laytondressing | (no subject)

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(no subject)

[Hendel's sitting on a chair in the lobby, the perfect picture of calm. Anyone passing by, though, is going to feel distinctly not calm. There's a solution to that, though - along with the sudden onset of anxiety, there's the feeling that spending some time with Hendel here is exactly what they need to calm themselves down.

Someone really shouldn't be allowed mood-altering powers.]

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[Hendel twitches slightly at the sight of her.]

Claren--

...Claire?

[She turns around, confused.]

What? Oh, yes. Hello...

[She hesitates a moment, the anxiety fading briefly before coming back in full force.]

...whatever's the matter?

[She looks down and licks her lips, holding her powers in position. Her hands are held up to her chest, nervously.]

I...n-nothing...

[She cranks it up further, starting to smile now.]

Really, my dear? You seem... anxious.

[This is new. This anxiety is not normal, and she can feel it.]

I am...

[She pulls her arms up to her more helpless, even though she is surprised that her powers are not fading, or even feeling the slightest bit strong. They are still right where they are.]

[Now she looks like she's going to cry.] I-I don't...I...

[...oh. Crying. She... wants to see crying.]

Can I help?

[This is so strange. She's feeling all of...her feelings. Claire's feelings...how bizarre...]

[Her eyes water as she begins fidgeting, and looking around as if she wants to walk off somewhere.]

I don't know...I...I just...

[She sits down on the floor, helpless and anxious, suddenly remembering all of Claire's memories, and the ones to be anxious about.]

[Hendel drops to her knees before 'Claire', the anxiety only intensifying with her proximity.]

Tell me what's the matter, my dear Claire.

I...I can't breathe...I don't know...

...where's Hershel? I need...I need s-something. Oh god...

[Tears roll down her face as she thinks "wait, who am I again?"]

I'm here, Claire. Hendel. I'm not Hershel, but... I'm close enough, aren't I?

[Smile widening, she reaches forward to wipe the tears from her cheeks.]

Y-yes....

[She places a hand on her shoulder and finds herself falling into her chest, embracing her closeness, and still crying uncontrollable from the amount of anxiety she's giving off.]

[Hendel smirks over Claire's head, before reeling back the anxiety completely without warning. She can always put it back if she needs to incapacitate Claire again, after all.]

[Her crying is ceasing as Hendel pulls the anxiety back, and she's holding onto her for dear life. This makes her believe the woman's calm disposition actually helped.]

T-thank you. [Pulling away.] Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like a crazy person....[laughs nervously.]

Of course not. How could I think you crazy, when you're so like Clarence from my own world?

[No! No! I'm not Claire! I'm...I'm...]

Clarence?

Your double, in my own world. You didn't think he'd be called Claire too, did you?

[Giggles lightly.]

No, I suppose not. Were you in love with him?

I... was, yes.

...not any more, though. He died.

Oh. I'm sorry...

[Smiles still, trying to remember who she is.]

...don't be.

[Hendel watches the smile for a long moment, then hits her with another blast of anxiety.]

[And the anxiety hits her like a bus. She looks down, starts breathing hard and pulls her knees to her chest.]

God...I'm just so nervous...

[She rests her face in her knees, not sure what to do.]

...

Good.

[Looks up puzzled.]

Good? What's good about this...

[Holding herself in worriedly]

Getting to see you like this, my dear.