[open] a day in the life of a ghost

[theforgottenboy]

Who: Cole & you
What: A somewhat belated catch-all for August
Where: Various
When: August-ish, mainly after the most recent imprints
Content Warnings: Not actual drowning but like, a close call


prompts below
image source here

Comments

[starshower]

[Tifa tries to hold herself together, hands balling into shaking fists on the table. This is all she has left. Her home, all of it, is gone. No more Sector Seven, no more Seventh Heaven, or even AVALANCHE. Just this dumb bar in this dumb world, and she doesn't know why she's getting so worked up about it, but that's the most infuriating part. It's not even that Cole is rummaging through "her things", but there is always a straw that will eventually break the camel's back.

She laid no claim to this building, but it's still dear to her. So much that it gets more difficult to stand in it with each passing moment.

Tifa exhales, and then slumps into the seat next to Cole, exhaustion coming through her sharpened features.]

This is all I've got, [she admits.] The real bar is gone. [She glances to Ren and Cole, apologetic.] Sorry. I don't know why I got so upset.

[...]

What's the paint even for?

[forethinking]

(It's breaking Ren's heart, to say the least, to see Tifa this emotional and upset. He perceives her with such strength and he barely knows half her story, and even when she's talking about what she went through at home, she doesn't show so much emotion as she is now.

He is quick to remove his jacket to put on top of her shoulders, attempting his very best to be comforting through his concern and wrapping an arm around his friend.

Words are not going to fix the situation, not when it's bubbled to the surface and it seems like Tifa needs supporting out of him. Instead of saying anything, he just gives her a look that means to say "it's ok".)

[theforgottenboy]

[He watches both of them in a way he doesn't normally, not averting or lowering his gaze at all. She's hurting, maybe more than he was able to tell with his now limited senses. But Ren is helping her. He knows how to help people, as another person.]

[That's good. He wishes he could do more to help, but it's better that they don't need his help.]

You have the bar, but you have your friends, too.

[With that little unintentionally cliche comment, he moves on to her question.]

For Osomatsu. He and his brothers all wear hoodies, in different colors. He misses them, so I want to bring him their colors.

[starshower]

[Tifa doesn't tense up or relax when she feels Ren's coat drape over her, but she does look up at Cole to catch him watching them. A sniffle escapes her, but that's all that does. She has her friends here, it's true, but a lot of them were lost with the bar as well... except she shouldn't be taking it out on anyone, least of all Cole.

Which is why she's willing to hear him out, and she's glad that she is.

With a look over to Ren in silent thanks, Tifa tilts her head.]

Are you going to paint something for him?

[forethinking]

(His hold on Tifa doesn't waver, he can stay like this as much as she'd like, a hand on her back when he hears the sniffling... Tifa lost so much and from what he can see, they're all open wounds, maybe too recent to have the time to process and scar. All he can do is support her through it and that's exactly what he plans to do, so when he receives the glance, he only nods at her before moving his sights to Cole.

He can't fault him, not when he thinks it's never of ill will that Cole acts and there's the confirmation of his own thought process coming out of Cole himself. Of course the stealing had kindness underneath it...)

He does miss them terribly... What are the plans for the paint?

[theforgottenboy]

[He watches Tifa a moment longer before he tilts his head down, his hat once again concealing his face.]

I hurt you. I didn't know. I'm sorry.

[It's not a direct apology for stealing, but he is sorry for hurting her. The last thing he wants is for his efforts to ease someone's pain to cause someone else to hurt instead.]

I wouldn't know what to paint. I only know what he told me... I don't know what shapes would help. Only colors.

[And he's not exactly a stellar artist, so maybe that's for the best.]

But he knows. He can shape the colors in the way that makes him happiest.

[So, in short, he's just planning to take him the paint and call it a job well done.]

[starshower]

[It's a noble reason. Tifa can't fault him for wanting to help a friend. Heck, she would do just about anything for hers, too. For all of the people here, to make sure that they're all comfortable, and have a tiny piece of home with them.

She smiles at Cole, this one brighter and more genuine.]

You just wanna help your friend, I get it. She really, really does. I think it's a great idea, and I know he'd appreciate it. We all miss the people from home who aren't here.

[Her hand comes to rest on Cole's shoulder for a moment, and she gives it a squeeze.]

As long as it's okay with Ren too, you can take the glasses. [However, there's one stipulation, and she goes full Strict Mom mode again.] But next time, you have to ask first. And make sure to return them when you're done.

[forethinking]

(His own thoughts are not too different from Tifa's. It doesn't feel like she needs comforting for the time being, so while the blazer remains on her shoulders, Ren releases her from the embrace now that she feels better.

Now it's his turn to comfort Cole, satisfied with the resolve and the decided smile on his lips confirm it.)

I'm fine with it too.