Todd Wants Key's Face

In The Apartment

Dusk: ... O-okay... you s-said we'd talk, so... let's talk.

Sarah: Alright... *sits down on the couch* What would you like to talk about? <:(

Dusk: ... I was hoping you'd tell me... Sarah, I... I'm confused... TOO confused... who am I supposed to believe? Why can't I remember anything before? If my mother came to visit me, where's my FATHER? HOW... how do I KNOW you?? D8>

Sarah: I've tried telling you before, Dusk, and you never believed me... I can tell you anything you want, but What's the point if you won't accept it as the truth? There's really only one person to blame for all of this. <:/

Dusk: ... *he sighs* ... Okay. Tell me everything.

Sarah: <:( *pats the spot on the couch next to her* Well... the reason you don't remember me, or anyone else, is because Blood Puppet did something to you. No one's exactly sure how it works, but Blood Puppet can make people do anything he wants...

Dusk: ... *quietly* ... Why is it so... HARD to believe this...?

Sarah: Because he probably made it so you'd want to believe him, too...

Dusk: *he's silent, staring down at his hands. No. It can't be true. Blood Puppet was so good to him. What... what's this about FORCING him to trust him? To believe him?*

Sarah: *says nothing. She knows he'll need some time to let all this sink in...*

Dusk: *after a while* ... So... so then why do I know you? And why didn't my father visit me?

Sarah: We knew each other because our parents were friends... And you didn't see your dad because... well... he was really ill a while back... he died. <:(

Dusk: *he's suddenly filled with a heart wrenching despair. He supposes he was rather fond of his father* ... Oh... D:>

Sarah: <:( ... *puts an arm around him, rubbing his shoulder* ...Is there anything else you want to know?

Dusk: ... Y... your father. Please. Tell me about him.

Sarah: D: ... *sighs* ...I loved my dad. He made a lot of mistakes, but... he was such a great person at heart... Always managed to put a smile on people's faces...

Dusk: ... Is he also dead, Sarah?

Sarah: ... *gives him a small nod*

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Dr. Ferman: Alright. *he leans over to Dusk again* ... Wake up, Dusk.

Dusk: *blinks a few times, snapping out of the trance* Whah...?

Dr. Ferman: Did you remember anything?

Dusk: ... Yes...

Sarah: *waits expectantly, not sure if it would be right to ask him to share* ...

Dr. Ferman: Anything you'd like to tell us, or would you rather keep it to yourself?

Dusk: ... I... remember my parents... and... I remember having you as a friend, Sarah... and... and your father... your father was... he... *quietly* ... He killed people... *he finds it strange that the concept of killing people is suddenly something he finds disturbing*

Sarah: *was definitely NOT expecting that. she was glad he was remembering, but... she didn't quite want to be reminded of that* ...

Dr. Ferman: <:/

Dusk: ... And then we all went to Europe... and there were unspeakable horrors there... and we somehow ended up having a snowball fight...

Sarah: *smiles a bit at this* I remember that...

Dr. Ferman: :)

Dusk: ... We spent a while in Europe... that's all I can really remember, though...

Dr. Ferman: Next session, perhaps we can try helping you remember your adolescence.

Dusk: ... Okay...

Sarah: *puts a hand on Dusk's shoulder, addressing the doctor* Thank you. We'll be back next week...

Dr. Ferman: See you then. :)

Dusk: *he stands up and leaves with Sarah* ... It's so weird... remembering what you looked like when you were little...

Sarah: I bet it is... Even I find it hard to remember things like that...

Dusk: *quietly* ... You called me Sam before... everyone called me Sam before...

Sarah: ...That's because that's your NAME...

