Hurt/Comfort Meme

[my_belfry_of_fun]

Hurt/Comfort - Hurt/comfort is a fan fiction genre that involves the physical pain or emotional distress of one character, who is cared for by another character. The injury, sickness or other kind of hurt allows an exploration of the characters and their relationship.

- Post with Character Name | Series in the subject.
- Others respond.
- Roll 1-10 at RNG for a scene, play it out and have fun!

1. INJURY. You've been injured. Broken bones or bleeding out or maybe just a tiny little papercut. The choice is yours.
2. SICKNESS. You're sick and laid up in bed, at home or in a hospital. The severity is up to you.
3. FEAR/ANXIETY. Something is happening and you're scared beyond belief.
4. LOSS OF SENSES. Sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell, etc. You've lost some important sense or ability and now you're left to deal with it.
5. DESPAIR. Nothing is good or right anymore and you can't shake the depression. Maybe that friend of yours can help though...
6. BREAKUP. You've been dumped. You need someone to comfort you, possibly by the one who dumped you.
7. MAKE UP. Fight or break up, it's time to makeup.
8. RESCUED. You've just been held captive and/or tortured for however long and finally, someone has come to the rescue.
9. BAD ROMANCE. Fight, cheated on, abused, whatever the case is, someone else can clearly see you need comfort from someone who isn't your terrible lover tonight.
10. LOSS. You've experience a loss of some kind and need help getting through it.
11. INSANITY. You're seeing things that aren't really there, hearing voices, or you're just convinced you're at your wit's end finally and you're going to crack. Maybe someone can give you a helping hand.
12. TIRED. You've had a heard life recently and you're just worn too thin to really care anymore. There's no fight left in you anymore. Can someone help change your mind?
13. ADDICTION. Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, or any other type of addiction has got you in its grasp. First time or relapse. Will someone be able to save you?
14. INSOMNIA. You can't sleep anymore, no matter how hard you try. Maybe someone can give you company.
15. NIGHTMARES. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, you can't sleep without gruesome, horrible nightmares. Either someone is stuck in your dream with you, witnessing it or they're just waking you up, soothing you out of it.
16. BLACKMAIL. You've been caught doing something you shouldn't and you were blackmailed because of it
17. SEPARATION. You're going to be separated for awhile or were separated for a long time. Either make up for lost time or try to spend every last moment together.
18. SINS. You're feeling the weight of your sins and guilt clearer than ever. Can someone give you absolution or lessen the ache any?
21. SECRET. It's difficult having to keep that secret of yours, be it a relationship or something you just don't want to share with anybody else. Maybe it's okay to talk about it now though...

Comments

[notquitedracula]

[He bows to the departing parents.] I don't mind. I've handled my own dishes since I was ten - a few extra isn't going to hurt me.

[He smiles, revealing no fangs to speak of. At least he can try to be helpful, even if Karin doesn't seem entirely sold on the idea of making a guest work.] Consider it repayment for yesterday, if that helps. You likely saved, if not my life, then at least my dignity.

[dollwhisperer]

Eh? No..no I mean, yes, I mean...

[Karin was back to stuttering, her hands waving along with her denials.]

Neechan means that we weren't going to just leave you, even if you were a threat.

[Anju's reply was deadpan, and Karin sweatdropped in slight embarrassment. But nodded profusely.]

I can show you what needs doing, even if it's too bright for me to go outside today.

[Karin blinked at Anju's words.]

But-but Anju, you were told not to stay up.

[Concerned big sister is concerned.]

Part of a day won't hurt me much, and if I need to I'll wake Mama or Papa. Ren-niichan already knows about the unexpected guest too.

[So if Anju needed help, there would be back-up arriving.]

Besides, I have BGE-kun too.

[This...didn't seem to reassure Karin that much, remembering what BGE-kun and the rest of Anju's dolls were like. But she also knew better than to argue with her little sister on this. So, back to Soma-san, with a small bow.]

Help would be appreciated, so...please join us for breakfast?

[notquitedracula]

[The byplay almost makes him laugh - so this is what it's like to have siblings. It does make him smile.] Don't worry about me too much. I can pass most of the day with a book, if need be. I don't want to be a bother to anyone.

[When the subject of dolls comes up, he suppresses a shudder. He does NOT want to get on the bad side of that puppet.] Breakfast would be lovely. I don't eat much, though.

[Considering he's thin as a stick, that's probably not an inaccurate statement.]

