Todd Wants Key's Face

Dusk: *he leaves with Sarah, a glum look on his face, a heaviness in his steps*

Sarah: *quietly* I'm sorry you had to remember all that...

Dusk: ... Well I'm sorry I had to tell you all that.

Sarah: *feels a bit guilty* It's fine... Come to think of it, there's a lot of stuff I haven't told you either...

Dusk: ... Is there? D: *this piques his interest*

Sarah: Yyyyyeah. There is. >_>; We should probably get home first, though.

Dusk: Alright. D:

*they drive home*

Dusk: *he walks over to the couch, sitting down on it* ...

Sarah: *now regrets mentioning anything* So um... you want something to eat?

Dusk: Not yet. I want to know. About you, I mean. <:/

Sarah: ... *sighs* Well, alright... *sits down on the couch next to him* What's the last thing you remember? About me, that is, before we ran into each other again?

Dusk: ... You graduated from high school. We all went out to dinner together... your... dad was there. And your mom. And my parents, too. We were all there. I had developed a bit of a crush on you and was sad that you were going to leave...

Sarah: Oh... :( Well... *sighs* I guess I'll start from there. I'll admit right now, I wasn't as um... as "clean" as I thought I would be in college. Mind you, I didn't do any drugs or anything, but...

Dusk: ... But then... what do you mean?

Sarah: Welllll... I was a bit of a partyer. Did not help my grades at ALL...

Dusk: ... You... did that sort of things? Like... raves and stuff? D:

Sarah: Yep... I'd stay out all night... I will also admit that I rarely woke up in my own room after those... >_>;

Dusk: ... ... I don't... I don't understand.

Sarah: *sighs* I slept around, Dusk. I was just a teensy bit--okay, a LOT promiscuous.

up

Dusk: I-I just... s-so much. So much has happened... And Blood Puppet... Blood Puppet was my enemy from the start -- and CELINE... Celine d-did... ALL THAT...

Dr. Ferman: <:/

Sarah: *takes a deep breath, if only to keep herself from going into a rage at the mention of Celine. she only gives him a sad nod* <:( ...

Dusk: ... I remember hearing about my father's death... how much I cried... how much I... fell apart. Did and said very unkind things to you... *he looks away from her, ashamed*

Dr. Ferman: D:

Sarah: I forgave you for that a long while ago... <:(

Dusk: *quietly* ... I know... *he starts tearing up again* ... A-and I kept... trying to call you... trying to convince you to come back home... but you never picked up, and I just... I felt so much worse... *he's fully crying now* A-a-and that ACCIDENT... I can't... I can't really remember so much of THAT, besides the crash... th-then I'm in a hospital... I've done really stupid things...

Dr. Ferman: D:>

Sarah: Everybody makes mistakes, especially when they're upset... But that's okay, it's all in the past now, right?

Dusk: *in a whisper, leaning on Sarah* ... I guess so... *a bit louder* ... I remember... I remember high school... high school and college... high school was... a very large pain in the @$$... didn't like a single one of my teachers, save for my weights teacher. My friends... "friends"... they weren't exactly the nicest people... I had like... two? Two. Only two, and they were so JUDGMENTAL... so willing to TEASE me, flat-out INSULT me because my parents happened to be the Lieutenants at that time... called me a... a, uh... right, a "little military dog." Little because I didn't get my growth spurt until junior year, which shortened the nickname to just "military dog."

Dr. Ferman: ... And... you're saying these were your FRIENDS? D:>

Dusk: ... No one else wanted to be my friend, besides Sarah... and she didn't go to that school. She was in college at that point. Everyone was afraid that because my parents were so damn IMPORTANT that I had no idea what fun was and that I'd ruin THEIRS by telling my parents if, say, they were smoking weed. Which the majority did.

Sarah: *did not now ANY of this* D: ... Why didn't you ever tell me? D:>

Dusk: ... It was a "past only" sort of thing, and there was no real point to telling you... but well... I'm telling you now, aren't I? A-anyway, when I got to college, I had a lot less of a hard time... managed to get into NYU... Mom and Dad were... well, they were PROUD of me... I felt so HAPPY to see them proud of me... and then... college hit me like a ton of bricks. I was doing really well freshman year, and I made a few friends, and... those few friends introduced me to drinking. And I was fine with it. I... enjoyed it. And my grades dropped.

Dr. Ferman: You've had problems with alcohol before?

Dusk: I've had a LOT of problems with alcohol before... I could never handle it properly, and my parents never found out until one night... we did SOMETHING... but that's something I really CAN'T remember... either way, I ended up in jail.

Sarah: *is shocked by how much she DOESN'T know about those missing years--they really DID drift apart, didn't they?* ...

