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

[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.

Bit of glossing over...

[dollwhisperer]

[BGE-Kun was coming with her, Anju sheltered under her parasol.]

I'll show you the areas close to the house that you're allowed. They're solidly within our barrier. If you want to go elsewhere, Karin or I will go with you if it's daytime.

[The tour around the outside of the house, at the top of the hill, would be brief. It would also give the family's bats times to become used to him, and to observe him. Explaining as she went what comprised their core territory.]

[notquitedracula]

[More mental notes, and he's definitely noticed the bats. The barrier too, come to that. Now that he's seeing it with his own eyes, he can see the heat shimmer of a dome, and roughly how far it extends.]

I don't have anywhere I need to be today, at least not right now. If the sun bothers you, we can go back inside - it used to burn me horribly, so I understand how that can be.

[Prior to adolescence, he was basically allergic to sunlight. He's still not immune to its effects, but it takes much longer to burn him.]

[dollwhisperer]

[From talk and what he's seen, he could reasonably guess that Anju has not awakened yet. Karin too, being a late-bloomer. Hence how they can both still walk in daylight.

From their perspective, it's simply a sign of how powerful Soma is, that he can still walk in daylight. Which wouldn't be reassuring in many ways--except he 'owes' them currently. And seems to be genuinely decent, in terms of appreciating hospitality and aid.]

I don't really come out during day unless it's cloudy. It's less it bothers me, and more I have little reason or need to be outside during the day except for school. But I'm also well-documented as having an allergy, so no one truly questions it.

[notquitedracula]

[He could make that assumption... if he knew basically anything about vampires that wasn't from Vlad's memories, which were... somewhat odd, on the subject.

It really doesn't have anything to do with his strength, as a vampire or otherwise. It's his half-human nature. But then, they don't know he's a true dhampir yet.]

I see. I can understand that, I guess. [He stretches a bit, and takes another look around the grounds.] I like the feel of these trees. They aren't like the ones around the castle.

[dollwhisperer]

You're from the 'old country' as Papa would say?

[Their territory bordered and included part of the park, with their house at the top of the hill. Just outside of their barrier was both an old temple, and the old apartment complex that Usui and his mother lived in.

The area was old, not modern or shiny--and kept well enough to not draw too much attention or pose a hazard. But it was not the kind of place humans lingered, which suited them fine and was another form of discouragement. That it suited their 'tastes' visually was simply a bonus, and a good way of blending the old and new.]

[notquitedracula]

[He shakes his head.] No. I was born and raised in Japan. The castle... factors into what I have to tell you all tonight. It's kind of complicated. I'm going to tell everyone about it tonight, but... would you like to hear part of it now?

[dollwhisperer]

Hmmm...

Hah! Your name isn't Japanese!

Hush BGE-kun. His parents probably immigrated like Mama and Papa.

Hmph.

[Anju couldn't be too upset with him though.]

It sounds like it'll be stressful. You should rest.

[So should she, to that end. She was not letting them have this discussion without her. It wasn't unlikely that Ren might even be called home.]

[notquitedracula]

My mother was local, but my father was from Spain. The direct line goes from him back to Vlad, through a few generations.

[He nods, and has to stifle a yawn.] I wouldn't say no to some sleep. I've been awake since... sometime yesterday morning. There was a couch in the room your parents grilled me in that should suffice.

[dollwhisperer]

You understand our caution though.

[It's not a question, but it's gently said. For Anju anyways.]

I can get you a blanket and pillows.

[Leading the way back within, and she wouldn't say no to a nap herself.]

[notquitedracula]

[He nods, turns the gesture into a bow, and is soon tucked away.

Time passes. The grilling happens. Secrets and awkward truths are exchanged. An oath is extracted. A pledge of safe conduct is offered. A brother is extremely miffed about a new male vampire being around his sisters.

Finally, he makes what might be the clinching offer.]

On a completely different subject... I don't want to be a burden. If one of you can give me a general list, I can go shopping for supplies. Food and the like, especially. I have... plenty of money to cover any expenses needed. [And he plucks an actual gold coin out of a pocket, to offer as demonstration. It's ancient, at least five hundred years old, and in surprisingly good shape. Probably worth a small fortune to your average coin collector.]