Waiting in Silence

[moonlitrequiem]

[First Mao, now Hei. With their team diminished, Yin drifts. The cat gets fed, and she can be found at the supermarket buying food for it, and she still attends work, but beyond that she's nearly aimless.]

[For a time it seemed she was almost something other than perpetually listless. Now, however, to anyone who knew her well, she would be obviously worse. Emotionless, unaffected by everything around her, much more like when she first arrived. Barely communicative. To most, no, it wouldn't be much of a change.]

[Welcome Center]:

[She does her job, monotone as ever, but once she's at breaks Yin simply sits and stares. It's not all that unusual for her, but she doesn't even bother drinking tea to mask the fact she no longer needs to eat or drink.]

[Supermarket]:

[There's a thin girl carrying a basket of food, but on closer inspection it's all cans of cat food. No food for the girl.]

[Out on the street]:

[One day walking home from the Welcome Center Yin just stops next to a wall. She's unaware of passerby or time. There are no orders, and no one to give them. Feeding the cat, going to work - these are things that have become habit. It's the only reason she leaves the apartment at all, or she would be stuck sitting on the floor, much like she's standing still now.]

[People bump into her and complain about the obstacle she's become. There's no reply, no complaint from her, nor does she move.]

Comments

action; supermarket

[anatural]

[It's weird how life is both very different and very normal with Hei gone. The biggest change is the fact that Xing, the annoying little sister, is now living at the Beach House with her. Korra can't explain why exactly she had dragged the young teenager home with her; they didn't like each other. But Hei had always been so fussy and protective of the girl, it seemed wrong to just leave her alone.

And with another human in the house, Korra can't just get by on fish and restaurant food. She actually has to get groceries. Which is just kind of surreal.

She's heading to the checkout line, reflecting idly on all of this, when she sees Yin.]

Hey. Haven't seen you in awhile.

action; supermarket

[moonlitrequiem]

[She almost can't recall the last time she saw Korra, but some things not even longing can vanquish, and a Doll's ability to keep facts is apparently one of them. It was during a curse last month, not too long ago, but after working together for a while, nearly everyday, it can seem long.]

[In the end, Yin just gives Korra a nod. Not only is she more morose than before, but it's a definite contrast to how she was during the curse.]

[anatural]

[Maybe it's just the fact that Yin had been cursed to be so emotional before, but there is something very, very bleak about her entire manner now. It worries Korra.]

Are you okay?

[moonlitrequiem]

[She's whole and functioning at a necessary capacity. Considering that, Korra gets a nod.]

[anatural]

[Yeah, Korra's not buying that. She's worked with Yin for too long at the Welcome Center.]

You don't look okay.

[moonlitrequiem]

[Yin manages to look mildly confused. Her eyebrows twitch as though trying to furrow together.]

I don't?

[anatural]

No. You don't. Have you been eating anything?

[moonlitrequiem]

[She answer honestly, shaking her head, without the understanding this could lead to a huge problem.]

[anatural]

Figures. [Korra growls a little in irritation.] You're coming home with me.

[She's got to feed Hei's little sister; might as well feed the little snow waif too.]

[moonlitrequiem]

[As she's Yin, and Korra is no threat, Yin doesn't argue, but a small portion of her mind wonders if at some point she's going to have to explain that, as City!Dead, she no longer needs to eat. Yeah.... Hopefully she won't get asked how that happened when/if it comes up.]

[anatural]

[Naga is waiting outside. The polar bear dog perks up her ears curiously and sniffs Yin all over.]

Naga, be polite!

[moonlitrequiem]

[Yin just waits, without complaint, and without pulling away. It's not even patience, but a lack of annoyance.]

[anatural]

[Naga obeys Korra...but not before getting one last sniff and then headbutting Yin to demonstrate her approval. Korra rolls her eyes as she affectionately pats the polar bear dog's snout.]

Hop on board.

[moonlitrequiem]

[Yin tips a little at the headbutt, but manages to stay upright. Getting on the polar bear dog, however, causes Yin to give a blank stare, then look Naga up and down. There are no stairs on this ride....]

[Still, it's not the first time she's ridden Naga, so she tries her best to climb up, after looking thoroughly.]

[anatural]

Naga. [The polar bear dog leans down, and Korra helps Yin on board.] You're...really cold. [In a way that is all too familiar to Korra. There's no way...no...]

[moonlitrequiem]

Yes. [Yin admits the truth without thought or hesitation, and likely most troubling, without care for the fact at all.]

[anatural]

What happened?

Welcome Center

[anunluckypenny]

[Penny has been around Yin more than enough to pick up on the change. She catches her, staring and unfocused, during one of her breaks.]

Hey, Yin? I know you're not big on talking about your problems--or talking about anything, really--but what's up? Is there anything I can do? Do you need time off or something?

Welcome Center

[moonlitrequiem]

[It's a vacant stare Yin gives to Penny, and no words, but she at least shakes her head to both questions.]

Welcome Center

[anunluckypenny]

Okay.

[Penny is not convinced.]

If you ever need anything, I'm always willing to listen, Yin. I just want you to know that.

Welcome Center

[moonlitrequiem]

[Her mouth moves slightly to that, but she remains silent, eyes just a fraction wider.]

Welcome Center

[anunluckypenny]

[That was almost an answer. Penny doesn't want to risk annoying the girl, so she doesn't push her.]

Alright. Just... do what you have to do to take care of yourself, and remember that you don't need to face any problems you're having alone.

Welcome Center

[moonlitrequiem]

[Alone.... Except, for the first time since returning from the abyss, that's exactly what Yin feels like. That is, until Penny spoke to her. This woman she barely knows. That just only works for. Why does she care so much?]

[Yin's silent for a bit longer after Penny speaks, but then she puts effort into two small words.]

Thank you.

[Even if Penny couldn't help, Yin no longer feels so alone anymore, and it makes a difference.]

Welcome Center

[anunluckypenny]

[If Yin was almost anyone else, Penny would give her a hug. The girl seems to like her space, though, so she just reaches out to grab her hand and give it a quick squeeze.]

Of course, Yin.

[She gives the girl a small smile and leaves her be, hoping (and knowing that it's probably a vain hope) that, someday, Yin will let someone help.]

Welcome Center

[moonlitrequiem]

[For Yin, she simply doesn't understand she needs to let someone help, and she wouldn't know how to ask, either. Penny is appreciated for not prying, and caring, regardless. Even if Yin didn't respond to the hand squeeze.]