ArchivedLogs:Cleaning

Cleaning
Dramatis Personae Anette and Akihiro
In Absentia	2016-08-03 '
Location <BOM> The Spatters - Ascension Island
A comfortable three-bedroom cabin, sturdily built if inelegant. The front door opens up into a cozy sitting room with small bathroom; it is adjoined by a kitchenette with room for small table. The three bedrooms here -- two off the sitting room, one on the other side of the kitchen -- are not uniform in size nor layout, with the considerably smaller kitchen-adjacent room having its own screened-in porch. In the interest of distracting herself from her various cravings, Anette has taken 'getting clean' to another level. She's wearing an old, stained shirt and shorts and is appearing to be deep cleaning the cabin. Furniture is moved, rags and paper towels scattered everywhere. A vacuum sits plugged in one corner, a broom leans against another wall. Currently, Anette has a wad of paper towels and bottle of Windex, taking care of the living rooms. She takes her time, going over the glass once, twice, three times, making sure they are spotless and streak free. Her focus is intense, not allowing herself to be distracted by anything. Well, look at that. A distraction. Several light knocks ring out from the door to announce Akihiro's presence. The man looks dressed for the weather, wearing basketball shorts and a wife beater, his hair pulled back away from his face. "I'd say it's housekeeping, but it sounds like you're already on that." he calls out, clearly in a pretty good mood. Anette looks up and smiles softly as Daken enters. She still looks tired but a healthier tired. "Hey. Just...keeping my hands busy," she says, setting the bottle and towels down on the floor. She makes her way over to Daken and leans up against the wall. "What're you doing here?" Akihiro holds up a Walmart bag, "Brought you some things to help out. Sports drinks, red velvet cookies, some movies, the usual stuff." He flashes Anette a warm smile, "You look great. About time to take a break though, don't wanna work yourself to death trying to get clean." Anette glances towards the bag, a smile dancing across her lips. "You didn't have to. Really," Anette says, standing up straight again. "Yeah, I could use a break. You just stopped by to hand out presents?" "Make sure you're doing alright too, you shouldn't have to go through this alone." Akihiro says with a slight shrug, moving to put the drinks and cookies up. "Also, got you the Hateful Eight, wasn't sure if you saw it yet or not." The bag gets thrown away and the movies come with him back to living area, a combination of cheesy horror movies and Quentin Tarantino films. Anette grins, grabbing the cookies herself and follow Akihiro to the living area. "Of course I've seen it. It's been a while though." She sits down on the couch and opens the bag, biting into the cookie. "So is this what you're going to do? Bribe yourself in with gifts to make sure I'm not using?" "Nope, but it helps to have this." Akihiro puts the movies down and takes a seat next to Anette. "I plan on just being here every step of the way. You can't really be alone when you're trying to quit either, makes that shit way too hard." Anette smiles faintly, though there's a sense of...melacholy about her. "And you...aren't trying anything? Like winning me back?" She finishes the cookie and turns her head to watch Akihiro. "I don't know. Alone is how I tend to handle most of my issues. Works most of the time." "No." Akihiro assures Anette. "I was just going through withdrawals myself, and I don't want to leave you to hurt like that alone." He reaches over to give her shoulder a light squeeze, "I know it's how you've done it, but you don't have to if you don't want to. I understand you're a strong woman who sure as shit doesn't need anybody to help her, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to offer." Anette cracks into a faint smile, shaking her head. "It's not just that. I just...don't want to hurt anyone else. I used to keep people away to protect myself but now I feel like I need to protect them from me." She glances down to Akihiro's hand, the one she had gouged days ago, pressing her lips together with concern. "I don't trust myself. And there are...other things I need to work through. Besides quitting drugs." "I understand what you mean." Akihiro says quietly. "You know another reason I left was Romulus. He the person that sent me to train under Silas Burr and tortured me whenever I didn't listen to him. I was always so worried he was gonna hurt you guys because of me." He sighs quietly, reaching up to run his hands through his hair. "But now he's out of my life, and I'm glad. Relieved even. But, this isn't about me." Anette turns and looks out across the room, letting Akihiro's words process. "That's different. It's still a different person. Unless you're comparing me to Romulus...?" Given her tone of voice, she wouldn't be entirely upset for the answer to be yes. "Never." Akihiro shakes his head firmly. "How could I compare the person that helped me change for the better to the person that ruined me?" He gives her shoulder another light squeeze, "I just want you to know I understand how you feel, and you aren't alone, even if it feels like it sometimes." Anette merely nods her head, still lost in some deep thought. She manages a brief smile at the shoulder squeeze, her feathers ruffling in a friendly manner at the touch. She breaks the silence though with a soft, quiet voice. "I'm afraid of ruining you again." "I'm not. You pushed me to be better, and now I'm gonna return the favor and help you get clean. It's my fault you started using so much anyway." Akihiro flashes a sort of sad smile. "You're my friend Anette, I love you. You don't need to worry about hurting me, because I'm right here for you, as long as you need me." "It's not your fault. It's always been mine," Anette says, though she turns her head to look oddly at Akihiro at the word 'friend'. "Friend? I know you've said you're fine with us not being anything. But...well, to be honest, I haven't believed you." She takes a deep breath, to calm her nerves it seems. "Seeing you again brought up...a lot of feelings. And I don't know what those feelings are. And being with Killian, it just got...complicated. That's why I started using again. I thought feeling nothing was better than feeling guilt and pain." She takes another deep breath, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair, resting her forehead in her talons. "I don't know what I feel. About anything anymore." "I don't know if I believe myself sometimes." Akihiro lifts his shoulders in a shrug. "It feels wrong thinking about anybody else taking my place, but I'll learn to live with it." He listens to her talk, nodding slowly. "How about we get you clean, put it behind us, and stop blaming ourselves for it?" Anette pauses again, this time breaking into a warmer, if faint smile, picking another cookie out and taking a bite. "What did I do to deserve you?" she asks, setting the bag between them. "I've asked myself that before." Akihiro says, moving his hand from Anette's shoulder to rest along the back of the couch. "I was thinking of fixing dinner later, you want me to bring you anything?" "I was just going to make some mac and cheese," Anette says with a light shrug, smiling softly to herself as she pulls her legs up and curls up on the couch. "How about I grill a steak or two to go with that?" Akihiro suggests, shooting Anette a grin. "Or just make a pizza. Whatever you're feeling." "Steak? I knew you were trying to win me back," Anette says with an amused grin. "All I had to do was fix you steak this entire time?" Akihiro snaps his fingers before teasing, "Wish I'd know that a month ago."