhere deep down, you're thinking stuff-- coming up with reasons why it could be your fault and I'm not trying to treat you like a kid. I just don't like to see you in pain, just as much you hate it when I'm in pain.
You understand that don't you? We both should, considering the amount of shit we've been thrown through.
Hm...is this Ishtar-san? [He said before tilting his head and pushing a few buttons here and there] I know they said that this was how you use it but it's a lot more difficult than I thought...
[He mumbled to himself before he just gave a shrug]
But if this is Ishtar-san, I wanted to ask if you like flowers or not!
[Blink blink] So I got the right number after all?
Hooray, Patamon was right! This was the right number! But you are right, this is Takeru and Patamon!
But I wanted to give you a sunflower! I got some left over for Leia-san's party and I thought it would be a good idea to give you one! It's a thank you gift for helping me the other day!
[He said before taking a good look at the coordinates. Although, he narrowed his eyes a little at the screen, he eventually gave a pout. Was it a bad thing that he had no idea how to read it? Oh well, he can always ask people as he looks for it!
...Of course, the problem was that it took just a tad bit longer than it should. After an hour or so, Ishtar would eventually hear a knock on her door]
Ishtar-san, are you there? It's me, Takeru and Patamon! Sorry we're late, we got lost!
I'll see you there, Takeru. Please be careful on your way there. Patamon was it? Please watch out for him as well.
[ She replied with a smile on her face as she went back to waiting for the twosome to come to her home. It was nice to see people moving around and about. It's a bit of a lonely place, since Ishtar had a hard time getting close to a lot of people due to her own persona trauma. It's been a bit awkward with her and Zero as well, so she kept to herself mostly.
It took a bit of time, so she was about to call him to see if he was okay when there was a knock on her door. ]
Oh there you are!
[ She picked up her cat, so he wouldn't run and made her way to the door to greet them. ] Hello Takeru! Won't you come in?
[ She challenged him. Ishtar always challenged him when it concerned these topics. She never seemed to back down because she knows! It's not that she knows everything, it's just the way he acted and how he was talking to her. Everything! It's not like it's a surprise, considering how close they are. He should know that.
Ishtar stared up at him this time, her eyes fixed on him, without adverting her gaze. ]
The hell I'm pretending. You and I, we know each other far too well to some extent to say things like this. I won't tell you that you aren't right when you can read me. That goes the same for me. I can tell small things, even if they're not obvious. You're always like this when it comes to these kinds of things. You're pissed off, worried, and you used to blame yourself. How do I not know you're not doing that right now when you're talking to me like this and the expression on your face.
[ She hated it. She hated seeing him like this. She hated arguing with him and she hated fighting him for these things. That's why she didn't talk about it. She was always hurting him. All she could remember was when that Skrull, who had his face told her-- she had a skill for having him make those kinds of painful expressions with Zero's face. She couldn't shake that out of her mind. ]
["You're always like this when it comes to these things." What did she expect?! That he'd be fine with knowing she'd died! -- He didn't even know if she did! HOW WAS HE SUPPOSED TO TAKE THAT?! WHAT DID SHE EXPECT FROM HIM?! TO ACCEPT IT WITHOUT A WORD! TO SHUT OFF HIS HEART AND PRETEND IT DIDN'T HURT?! THAT SHE DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO HIM?!]
What do you want from me then?! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!
Am I supposed to stand by and watch you get hurt at every turn without complaint?! I can't do that?! I CAN'T BE WHAT YOU WANT ME BE!
[ It's honestly back to what they were talking about a long time ago. What did he want her to do? Nothing. She was just saying. Of course she can't stop his emotions from going out of control. That's him. That's a part of him that she couldn't change because deep down, they were very similar in regards to valuing the lives of others. She wasn't expecting him to walk away happily knowing she died. ]
Dammit Zero! I'm not telling you to act a certain way or change yourself! That's not the point here! What do want me to do?! Not get killed, not get hurt? Should I just watch other people get hurt instead and do nothing? I'm not a doll. I don't want to be a burden to you or anyone else. I want to be able to do things, protect you, and protect others, and if it means I get hurt in the process, that just what happens. I can take responsibility for myself!
I can't change that about myself just as you can't change how much you worry about me or anyone you care about. You deserve to be pissed off and worried, upset, and I'm sorry! I don't know what the hell else to do?! I just don't want you to make those faces. I hate it because I put those faces on you and I don't want that. I don't want you to be in pain or suffering because of me.
