(no subject)

[a1enzo]

Enzo leads the way in through the closet.

He is not looking forward to this. At all.

What's the worst they could react?

That might be a more comforting thought if he didn't immediately start imagining the answer.

Comments

[a1enzo]

"Not yet. Dad's coming over, too."

Which guarantees TOTAL AWKWARDNESS until he arrives. Yay!

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob quirks an eyebrow. "Why didn't you tell us you were going to do this, Enzo?"

[a1enzo]

Enzo's silent for a moment, then: "Too nervous."

Yeah, see? What'd we tell you? Awkward.

[command_dot_com]

"Well, it's going to be a bit before Dad gets here...I'll make some Cocoa." Dot says after a moment getting up from the couch and heading for the kitchen.

It's part to ensure some ease in the tension and part giving Enzo the space to get ready to talk.

[a1enzo]

"Thanks, Sis."

He appreciates the thought. And the Cocoa.

[nullofscience]

*******************

In from the PO, 'tis our man null, Welman! He steps in, saying...

"Okay, son. What did you wish to...talk to me about?"

Awkward feelings are contagious, so naturally when he walks into a room full of it with a gathering he didn't expect, it's rather easy for a sentence to be derailed for a bit. The null looks from one (Cal) to the next sprite and so on, then...

"Umm...what's going on?"

[a1enzo]

Enzo lowers his mug. "Hi, Dad. I... kind of have something I need to tell you. And Dot, and Bob."

[command_dot_com]

"We're listening."

Really...if Enzo has gotten himself into trouble, it's best to let him talk it all out.

Though it's somewhat worrying that he isn't spilling it all at once like he used to.

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob nods. "Go ahead."

[ami_imperfect]

Dani looks over at him, and gives him an encouraging nod.

[isaysimplewords]

Cal, likewise, nods, and touches Enzo's elbow as a silent reminder: We're right here. You're going to be fine.

[a1enzo]

Enzo smiles softly, gives a tiny nod of his own, and produces the mask from his belt.

"You remember when Hex gave me this?"

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Yeah..." Bob frowns. Where is Enzo going with this?

[a1enzo]

He holds it in both hands and fidgets with it as he speaks.

"I... I found out it's not just a mask. It's a real mood. If you wear it, you feel calm. And, like, nothing else."

Normally, as Dot has observed, if something's wrong his biggest problem is his tongue being unable to keep up with the flow of words. But this isn't an emergency or a momentary panic. This is what will my family think of me? There's no going back after he tells them. There's already no going back.

Maybe he could explain it better if he demonstrated NO!

[command_dot_com]

.
.
.
It's probably very scary for Enzo that she's being so quiet right now, but really...she's thinking about how to say things so she doesn't end up rattling him even more.

"...how did you find this out?"

[a1enzo]

"...I put it on. It was before exams, when I was feeling so rotten, and I just wanted to pretend like I could make myself feel better, only then I wasn't pretending 'cause it worked..."

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob stares at Enzo. (Mairi, on the other hand, sucks merrily at her bottle, oblivious.)

"And then what?"

[a1enzo]

"I... I kept it on while I was studying, I didn't really get what was going on 'til I took it off, an' all of a sudden I felt awful again. Worse, maybe."

[nullofscience]

The mask does what now?

Welman noticed that Enzo was way too calm and reluctant to speak right off, so his concern was equal to Dot's maybe more so. Then, he pulled out the mask and...

Oh my...

Scientific awe and parental worry, walking hand in hand, digits entwined. He let the others speak as his thoughts settled themselves. The mask was a face of Hex, and was part of what kept her in check. Welman had studied the logs in the Principle Office. The masks held back such power...and Hex followed their mood to a T. They really did influence her...

"Enzo, have there been any lasting effects? Anything you've noticed at all, no matter how insignificent?"

Better to know sooner than later. He wouldn't imagine Hexidecimal doing any harm to Enzo, but she also was, in all likelihood, not in control of that mask.

[a1enzo]

"Not really? Not like that. Just... just wanting to keep using it. Whenever I get upset. 'Stead of dealing with it myself."

[command_dot_com]

...On the one hand, she wants to give him such a lecture about how BASIC it is to even think that.

And on the other, some of her own coping mechanisms might not be that much better in some respects.

Having gone a year without alcoholic drinks or Java resulted in a lot of donated sweaters, scarves and hats to Bar, and to the welcome-to-the-neighborhood baskets for expecting parents.

"...I can see why it'd seem easier, short term."

[mendanddefend_archive]

"But it wasn't just short-term, was it?" guesses Bob.

[a1enzo]

Enzo shuts his eyes. "No. I mean, it only went on for about a second. But it would've been longer, if Cal didn't figure it out and tell me I was g-getting... addicted."

[isaysimplewords]

Cal speaks up now, partly to draw some attention from Enzo and give him a moment to steady himself.

"I know the signs," he says. "I have personal experience. I was a little worried I might be jumping the gun, but when Enzo told me what was going on, I really didn't like the sound of it all."

[a1enzo]

"And w-when he said, I got so upset I ran off to use it again. So that proves it."

He's trying to steady himself with deep breathing as much as he can without meditating outright. It helps, but he's still trembling a little.