Dusk: I-I've only known myself as DUSK, and it's like as soon as I MET you, my nice, simple world just got WAY too complicated -- I-I was happy serving Blood Puppet! I was! A-and now all this a-about the dead Lieutenant and how he looks like me somehow and that my name's SAM, not DUSK, and this thing about my MOTHER - I-I didn't know I HAD a mother -- I-I just - *he holds his face with a hand, as if thinking about everything hurts him* th-this is too MUCH! D8>

Sarah: D:>!! Dusk, Dusk, Shhhh...! You have to calm down for me, okay? Getting all worked up over this isn't going to help... we can keep talking when we get home, alright? We'll sort this out...

Dusk: *he nods silently, shaking and even crying a little. He's truly upset by this*

Sarah: <:( *can see how all of that would have been overwhelming... she leads him to the car, and they drive home*

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Dr. Ferman: Alright. *he pulls out the pendulum* Same as always, Dusk.

Dusk: *he sighs* ... Okay... *he watches the pendulum as it is swung back and forth until he is once more in a trance*

Dr. Ferman: Today, Dusk, we're going to have you reach far back into your subconscious and pull out your childhood memories. Think you can do that?

Dusk: *nods slowly*

Sarah: ! *is actually interested--considering she was around during most of his childhood, she wanted to see how much he could remember...*

Dusk: *he closes his eyes, remembering many things - things that were locked out to him before - and yes, he remembers his mother, and his father, and oddly enough, he remembers Sarah. Sarah... she was his friend? His childhood friend?*

Dr. Ferman: *he waits for Dusk* So how are you, Sarah?

Sarah: I'm fine, everything's been going pretty smoothly lately...

Dusk: *throughout the memories, he recalls that everyone called him "Sam". Everyone. Not Dusk. And Blood Puppet and Celine held no place in his life. His parents were Lieutenants in the military, and he, though feeling somewhat neglected, looked up to them. There was also something about remembering his father that filled Dusk with sadness... though he doesn't understand why*

Dr. Ferman: That's good. You're not getting too stressed about this whole thing, are you?

Sarah: I'm trying very hard not to... It wouldn't be good for the kids. <:/

Dusk: *continues to remember childhood events, confusing, warm, cold, a mess of feelings*

Dr. Ferman: And that's perfectly understandable. Don't worry, though. Your husband will be back to normal sooner than later.

Sarah: That's great news... I just wonder how everyone ELSE is going to take it... D:

Dr. Ferman: After everyone thought he was dead, you mean?

Dusk: *still in a trance*

Sarah: Yes... I'm just wondering if the news will be met with relief or outrage...

Dr. Ferman: Why do you think people would be outraged by his return?

Dusk: *in a trance*

Sarah: *shrugs* Some people might think it was a hoax, some kind of scam. Other people might ask why we didn't try harder to find him... People can be ridiculous like that...

Dr. Ferman: Yes, I know. Well, if there's any backlash, you all are probably going to be able to cover it up.

Dusk: *in a trance*

Sarah: I really do hope so...

Dr. Ferman: So then... shall we snap Sam out of his trance?

Dusk: *in a trance*

Sarah: *notices that he used a different name, but doesn't say anything--she simply nods*

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Dusk: Alright, if you say so... should I get dressed?

Sarah: Sure, go ahead... You don't have to ask about that, you know. <:P

Dusk: *he shrugs, then get up and gets dressed*

*almost a week later*

Sarah: *walks into Dr. Ferman's office with Dusk*

Dr. Ferman: Hello, hello. Please, sit down.

Dusk: *he does*

Dr. Ferman: So how have things been?

Sarah: *also sits* Very well, actually... We got to the point where I could take the collar off. :)

Dr. Ferman: I can see that. Any improvement in acting on his own?

Dusk: :/

Sarah: *nods* Actually... It was rather surprising, the same night I took the collar off, he ran off and came back with a bouquet of flowers... That, he did completely on his own.

Dr. Ferman: *he smiles a bit at this* Well, I'd say that IS improvement. Where did you get the flowers, Dusk?

Dusk: I found a bush and I clipped some off. It didn't belong to anybody, it was a wild bush I found out in a park. :/

Dr. Ferman: We weren't accusing you of stealing, don't worry.

