After Kasey finally calmed her body and mind down enough, she peered up at Shobek who had patiently been waiting for her to calm down, his hand running steady strokes down her back.
"Better...?" Shobek looked down at her, his disheveled white hair falling into his eyes, and for a second, Kasey felt herself become stunned. Whether it was because he had sat there comforting her or the fact that his eyes held such a delicate look, her heart fluttered, lighting a bolt of butterflies to life in her stomach.
Kasey slowly drew back suddenly feeling embarrassed about clinging to him, "yes.. thank you.."
"Anything for you...How about you take a shower to relax? I'll find you some clothes... I'm sure there will be something lying around." Shobek shot the bathroom door a small glance, "unless Belasco is still a virgin..."
Kasey jumped at the sound of a loud gasp coming from outside the bathroom door and became crimson when the door flung open as another man came into the small bathroom; "I am NO virgin!! Just because I don't fling myself around like you doesn't mean I haven' ever gotten laid!"
Shobek sat up and frowned, "when have I ever–"
"Oh don't even! We both remembah that cute wolf girl takin you back into the alley and when you came back you looked like you had rolled around on the ground with her!" Belasco said angrily, his arms crossing as he glared down at his friend.
"I told you a million times! She tried to kill me and the only reason why I was disheveled from trying NOT to kill her! I was forbidden to kill anyone at that time unless I wanted to be punished again!" Shobek corrected, Kasey slowly drawing away from the two as she stood up and leaned back against the bathroom counter, deciding which side to believe.
"Why would YOU struggle against a lycanthrope?! Me, I'd understand, but YOU?" Belasco pointed at Shobek and huffed.
Shobek sighed annoyed and grabbed Belasco by the collar to drag him out of the bathroom. Shobek paused in the hall with the fussy Belasco and looked back in at Kasey, "This guy's an idiot, don't listen to him. Take a shower and we'll do introductions once you are settled."
Kasey nodded slightly and Shobek closed the door behind him, continuing his defensive statements as the two gentlemen walked down the hall together. Kasey let a small chuckle out before letting her thoughts grow darker again. A shower does sound nice...
Kasey pushed off the white countertop its bluish-grey base sitting on a white tiled floor. A porcelain toilet sitting a few inches from the counter, and a foot from that was the shower with a sliding glass door. After opening the glass door, Kasey looked over the white corner shelves that were nailed to the small bluish-grey tiles. After making sure there was soap and shampoo, she turned her attention to turning the shower on. It took a minute for Kasey to get the water running, and only a minute more before she stepped under the water's warm rain. After a short moment of bliss, reality crashed into her again and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. Choking back her emotions, Kasey carefully cleaned herself up, the shampoo leaving a mint smell in her hair. The steam that had risen around her was like a warm embrace. One she wasn't quite ready to leave. But she knew she had to, reaching to turn the water off, her body froze. Her strength dissipated as she slowly sank and hugged her knees. Whatever bottled she had started to use to lock in her emotions, shattered. As if the world had crashed around her, her body shook with violent sobs. But her voice remained unheard. No one will hear them. This suffering was her own. There was no point in pushing it onto someone else. They can't fix this. They can't fix her broken, writhing soul. No, it was far too late to save someone like her.
Shobek should've let me die.
Twenty minutes went by, the two gentlemen conversed between themselves about meaningless things. Thirty minutes went by, and Shobek's leg started to bounce as he continuously glanced at the stairs. He knew she hadn't fallen. He didn't hear anything fall. So why was she taking so long?
After another five minutes, Belasco stared up at the stairs, "maybe you should go check on her–" Shobek shot up the steps, leaving Belasco to sit on the couch alone. "Oh, he was waiting for an excuse to tell her in case she got mad. Smart, but lame." Belasco sipped his coffee as he gave Ananta some loving pats. "He's gotten pretty fearful, huh?"
Ananta laid her head back down and huffed in response.
Shobek stopped outside the bathroom door and knocked softly, "Kasey? You alright?"
No Answer.
Shobek strained his ears, after a moment of concentration, he picked up her heartbeat underneath the shower's dull roar. It sounded just slightly softer, irregular. "Kasey..? Can I come in?"
No answer again.
Shobek slowly checked the door to find it unlocked. A little unusual since she's tried to lock and block the door before. After a brief pause of hesitation, Shobek pushed open the door. Steam was overflowing the room, the mirror completely fogged up. Her clothes were laying in a pile on the floor.
