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He still doesn't know what exactly has happened to him.
Simon looks into the mirror at himself. He looks just the same as before he was thrown into the blood ocean. Yet, since the deal with the creature in the ocean, everything has just felt... more. Like every sense of his has been heightened. Then again, it might be because she needs to perceive the world outside of the blood ocean through him... So his senses might need to be stronger. Simon is never going to get used to this. He can practically feel the fabric of his night clothes against his skin...
Grabbing the brush on the counter, he quickly begins to brush his hair. He just has to be very careful about it. If he tugs too hard, it'll hurt, even without any knots. Truthfully, he wouldn't even be doing this if it weren't for the fact that today is a special occasion. Somebody new is joining the fold. Simon needs to look presentable to them. More than presentable. He needs to be downright charming... Something he isn't exactly used to being.
Just like how he isn't exactly used to this room. The prison station that he was locked in before by the C.O.I? Simon has managed to take it over, after he got a few of the crew members to join him. That has made Simon the new "captain"... No longer is he being held in a tiny little cell. Now, the captain's quarters are his... Which, to be fair, it isn't that much bigger than the holding cells. Probably to conserve space on the rest of the station for tools and machinery. It's much more comfortable since the actual quality of the bed, blankets, pillows and furniture is higher than anything he got before.
From the hallway, Simon hears the quiet sounds of footsteps approaching. He's never going to get used to hearing... well, hearing so much. The knock on the door doesn't surprise Simon, prompting him to call out "Who is it?" "It's Jack, captain!" Simon huffs slightly, flinching as he accidentally pulls too hard at his hair. It wasn't even that hard... Why does his scalp have to be so sensitive, now? "Come in, Jack... Make this quick, please." Simon grumbles, turning to look at the door as he raises a hand to his head.
Stepping inside, Jack grins. Simon is still shocked that he was able to recruit Jack to his side. The man hated his guts after the camera incident. Yet, considering the fact that the creature in the blood ocean was able to show Simon a way to help with the radiation... Maybe Simon shouldn't be so surprised that he joined. He knows better than anyone that the desperate need to survive can lead people to insanity. Jack crosses his arms, his hands covered in oil from his latest project "The newbie has boarded our station a bit early. The others are keeping them company while we prepare the joining. Take your time to prepare. They're in no rush since they know they got here earlier than we all thought."
Simon nods, letting out an exasperated sigh. They're already here? Well, at least they aren't begging to see him immediately. "Alright. Thank you for the information, Jack..." Simon turns back to the mirror, starting to brush through his black hair once again. Jack stands in the doorway, awkwardly shuffling his feet, before he adds quietly "Just in case it's important... They are from Eden." Then, as if he didn't just drop a bombshell of information, Jack closes the door and scurries off.
All of Simon's movements freeze. Somebody from Eden? Simon hasn't thought of that place in a bit. Well, actually, he has. He thinks about Eden constantly. However, he hasn't necessarily thought of the actual people there in a bit. He moreso thinks about his memories of what it was like as a child or his betrayal of Eden. So, to hear that somebody from Eden, the current Eden, is coming here? It's emotionally overwhelming. He was already trying to figure out how to clothe and feed another person... Yet, at the same time, this news isn't negative. Just an... unexpected hit to his heart.
He finishes up brushing his hair as fast as possible. Putting on a fresh set of clothes, just being a loose black shirt, some pants, and a pair of leather gloves. These gloves have been a lifesaver since his connection with the creature was built. Taking a deep breath to steel himself, Simon leaves his room to make his way to the main area of the station. He has to quickly make sure the preparations are going as planned before he makes his appearance to the new member.
The room is all too familiar, still. It's the same place where Simon remembers being dropped into the blood ocean from. Looking down from the second floor, Simon sees the same screens, the same trap door, the same welding tools... Only now, he's been able to walk around freely, and is not trapped in an iron tomb. That, and there's the gallons of blood from the blood ocean, which is being held in metal barrels and glass jars. People scurry about the floor, in some form of organized chaos, to set up the joining ritual. An old metal container is dragged out of storage, just large enough to fit a person comfortably... Then, others start to fill it up with blood.
Simon watches silently, for a moment. Then, he grimaces slightly as a familiar pressure in his head starts building. It's her. The creature from the blood ocean speaks to Simon, her voice but a quiet whisper in the back of his mind "I grow impatient, Simon. You should meet the one who wishes to receive my blessings." Grabbing his temples, Simon leans forward against the guardrails separating the second floor from the lower one, he lets out a small groan of pain. Then, he gives a quiet response "Give me a moment. I need to think of what I should say-" "It will come naturally, Simon. You know them."