[dollwhisperer]

[Breakfast can be had, Karin doing the cooking with Anju helping in smaller ways. Soon enough though, the elder sister leaves for school, cheerily wishing them a good day. It was one of the few times Anju seemed anything other than stoic, being around her elder-sister and wish her well.

Even so, it was less like a younger sibling and more like an older one, despite the truth of their ages. Left alone, Anju excused herself briefly. Returning again fully-dressed and with BGE-kun in her arms once more, she found herself looking for their unintended guest. To monitor him perhaps, but also out of curiosity.]

[notquitedracula]

[He's just finishing the dishes when she returns, having left his coat on the back of a chair. She can probably sense something off about said coat, but nothing specific. Just... magic. It has really deep pockets.]

I'll be done in a moment. [And he is. He's pretty efficient with the whole thing - clearly he's not one of those bachelors that let their homes go to hell. Considering what he deals with, he's probably afraid a demon would move in if he did.]

I uh... don't mean to intrude, but the cupboards are pretty bare. Do you think anyone would take offense if I went grocery shopping tomorrow?

[dollwhisperer]

[Head tilting, Anju seems to think over it for a bit before shaking her head.]

Nee-chan and I are the only ones who really eat like humans still, and she has a part time job. Mama can cook--but given a Vampire's palate when awakened versus unawakened, it's not the best.

[Another pause, as if she still hadn't made up her mind about him.]

Check the list with Nee-chan, but be prepared for her to refuse the help.

[There's an undertone of "don't let her get away with the refusal though."]

[notquitedracula]

[For once, he catches the undertone, and nods.] I will. But... I'm not sure what you mean about awakened palates. I mean, I know most vampires prefer blood...

[He's genuinely puzzled. Again, no vampire education.]

[dollwhisperer]

[There's a blink from Anju, but BGE-kun is not shy at all.]

Seriously? Even without a teacher you're that ignorant and yet from the Tepes bloodline? How the mighty have fallen!

[Anju says nothing against the doll, but gives a soft sigh.]

Vampires have both a specific taste in blood they prefer generally--but also can not taste human food the same way a human does. I've heard it described as being like sand. Before a vampire grows up, that is, awakens, their sense of taste will become more dull to human-food, as well as having an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Nii-chan's test of adulthood was to erase all memories that he had been at school, when he awakened after tasting blood for the first time.

[notquitedracula]

I can't help my parents were killed when I was a child, okay? [He gives the doll - not Anju, the doll - a glare. He takes a moment to control himself.]

That... that... [He has no words to describe what he thinks of that practice. It's barbaric.]

[dollwhisperer]

Maybe, but there must be some god that watches over lucky fools like you and KarMPH!

[Once more Anju had clamped a hand over BGE-kun's mouth, and a sharp "hush". was uttered.]

It's a matter of survival. Humans outnumber us after all, and do not take well to the notion they are 'prey'. By living among them, we learn to not be cruel needlessly, as well as how to blend in more easily.

[Matter of fact, with no hint of her feelings on it one way or the other.]

Most of us are well aware of it, so while it can be sad, it's not a hardship.

Umleph myrr ckarminn

[BGE-kun chiming in even with his mouth clamped shut, earning a faint scowl from Anju.]

[notquitedracula]

God and I don't get along. It's a family thing. [He's almost amused at that statement. Declaring war on a god is something you don't tend to live down, even through reincarnations.]

I can at least understand the why, now. I think, perhaps in some ways, I was better off living the way I did before my awakening. And you don't need to keep silencing your friend. I've dealt with worse.

[dollwhisperer]

He's forgetting his manners, but that's because we're watching you.

[We--interesting choice there, and Anju let BGE's mouth go.]

You're aware that our senses are sharper than a human's? Karin has wondered if it's not more like a cat given the vegetables and herbs Mama objects to for scent. We are predators...but my family and I don't hate humans.

[Not even Ren-niichan, although he held them in scorn at times and was the most predatory of the family.]

[notquitedracula]

[Soma nods, and no, he didn't miss the implication. He's known there was something off about that doll from the moment he set eyes on it.] Mine are as well... but I think Vlad managed to pull something off, whether with alchemy or sorcery, that let his bloodline retain partial humanity. We can still taste, and survive on, human food. I think it had something to do with his wife, and their son.

[Who is now pretty damn famous as a rogue vampire. Alucard's rebellious teen phase never really wore off.]

[dollwhisperer]

Hmmmf...