"Kasey...?"
Still nothing. Shobek slowly pushed open the sliding door to peer in at the small figure. Kasey didn't move, didn't shy away. As if she wasn't even registering his presence. Shobek sighed softly, it's catching up to her now. But if this keeps up, she might lock away her human senses for good. I need to snap her out of this....But how..?
Shobek opened the cabinet under the sink and pulled out a white towel, returning to the shower, Shobek reached over Kasey's depressed form and shut off the water. Wrapping the towel around her, Shobek slowly picked her up, holding her close to him as he carried her back to the guest room. Setting her on the bed, Shobek carefully wrapped the towel tighter around her before lifting her face. "Kasey..?"
Slowly, Kasey's blank eyes met his, but she remained quiet.
Shobek felt his heart drop, "I...I'm going to find you some clothes, okay..?"
Again, no response. Alright, just....give her a moment to get her bearings. She'll be fine. She's okay. She'll be okay...Right? Shobek's thoughts raced as a cool sweat started to form on his forehead. Shobek quickly found some of his leftover clothes from when he crashed here before, surprised that Belasco even kept his clothes. Bringing back a pair of briefs and a pajama shirt to Kasey, he tried to hand them to her. Her empty eyes looked at the clothes, but she didn't move. How do I help?? How can I help? What do I do?
Shobek set the clothes beside her on the bed and looked at her face again, "can you get dressed for me, dear?"
She's still not responding...! Maybe Belasco can help– ah, not while she's naked! Shit..! Alright, it's fine. I'm sure she'll understand... Shobek took a shaky breath and ran a hand through his hair. This was bad. He needed to get her back to normal. He knew her depression was there, but she had held out for so long, why is it collapsing now? Whatever! Just get her dressed and get help from Belasco! Focus!
Slowly Shobek took the towel from around Kasey and slowly patted down her body, his mind swiveling with panic. After deeming his messy job good enough he took his old shirt and slid it over her head. One arm after the other he slipped the shirt on her. Then he grabbed the briefs and repeated the process. One leg after the other. After shimming it as far as he could Shobek briefly attempted to ask Kasey to stand or to finish putting them on. But neither request was granted. Shobek sighed and gently made her lay down so he could finish putting them on her. Then he readjusted her to lay on the bed properly.
"I'll get you some help. Just... Stay here for a second..." Shobek brushed back her wet hair for a moment before rushing out the door and down the steps to Belasco. "I need your help! Please! I... I don't know how to help her and she is falling farther and farther–"
"Panic is not a good look for you, friend." Belasco stood up, concern starting to enter his body as he looked over his friend's cold sweat and shaking limbs. "Wha'tis it?"
"Kasey is...I... I don't know..! She won't move or respond and there is no more light in her eyes. I don't know why–... Just help! Please!" Shobek started to pace before stopping in front of Belasco again.
"'Course." Belasco slowly headed up the stairs, a soft whistle from him causing Ananta to jump up and follow. Shobek in tow.
Belasco entered the guest bedroom and looked at the girl who now lay on her side in the fetal position. Slowly approaching her side of the bed, Belasco knelt and looked at her face. Just as Shobek said, she didn't respond to an unfamiliar face. Although earlier, she had watched him warily.
"Kasey, my name is Belasco. I am the ruler of Limbo and a pro gamer." After a brief pause, Belasco stood up and stepped back, waving for Ananta to approach. "This is my pet, Ananta."
The Husky slowly trotted over to the bed. But Kasey still didn't move.
Belasco's voice suddenly went a little cold as he looked at his husky, "Ananta, pounce."
The Husky instantly jumped up on the bed beside Kasey and lay down. Belasco turned on his heel, grabbed Shobek by the shirt, and pulled him out of the room. "Let's let them be for now."
Shobek worriedly looked from the closing door to Belasco, "but–"
"No buts. Trust Ananta. You were in this state before too. Ananta pulled you out, so why couldn't she pull Kasey out as well? Just trust her." Belasco finally let go of Shobek as they reached the stairs. "Now come play games with me. It might take a while, but that pooch is a smart one and knows how to fix someone right up."
Belasco paused and looked up at Shobek who was reluctantly coming down the steps, "Kasey isn't afraid of dogs, is she?"
Shobek frowned slightly, "I don't think so.."
Belasco nodded, "Good. Else I would've thrown you both out."
Shobek's frown deepened. "Of course, you would...."
Belasco smiled repeating Shobek's words, "of course, I would."