[ At this point, tears were welling at the corners of her eyes, because she was getting really worked up over this when she shouldn't be. She should just let it go, and accept it and let it go with the flow, but no. Ishtar wasn't the type to sit back and take it lying down. ]
[Before Ishtar opened the door, the boy had to look at the flowers in his hand. After running around for close to an hour, he couldn't help but frown a little. At this point, the flowers looked they might as well be dying.
However, when the door finally opened?]
Hello, Ishtar-san! [He said before he gave a nod and walked right inside. The moment that he did though? He quickly gave the flowers to her] Here you go, I hope you like them! Sorry, I think they might be dying a bit because I was lost...
[From the darkness, a scene unfurls from the smokey haze of stolen memories....
"Don't look!" He's clutching his throat, the bloodlust clawing at his sanity and behind him.... A shadow of a girl. He can't see her, but he knows she's there, drawing closer. "I told you to leave me alone!" He snaps, voice hoarse from the pain. "Why did you come here?!"
The girl approaches and cups his cheek. He jerks away, surprise clear in his eyes. He stares at the figure covered in darkness, her lips move but Isthar's words come out. Past and present clash, burning the scene. He reaches for it--her, but the pain of stolen memories is too great and he's clutching at his head while Ishtar's words filter through the haze.
"I just don't want you to make those faces. I hate it because I put those faces on you and I don't want that. I don't want you to be in pain or suffering because of me."
Another scene takes over the first, the figure of the unknown girl swept aside for someone firmly entrenched in his memories. Ishtar looks down, her voice cracking, barely keeping the tears at bay. "He.....kept making these faces...using your voice....your expressions........he--
...He said that it was easy for me to cause you to make painful expressions....
[ Ishtar was confused for a long time, waiting for him to answer. Her outburst might have been a bit unreasonable, but if he wanted to demand answers from her, she was going to be honest about it. She was just sick and tired of being treated like a kid because she wasn't. She grew up. She wasn't able to defend herself from time to time, but she sure as hell could find a way out of a tough spot!
She just wanted him to trust her and he did, but at the same time he didn't and it wasn't his fault. It was also hers. Ishtar was just frustrated with all of this as much as he was, but she wasn't taking any of it lying down. He's someone she cared about. He was her family! She didn't want to see him suffer in any way because of her. It just hurts every time she thinks about it.
It was taking too long. He wasn't responding. There was a loud resonating sound of his fist connecting with the wall next to him and Ishtar winced at the sound of it. She closed her eyes momentarily before opening them again. He was on his knees. ]
[ Was she just hurting him. Is that was it was? She couldn't ever do anything right could she? She didn't know that she was triggering things that he had forgotten momentarily. She wasn't even aware that she was triggering them. She only thought that she was hurting him somehow, someway.
And she hated it.
She just threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly against her, tears welling the corner of her eyes and dripping down her face. ]
I'm sorry okay...? I'm sorry that I always do this.
[ It was fine. Ishtar would accept his flowers either way. He worked hard for them and he probably put a lot of thought into picking them for her. ]
Hello Takeru, Patamon. You two seem cheerful as usual.
[ She beamed with a bright cheerful smile in greeting the both of them. ]
Oh thank you! These are really pretty and they smell really nice. It's okay, it's not your fault. I was going to text you since I thought you might have gotten a little lost. I'm glad you made it here safely.
[Lashes of pain whipped through his mind, forcing him away from the memories of a girl who had cried the same words to him, only this time he could hear them clearly. The girl holding him now wasn't a shadow anymore but someone so firmly entrenched in his memories her cries pulled him away from the locked memories and back to the present. The pain receded slowly taking with it his anger from before.]
.......
[He heard her then, felt the way her shoulders shook between her sobs. It broke his heart to find her like this, in tears. Again. Because... because of him.]
Ish--tar. [His voice comes out hoarse, but his fingers are gentle as they slide into her hair.]
It's okay.
[He pulls her closer, the gesture the only small assurance he can give her soon after that episode. He didn't know who that girl had been, why the memory seemed so real... as if it had really happened. Pain blossomed at his temples, and he pulled away from that thought, focusing on the girl in front of him now. He pulled her into his arms, fingers curling behind her back as her cries seeped into his bones making them brittle with each tear that slid down her cheek.]
[ Ishtar wanted to ask him what happened for him to do what he did a moment ago, but a part of her already knew that it wasn't the right place or time to ask those questions right now. Instead, she clung to him more hugging him tightly. As he felt pain for hurting her, she felt the same for hurting him. It hadn't even been that long since they were here, together, and things like this still happened. Yet, Ishtar knew no matter what happened, there would be a conversation about this-- an argument.
