+ Guilt Runs Deep

[vitaelamorte]

Who: Everyone!
Where: The Mansion
When: Feb 23-25
Rating: Please warn in top level subject lines for potential triggers/NSFW
Summary: Various residents are trapped in their own guilt, watching their guiltiest memory play on a loop.
The Story:

Welcome to the gathering post for the event. Please see the plotting post for more information + the bulletin board link. Have fun!

Comments

[beautifullies]

Now that she's free from her own room of guilt thanks to Jamie, she has to check on Brianna and as soon as she hears herself yell that her husband was the love of her life, she knows what Bree's been subjected to.

"Oh, darling," she says quietly. They're past it, they have been, but to know Brianna still hold so much guilt over it breaks her heart. As the memory loops and her daughter is forced through the motions again, she steps beside her, facing her and stroking her hair.

"I never blamed you for being so upset," she tries to assure her.

[givingback]

A single tear rolls down Brianna's cheek as she looks at her mother, the real one, the present one.

"I said horrible things to you, mama. I said that and you did die, you died here. God, you almost drowned at home. You still might die in a fire. I never..."

Her voice breaks as she trails off, but she can't stop the words coming out of her mouth as the memory loops, even between sobs as they are now.

[beautifullies]

"And none of that was because of anything you said, I--"

As the memory loops and she watches Brianna try not to say those things, Claire closes her eyes against it, then reaches for her daughter's hand and continues her thought.

"I chose to go back, Brianna, to a time I knew was dangerous. That had nothing to do with what you said." And there were plenty of times the first trip that she nearly died as well.

[givingback]

"The look on your face," Bree says, looking past the mother in front of her in favor of the one from years ago. At the sadness in her eyes, the shock of Brianna's words settling.

"I was horrible to you. You didn't deserve it, mama, I'm sorry. All I wanted to do was tell you, and I couldn't..." she chokes out, closing her eyes tightly.

[beautifullies]

Claire feels tears prick at her eyes, her heart aching to see Brianna so incredibly upset.

"I know you didn't mean it, darling, I knew it then, as much as it hurt in the morning. Please, Brianna."

She reaches out and cradles her face firmly.

"You have nothing at all to feel guilty about. Nothing, Bree."

[givingback]

Bree's eyes move away from the scene and to the mother right in front of her.

"Are you sure?" she asks, voice wavering. She's prepared to always feel it, to never forget what it looked like to hurt her mother that way.

[beautifullies]

"I'm your mother, Brianna Ellen."

Claire looks right into her eyes, then kisses her forehead softly.

"I'm positive."

[givingback]

Bree closes her eyes and the door to the room opens, making her look toward it.

"Can we leave now? I don't want to watch this anymore."

[beautifullies]

"Christ, yes."

Claire leads Brianna by the arm and tugs her out of the room. Once they're free and clear she wraps her arms around her tightly.

"Oh, my darling. I'm so sorry. I should have approached it all...so differently."