ellectrical | (no subject)

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Eventually, Elle had leaned back onto the bed, curled away from Ava, watching the IV drip. The sandwiches have been consumed and the packages discarded. X is sitting at the edge of her bed – Elle has been listening to her breathing, while she waited.

She's not entirely sure what she's waiting for.

But if it's for sleep, that doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.

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X's fingers tighten on Elle's.

"No," she agrees.

"I think it is making her more upset. Ava."

She glances to one side.

"Knowing might make her upset too."

X hesitates, but --

"You wanted to know. What you did not remember."

This time she does flick a glance over at Ava.

"You think she will be different? Even if it is -- bad."

"I decided I wanted to."

Beat. "For me."

In retrospect, she can understand why those who knew in her world didn't always want to help.

"She will decide, too."

It seems self-evident to X.

Is she missing something?

"For her."

When she is awake again. Or not pretending to sleep.

Or whatever.

"I don't know what to say to her.

"If she doesn't want to know."

"I do not know, either."

Uh oh.

Looking to the side, maybe aware of how ridiculous it sounds -

"I'm glad that didn't happen to me."

X's fingers tighten around Elle's.

"I am, too."

It is the truth.

"I didn't want it to happen to her."

X, at least, had managed to stop it.

"He did."

X sounds fairly certain about that. Among other things.

"But I do not understand why."

"He wanted people."

But Elle's not too sure about why, either.

"I think he liked when people were afraid."

It's sort of like asking if that's what he wanted people for.

If you squint.

"She said he was hungry."

Beat. "And - he told you, too."

"Yes," X agrees.

"But I do not know what he eats."

Ate.

"I do not want it to be people."

Edited 2012-11-11 03:44 (UTC)

Unhelpful - "I think it was?"

"It is good that he did not get to eat anyone. Here."

Or did he?

"Yeah."

She thinks?

"I don't know how it - worked."

X considers this for several long, long moments.

Then --

"Nutrient absorption is possible. Though the skin."

She looks dubious.

"He did not have a mouth."

Beat.

"You saw."

"Yeah."

Maybe she shouldn't think on it too much.

"I don't think Ava knew, either."

X continues looking dubious.

"I do not know if it is relevant. Now."

Maybe if Ava remembers, she will be able to tell them . . .

"I know."

Still, it's not the easiest thing to get out of her head.

But maybe in an effort to push the thought out, "Other people were taken, too?"

"Yes," X says promptly.

"But I do not know everyone."

This pause is longer, giving X a few moments to check her mental databanks.

"They are all back. Now."

"I guess he took a while to eat."

Wait, she's not supposed to be thinking about that.

"Do you know what happened to him?"

X shakes her head, just once.

"Jack went with people to fight him. Ambriel went, too."

Angels are useful. And Ambriel seems very good at what Ambriel does.