Dusk: Okay - oh! I'm supposed to tell you about a dream I had that night! D:

Dr. Ferman: A dream? *looks over at Sarah with curiosity*

Sarah: Oh! Right--Dusk, would you like to tell him, or should I?

Dusk: I - I'll do it. This costume that Blood Puppet gave me was stuck to me, like it was my skin. Then Lieutenant Gatzsky came in, threatening to shoot me by pointing both his guns at me, and he was screaming at me but I couldn't understand him... then I woke up.

Dr. Ferman: ... That's VERY interesting...

Sarah: *nods* Do you think it means anything?

Dr. Ferman: Either his true, inner self is fighting back, Dusk's afraid of change, or both. Or it could mean nothing.

Dusk: :/

Sarah: I see...

Dr. Ferman: So... shall we get started, then?

Dusk: Mnn... <__<;

Sarah: *notices Dusk's expression, and lightly touches his arm, trying to be reassuring. she directs her words to the doctor* Yes, please.

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Dusk: *he chuckles a bit from this, and gets comfortable on the bed, closing his eyes, relaxing, and eventually falling asleep*

Sarah: *also falls asleep, smiling--besides that brief scare, today had been a good day...*

The Next Day

Dusk: *he lies in bed, still asleep, snuggled up close to Sarah*

Sarah: *wakes up early, as she usually does nowadays. she notices Dusk snuggling into her and smiles, leaning over to gently nuzzle him*

Dusk: *he wakes up from this and nuzzles her back a bit* ... G'morning...

Sarah: Good morning... sleep well?

Dusk: ... Sorta... had a kinda weird dream... *he sits up and stretches*

Sarah: Oh? *gets out of bed* What was it about?

Dusk: Well, I was in my old outfit - the one Blood Puppet gave me - but it was stuck to me... like, it was my SKIN... and then there was the LIEUTENANT - your husband the Lieutenant, except he looked like me, and he was gonna shoot me... he was just... YELLING at me... but I couldn't understand him...

Sarah: *figures that's Sam's subconscious trying to fight its way out...* Oh... Well, make sure to remember that dream, so you can tell the doctor next week.

Duck: ... Okay. Would he be interested in that sort of dream?

Sarah: I think so, yeah. I mean, it's important enough that you remembered it, no?

Duck: ... I guess so... y'know, Sarah, I don't... I don't get how this psychologist is helping me... I mean, he's nice and all, but his techniques are kinda... well, I kinda think he's a bit of a quack.

Sarah: Well, we'll see... some of these things take time...

Duck: ... It's like... my appointments with him take like, two seconds... but then I look at a clock and it's been an hour later... I don't know... maybe I'm just being a bit featherbrained...

Sarah: Trust me, what that Doctor's doing? It's working.

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Dusk: *he reddens greatly from this, and looks away from her, somewhat embarrassed, though still smiling widely* U-uh, s-sure... =^^=;

Sarah: *laughs a bit* You get into bed, I'll go deal with these. :) *leaves the room, trying to find a vase of some sort*

Dusk: *he rubs where the roses pricked him, then touches the cheek Sarah kissed, still smiling* ... *he then gets back into the bed*

Sarah: *comes back after a minute or so, and gets into bed next to him* They're out on the table now... They look nice there. :)

Dusk: *he's still rather smiley, still red in the face* I-I'm glad. =^^=

Sarah: *grins back at him* What's with the face~?

Dusk: I-I like it when you're really happy like this. =^^=

Sarah: And I still have you to thank for that~ I like seeing you happy too, you should smile more often. :)

Dusk: *he laughs a little, covering his face when he feels it get hot again*

Sarah: *laughs* No, no, it's okay! XD

Dusk: S-sorry - *he uncovers his face, which is still plenty red from embarrassment* =^^=;;;

Sarah: Aww, you know there's no need to be embarrassed here, Dusk... X)

Dusk: ... I-I feel kind of silly, smiling and laughing like this in front of you... =^^=;

Sarah: Oh, then don't! Being happy isn't silly. :)

Dusk: ... It just feels kinda weird...

