Rain taps the windows of Thadeus’s house while the living room stays warm and dim. He sits forward on the couch, breathing through the last sting of that nightmare.
His hands still tremble a little, but he plants both feet on the floor and lets the room steady around him. The old fear does not vanish, it just stops pulling so hard.
From the kitchen, Elizabeth sets water on to boil. Her movements are quiet, deliberate, like she is building calm one small task at a time.
Elizabeth Bathory
Tea, then breathing. That seems like a reasonable plan.
Thadeus Jovanović
Yeah. I need a minute to come back to myself.
Elizabeth Bathory
Then take it. You do not have to outrun every shadow tonight.
She brings over two mugs and sits beside him, shoulder close but not crowding. The rain and kettle steam fill the silence between them.
Thadeus Jovanović
The house feels smaller than the fear, but safer than the Corridor.
✓ Quest Accepted
Steady Thadeus’s grip on reality
“Thadeus stares into the mug, the tea lightly sloshing about. He takes a deep sip and lets it settle in his stomach. He relaxes back onto the couch, lost in thought. His mind continues to race. Elizabeth can almost see the thoughts on his face. She interlock her hand into his, and falls back into the couch herself. She allows the silence to take over the room, hopefully allowing Thadeus to start to relax.”
Thadeus takes the sip and lets the warmth settle. The tea steadies his stomach, and Elizabeth’s fingers slide between his in quiet company.
Elizabeth Bathory
Better. Just stay here a little longer.
He leans back into the couch, still thinking, but no longer alone with it. Elizabeth follows the motion, and the room falls into an easy silence under the rain.
“Thadeus smiles, looking longingly at Elizabeth, asking"You know what might help me?" Elizabeth replies, "Hmm, I can think of a few things, but what?" Thadeus shares, "A warm shower. I cannot remember the last time I've had one." Elizabeth laugh, "First off, gross." Thadeus chuckles, the Elizabeth adds, "Second, do you want some company?" Elizabeth has that mischevious look in her eyes again. Thadeus heart raises a beat, "That sounds amazing." Taking her hand, Thadeus leads Elizabeth upstairs into the bathroom, where they undress and hop into the shower. It was as relaxing as Thadeus expected.”
Thadeus rises with Elizabeth's hand in his, and the couch gives way to the dim hallway. Upstairs, the bathroom light waits warm and ordinary, enough to push the nightmare a little farther back.
Thadeus Jovanović
You know what might help me?
Elizabeth Bathory
Hmm. I can think of a few things, but what?
Thadeus Jovanović
A warm shower. I cannot remember the last time I've had one.
Elizabeth Bathory
First off, gross.
Elizabeth Bathory
Second, do you want some company?
“Fresh out the shower, Thadeus settles down in bed, Elizabeth next to him. "Tell me again about the Corridor," Elizabeth asks, "There's something you're not talking about." Thadeus frowns, "There was this monster, this creature that called itself Chaos. It tried to manipulate me constantly. If you hadn't warned me not to trust my initial senses, I wouldn't have been able to escape the Eternal Corridor." Thadeus's hands starts shaking, tears welling in his eyes. Elizabeth quickly embraces him, allowing his tears to flow. "I thought I wasn't going to make it back to you," Thadeus stammered. "Without you and Peacebringer, I wouldn't have survived."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Steam clings to Thadeus as he settles onto the bed, the bathroom light spilling across damp sheets and the rumpled blanket. Elizabeth slides in beside him, close enough to catch the edge of his shaking breath.
Elizabeth Bathory
Tell me about the Corridor again. I think there is something you keep just past the edge of the story.
Thadeus Jovanović
There was a monster, it called itself Chaos. It kept pushing at me, trying to twist what I was seeing. If you had not told me not to trust that first feeling, I would not have gotten out.
His hands start to tremble. Tears gather fast, then spill, and Elizabeth folds her arms around him before he can turn away from her.
Thadeus Jovanović
I thought I was not going to make it back to you. Without you and Peacebringer, I would not have survived.
Elizabeth Bathory
You did make it back. That matters more than the nightmare trying to rewrite it.
She holds him steady while the shaking eases. The Corridor stays in the memory where it belongs, but the fear loosens its grip, leaving only rain, warm sheets, and her steady breathing against his shoulder.
Quest Complete
Steady Thadeus’s grip on reality