Dusk: ... My parents were extremely upset, but my FATHER was ballistic... h-he was just so... so ANGRY, and then he pulled me out of jail, back to my parent's house, threw me down onto the couch and... and told me WHY he was so angry... and I just... I was CRYING by the end of all of it...

Dr. Ferman: Was he harsh to you? Did he hit you?

Dusk: No! No, he never hit me, never did anything like that... just yelled and screamed and told me how disappointed he was... and that was what hurt me the most.

Sarah: *knew that these memories wouldn't be pleasant, but she didn't know it was like THIS...* ...He was worried about you, S--Dusk. *mentally hits herself for nearly using the wrong name, and sighs* He just wanted what was best for you...

Dusk: Yeah, well, I didn't understand how much I was hurting HIM until he told me... told me how his father was an abusive drunk who didn't care about him at all...

Dr. Ferman: D8 !!

Sarah: D8!!! *didn't know anything about this either*

Dusk: ... I should just stop talking about this... m-maybe we should go home...

Dr. Ferman: You've spoken enough today, Dusk. Go ahead. D:>

Sarah: Thank you, doctor. <:( *stands, still holding Dusk's hand*

up

Dusk: *as he remembers things from his past, tears roll down his cheeks*

Dr. Ferman: <:/

Sarah: *holds his hand in both of hers, waiting* <:( ....

Dusk: *he mumbles like a drunkard* Mnnooohhg....! *he shifts away from Dr. Ferman, waking up - FIGHTING - his trance*

Dr. Ferman: !! No no no, Dusk! Just relax, RELAX... relax and drift off again... you need to remember everything to be normal...

Dusk: *he's still backed up, head turned away from the psychologist* Nnn... nnoo...

Sarah: D:>!! *keeps a firm grip on his hands, refusing to let him leave--not when they were SO CLOSE...* Dusk, please stay...

Dusk: *he looks over at Sarah, his eyes still glazed over with a very dazed look on his face. He lets out a quiet, pathetic sort of noise*

Dr. Ferman: <:( ...

Sarah: *moves one hand to his cheek* Shh... it's going to be okay, I promise... <:(

Dusk: *he closes his eyes and leans his head against her hand, relaxing*

Dr. Ferman: *waits* ...

Sarah: *keeps her hand there, and also waits* <:( ...

Dr. Ferman: ... Dusk?

Dusk: *he opens his eyes and looks at Dr. Ferman, his expression blank. He was able to fall back asleep, into his trance*

Sarah: *drops her hand from his cheek, but doesn't let go of his hand* ...

Dr. Ferman: Now, Dusk... I want you to start where you left off and remember the rest of your memories.

Dusk: *does, the painful memories tearing through him like bullets*

Sarah: *waits, still anxious... she's quite sure she knows what he's remembering* ....

Dr. Ferman: *waits*

Dusk: *eventually he wakes up* ... Oh god... GOD...

Sarah: *squeezes his hand, but says nothing* <:( ....

up

Phil: It'll be very nice to have him back in the office, despite all the hassle it'll bring.

Phil: *shuffles out of the room*

Sarah: *doesn't notice* Ooh, yeah... how are you going to explain all that? D;

Gilder: We'll have to make up some story about Sam getting captured and tortured by this Dusk character and us needing to test him for psychological damage before he was able to come back.

Dusk: ... <:/

Sarah: I guess that'll do... *notices Dusk* Oh, hey! Good morning. :)

Duck: G'morning, Sarah. Good morning... um... Lieutenant.

Gilder: Hey there. :)

Sarah: You sleep okay?

Dusk: Yes. Why is... uh...

Gilder: Why am I here? To check on you. It's important that I do.

Sarah: I was letting him know how well you've been doing. ^^

Dusk: Uh... okay, then. :)

Gilder: I'm proud of you, er... may I call you Sam?

Dusk: ... ... Sure.

Gilder: Ah! Well then, I'm proud of you, Sam. :)

Dusk: ... Thank you.

*a few days later, they head to Dr. Ferman's office*

Sarah: Let's see what you remember today...

Dusk: ... Uh-huh...

Dr. Ferman: Come in!

*they do*

Dr. Ferman: Please, sit.

Dusk: *was not looking forward to this appointment at all, and still isn't. He sits anyway* ...

Sarah: *sits down next to Dusk, noticing his discomfort--she takes his hand and squeezes it reassuringly*

Dusk: *he squeezes her hand back*

Dr. Ferman: Alright, Dusk... you know the drill. *brings out the pendulum*

Dusk: *like always, it takes a very short amount of time for him to fall into a trance. He still loosely holds onto Sarah's hand*

Sarah: *rubs the back of his hand with her thumb, slightly anxious* ....