It's just the way they are and she didn't want to always be like this, but she knew their personalities would always clash no matter what. It only made her more sad when he apologized. He was right. It wasn't his fault. They were both on edge, because of what happened. It was like a repeat of Facility, like a part of it was burned into their instincts, so they behaved that way when something similar happened.
She was sobbing softly, but at least she wasn't hysterical. The soothing gesture of his hand combing through her hair was calming her down. ]
...I'm sorry too. I'm sorry.
[ the apology was a lot more sincere and honest this time around, even though the first one was meant to be the same. She only wanted to help him, and protect him, even if she failed miserably at it. ]
[With that, the boy shifted his weight before he scratched the side of his cheek]
We did but I didn't know how to read whatever you sent me! I had to ask a lot of people where it was. [Mumble mumble]
I thought we were going to have to spend the entire day looking where you lived! Now that would have been really bad, the flowers would have been died! And it would have made everyone sad!
[ Ishtar was happy to have him come safely if anything. She finally found something she could put it in and with a little bit of water she put the flowers in the middle of the eating table. ]
Oh, I'm sorry. You should have told me! I would have come to pick you up if anything. Ah, It's alright. It's the thought that counts. I'm glad you were able to find it regardless.
[ She replied with a nervous laugh. ]
Do you eat sweets or drink tea? I have some chocolates I made a while ago and some tea someone taught me how to brew? Of course, your friend can have some too if he wants!
[ With that being said the cat that Ishtar was taking care of was curiously intrigued by the newcomers and meows briefly for attention as Ishtar turned her back for a moment to get things for Takeru. ]
I just didn't want you to worry about me but don't worry, I'm here now though! I'll just have to remember you live here the next time I come!
[He said with a smile. Although, if Ishtar heard carefully, there might be a hint of nervousness behind his words. However, it was all cut short the moment he saw the cat!
At first, the boy and Digimon just stared at it before attempting to get closer.] Of course, I love chocolate! But what kind of tea do you have?
[And then Patamon spoke up!] He better or else I'll never forgive him! [And yet their eyes never left the cat]
action
Date: 2015-09-24 01:05 am (UTC)Hell, even if he could control it, she'd rather take the hit for it anyway. Thus, that nature of of Ishtar's selfless and reckless personality. Ishtar pushed her pets away from her, and pulled herself to her feet.
She didn't need to ask him to know what he was thinking right now, especially when his gaze was finally adverted form her. That was by no means a good thing either. She stepped over towards him, giving him a serious look when he stated that fact. ]
Maybe.
[ She replied softly. ] The sensation of dying isn't exactly something I would like to experience.
[ She paused a moment before speaking again, now that she was only a few inches from his person. ]
It's not your fault.
action
Date: 2015-09-24 02:17 am (UTC)Is that what you think? That I'm here blaming myself needing to be reassured?
I don't need to be comforted like some five year old.
action
Date: 2015-09-24 05:06 am (UTC)I don't think, I know! Somewhere deep down, you're thinking stuff-- coming up with reasons why it could be your fault and I'm not trying to treat you like a kid. I just don't like to see you in pain, just as much you hate it when I'm in pain.
You understand that don't you? We both should, considering the amount of shit we've been thrown through.
voice
Date: 2015-09-26 01:07 am (UTC)[He mumbled to himself before he just gave a shrug]
But if this is Ishtar-san, I wanted to ask if you like flowers or not!
voice
Date: 2015-09-26 01:11 am (UTC)[ Ishtar mused with a brief surprise on her part. She didn't expect him to send her anything so soon. ]
Yeah, it took me forever the first time I tried to use this thing in the other world! It's easier here now that I know how.
[ Ishtar heard him mostly so she tilted her head on the other side briefly. ]
Oh, I love flowers! Why do you ask?
voice
Date: 2015-09-26 01:54 am (UTC)Hooray, Patamon was right! This was the right number! But you are right, this is Takeru and Patamon!
But I wanted to give you a sunflower! I got some left over for Leia-san's party and I thought it would be a good idea to give you one! It's a thank you gift for helping me the other day!
voice
Date: 2015-09-26 02:07 am (UTC)[ She replied with a small laugh. ]
Hell to you two though! A sunflower? Oh, you don't have to sweetie! I was glad to have been of help to you!
voice
Date: 2015-09-26 02:25 am (UTC)[He giggled]
And it would be rude if I didn't! But where do you live? I can drop it off at your apartment!
voice
Date: 2015-09-27 08:53 pm (UTC)[ She replies softly, laughing at his giggle. Ah, children were too cute sometimes. ]
I live in an apartment with my friend right now. Let me go ahead and get you the coordinates.
