open | your name is on a lot of quotes in this book

[nineteenfortyfive]

Who: Claire Fraser (nineteenfortyfive) & you
What: May things, lots of moping Claire... forgive me.
When: May
Where: Olympia
Warning(s): General Outlander warnings.



I. THE MARKET

[Her marriage is in an unpleasant place and she doesn't know how to fix it. Percy is in stasis. Ramsay is back. Theon was, for a brief moment, back in stasis as well, but only returned in a worse state than he was. It's been a lot to contend with on top of being so recently tortured (her her hands remain in gloves as her nails grow back, the last of the damage left), and one afternoon as Claire's in the market, standing before a fruit stand, it all catches up to her.

For someone who urges others to confide in someone, anyone, often herself, she doesn't follow her own advice.

She pushes other shoppers out of the way as she suddenly finds it hard to breathe, hard to keep her eyes from welling with tears, and if she slams into anyone there's no apology as she stumbles out and away.

She stops when she comes to a fountain, gasping and sobbing, a hand clutching at her neck as if there's something suffocating her, chest heaving rapidly. No, nothing physical, just an overwhelming sense of sadness. A sadness that turns into more of a frustrated panic as she tries to calm herself, leaning over the water.]

II. THE TRAIN/FLONA COVE

[Percy did have an affinity for water.

Claire knows she can't watch over Theon 24/7. He needs to stand on his own, and he can, and so Claire takes some hours for herself and heads to the beach. She's always enjoyed train rides. Perhaps she's even in the mood for conversation with whoever happens to sit by her.

At the beach, instead of collapsing on the sand and considering letting the waves wash her away, she takes a stroll, skirts tied up over her knees so she can walk in the small waves without getting drenched.

Now and then she stops to pick up a shell. By the end of it, she's got a hefty collection held in her skirt, and dumps her prizes where she's left her shoes.

Well. Now what to do with them?]

III. STASIS

[She spends more time here than she'd ever admit. She makes it sound like her visits are brief. They're not. On leave from the Sanctuary, she's had a lot of time to simply be.

Today, she stands before her daughter's pod. What she'd give to be able to touch her red hair, or at least feel her skin, make sure it's warm. All she can so is press her hands against the glass.]

Sometimes I think you're luckier, in there. Though you'd probably throw a fit at me saying that. I know you'd rather be here, too. I know.

[[ooc: pls choose your flavor of sad mom, or hit me with a wildcard! Oooooor send me a PM if you'd like me to whip up a starter, and I'd be happy to.]]

Comments

[nineteenfortyfive]

[The moment she feels his grip slacken she wretches her wrist back, like it was her own strength that freed her. It takes her a moment to regain her courage and for her heart to stop pounding so hard her ribs ache.

Crisis seemingly averted, people begin to go about their business once more. If only they knew.]

You're in no position to threaten me. [Says the woman also in no position to give threats.] What do you think will happen if you do anything to me? Or Theon, or Sansa? There are people far stronger than some bastard with a dog. People I've been sure to tell about you.

[Sansa's a clever girl, but her attempt to protect others from Ramsay by not kicking up a fuss didn't do anyone any favors.]

[veneries]

[There are some things Ramsay will tolerate.

Being called a bastard is not one of them. He rises with the bag of groceries, his smile now all teeth and danger. His voice is low when he speaks, meant only for her.] Telling others about me? What good do you think that'll do?

[He holds the grocery bag out for her to take, his other hand going for his dagger once more.]

[nineteenfortyfive]

I go missing, or something happens to me--who do you think they'll look at first? And last I checked, you're no longer a lord, if you ever were in the first place. You have no men. Nothing more than the hole they granted you when you crawled out of stasis. You don't even have Theon, do you?

[She's not going for that bag. Bold as her words might be, she's too frightened to reach out.]

[veneries]

[Fine, if she won't take the bag, he'll lean closer to all but force it against her chest.] Theon Greyjoy doesn't exist now.

[He can't even sound triumphant about it, he's still livid with anger about the bastard comment. Oh, but wouldn't it be nice to bury the dagger he has at his side right through her fucking chest.]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[That pushes some of the wind out of her, arms reflexively coming up to grab the bag. Her heart is pounding so hard against her chest that she's glad for that extra coverage to muffle something she's sure must be audible.]

If that helps you sleep at night, Ramsay.