The OC above is looking lonely...

SparklingEntropy pinging since it's been almost 3 months.... I'm coming..........

His stroll through the area he found himself in ended up rather uneventful. He still had time to return home, did he? All of it he wasted here, trying to find supplies but all he found was junk, and he considered today a total loss until he noticed a young woman sitting alone.

Noel wasn't the kind to approach strangers, and Anya's height and masculine features put him off, but he was determined to get directions. Besides, she wasn't doing much but polishing and sharpening her axe, which also reminded him that he needed to pick up a whetstone. So, carefully, he neared the woman and dipped his head to her in greeting.

"That is a lovely weapon, madame," he remarked, "I'm amazed anyone can wield it... Axes, I'm not as skilled with them as I would hope to be..." He trailed off with a sigh and shook his head. "I was hoping if you would be so kind to guide me to the market? I could buy you something, too. For your troubles. I wouldn't want to be too much of a hassle..."

He searched for his daughter, but to no avail. She must have been toiling through the caves now. He gazed out into the forest beyond his weathered house. He would have to go looking for her before sundown, before the rain started.

Noel rested his hands in his lap. A warm mug of coffee laid next to him on the porch, where he sat on the ragged steps. He didn't feel like drinking it. Besides, maybe he shouldn't on an empty stomach.

For a moment, he was silent. Then he brought his mutilated hand up to his face and exhaled quietly. "Je veux juste dormir..."

follow-up in spoiler!

Wren wasn't quite certain how she had gotten to her current location. At first she had just been going on a leisurely walk through the forest, the next she had gotten to a home hidden away amongst the trees. She was uncertain of the place at first, she had no right being there!

And then she saw him.

The man was settled on his porch steps, his face buried in his hands and an untouched coffee mug next to him. He looked tired, distraught, and lonely.

Wren had the slightest pang of uncertainty. Was it really a good idea to approach a stranger in the woods? But even then, her caring instincts had already kicked in. She walked toward the steps, announcing her presence through her footsteps. Once she had gotten his attention, she stopped and waved.

"Hey there, sir. I noticed you looked kinda down."

She waited for an invitation before making her way to the steps, sitting next to him.

"Listen, I'm not sure what's bugging you, but... Is there anything I could do to help? Even just so much as give you someone to talk to? I don't feel right leaving you here upset."

She awaited his response. She was afraid she'd come off too strong and had scared him instead of offered help, but she was sure that couldn't be right... Could it?

--------------------------------------

Wren let out a long sigh, looking into the campfire ahead of her and dejectedly dangling a marshmallow on a stick into it. It was the end of camp once again, the campers had all gone home and it was up to her to clean the place up. Naturally, her brother Asher hadn't come with. She sighed, thinking back through all the memories of camp.

'He would have had a great time...' she thought, pulling the marshmallow out of the flames. She understood his reasoning, but was still desperate for company.

-----------------------------------------

(Follow up! Yngvar is such a sweetie aaaa!!)

Wren first heard the familiar sounds of a guitar being tuned from afar. She stiffened up, glancing around quickly in case she would have to defend herself. None of the other counselors were there, it had to be--

She significantly relaxed upon seeing exactly who had visited. He had an obviously timid yet kind demeanor. Not the kind to hurt anyone on purpose, she was certain of that. Not to mention he seemed somewhat familiar... Had she seen him before? In a band or something, perhaps?

She set her pondering aside and greeted him with her best attempt at a warm smile despite her obvious upsetness.

"Actually, I'd love some company, thanks. And the chance to talk, I appreciate it a bunch."

She hesitated, struggling at first with the idea of saying anything more. With any other stranger, she likely wouldn't have shared. With him, however, things were much different. She felt comfortable around him, and could obviously tell just how hard he was trying. Not to mention his kindness reminded her of her absent brother.

She eventually opened up to him, a weight lifting off her shoulders as she spoke. She was more greatful than she could express in words to the kind stranger for coming around.

inb4 ///  sorry for the long response.... ;; 

The man dismally strolled across the park, his eyes drooped down as his countenance was softened. His lips slightly wobbled as his mismatching eyes lacked any vibrancy to it.. There was no spark in his face, no enthusiasm.. No emotions reflected through himself, except for the pain reflecting in his earthy eyes. He blinked, a heart-heavy sigh escaped out of his chest. He would then peer down at his shoes dragging against the dusted path diverging through many ways of the large community park. He would then ascend up his head, peering over to the small families bonding together to people with their dogs playing catch offleash.

