IC CONTACT.

[justgo]

It's Tess. State your business and give me time to get back to you.

[ beep. ]

Comments

[justgo]

[Maybe he isn't, but beggars aren't choosers. Making her way over, she takes a seat beside Ellie, reaches an arm out. Once she's sure the other isn't gonna shrug her away, she gets it around Ellie's shoulders, tugs her in for a hug.

It can't make up for how long she's had to deal with it on her own, but here... Here is different.]

You never talked about it? [Oh, Ellie.]

[vaccination]

[Hugs from Tess are a little jarring, but Ellie's become a sucker for contact like this. She gets her arms around her middle and squeezes tightly, maybe a little desperately. She's dead. This would never happen at home.]

I haven't exactly been around a lot of people that encourage that sort of talking.

[There's been Stephanie, lately, but Ellie doesn't like dumping her issues on people who already have their own.]

[justgo]

[Contact's been a little easier here - sort of. But for Ellie, she'll try even if it's surreal to have the other get at her like that. Never would have expected that out of the girl who nearly went at Joel with a knife the first time they met.

(there's a lot of things she didn't expect.)

Laughing isn't an option at how true the statement is, because it's fucking terrible to realize that it is, so she turns to face her for a more proper hug, other arm up to make it so.] Point.

Still, you shouldn't have to hold it all, it isn't fair to you.

[vaccination]

I get it, though. [You have to move on, at least on the surface. She can't blame Joel for not wanting to let himself be vulnerable. She's seen him like that, and it's scary.]

And I guess this is me not holding it all.

[justgo]

[She shouldn't have to get it - but hell, here it's supposed to be 'normal'. .... About as normal as someone can say, with magic and dwarves and... whatever the hell else is here. Giving a squeeze, Tess lifts a hand, musses a little with Ellie's hair.]

That mean you're getting used to these hugs, or are we gonna have to do this a few more times?

[vaccination]

I don't have any complaints if you don't.

[She smiles, a little. She never got the impression that Tess hated her for what happened, or hated her for not yet being the cure the world needed. But this is nice, and Ellie likes the feeling of leaning against someone. For a moment, some of the weight is lifted.]

[justgo]

Now why do you think I'm asking? [A snort as she jostles Ellie a little to tease, the squeeze she gives afterward meant to be more comforting than anything. Ellie shouldn't have to bear any of this alone, not at her age, not ever. (Neither should Joel, but. That's another can of worms.)]