A Little Comfort

    Xander was making sure things were in order before making his way back up to the sixth floor. One such thing though was to also make sure a particular person was alright.
Heome he had not seen in several months, not face to face anyways, and reached out to her to meet him here. Who is that her? A young imp, with an amazing art talent: Kita.

The Salamander would be leaning against the wall, with a drink in hand as he waits to see if Kita would even show up or if he'd start to make his way up without checking up-- or at least-- talking to her.

While Scale Emblem might keep Kita busy, she does, at least, try to make time for friends. So, it isn't long before the young woman appears, though she does look a bit harried. It is as if she were rushing, likely playing some sort of organizaational role with the current expedition to the sixth floor.

"Xander." Her voice sounds ever so slightly out of breath. "What is it, did you need something? We don't have a lot of time before we need to get going." She explains, pushing her glasses up on her nose.

    "If your stuff is light, we can take my mount." Xander says simply, before he takes another sip of his drink. He pushes off the wall and walks over to her. "I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you are going to be alright for tonight. When... that attack happened with the lions... You didn't look good."

The Salamander shifts his weight slightly. "You-- okay? Like... Honestly okay."

There is some uncertainty in Kita's expression, perhaps because of unfamiliarity with his mount, or perhaps something else entirely, "Mmm... It's fine. I'll be able to get there, regardless. I just like to have some time before any fighting starts." She admits. For some people, it might be about preparing themselves mentally and physically. For Kita, it's likely a different process.

It's Xander's line of questioning that hs her momentarily looking confused. Then, she lets out a breath, "I... don't do well with fighting up close and personal, Xander. You should know that by now." She really wasn't apt to admit it, but it was obvious in the way she fought and her reactions.

Then, she looks up at him, as if not sure exactly how much she should say on the matter. "Let's just say that... the past likes to catch up with me when it happens. I'm sure you know how that is."

    "I do." Xander says softly, tilting his head gently. "... And that is why I wanted to make sure you are alright. I know the look and I know you hate when things get close and personal."

He crosses his arms over his chest. "Since it seems like you are also heading up for this boss, I want to make sure your head is in the right place... Just like I have to be sure my own is."

Xander then carefully goes to reach out and if Kita allows, places his hand on her shoulder. "But remember, if you ever need someone to talk too... about anything. No matter how mundane... I am here for you, alright?"

"Right at the moment?" Kita murmurs, "I'm fine."

She takes a deep breath, seeming to appreciate the touch and the words offered with it. "Can I say that I won't have a panic attack when we get up there and are facing off against the boss? No." The girl admits. "In the real world, I had meds for when things got bad. Not exactly something we have easy access to here."

The girl likely has some sort of panic disorder brought on by something in her past, enough that certain situations set it off. "Of course, I had to be trapped in a combat game, where I'm faced with the thing that makes it worse almost every day. Too bad this wasn't a mahjong simulator or something." She smirks.

    Xander smiles softly and gives her a little pat rub, before he moves his hand away. His tail moves ever so slightly behind him as he speaks. "Maybe not... but.. The biggest thing to remember when it does spike its ugly head, is that you are not alone."

He tries to look her dead on, "Just remember, you got people who give a shit. Not just your gal, but, friends too. The only way we are going to get through this is sticking together and supporting one another."

    He then finishes his drink, placing it on a nearby table. "Something... I have to remind myself at times too. That I am not alone. It-- isn't an easy thing to remember. Hard to even be sure if people will truly give a shit or if it's just fuzzy words with no meaning but," Xander looks at her once more. "I hope it brings you some comfort at least."

There is something in Xander's words that finally seems to break down some of those defensive walls, if only ever so slightly. Her lips press together, perhaps struggling with just how much this particular thing has effected her throughout her life.

"I was thirteen when my dad and I got into an accident on his bike. We both were hurt pretty bad, but he had it way worse than I did." She doesn't go into the specifics, though there is a look in her eyes that suggests that there is more there. "After that, these three girls at my school started singling me out. Started with minor stuff, but by the time I turned fourteen they'd sent me to the hospital more than once."

She rubs at her wrist in a way that is very reminiscent of the way he might have seen people rub at old injuries before. "Changed schools, figured all of that would be over, you know? Then those assholes showed up at a dance. The first dance I ever went to with Jurou. We... weren't even a couple back then." She shakes her head, "They started that shit up again, and if it wasn't for Jurou stepping in, I probably would have ended up back in the hospital."

She looks up at Xander, "It... replays a lot in my head." Maybe, just talking about it is a first step towards trying to deal with it in a healthier way. But at least she is learning to depend on other people than just Jurou, it seems.

    Xander listens very closely, he never really looks away from her. His brows furrow at times and his position shifts ever so slightly. His tail would flick as she moves closer to the end of her story and a soft hrrm escapes his lips.

"I.. won't pry for the details, I-- figure you'll get more indepth when you are ready. Just remember this, yeah? Those people-- those people are not here... and if they even are." He grins, it was-- a dangerous grin. "I'll be more then glad to put them in their place."

"Sadly, people can be assholes." He admits with a gentle shake of his head. "I use to get called names myself when I was younger back in school. My-- heritage had me stand out and well, when you are not full Japanese or look it... Your life can be interesting."

    Xander then crosses his arms over his chest, "But you know-- I took those life lessons back in school. Those hardships and I allowed it to make me stronger." He lowers his head a little. "But.. There are those events.. like my own dealing with the Flash Of Death... That never leave you... Yet..." He inhales deeply, before look at her dead on. "... You can't let it paralyze you either. I did that for so long... I let it define me /so/ much that I lost so many close to me. I-- was starting to even forget who /I/ was."

He shifts his weight once more. "That is the road you don't want to go down, but its... conversations like this. With those we can trust, you know? That... help break some of the darkness. Remind us who we are... who we /can/ be." Xander then smiles softly. "And besides! Emo artist is so stereotypical!" Yes, he was trying to cut a joke with her and it was obvious with the smile. "Now... do you need help with getting up there or would you rather we both just walk it?"

"I hope to god those people aren't here." Kita replies, shaking her head. "There are certain things in my life I'd rather leave behind me."

It's hard to tell if she's afraid of encountering them again, or if she worries just what she might do, given the abilities that this game offers someone. Regardless, Kita just folds her arms across her chest, almost defensively, "Technically, I'm not full Japanese either." She doesn't go into those specifics either.

She doesn't elaborate further, perhaps because of the press for time, or just because she's still trying to get used to opening up to others. So, instead, she just looks towards the door. "I... need to see if Jurou is going to come with or not. So I'll have to meet you up there."

    Xander gives a nod of his head, still not pushing any more details out from her then what she is willing to give. After all, she at times gave him that same respect when they first met.

"Alright. I'll see you up there then Kita, but remember... If you ever need a shoulder. I am here for you." Then with that he goes to head for the door.