 Oh, how Yngvar longed for a sense of joy and company again. He was severely deprived from receiving any joy in his life, thanks to all the tragedies that he had to life through his life. The fissures would crackled and diverging into his plush heart, only having his chest ache even more. He bulged, a tumor building up at the center of his throat as he just strolled through the park.. Even if he took note of those loving sights lingering at the corner of his eyes, only having that as poison damaging his overall positivity of the day.. However, Yngvar never really carried any gleaming positivity for all the days that he had to trek through. Other than being so glum, he was struck by the fear of judgement, seeing his enemies again, just reliving the scenes of terror that he experienced int he past. He gulped, his lips beginning to quiver as he was now starting to tense up. He would dart over to the side of where the path border, away from the path. He would just quiver, his heart thumping heavily against his chest as small beads of sweat trickled down through his head. His eyes bulged as tension and sorrow only built up upon him.. The tumor lodged into his throat only painfully swelled more and more upon Yngvar's chest. He would then embrace himself, desperate to receive any warmth as he was beginning to tremble. A small whimper escaped out of Yngvar, as he would then dart off over to one of the picnic tables, away from all the commotion. The picnic table was at a small hammock, near a swampy body of a lake. He would now saunter over to the picnic table, sitting himself down as he would now slump into the surface of the picnic table, now easing himself down a little bit. His thoughts raced, everything raced for him. It was too painful for him to even take in.. He couldn't help himself but dwell on the fact that he was going to be lonely forever, how people that he loved only faked kindness on help and held nothing but hate for him. He loathed it, he loathed it so bad. He only wanted this pain and sorrow, this fear to be over.. All of this self-loathe and wrath over himself. 

Suddenly, his face slightly crumpled as the tumor in his throat won over. The tears sprung up over the corners of his eyes as they only deluged even more. Yngvar couldn't take it anymore, as he would peer down over to the surface of the table in guilt and shame. The heavy tears would trickle down through his cheeks, raining down as they would drip against the surface of the table. Tiny sobs escaped out of the man, his sobs growing more helpless and louder as he lingered in the same spot, crying. Yngvar whimpered as his back pumped in sync of his painful, high-pitched sobs. `` Why..? W-why does it always have to b-be like this..? I-I just want this to go away..! `` Yngvar just proceeded to keep on crying in the same spot. `` I-I don't wanna be alone.. `` He gasped between his sobs. 

( follow up post!! cam is so adorable i love them so much ;; ))

Before Cam could even notice Yngvar, he just kept on crying. His whole face crumpled as the tears would race down through the surfaces and curves of his hot, cherry cheeks. He would hunch his head down over to his lap, as the both of his hands were balled up into knuckles in his lap. The tears would just rain down and drip against the surface of his knuckles. Some of the tears would trickle down over his neck, soaking up the collar of his shirt. A small bead of snoot slightly trickled down from his nose, he sniffled in order to keep it from coming down. Weak, convulsive gasps escaped from the crying Yngvar. He would then take in a few deep breathes, finally lifting up his face as it was completely soaked by the damp traces of his tear-stains. He huffed, using the sleeve of his blue sweater to swipe off the remaining of his tears. No matter how hard Yngvar tried to get himself to stop crying, he just couldn't do it. All of these puzzling, monstrous emotions were getting the best of him. It was like a large, fierce torrent of loathe and taunts coming straight at him, continuously bullying him and putting himself down for what he has done.. He was even stuck with flashes of images during the moments where he did so bad and made many mistakes. He couldn't help himself but beat himself up for dwelling in his own misery.. But from how Yngvar impacted his loved ones in the past, he blamed himself for it. He always believed that it was his fault.. How he was a fool and how he couldn't understand why people would even waste their time just helping on what he believed, a filthy piece of garbage. He always carried a severe, strong loathe on himself. He was always plunged by it, and no matter how many sessions of therapy he would get, he'd just give up and dwell in his own misery without looking ahead of the future thinking that he'd get better. It was awfully difficult for Yngvar, and so draining for him. Small whimpers escaped out of Yngvar as he continuously swept off the incoming tears with his sleeve, `` W-why do I even try..? `` He weakly choked up out of his chest. He just sticked himself there, helplessly and messily sobbing. 