Dr. Ferman: ... Can you reach deep inside your mind, Dusk... and remember your adolescence and adulthood?

Dusk: ... *his grip tightens slightly on Sarah's hand, but he nods*

Sarah: *doesn't let go of his hand. she hopes he'll take this well...*

up

Dusk: You don't have to thank me, Sarah... I love you. I just don't like seeing you so... MISERABLE.

Sarah: That doesn't mean I can't thank you... *sighs* It'll pass. *leans back and kisses him* it always does.

Dusk: *he kisses her back* ... Okay. I believe you. *he gives her a small smile*

Sarah: *smiles back at him, and nuzzles him for a few moments before turning back around*

Dusk: *snuggles against Sarah and closes his eyes. He manages to fall asleep quickly, with a smile on his face*

Sarah: *falls asleep just as quickly, content*

*the next morning, there is a knock at the door*

Dusk: *asleep*

Sarah: ...? *gets out of bed, careful not to disturb Dusk. recalling previous experiences, she looks through the peephole first* ! *opens the door* Good morning...

Gilder: Good morning, Mrs. Gatzsky. Just here to check up on the Lieutenant's progress. Is he asleep?

Dusk: *is*

Sarah: *nods* He is... *steps aside to let the Lieutenant in* He's doing a lot better...

Gilder: How so? :)

Dusk: *asleep*

Sarah: He's... I can just tell, he's acting more and more like Sam...

Gilder: It's very good to hear he's recovering so well. :)

Dusk: *asleep*

Sarah: *smiles* Mhmm... It just makes me happy to see his progress... it's like he's actively TRYING to help now, rather than just sit back and let us do the work...

Gilder: ... And to think he was DEAD, and now it's like you'll be seeing him perfectly back to normal. :)

Dusk: *waking up* ...?

Sarah: It's almost a miracle, when you think about it...

Gilder: Or he's just like his father. Stubborn as hell. <:P

Dusk: ... *gets dressed*

Sarah: *laughs a bit* Yeah, I guess that could be part of it too. XD;

up

Dusk: ... Feel better? A little? <:/

Sarah: *nods* ...A LOT better, actually...

Dusk: I told you it'd help. <:/

Sarah: Heh... that you did... *sighs* Thanks...

Dusk: *smiles sadly at her* ... Maybe we should go to bed.

Sarah: *nods* good idea...

Dusk: *he kisses her on the cheek, then takes her hand and leads her to the bedroom*

Sarah: *is silently led into the room. she sits down on the edge of the bed, letting out a tired sigh*

Dusk: *he climbs into bed, enjoying the warmth of the covers. He puts a hand on Sarah's arm* <:/ ...

Sarah: *looks over at him, putting her hand over his, then gets under the covers with him* ...

Dusk: *scoots closer to her and puts and arm over her, spooning her*

Sarah: *scoots back against him, putting her hand over his, twining their fingers together* ...

Dusk: *he kisses her neck, cuddling with her*

Sarah: *smiles a bit, feeling comfortable there. the squeezes his hand and hugs it closer, enjoying their closeness*

S - Dusk: *he also smiles when he sees her do so.He continues to cuddle with her, happy to be there to comfort her*

Sarah: *turns her head to look at him* ...Thank you. <:)

up

Dusk: ... You're allowed to mourn. You're allowed to cry. <:(

Sarah: ... *shakes her head* I promised I wouldn't...

Dusk: ... To who? Who did you promise this to? <:(

Sarah: ...d-dad...

Dusk: ... But Sarah, he's DEAD... you can cry... <:(

Sarah: *shakes her head, sniffling--she refuses. she didn't need to go through that again*

Dusk: Okay... that's your decision, I guess... but bottling things up isn't good for you...

Sarah: I-I'll be fine...

Dusk: ... Did your father ever bottle up his emotions?

Sarah: ...occasionally...

Dusk: ... And how did that turn out?

Sarah: ...n-not well...

Dusk: Exactly. Learn from your dad's mistakes. <:/

Sarah: *is quiet for a little while, then her sniffling turns into quiet sobs*

Dusk: *he hugs her tightly, rubbing her back, encouraging her*

Sarah: *eventually starts sobbing into Dusk's shoulder, hugging him back. Yes, it had been a year, but she still missed him as if he had left them only a week ago*

Dusk: *he hugs her and comforts her, running his fingers through her hair as she cries*

Sarah: *calms down a bit as he does this, her sobs reducing back to sniffles again after a little while* ...

up

Dusk: *he walks over to the two tombstones, just staring at the names. His heart feels heavy. The death of his father. And the death of him. How symbolic*

Sarah: D:> ... *follows him over, and puts an arm around him, not quite sure what to say* ....