[ With that being send, she sends him a few coordinates to her home. ]
voice -> action
Date: 2015-09-27 11:27 pm (UTC)[He said before taking a good look at the coordinates. Although, he narrowed his eyes a little at the screen, he eventually gave a pout. Was it a bad thing that he had no idea how to read it? Oh well, he can always ask people as he looks for it!
...Of course, the problem was that it took just a tad bit longer than it should. After an hour or so, Ishtar would eventually hear a knock on her door]
Ishtar-san, are you there? It's me, Takeru and Patamon! Sorry we're late, we got lost!
voice -> action
Date: 2015-09-28 12:36 am (UTC)[ She replied with a smile on her face as she went back to waiting for the twosome to come to her home. It was nice to see people moving around and about. It's a bit of a lonely place, since Ishtar had a hard time getting close to a lot of people due to her own persona trauma. It's been a bit awkward with her and Zero as well, so she kept to herself mostly.
It took a bit of time, so she was about to call him to see if he was okay when there was a knock on her door. ]
Oh there you are!
[ She picked up her cat, so he wouldn't run and made her way to the door to greet them. ] Hello Takeru! Won't you come in?
action
Date: 2015-09-28 01:29 am (UTC)[He's in front of her now, his eyes narrowed in pent up anger.]
You stand there, pretending to know what I think, what I feel?! Then, tell me Ishtar? [He steps closer, now effectively a foot away from her.]
What. Am I. Thinking now?
action
Date: 2015-09-28 02:00 am (UTC)[ She challenged him. Ishtar always challenged him when it concerned these topics. She never seemed to back down because she knows! It's not that she knows everything, it's just the way he acted and how he was talking to her. Everything! It's not like it's a surprise, considering how close they are. He should know that.
Ishtar stared up at him this time, her eyes fixed on him, without adverting her gaze. ]
The hell I'm pretending. You and I, we know each other far too well to some extent to say things like this. I won't tell you that you aren't right when you can read me. That goes the same for me. I can tell small things, even if they're not obvious. You're always like this when it comes to these kinds of things. You're pissed off, worried, and you used to blame yourself. How do I not know you're not doing that right now when you're talking to me like this and the expression on your face.
[ She hated it. She hated seeing him like this. She hated arguing with him and she hated fighting him for these things. That's why she didn't talk about it. She was always hurting him. All she could remember was when that Skrull, who had his face told her-- she had a skill for having him make those kinds of painful expressions with Zero's face. She couldn't shake that out of her mind. ]
Dammit Zero, I'm don't want to argue over this!
action
Date: 2015-09-28 02:18 am (UTC)What do you want from me then?! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!
Am I supposed to stand by and watch you get hurt at every turn without complaint?! I can't do that?! I CAN'T BE WHAT YOU WANT ME BE!
action
Date: 2015-09-28 02:33 am (UTC)Dammit Zero! I'm not telling you to act a certain way or change yourself! That's not the point here! What do want me to do?! Not get killed, not get hurt? Should I just watch other people get hurt instead and do nothing? I'm not a doll. I don't want to be a burden to you or anyone else. I want to be able to do things, protect you, and protect others, and if it means I get hurt in the process, that just what happens. I can take responsibility for myself!
I can't change that about myself just as you can't change how much you worry about me or anyone you care about. You deserve to be pissed off and worried, upset, and I'm sorry! I don't know what the hell else to do?! I just don't want you to make those faces. I hate it because I put those faces on you and I don't want that. I don't want you to be in pain or suffering because of me.
[ At this point, tears were welling at the corners of her eyes, because she was getting really worked up over this when she shouldn't be. She should just let it go, and accept it and let it go with the flow, but no. Ishtar wasn't the type to sit back and take it lying down. ]
action
Date: 2015-09-28 11:27 pm (UTC)However, when the door finally opened?]
Hello, Ishtar-san! [He said before he gave a nod and walked right inside. The moment that he did though? He quickly gave the flowers to her] Here you go, I hope you like them! Sorry, I think they might be dying a bit because I was lost...
action
Date: 2015-09-29 03:14 am (UTC)"Don't look!" He's clutching his throat, the bloodlust clawing at his sanity and behind him.... A shadow of a girl. He can't see her, but he knows she's there, drawing closer. "I told you to leave me alone!" He snaps, voice hoarse from the pain. "Why did you come here?!"
The girl approaches and cups his cheek. He jerks away, surprise clear in his eyes. He stares at the figure covered in darkness, her lips move but Isthar's words come out. Past and present clash, burning the scene. He reaches for it--her, but the pain of stolen memories is too great and he's clutching at his head while Ishtar's words filter through the haze.