That was until a concerned, heart-aching Cam would now approach him.. A look of sympathy gleaming through their face. The crying Finnish musician would then attempt to stop himself to stop crying, but it was all too much for him. He finally had taken notice of Cam cautiously approaching him, a flinch escaped out of him as the instinct to run away and hide would run through his blood. However, seeing that Cam had no intention to hurt him just because of all the misery he had to take in, he'd passively let Cam stick around with him. Same went with Yngvar, as he had no intention to hurt Cam in any way despite on how upset he was. He sniffled, using the sleeve of his sweater to swipe off his trickling tears. He couldn't get them to stop trickling.. 

He would then nip against his lip, his lips quivering as he tried to hold back his tears.. But he couldn't do it. He tried his best to appear not so upsetting to Cam, continuously swiping off his tears and fixing up with hair. He also attempted to clean off the small tears left on the surface of the table. A desperate countenance just plunged through the poor man's face. `` Y-yeah I'm- `` He paused, choking up on his tears, `` I-I'm okay..- `` His voice severely cracked as he tried his best to spoke. But of course, it was incredibly obvious enough that Yngvar was not alright, no matter what he said. With Cam's warm, comforting presence, he seemed to ease down a little bit as from what it seemed, Cam wanted to lift up his spirits.. He couldn't understand why they wanted to lift up his spirits, but that didn't mean that he couldn't appreciate it. He absolutely appreciated their sweet, comforting demeanor. As soon as they asked if they could stay with him, he would just helplessly plead to them, `` P-please- please stay--! `` He intertwined the both of his hands more tears came down, ` ` I-I know it's weird for me to s-say but please- P-please don't go! I-I don't wanna be l-lonely! `` Yngvar absolutely longed for company in general, and warmth.. He couldn't just help himself but implode. 

He paused for a moment, using his sleeve to wipe off his tears again, finally initiating eye contact with Cam.. He looked like a complete mess, his eyes bloodshot and puffy, as well as completely damp. His hair was a bit of a mess as well. His face was completely warm and scattering with raspberry curls. `` I-I'm-- I-I'm so s-sorry- `` He was now cut off by a couple of hiccup's escaping out of him, `` I-I'm sorry..! `` He would then cup his own cheeks, feeling his damp face. He just listened to them.. They were inviting them to go find some duckies at a near by pond. Yngvar absolutely loved ducks, or just animals in general.. He would eagerly accept it as soon as they would ask them. `` Y-yeah.. I'd love to, a-actually.. `` He attempted to manage a small smile upon his face, no matter how painful it was for him. He sniffled, finally easing down a little bit. `` O-of course it is alright.. I-I.. really love duckies too. `` He paused once more, `` O-oh um.. I'm Yngvar.. I-I forgot to say. I'm sorry. I-it's.. nice to meet you, Cam.. `` He was now beginning to ease down, no longer sobbing yet he was still shedding a couple of tears. He continuously swipe them off as they would come down. As soon as the both of them would do their thing together, Yngvar finally felt some confidence to talk out some of his feelings.. He felt much better.

Cam was walking around in the same park as Yngvar. Of course they were looking for anywhere they could find some ‘duckies’, but along the way, they heard sobbing.

Being the way they are, Cam felt a pang in their heart for whomever it was, and they decided to put their quest away to go in search of who was crying.

Cam found Yngvar at the picnic table. They were a bit nervous, not knowing how the man may react to them, but they walked over and sat across from him at the table.

“E-excuse me? Are you alright?”

Cam felt stupid for asking, of course he wasn’t.

“Um.. If you’d like, I can stay with you? Keep you company. I know it helps me when I’m sad.”

They smiled at him in hopes he would feel a bit better.

“My name is Cam. I was going to find some duckies down at the pond. If you want, you can come with? We can see the duckies together and maybe it’ll make you feel better? Is that alright?”

