Ah- if, you're certain. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I've already done more than enough of that. [Toriel toys with the fork in her pawed hand uncertainly.
The warmth of pride over her child fades and drifts into something a little sadder with John's insistence Ariel and Frisk will one day be with her. She doesn't verbally disagree for now.]
It is something I must deal with myself. We all carry our own hurts. I'm sure Milla is a true professional, but, I- don't believe its wise to delve too deeply. At least for myself.
You aren't making me uncomfortable. Alfie's really the only one who calls me Watson and that's him being... [John waves a fork vaguely.] He's really old. I mean, he's from a time that's really old compared to mine. I guess he's older, too... But not like... ancient or anything. [A pause.] Maybe don't tell him I said that?
And... all right. I know it's hard talking to anyone. Just know the option's there, yeah?
[She gives an amused sound at that, listening to John as she eats.] I'll be sure not to mention it to him, dear. I should remind you, I'm much older than either of you combined. So if you're going to call anyone ancient, I suppose it should be me.
I'll keep it in mind. I did live through the war of human and monsters, so- I should be able to handle this. With time hopefully.
[Toriel shakes her head a little. Debating with herself a brief moment before adding.] Support certainly helps, so your kindness is appreciated, John. If I cannot carry this hurt, I'll try speaking to someone professional.
[John has extended kindness her way, so she can compromise if she needs to.]
That's all I wanted to hear. [John offers her a lopsided smile.] I know what it's like, going through a war. Not between humans and monsters, but... humans and humans. It's rough on everyone, but it does make you stronger, after a way.
Do you feel like talking about it? The war? The kids? Anything? This conversation is for you, Toriel. It's not just kindness. I really do want to help, if I can.
[John mentioning his own time in war makes her frown. Sympathy settling over her.] You certainly change in ways you never expected from war. Ways you're not prepared for.
I suppose-? I mean, its, not something I've really spoken of before. [She rubs her cheek with a paw, turning the thought over in her mind.] A conversation is give and take, dear. I don't want to dominate things.
If a story jumps to mind that doesn't unsettle you. Certainly. I know the fighting leaves scars emotionally just as physically.
[Her expression is briefly far away now.] I know Monsters who fought and survived did not... cope well. Being sealed inside of a mountain did not aid things much either.
Right, you were all underground. [John is quiet for a moment as he takes a few bites of food and sifts through the stories he has that won't be too troubling.] If there was fighting, I imagine there were a lot of injuries. I actually left the war I was fighting in prematurely when I was wounded-in-action. I could tell you a bit about the man I owe my life to. He was a nurse with our unit, manage to drag me off the field and carry me to where we could radio in an evac helicopter.
[In the moment of quiet, Toriel is more than happy to let it linger. Both of them are mulling over many things all at once. She picks at her stew as she listens to John speak.]
If you would be comfortable to speak on it, I'd love to hear about him. He did a very courageous thing.
'Course. Bill's an easy one to talk about. Nurse Bill Murray, that is. We went through basic training together, actually, and ended up assigned together, as well, but we'd been split up for a few years. Wasn't until we were both assigned to Afghanistan that we met up again. I'd been there two years already. Bill came on with my unit to act as another combat medic.
We went on for a year, just learning to get to work together. Bill's one of those natural comedians. He had stories about the crazy things he did when he was younger that went on for days--really charismatic, y'know? We'd pick up women at the bars sometimes when we were off-duty somewhere. He's a good wingman.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
The warmth of pride over her child fades and drifts into something a little sadder with John's insistence Ariel and Frisk will one day be with her. She doesn't verbally disagree for now.]
It is something I must deal with myself. We all carry our own hurts. I'm sure Milla is a true professional, but, I- don't believe its wise to delve too deeply. At least for myself.
no subject
And... all right. I know it's hard talking to anyone. Just know the option's there, yeah?
no subject
I'll keep it in mind. I did live through the war of human and monsters, so- I should be able to handle this. With time hopefully.
[Toriel shakes her head a little. Debating with herself a brief moment before adding.] Support certainly helps, so your kindness is appreciated, John. If I cannot carry this hurt, I'll try speaking to someone professional.
[John has extended kindness her way, so she can compromise if she needs to.]
no subject
Do you feel like talking about it? The war? The kids? Anything? This conversation is for you, Toriel. It's not just kindness. I really do want to help, if I can.
no subject
I suppose-? I mean, its, not something I've really spoken of before. [She rubs her cheek with a paw, turning the thought over in her mind.] A conversation is give and take, dear. I don't want to dominate things.
no subject
[He's not really keen on it, but John supposes he can hear what she offers and calibrate his own stories to hers.]
no subject
[Her expression is briefly far away now.] I know Monsters who fought and survived did not... cope well. Being sealed inside of a mountain did not aid things much either.
no subject
no subject
If you would be comfortable to speak on it, I'd love to hear about him. He did a very courageous thing.
no subject
We went on for a year, just learning to get to work together. Bill's one of those natural comedians. He had stories about the crazy things he did when he was younger that went on for days--really charismatic, y'know? We'd pick up women at the bars sometimes when we were off-duty somewhere. He's a good wingman.
[His expression is one of fond remembrance.]