Sarah: But it's a good weird, right?

Dusk: ... Yeah... I guess it is. :)

Sarah: *her smile widens* I thought so... :) Now, let's see if all that happy'll show up in your dreams, too.

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Dusk: *he searches all around until he finds a rose bush. Finally! He carefully clips about ten*

Sarah: ... *opens the door into the bathroom* Hello? *sees he's not there... she goes out into the main area* ...Dusk? D:

Dusk: *he then goes looking for something to hold the roses so that the thorns don't hurt Sarah*

Sarah: *looks in the kitchen, in the dining area, EVERYWHERE, the idea of having Dusk LEAVE after what happened earlier that day making her incredibly worried--what if he ran back to Blood Puppet??* Dusk?? D:>

Dusk: *he unfortunately cannot find something to wrap the roses in, so he decides, as painful as it is, to head back to the apartment without something to hold the roses with. He'll just have to see if Sarah has a twisty-tie and paper towel he can use*

Sarah: *is on the verge of panicking--should she call Gilder? Should she go look for him??* D8>

Dusk: *he climbs in through the bedroom window where he climbed out of, and is confused when he sees that Sarah's not there* <:/ ?

Sarah: *hears a sound in her bedroom, and rushes over* !! DUSK! Where have you BEEN, I thought you-- *sees the flowers in his hand, and stops, staring at them for a moment, then looking back up at him, surprised, and a bit confused*

Dusk: ... Oh... D:> I wanted it to be a surprise... I was hoping you wouldn't wake up. I-I snuck out because you always stay with me when you're awake and make sure I'm not doing anything you don't like... *he holds up the roses* These are for you... I picked them... I-I need to cover them up though - they still have thorns...

Sarah: *just stands there for a moment, surprised by the fact that Dusk actually WENT OUT and did something without her asking her to--but then the meaning of the gesture sinks in, and she smiles* Give me a moment-- *goes into the bathroom and grabs a small towel, and uses it to take the roses from him without pricking herself* ...Thank you, Dusk. This was very sweet of you. <:)

Dusk: *he says nothing, only smiles back at Sarah, inside his heart warm, fluttering with excitement and joy. He had succeeded in his mission to make Sarah happy, and that, Dusk knew, is a hard mission to accomplish*

Sarah: I'll go find something to put these in... *lightly touches one of his hands* You didn't hurt yourself too badly getting these, did you? <:/

Dusk: No, I'll be fine... just a few pricks... that doesn't really matter though, it just matter that you're happy. <:)

Sarah: *smiles up at him again. she puts a hand on his cheek, then leans up and kisses the opposite cheek* Thank you again. <:)

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Dusk: *he looks all around the park, but ends up constantly looking back at Sarah. He gently takes her hand in his* ... <:)

Sarah: ? ... <:) *laces her fingers with his, gently squeezing his hand*

Dusk: *he looks at her, just looks at her face in a loving sort of manner, until he decides to lean on her, of course. Simply being with Sarah is comforting to Dusk. He's the only person he's comfortable being with, really. Is there really such a thing as an adult version of stranger anxiety? It seems as if there truly is, at least in Dusk's case*

Sarah: *allows him to lean on her, closing her eyes. being with him, it was... it wasn't quite the same as being with Sam. But it was enough to fill the gap. They needed each other. she gently rubs his hand with her thumb, comfortable where she is*

Dusk: *he stays there with Sarah for a while, thinking, enjoying his time with her... happy*

Sarah: *sits there with him for a while, until people start gathering in the playground. she didn't think it was a good idea to stay for much longer* ...I think it's time for us to go...

Dusk: ... Okay. *he stands up, offering Sarah his hand*

Sarah: *takes it, and helps herself up, smiling a thank you. without letting go of his hand, she leads him out of the park*

*they head back to the apartment, the day already half-over*

Dusk: *when they enter the apartment, he sits down on his usual spot on the couch*

Sarah: *puts her coat away* Do you want anything to eat?