Cam, like most times, was lonely. They were out on a walk to who knows where. They had just about 1 friend besides their partner, and it sucked in all honesty. Being a demon and all, people mostly were too scared to talk to them, but if they did, they’d find Cam either very annoying or very odd.

They walked around, head looking at their feet, just having a glum demeanor. Hell, their partner had more friends than they did. They were lonely, they really wanted someone to talk to. Someone new. And nice. For once.

my reply is a bit long(tm), so... spoiler box time:

Looking up at the sky was never particularly appealing to Fitzgerald, who always saw the action as a lose-lose no matter how the atmosphere was. If it was clear - with the occasional wisp of cloud - it reminded him of home, and... Well... He shook his head but kept it facing up. If it was anything else, it reminded him of how far he was from home - the crushing insignificance of his presence becoming increasingly clear the longer he looked at it. He, naturally, was a man who craved attention - needed it to infect every part of his life so that he could function; it was almost pathological, and for a moment, he wondered if it was even a good idea before quickly dismissing it.

Of course it was. It's the one thing that keeps me going here... Finally, the young man grew tired of the nothingness that mocked him and looked down at his hands. One day, I'll define myself without having to rely on... Fitzgerald frowned while wringing his hands. How was he going to define himself? For obvious reasons, he couldn't claim to just be the son of this rich person and that rich person, as much as it helped him get through this slough of a place.

He huffed to himself and crossed his arms, grumbling under his breath, "If Pourife was even awake right now, I'd be talking to him." But he wasn't, and Fitzgerald was sure that he probably left his device at the laboratory anyways. Ridiculous. That was how he felt, both towards himself and his boss. For once, he was as low as the ground that he was now on - no longer up in the clouds as he usually was.

And don't even get him started on the fact that he wasn't with his dog at the moment.

Perhaps, he mused while curling his hair around his finger once more, this is something beyond my control... And by goodness, did he hate that feeling. Of losing control. Of realizing that no matter what he did, the same outcome would occur. He was experienced enough with it to know that being left to wallow in his own insecurities was definitely a bad idea, but at the same time... What else could he do? Look at the sky? He sure as hell wasn't going to do that.

follow-up to the post below!! full offense but I'd low-key die for Enzo... also, her being an animal is a nice touch since Fitz low-key places animals above people lmao-

as usual, I'm chucking my response into a spoilers box because I type way too much LMAO.

It was uncommon for Dolores to go on a stroll right now, when the temperatures were starting to drop. Nevertheless, as she clutched her coat close to herself, the elder reckoned that she could handle the colds associated with the night. That, and the wild creatures said to linger around the wood at the time. She was taking a risk. She knew it. Yet at the same time, she felt as if she were compelled to do so, although she could never articulate the reason why.

All she knew was that she was walking through the streets and towards the edge of the city, where trees eventually swallowed her up. The townspeople wouldn't see her leave; they had turned their backs on her a long time ago, when they first discovered she had a pet that wasn't from around here. "Your dog's a damn ecological hazard," she remembered one resident saying. Dolores waved her hand as if she was trying to get rid of a persistent cloud of smoke... And yet it kept following her. More than once, she looked back over her shoulder to see if she wasn't alone.

Each time she did so, she was both relieved and absolutely wracked. Relieved because she wasn't being judged. Wracked because never in her life had she felt so alone. And cold. Dolores looked up at the sky with a sigh and decided to stop walking for a moment. The sunset was indeed beautiful, but when it was followed by a moon that potentially harbored frostbite and hypothermia... The beauty wasn't nearly as astounding. Wait, that was weird. Normally, she'd appreciate those types of scenes, yet now...

"That's what I get for being alone at this time, huh," she muttered to herself while tightening her grasp on her coat's ruff, "Silly ol' me... I should know better when it comes to these types of situations." And in her eyes, the old woman really should've. Yet in reality, she hadn't been confronted with this type of loneliness since... When? Her entire life, Dolores had at least one person she could trust... Until she retired and was forced to move up to the summit of a mountain... In the middle of nowhere... In the face of a hostile city who distrusted you because of a dog...

