05. video

[shatterings]

[ Naminé hasn't posted on the network in a while, but her expression as the feed flickers on is one part curious, one part unsure. ]

It's... probably a strange question, but... does anyone have any advice on, um, breaking out of your shell?

Comments

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake breaks into the broad, approving smile of a teacher at a pupil who is getting the hang of it.]

There you go.

Never be scared to push back. Half the fight is letting them know you're not easy pickings.

[video]

[shatterings]

I... I'll try. To push back.

I... really did okay?

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Yeah, you did. All you need is practice.

What's got you asking about this in the first place, anyway? Is somebody giving you crap?

[video]

[shatterings]

I-I'll practice, as much as I can.

[ She shakes her head, frowning just a bit. ] No... not here, but back home, I... I didn't have the best experiences with other people. And it's a bit... difficult, to reach out to others.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Other kids? Or adults?

[Didn't have the best experiences. Yeah, that says a lot. Kids, they always get the worst of it.]

Look, whoever it was, if they show up and start giving you trouble, just let me know.

I'll take care of it.

[video]

[shatterings]

Well... adults. Um, there were only a few exceptions where I come from, but until this world, I'd never met many other kids.

[ She's surprised, visibly, and for a while she's speechless. ]

I... thank you. If it... if it doesn't trouble you.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake's attention sharpens.]

They kept you isolated? What about school?

[video]

[shatterings]

I never had the chance to attend.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

They're not allowed to do that. Didn't the police come by?

[video]

[shatterings]

There... weren't any police, or anything similar to that.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

There weren't any? Where the-- where were you?

[Blake's starting to think she was part of one of those weird half-off-the-grid redneck enclaves in the middle of nowhere.]

[video]

[shatterings]

A castle. There... wasn't much pf anything there. Just the castle, and six other people, for most of my stay...

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

A castle.

Was somebody locking you up there?

[video]

[shatterings]

I...

[ Pause. ]

Yes.

[ It's the only thing she really says as a reply, but the way she looks down, hunches down, how she says that affirmation... if Blake is any good at reading emotions, her body language will say loud and clear: It was only inevitable. Naminé knows now that it was wrong, but... she's certain it would have happened no matter what. ]

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Jesus.

[That short answer and the way the girl crumples tells him all he needs to know. Kidnapping, abuse. Is there any kid here who hasn't been through something like that?

Maybe that's a hint to the whole secret behind this place.

Blake's expression firms up. The closest thing he can manage to a sympathetic look is a protective one.]

You're safe here now. Nobody can get you.

[He tries to make his voice gentle. He's not real good at that. Usually he leaves this part to the cops who have a knack with kids, but you work with what you have.]

Now, I need you to give me a full description of the person who did this. Can you do that?

[video]

[shatterings]

[ Is it really that bad? Naminé would be hard-pressed to tell Blake this, but... what she did? It's so much worse, to her, and... she looks surprised at that protective look. She's come to expect it from her friends, from Lightning and Ilya especially... but... ]

A description? I... are you sure? They... if they show up, I don't want anyone to get hurt.