[Location: Castle Summers]/[Accidental Visual]

[aworldenchanted]

It's safe to say that no one who hasn't made a concerted effort has seen Tara since her rescue from the Master. Tamper and Trick has been closed, and she hasn't been much leaving her room. At first, this was due to physical healing; she'd gotten off lighter than some, but she'd still hurt all over, and hadn't wanted to move for awhile. There'd been a lot of sleep.

Now, the bruises are still present, but fading, and the smaller cuts are almost healed. She could go back to work, but she can't quite seem to find the will to do so. And as for lessons with Piper and DG... that brings up another problem.

Tara looks at herself in the mirror. She's still pale. She could do something to cover up the bruises; she knows how. But she'd rather just stay in. The idea of talking to much of anyone is a little overwhelming. She should check on the others, Rose and Morgana and their fellow captives.

Tara puts her head down on the desk, for just a moment.

There are a lot of things she feels like she should be doing. But she hasn't done any of them. She doesn't feel like she knows how to even move anymore.

Of course, she can't control the fact that her table decided to turn itself on, in the meantime.


[I am also still willing to backtag with her on older, more immediate aftermath threads, so feel free if you prefer more immediate post-rescue.]

Comments

[ location: castle summers ]

[aworldenchanted]

"I know." If Buffy's close enough, Tara reaches out for her hand. "We're kind of fighting right now anyway. Or were, before all this. But... I'm used to dangerous friends. And if no one even gives him a chance, won't that make him worse?"

[ location: castle summers ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

Buffy is indeed close enough, and she gives Tara's hand an answering squeeze, her brows still knitted in concern, however. "Well sure, I'm all for... redemption and forgiveness, but there's 'dangerous' and then there's 'likes to make things go kaboom'. I mean, I don't blow things up. Sure, there was the high school that one time, and then... the Initiative and then the... whole... town and my point is losing all pointiness, isn't it?"

She quickly continues after that brief derailment, finding her thread again. "All I'm saying is that... I lost you once. I don't want to lose you again."

location: castle summers ]

[aworldenchanted]

She smiles a little at the list of Buffy's own disasters; her friend had just made one of her own points for her. But she says, "Okay. That's fair. I..." She hesitates, and glances down, though she doesn't release Buffy's hand. Very soft, she says, "I'm gonna have to lie low for awhile, anyway, I think. I kind of... burned myself out."

[ location: castle summers ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

She frowns, wondering if Tara means that she's literally exhausted (which would be understandable and expected, under the circumstances) or something else. "Burned yourself out? Magically?"

[ location: castle summers ]

[aworldenchanted]

Tara nods, a little, tentatively. "I think so. I... I did a lot more magic, hard magic, in the last couple weeks than I'm used to. And now things kind of... fizzle."

[ location: castle summers ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

Buffy listens, finally nodding her understanding. "Yeah, I've heard that can happen - that you have to rest to get it back again. Y'know, from Willow." It's been a long time since she's said Willow's name out loud. "I really miss her."

It's okay admitting that to Tara, because she knows Tara of all people will understand.

[ location: castle summers ]

[aworldenchanted]

"I miss her too. So much." She closes her eyes tight. "I mean, I'm glad she's not trapped here. But I wish I could have a little more time with her before..." Tara trails off. "I'm sorry."