She shook her head once more, muttering, "No, I shouldn't blame Poffin for that..." But blaming anyone else for her isolation was also pretty much impossible. Thus, the only option left was herself. Of course it had to be herself. As much as she was aware that constantly placing a burden on oneself undermined the intent of her retirement years, Dolores just... Kept on being defeated by guilt. She blinked as a snowflake fell onto her nose, as it had started to snow gently. "I... I don't know" was all Dolores could really say as more snow fell; it really was beautiful, she mused, yet it always reminds one of how small they were compared to everything else...

here's a quick follow-up to the post below-

It got a tad bit long, so I just put it under a spoiler.

Scylica wandered through the market aimlessly, a saddened expression on her face as she watched the happy travellers walk on by, chatting happily and without a care. It only further soured her mood, while she wasn’t one to wallow in self-pity and loneliness, she just couldn’t help herself this time around.

Her boat had been wrecked thanks to a stupid captain who didn’t know jack squat about sailing, effectively ruining the load that she had been carrying that was worth quite a pretty penny. Her boat would be out of commission for at least a month due to the shortage of supplies needed to fix it, and on top of all that, she had yet to receive any kind of letter from her dear friend Sunshine whose letters always brought along happiness.

She was really looking forward to reading her stories too…

Trying her hardest not to cry, she plopped down on a barrel that was off to the side, crossing her arms as she pouted, glaring at all the happy people as she watched them walk by. She was feeling lonely, very lonely, but since it was her first time at this port and her experience with the locals has been… less than pleasant she wasn’t feeling confident enough to go and approach anyone.

Darling isn’t one to be very fond of water. She despises it, really, so it was quite a surprise to herself that she found herself walking on a boat dock so close the salty blue waves she hated so dearly.

She didn’t really have anywhere to go, being naturally adventurous she just enjoyed walking wherever her six paws took her and often gawked in awe and amazement no matter where she was and despite the unsavoury conditions due to the water this little “adventure” was no exception!
While looking around Darling spotted a woman with flowy, water-like hair sitting on a barrel loooking.. sad?

No no that will NOT do

The little cub, despite not knowing this woman whatsoever, was saddened by seeing the woman so upset on such a warm and sunny day, too! So, Darling skipped on over, humming clumsily while doing so, once she approached her Darling tapped her paw on the woman’s foot, hopped up on the barrel next to her and started doing what the chaotic child did best: rambling about absolute nonsense.

“Hello!!!” She began “Why are you so sad?” she asked, tilting her head her so far she fell off the barrel. After of moment of squealing and scrambling back up she continued “We here to help make you feel better!!” She grinned, her tail wagging excitedly “Wanna play a game with us?? We know lots and lots!” She paused and thought for a moment “Or,, we could go pick flowers- OH WAIT!!! Let’s watch the little fishies swim round and round and round and round and ro-“ she sneezed, causing her to almost fall off again.

“We really like your hair-fishes!!” Darling wagged her tail “We would very much like to talk to them, what are they like?? Do they have names??” Before waiting for a response she continued rambling “OH!!! Let’s go get some food!! We saw some yummy cookies on our way here! After that we can watch the fishes so your hair fishes can make some friends!!!” She grinned

Darling hopped off of the barrel, tugging at the woman’s dress and nudging at her legs, you know, basically just urging her on. “Let’s go lets go!! It’ll  be so fun!! I’m sure we can make great friends!!”

—————

It was a very bright and warm day. Typically the kind you’d be happy during but Darling was anything but that.

Darling stopped pacing around in a figure eight and flopped down whining in the sand, she was soooooooo bored and it was really starting to eat at her and making her want to cry. She just wanted a buddy to play with but nobody was here and she couldn’t find anybody to play with either.

Even Mimic, the creature that lived in her shadow was refusing to come out and play. Darling tried joining in on games with the other Urchins or starting one but nobody really wanted to be around her, which usually she wasn’t bothered by but on a lonely day like this it made the cub want to cry.

Sighing, Darling just layer her head down in the warm sand, waving her tail slowly she rested her eyes for a bit, hoping that something interesting or entertaining would happen to come help get her out of this sour mood.

Maribelle had gotten lost again, and to her surprise, waltzed in on a battlefield. If one could even call it that anymore. Cautiously, she waded through the aftermath, stepping over the weapons strewn across the field. Her dark eyes searched the ground beneath her.