Dusk: ... I'm fine for now. I'll just... sit here, I guess. Should I rest, or do you really want me to eat something? :/

Sarah: I won't make you eat if you aren't hungry. :P It's probably just me. *goes into the kitchen to make herself something*

Dusk: Uh... uh, I'll just... rest, then? :/ *he curls up on the couch and closes his eyes* ...

*that night*

Sarah: *is asleep*

Dusk: *he uses the opportunity to sneak out. He has figured out what he can do for Sarah*

Sarah: *doesn't notice he's left for a while, until she gets up in the middle of the night. she looks over, and is surprised to see Dusk is gone* ...Dusk? *gets out of bed, and knocks on the bathroom* Dusk?

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Dusk: ... Haven't I already done that? <:/

Sarah: Mmh... *pulls the remote out of her pocket* ... *looks up at him* ...I hope you won't make me regret pressing this button... <:(

Dusk: *he tenses up, immediately assuming she'll shock him again* D8

Sarah: *notices this, and gives him a sad smile, shaking her head. when she presses the button, it's not to shock him--it's to release him*

Shock Collar: *it unlocks and pops open*

Dusk: ! ... *he carefully takes the collar off his neck, staring at it. He hadn't expected Sarah to do that* ... *he then looks up and smiles gratefully at her* ... Thank you... <:)

Sarah: *smiles back* I think you deserve it... to be freed, I mean.

Dusk: *he then hugs her tightly, this being how very grateful he is*

Sarah: !! *hugs him back, tightly*

Dusk: ... You've been so nice to me, just - just I don't... I don't know how I could ever repay you...

Sarah: *quietly* You don't owe me anything, Dusk...

Dusk: ... Still... it would be nice to do SOMETHING for you...

Sarah: Well, if you think of something, then let me know. <:)

Dusk: ... Alright. *he starts thinking of what to do for Sarah*

Sarah: *looks back out over the park, sighing* ...

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Dusk: *looks around the park, at the birds chirping, at the playground, empty. But mostly at the birds, which interested him. Birds, all seeming so quick and yet so tiny. Gifted with the ability to fly. He wonders why he's never seen them before, then realizes that it's because he's either always been outside, or it was late at night and he couldn't see any* ...

Sarah: *follows his gaze, watching the birds for a few moments, before tugging him over to a bench under a tree*

Dusk: *he sits down on the bench with Sarah. He scratches at his shock collar from under his clothes* ... Am... am I like a dog...? *as it turns out, he had overheard a lot of the conversation that had happened between Claire, Sarah, and Gilder*

Sarah: ! *is a bit surprised--she didn't think he had been paying attention* ...I don't know... I didn't really agree with that analogy...

Dusk: ... Seems like it's true, though... got a need to depend on others... follow YOU around all the time... I've got a collar and everything... if not a dog, then maybe I'm just stupid...

Sarah: You aren't stupid, Dusk... you're just learning.

Dusk: ... Learning? Learning what?

Sarah: Everything. I saw you looking around--how much did you remember?

Dusk: R-remember - ? B-birds just INTEREST me, that's why I was looking around... D:>

Sarah: I meant before, when we were still on the street... But now I'm curious--why do they interest you that much?

Dusk: ... They can fly... they're very majestic... all the people down here, they're so... clunky. And easy to stab.

Sarah: *sighs a bit at his last sentence* Well, I can see that... If someone gave you a choice, would you choose to be a bird?

Dusk: *he smiles* ... It would be nice to be that free, yeah...

Sarah: *smiles back (You CAN be--you just don't know that)* it would, wouldn't it?

Dusk: Mhm... <:) *he then looks away* ... Sarah, do... do you trust me? <:/

Sarah: ... Why do you ask?

Dusk: ... Well, I just wanted to know why I still had to wear this collar...

Sarah: ...My question is, will you let me trust you?

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