[It's a neutral noise, neither agreeing nor disagreeing nor judgemental. Dhampirs were a myth, and exceedingly rare besides, from what Anju had over heard. Mostly she hadn't bothered to pay attention until she'd become aware of how different Karin was.

There had been a few different discussions, stressed and tense, among family members. Anju had not been privy to all of them either.]

You...are and are not a threat. But I do wonder how much we can trust you, Cruz-san.

[Her head tilting, like Anju's trying to peer into his soul for several moments.]

Would you like a tour?

[notquitedracula]

I'm not going to tell you to trust me. That would be foolhardy at the least.

[He considers the question for a second, then nods.] I would. I don't want to invite myself to stay for any length of time, but knowing where the facilities are would definitely not hurt.

[Translation: Knowing the location of the bathroom would be nice.]

[dollwhisperer]

You are our guest.

[He might be more than just that, but they'd certainly do what they could to be hospitable while he was not their enemy.]

I'll show you the public areas. You could possibly use Nii-chan's room if Mama or Papa say it's okay. He's rarely home.

[On the one hand--territory was a big deal. On the other, Ren was far more often out than home and he preferred it that way.]

[notquitedracula]

I'm perfectly fine with a couch or futon, if it's all the same. Scent is a big deal to us, and I doubt he'd be happy with mine in his personal space. [Perfectly natural and logical caution - and it will probably save his life. Or at least prevent a fight.

Besides. He's been using a futon for years.]

[dollwhisperer]

I doubt he'll be happy you're here, but it shouldn't be an issue.

[Waiting for him, before giving him a tour of their house. An odd mix of western and eastern aesthetics, showing both preference for the familiar, but trying to adapt to the new. The basement was sternly off-limits, as were individual bedrooms although these were pointed out.

Anju was aware, as they passed her room, of the murmurs and whispers. Curiosity, gossip, speculation... She ignored it with ease and BGE kept his mouth shut.

There were books scattered throughout, although one area clearly set up as close to a 'den' type room as possible. Besides the main living area he'd already been shown. And the kitchen, wash-rooms, and bathing facilities.

Informative, and basic--Anju would answer questions but didn't venture much. Once they were done inside, she would grab her parasol, and show him the limits outside if he wanted.]

[notquitedracula]

[He took it all in, making mental notes as they went. It was certainly a nice place, and well furnished. It wasn't a challenging layout to remember, either - compared to the castle, it was a cinch.

He doesn't have questions til they pass her room.]

Whoa. That's... a lot of spirits. Did you seal them all, or is this just a collection?

[dollwhisperer]

[She stopped short, turning up to look at him with an unreadable expression.]

Careful. She'll do the same to you if you make trouble for us. Of course, I might have to help her with that.

[BGE-kun spoke up, brandishing his knife in warning.]

[notquitedracula]

[He actually crouches to get on BGE-kun's eye level for this one.] I don't doubt her ability. Anyone who can work sealing magic on that level deserves respect. From both of us.

[He meets Anju's eyes now, the ghost of a smile on his face.] I know some sealing magic as well, but what you've got here is far beyond my ability. I'm impressed.

[dollwhisperer]

[It was uncharacteristic of her, to duck her head slightly. Peeking out shyly from beneath her bangs.]

We make sure she has company, and she takes care of us.

[BGE's head tilted too, also seeming somewhat surprised to be taken seriously. He might have to watch this guy more closely.]

[notquitedracula]

[If BGE knew what Soma did to the last spirit that brandished a weapon at him, he'd probably be terrified. But that was then, this is now, and these are Anju's spirits, not to mention her home. He's a guest here.]

Good. I imagine you also protect her, as well. It's a very nice arrangement - much better than others I've seen. [He smiles reassuringly at Anju, though he's talking to BGE. Considering his prior experiences were with the denizens of a demon infested castle... well. It's both a high bar and not so high a bar, depending on how you look at it.]

[dollwhisperer]

[It might or might not have mattered to BGE. His will was very strong even while sealed.

Probably better though that Soma remember he's a guest.

In any case, Anju was still peeking up from behind her bangs. Uncharacteristically shy, and clutching BGE protectively.]

Should we continue?

[notquitedracula]

[He nods, and rises. When they pass the basement and he's told not to go down there, he doesn't question why - after all, this is a vampire home. There's really no telling what's down there. Could be anything from sleeping ancestors to ancient gods. Maybe even the wine cellar.

Once they finish, he does indeed want to see the outside. He wasn't exactly in a great position to see it when they brought him in, after all.]

Your family has a wonderful home, Anju-san.