Whatever happened here certainly piqued her curiosity, but she supposed she didn't have much time to root around for answers, and besides, why should she rummage when she caught sight of a tanned woman beyond? The stranger was alive, it seemed, or at the very least upright. There, Maribelle stood, watching her for a few moments longer to take in her surroundings. This, she figured, should be recorded later. If only she brought a pen...

"You," she muttered, "What are you doing out here?" She crept up behind Diluvi and circled to her right side, but then stopped some distance away. Her gaze fell to the woman's mask. An adorable thing, she thought, but only if not for... everything else happening right now.

It was difficult for her to feel anything as Diluvi wept, but perhaps a twinge could suffice. She stood and observed, unsure of what to say. Should she dare ask any further? Questions could be prodded out of this lady later on...

"..I don't know what happened here." she said, "But... Let's go somewhere else. This place is depressing, and--" She brought in a quick breath. She took this all in stride, as strange as that was. "I can make tea for you. Chamomile and mint. I've been meaning to..." She trailed off with a halfhearted shrug. "Like I said, it's depressing here."

She missed her father.

What a silly notion, but which father? Gods know. Maribelle wasn't sure, herself. She had been organizing her collections when the feeling struck, and though she tried to fight it off by watering her anthuriums and reading her books, the former was dying and the latter was something she had read over and over again. Actually she had yet to return it to the library. She hadn't been to the city in over a month.

No one had come up to visit her in her room for so long, but she wasn't sure if she would reject company. Even if she hardly spoke, it was nice to have someone around. Especially now.

She sat there, on the floor, pushed up against her bed with her cloak in her lap. She stroked the fabric. Her eyes were blank as they searched the stone floor.

Maribelle wondered how different things would be. It was rare for her to think of how it all would have turned out otherwise. She pictured herself in a warm cottage, eating hot stew, greeting him with a hug, having some semblance of an education.

Indeed, she missed him very much.

follow-up... finally........

THUD!!! THUD!!!
A knock came at the door. A heavy one, heavy enough to make the door bulge inward.
After enough persistence, the door would open to reveal a tall and scarred man leaned against the doorframe. He gave the occupant a shark smile. "There ya are," he snickered. Without waiting for a reply he stepped inside, taking in the sight of the home with a bemused look. "Been lookin' all over for ya since that day, Hoodie. You'n I still got plenty'a talkin' t'do," he said and turned around to look at Maribelle, only to see the look on her face. Oh shit, looks like he came at a bad time.
"Eh? Ya look like a zombie. The hell happened to ya?" It was clear he wouldn't leave, with or without force, so perhaps that's what would have compelled her to tell him her current thoughts. His own expression seemed to soften, if it was even possible. He moved to the nearest chair and slumped into it.
"Damn, Hoodie, that's heavy stuff," he muttered, looking down at his laced fingers. "I lost my Pops too, ya know. Lost him right in front'a my eyes. Hurt like hell. Still does. I think about if I coulda saved him. Just little things I coulda done to get him away from that one spot." He went quiet for a moment before setting his hands on his knees, looking at Maribelle once again. "Shit stings. And people don't expect ya to get hurt by it. Nobody checks up on ya, not even writin' a damn letter or a phone call. Nah, they don't wanna think about that shit. I'm a mob boss, I know that better than anyone. But I'm here, yeah. I get how it feels, how it hurts. So you cry your little eyes out. Or scream. Or whatever ya feel like doin', even if it means standing around like a zombie again. We'll get some comfort food after."
Although his words were kind, the look on his face said that he'd drag her outside if he needed to.

Taka was proud of his scars. Each one told a story, each one proved how strong he was. He wasn't falling down easily, and he wanted everyone to know.
But sometimes it made him look like a monster. Well, not just the scars. His height, the angry look in his eyes, everything about him scared those around him. Hell, even half his gang was scared of him. Usually it didn't bother him, he reveled in it! But times like today, where he just lounged on a park bench and watched children run from him, or peep at him out of fear. It stung a little. It was like a reminder that nobody would ever see him outside of a mobster - a monster. He looked up at the sky. You'd think he'd be used to this by now.