[BBS]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias has mostly been keeping to himself, his studies, and his family lately. With everything that's happened, he's really just wanted to introvert for a bit -- at least as much as he can with the people he cares about. But all this time, a question has been nagging at him. Bothering him. He's certainly not the naive child he was before, but some things he simply can't seem to understand.

Which is why he's turned to Garden for help.]

What makes a bad person "bad?" Is it when they hurt someone? Or destroy something? Or is just thinking about doing that enough to be bad?

And... why do bad people do those bad things?

[And yet, amidst this, there's something else on his mind.]

[PM to Marco]

Hey Dad? Why don't you and Mom have an egg?

Comments

[corruptedsouls]

Did I tell you... what happened before I came here? I can't remember much from the first time I was here, so I don't know if it was the same or not.

[redcinemareel]

You haven't, but I never was one to pry you for information. [Such a tender mind he had. Or perhaps still has.] Are you going to divulge that tale to me?

1/IDEFK

[corruptedsouls]

...Yeah.

[He pets the cat somewhat absent-mindedly, looking down at his lap. Whatever it is, it clearly weighs on him.]

When... I got the bracelet, I tried going back to living normally. And it worked for... a little bit.

[corruptedsouls]

I mean, people were at least polite to me. I could go home and do things like I did before for a while. I could talk to people, they would talk to me, and everyone was... nice. I thought... everything would be okay. That things would go back to normal and I could forget about everything that happened.

[corruptedsouls]

But... then...

[corruptedsouls]

An accident happened. I... I don't remember how, but the bracelet came off in the middle of the city. And... and people remembered what I'd done and how I'd hurt them and others, even if I didn't mean to... and it...

It caused everyone to panic.

[corruptedsouls]

I panicked too, and just... ran away as fast as I could. I swam away and found a cave outside of the city and I... stayed there. I was too scared to come out so... I started getting really sick.

[corruptedsouls]

Then... Lance came by. He...

[Tobias has been steadily getting more worked up, and now it seems he's having trouble talking for the hitched breathing and fighting tears.]

He... he wanted to... to come help me. He knew I was sick and I didn't mean it, so he came to... to rescue me and take me with him and... and I...

[corruptedsouls]

[And now those tears are coming out in a burst. Sorry, kitty, but Tobias is doing the only thing he can think of when he's this upset.

Going right into Mommy's lap to cling.]

I... I didn't believe him and I tried to fight him and... and the bracelet came off and I...

I...

[He's having so much trouble just forming the words. Even now, with help from his family, his own growth...

These words are just so painful for him to say.]

...I killed him...

8/8

[corruptedsouls]

[And now Tobias can't do anything but cry and shake violently.]

Damn buttons.

[redcinemareel]

[Grell listened to his story quietly, watching Toby's body language. She was surprised that such a thing happened. When humans kill, she knows how it can taint a soul. The intensity of that taint depends on the motivations of the human. More than likely, Toby's soul wouldn't be too badly affected.

His mind, however, is a different story.

Stroking his hair gently, Grell comforts him. The cats found another place to rest, while Lark simply snoozes.]

It was an accident. You can't blame yourself for what occurred.

They are sneaksy.

[corruptedsouls]

[The comforting does wonder for Tobias and his breathing begins to fix itself as he calms down, at least a little. Really, being curled up against Grell like this alone helps.]

...But it was my fault. Even if it was an accident... if I didn't fight him, he'd... still be okay.

[redcinemareel]

I never said it wasn't your fault. But it was not intentional. I'm sure he knows that. [She sighs, rubbing his back gently.] Truth be told, I couldn't blame you for reacting that way. Once burned, twice shy and such.

[corruptedsouls]

...I guess so...

[He falls quiet at that, just sort of burying his face into Grell's chest and focusing on snuggling his mother. Tobias is wearing a fairly light shirt today, so Grell might feel something a bit... off about his back this time.]

[redcinemareel]

[She notices, since she doesn't have on gloves at the moment. Grell makes a curious noise at the discovery.]

Where did these come from? [Because she knows what they are.]

[corruptedsouls]

Huh?

[It takes a moment for Tobias to register exactly what Grell means, but feeling her hands shift on his back gives him the ability to make an actual guess for once.]

The scars?

[redcinemareel]

Yes, the scars, darling. [At least he guessed right.] Where are they from? Does your father know of them?

[corruptedsouls]

I think so. [Read: he didn't consider it important to mention.]

When I went to Tyson to ask for help before I got the bracelet, he... thought I was trying to hurt him. So he told his Charizard to attack me and... it burnt my back while I was trying to get away.

[Surprisingly, Tobias doesn't seem as upset as usual Could it be there's someone he actually doesn't like?]

[redcinemareel]

[Eyebrow raise.]

You seem rather calm about that. [She runs a hand through his hair.] Feeling any better?

[corruptedsouls]

A little.

[He pauses for a moment, then...]

...Tyson was always confident and really cocky... but when I came to him for help, he was... terrified. He was really scared of me. I've never seen him scared of anything before.

So... I don't hate him for it.

[redcinemareel]

[Grell couldn't help but laugh at that a bit.] Well, he'll know that you aren't one to be messed with!

[She reaches beneath her pillow to take out some chocolate, offering some to Toby.]

Chocolate?

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias' eyes light up at the sight of it and he smiles.]

Yes, please! Thanks, Mom!

[Chocolate!]

[redcinemareel]

[Annnnnd she hands him the whole thing. She has more.]

Anything for you~! [Grell plants a kiss on the side of his head.] Don't worry about eating too much!

[corruptedsouls]

[He giggles a little at the kiss. Moooommm, you make him feel so loved!]

Okay!

[He will chow down on the entire thing, then!]

[redcinemareel]

I doubt your father would disapprove. [Rubs her chin]