And the heart is hard to translate, it has a language of its own [W1, Friday]

[hydrokinetics]

[So like. Everyone's Upset. Everyone's upset and confused and too many things have happened today. In a way it's alarming how much has happened and how few answers they have.

It's why Percy goes back to the graveyard later that day. He's not sure he'll find anything they hadn't already discovered, but with Mrs. O'Leary at his feet he figures it won't hurt to let her sniff around. Hellhounds are used to death. Maybe she'll find something.

On the other hand, part of him is looking for someone specific, too. He hadn't meant to find Xion here the first time, but for some reason he feels it might be worth it to check the graveyard one more time for her here, too.]

C'mon, Mrs. O'Leary. Let's see what we can find.

Comments

[hydrokinetics]

["If someone like me."

He doesn't know what to make of that, simply watching her curiously as he tucks that information into the back of his mind, too. "Were", "someone like me", "in the end." Those are some key words he doesn't quite know what to make of.]

It's a little silly. [He can gently tease her about that. It's hard to imagine Xion without friends. She's been nothing but nice and friendly since they've met, but...Luke was like that, too, before he went bad-end.] I like to think that most people will eventually start working together and supporting each other, especially in times of crisis. I don't know about you, but I'd call this game one of those.

[He also doesn't know what to make of that, so he ducks his head.] Keep your head up and you'll be as supportive as everybody else. We're going to have to stick together until we find a way out and that means facing this one step at a time no matter what happens.

[ceded]

[ Xion nods furiously, starting to smile in earnest. His advice... even somewhat despite herself, is really cheering her up. It's easy to forget why believing in their success was so hard when someone as encouraging as him is with her. ]

Even if this situation is really awful and scary, we have each other! There's no way we won't fight back. I think we'll make a good team, Percy!

[hydrokinetics]

[And this is how a small Disney child slowly destroyed Percy Jackson. It was his job to make her feel better and not give up, but sometimes even sheer optimism is too much for Percy. But on the other hand, they need it. They need everybody to stay on the up and up and focus.]

I think so, too. Are you used to working with a team back where you're from? [And as a show of good faith:] Annabeth and I are, but I know some other people aren't.

[ceded]

Um, well ... I'm used to having partners! Usually just one, but sometimes, when I was lucky, I'd have two! Axel, and Roxas. The friends I told you about! [ she beams. ] So ... I know a little about what it's like.

[hydrokinetics]

Axel, Roxas and Xion. [Cute. That's a lot of Xs. Oh well, that probably doesn't mean anything.] That's good. We're going to have to really work with partners and groups to figure things out here. It won't do any good for any of us to work alone, you know?

[But with that, he tilts his head.] So no more running off to hide by yourself, okay? Friends are supposed to be able to work together and support each other no matter what. [May as well kind of turn the sentiment back around on her.]

[ceded]

[ Oh.

Xion blinks, her expression blanking out into surprise. Color creeps up her neck as sheepishness comes over her. ]

... you noticed that, huh?

[ That's ... that's embarrassing. She rubs the back of her neck with a little embarrassed laugh. ]

I'll try.

[hydrokinetics]

[Just a Look.]

Maybe a little. Trying's the important part. [But he grins, finally moving to stand up.] What do you think? Ready to head back out there?

[ceded]

Yeah. [ despite everything, her smile is bright. ] Thanks, Percy. You're the best.