"I just don't want you to make those faces. I hate it because I put those faces on you and I don't want that. I don't want you to be in pain or suffering because of me."
Another scene takes over the first, the figure of the unknown girl swept aside for someone firmly entrenched in his memories. Ishtar looks down, her voice cracking, barely keeping the tears at bay. "He.....kept making these faces...using your voice....your expressions........he--
...He said that it was easy for me to cause you to make painful expressions....
I'm......I'm sorry....I know it's....lying but--"]
--CRASH!--
[He slams a fist through the wall and falls to his knees as the memories from the Facility flood through making the pain unbearable.]
action; 1/2
Date: 2015-09-29 03:44 am (UTC)She just wanted him to trust her and he did, but at the same time he didn't and it wasn't his fault. It was also hers. Ishtar was just frustrated with all of this as much as he was, but she wasn't taking any of it lying down. He's someone she cared about. He was her family! She didn't want to see him suffer in any way because of her. It just hurts every time she thinks about it.
It was taking too long. He wasn't responding. There was a loud resonating sound of his fist connecting with the wall next to him and Ishtar winced at the sound of it. She closed her eyes momentarily before opening them again. He was on his knees. ]
Z-Zero!
action
Date: 2015-09-29 03:46 am (UTC)And she hated it.
She just threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly against her, tears welling the corner of her eyes and dripping down her face. ]
I'm sorry okay...? I'm sorry that I always do this.
Please... Zero don't hurt yourself anymore.
action
Date: 2015-09-29 03:55 am (UTC)Hello Takeru, Patamon. You two seem cheerful as usual.
[ She beamed with a bright cheerful smile in greeting the both of them. ]
Oh thank you! These are really pretty and they smell really nice. It's okay, it's not your fault. I was going to text you since I thought you might have gotten a little lost. I'm glad you made it here safely.
action
Date: 2015-09-29 04:13 am (UTC).......
[He heard her then, felt the way her shoulders shook between her sobs. It broke his heart to find her like this, in tears. Again. Because... because of him.]
Ish--tar. [His voice comes out hoarse, but his fingers are gentle as they slide into her hair.]
It's okay.
[He pulls her closer, the gesture the only small assurance he can give her soon after that episode. He didn't know who that girl had been, why the memory seemed so real... as if it had really happened. Pain blossomed at his temples, and he pulled away from that thought, focusing on the girl in front of him now. He pulled her into his arms, fingers curling behind her back as her cries seeped into his bones making them brittle with each tear that slid down her cheek.]
I'm sorry.... for everything.
action
Date: 2015-09-29 04:32 am (UTC)It's just the way they are and she didn't want to always be like this, but she knew their personalities would always clash no matter what. It only made her more sad when he apologized. He was right. It wasn't his fault. They were both on edge, because of what happened. It was like a repeat of Facility, like a part of it was burned into their instincts, so they behaved that way when something similar happened.
She was sobbing softly, but at least she wasn't hysterical. The soothing gesture of his hand combing through her hair was calming her down. ]
...I'm sorry too. I'm sorry.
[ the apology was a lot more sincere and honest this time around, even though the first one was meant to be the same. She only wanted to help him, and protect him, even if she failed miserably at it. ]
action
Date: 2015-09-29 08:10 pm (UTC)We did but I didn't know how to read whatever you sent me! I had to ask a lot of people where it was. [Mumble mumble]
I thought we were going to have to spend the entire day looking where you lived! Now that would have been really bad, the flowers would have been died! And it would have made everyone sad!
action
Date: 2015-09-29 08:30 pm (UTC)Oh, I'm sorry. You should have told me! I would have come to pick you up if anything. Ah, It's alright. It's the thought that counts. I'm glad you were able to find it regardless.
[ She replied with a nervous laugh. ]
Do you eat sweets or drink tea? I have some chocolates I made a while ago and some tea someone taught me how to brew? Of course, your friend can have some too if he wants!
[ With that being said the cat that Ishtar was taking care of was curiously intrigued by the newcomers and meows briefly for attention as Ishtar turned her back for a moment to get things for Takeru. ]
action
Date: 2015-09-29 08:46 pm (UTC)[He said with a smile. Although, if Ishtar heard carefully, there might be a hint of nervousness behind his words. However, it was all cut short the moment he saw the cat!
At first, the boy and Digimon just stared at it before attempting to get closer.] Of course, I love chocolate! But what kind of tea do you have?
[And then Patamon spoke up!] He better or else I'll never forgive him! [And yet their eyes never left the cat]