Dusk: ... *he touches the two cold stones, his fingers leaving dents in the snow and ice formed on top* ...It... feels strange...

Sarah: To see that name on a gravestone? <:/

Dusk: ... Yes... it's MY name... and I know that now... but... I'm NOT dead...

Sarah: We thought you were, though... I should probably tell Gilder to have someone get rid of it...

Dusk: ... No... it's better off here. I'll die eventually, anyway... Better to let it rest.

Sarah: ...If you say so... <:/

Dusk: ... It's better to leave it here... digging it up may ruin the grave altogether, or hurt the graves closest to it...

Sarah: *hugs him a bit more tightly* ...Come on, I don't think we should stick around too much longer... too many sad memories here...

Dusk: ...*he hugs Sarah back, then backs away from the grave stones. He walks away from them*

Sarah: *follows him, taking his hand. she looks up, finally noticing that the snowfall was getting heavier. she shivers* I think we should hurry back...

Dusk: *quietly* ... Good idea...

*they head back*

Sarah: *locks the door of the apartment behind them, then goes to look out the window--the snow was falling somewhat heavily now, almost like it had been that day....* .....

Dusk: ... What are you thinking about, Sarah?

Sarah: ...It was snowing like this when dad died...

Dusk: ... Oh. D:> *he walks up to her and hugs her from behind*

Sarah: *puts her hands over his, closing her eyes and sighing, then laughing a bit* Look at me, ruining the mood... it's going to look pretty out soon.

up

Dusk: ! *he follows her, wondering where she might stop next*

Sarah: *leads Dusk to the cemetery. there's no way she could forget where his grave was...*

Dusk: ! *looks over at Sarah, surprised. Why would she take him HERE...?* D:> ...

Sarah: *stops in front of her father's grave, and kneels down in front of it, setting the flowers down in front of the tombstone. there were already flowers there, although they were already withering away--perhaps her mother had stopped by earlier? She's too lost in thought to realize that it had started to snow*

Dusk: D:> ... *he looks up and notices the snow, then looks back down at Sarah. He gets on one knee in order to put a hand on her back* ... You... you miss him... don't you?

Sarah: ...All the time. It's been almost a year now...

Dusk: Has it...? I'm sorry... D:>

Sarah: It's alright... I just wish he had still been around to see the kids...

Dusk: ... You're mom's still around though... isn't she?

Sarah: *nods* She is, and she's doing just fine on her own, but... I still really miss him. We both do.

Dusk: <:( ... *he hugs her tightly, believing that Sarah really needs it*

Sarah: *hugs him back, nuzzling into his shoulder, sniffling* .....

Dusk: ... Wherever he is now, I'm sure he's happy for you...

Sarah: *nods* ...I know this'll sound cheesy but... he really IS in a better place... after all that he had to deal with HERE...

Dusk: <:) *he stands up and offers Sarah his hand*

Sarah: ... <:) *takes his hand, and helps herself up* ...I hope you didn't mind the detour... I only just remembered this was today...

Dusk: It's okay, Sarah. <:) *he turns to walk out, but spots the tombstone of Samuel Gatzsky and Harry Gatzsky* ... D8>

Sarah: ?? *looks over* !! They haven't gotten RID of that...? D:>

up

Dusk: ... I'd really like to look around the city some more, if you don't mind...

Sarah: I don't mind at all! A walk sounds nice, actually. :)

Dusk: Thank you. New York is... a strange place.

Sarah: it can be, if you're not used to it. I'll be glad to walk you around, maybe it'll help you remember something.

Dusk: ... That would be nice. <:)

Sarah: *smiles* then what are we waiting for?

Dusk: Nothing. Nothing at all. XP *he goes over to the main room and opens the door for Sarah*

Sarah: *walks out* why thank you. :P

Dusk: *smiles at her* You're welcome. ^^ *he walks with her*

Sarah: *walks Dusk outside* so, where do you want to go?

Dusk: I don't really know. Just wherever.

Sarah: alright--this way, then. *leads him down a street*

Dusk: *he follows her like an ever-loving dog, looking around as they walked* ...

Sarah: *suddenly remembers something, and her expression immediately grows somber* ... Hey, Dusk? Do you mind if we stop in a few places?

Dusk: *he doesn't like the look on Sarah's face* ... Sure Sarah. What's wrong? D:>

Sarah: *gives him a sad smile* You'll see. Come on... *walks for a little while, until she reaches a flower shop* Wait for me, okay? *goes inside*

Dusk: <:/ ... *he waits outside, kicking the ground a little, hands behind his back. Sarah's acting strange, and he's unsure why* ...

Sarah: *comes back after a few moments, holding a bouquet of assorted flowers* Alrighty... We're detouring this way, okay? *leads him down another street*

up