[ That's all Jeff mutters as he takes Athena's hand and starts to guide her forward, back in the direction of where he thinks they might've left Cam. Hopefully, he hasn't wandered off, himself.
And the more they hurl their venom at Athena, the more Jeff tries to counter it, with an honesty he hopes she can recognize, even if everything's telling her to believe the worst about herself. ]
I used to run away, too, Athena. You'll always have a place with me. And your aunt. And Cam...
[ He's about to say something more, to counter the girl calling Athena a whore, but another voice cuts in and kills any retort he was working up to. ]
Use 'em and leave 'em. That sounds familiar...
[ He hasn't heard that voice in over 20 years. The ex. No, not the ex-wife; the ex-boyfriend. The one who came before Lisa. Tall and fit, with that dancer's body practically radiating a wounded strength, he's leaning against a nearby tree, somewhere between bored and amused with the proceedings.
Jeff remembers that smirk so well. It washes over him like ice water. ]
Hey, rockstar. Still talking yourself up with empty promises?
That's not what happened.
[ Jeff looks over his shoulder, back at Athena, who's lashing out at her own tormentors. He reaches for her, just so they don't both go wandering off chasing after their own weaponized pasts. ]
no subject
[ That's all Jeff mutters as he takes Athena's hand and starts to guide her forward, back in the direction of where he thinks they might've left Cam. Hopefully, he hasn't wandered off, himself.
And the more they hurl their venom at Athena, the more Jeff tries to counter it, with an honesty he hopes she can recognize, even if everything's telling her to believe the worst about herself. ]
I used to run away, too, Athena. You'll always have a place with me. And your aunt. And Cam...
[ He's about to say something more, to counter the girl calling Athena a whore, but another voice cuts in and kills any retort he was working up to. ]
Use 'em and leave 'em. That sounds familiar...
[ He hasn't heard that voice in over 20 years. The ex. No, not the ex-wife; the ex-boyfriend. The one who came before Lisa. Tall and fit, with that dancer's body practically radiating a wounded strength, he's leaning against a nearby tree, somewhere between bored and amused with the proceedings.
Jeff remembers that smirk so well. It washes over him like ice water. ]
Hey, rockstar. Still talking yourself up with empty promises?
That's not what happened.
[ Jeff looks over his shoulder, back at Athena, who's lashing out at her own tormentors. He reaches for her, just so they don't both go wandering off chasing after their own weaponized pasts. ]
Athena-- stay with me.