He'd ask what she means by that, but the pressure has gotten to the point where he can't find his words. Instead, he murmurs a small "Alright." As if he just said a magic word, the pressure lessens. It doesn't completely leave, unfortunately. He can still feel her in the farthest recesses of his mind, viewing watching what he does like a passenger in his body. Yet, it's bearable enough for him to stand straight and walk, so it is good enough. Simon calls out to the people below "Keep up the good work. I'll send Jack in ten minutes before the ceremony will start." In response, he gets cheers of "Yes, captain!"
Simon takes one last glance around the room, before turning around to start walking to the entrance of the station. As he walks through the halls, he spots a few members carrying metal crates of supplies to different parts of the facility. Scrap fabrics, preserved foods, water... He can't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight. He doesn't remember a new shipment coming in recently. That doesn't matter... More supplies has never done anybody any harm, after all.
Stepping into the main entrance of the prison station, Simon straightens out his hair. A few of his followers, including Jack, have gathered near a corner in conversation. That must be where the hopeful recruit is. Before he can even call out to introduce himself, he sees a head peek over Jack's shoulder...
Wait... It can't be...?
"Simon!" You call out, waving happily. Your eyes and voice are just as he remembers them. Yep. It's you. One of the people he grew up alongside on Eden. A childhood friend, really, even if you both had long periods where you were separated. Somebody who he still has some... unresolved feelings for. A smile curves into his face without him even realizing it, before he calls out your name in return. You gently brush by Jack and the others, before sprinting over to him.
Suddenly, your arms are around him, and the reality of the situation comes crashing back down onto him. Before, he could tolerate an unprompted hug just fine. Now, though? Everything is suddenly overwhelming him all at once, and he cannot focus on a single thing. The chattering of the others in the background, you suddenly wrapping your arms around him, the constantly bright lights of the station. His breath practically stops for a moment from the shock and overloading of his senses, but he tries to play it off with a strained laugh. He can't have you becoming unnerved by... whatever connection he has with the thing you're getting ready to worship alongside him. At least, not before he can adequately explain it to you. You pull away, letting out a quiet laugh, and Simon silently counts his blessings that he didn't have to brush you off and possibly seem rude.
Simon tries to discreetly shake off the excess... everything hitting his senses by tapping his foot against the floor, keeping his eyes on you. "Sorry about that! I should have warned you. It's just been so long." You say, before crossing your arms and giving him a cheeky, but genuine grin. "When you suddenly just... disappeared during everything at Filament Station, I sort of thought you..." you then trail off, your smile dropping momentarily, before shrugging it off "That doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're alive and doing more to try to help humanity than Eden currently is. Whatever it is, I want in."
Thank god you know how to talk quietly. His head feels like it might explode, again. He clears his throat, before giving his response, subconsciously waving his hands a bit more than usual as he talks. "Exactly! Yes. I'm... I'm glad you're here. I'll fill you in on everything..." His thoughts are racing, but before it can pass him by, Simon manages to catch a stray idea. He gestures for you to follow him "Let's talk privately... We can discuss everything about what I'm doing here in a much less..." He looks around, fumbling over his words a bit "... overwhelming place. I'm sure talking to a bunch of strangers first thing after you get off a space shuttle isn't exactly relaxing."
You raise an eyebrow, before nodding along to his plan. "That sounds nice. Lead the way, Captain Simon." Letting out a sigh of relief, Simon practically does a heel-turn to start leading you somewhere else. Anywhere else. The office should be good, as it has a light that you can adjust the dimness of. He takes a deep breath in and out to try to calm himself down. Despite how hard he's been trying to keep a calm mask, the fact that you're talking quieter now seems to indicate that you've noticed how overwhelmed he is.
"I brought some supplies with me from Eden. Figured I'd try to compensate for the added pressure on resources with me here." One less headache to deal with. Simon gives a small nod, opening the door to the office "It's more than appreciated... Come on in." You flash him another smile as you step inside, before taking a seat in the chair in front of the desk. Simon follows suite, quickly closing and locking the door behind him, before dimming the lights to a more bearable level.
You watch as he makes his way over to the desk, sitting behind it. Looking to you, Simon tries to find his words... He can't exactly think of any, though. He can tell his mind is trying to think... Small flashes of images in his head, that seem to fade in and out before he can remember what exactly it is. Memories of you and him in Eden, probably. Yet, not a single sentence comes to mind. Simon opens his mouth, preparing to force anything out through his overwhelmed state, yet nothing really comes out.
You don't seem to mind, raising a hand in a relaxed manner "Take your time." There it is. He remembers that... You'd always say that when he'd get infuriated at something. He's never been so thankful to hear that in his life. Simon takes a moment to relax and calm down, leaning back against the back of his seat and closing his eyes. It takes much longer than he'd like to admit, but eventually, he's no longer overwhelmed by his senses. Clasping his gloved hands together, he forces a smile onto his face "Thank you for being patient... Even after... well, however long it's been since we've last seen each other."
He clears his throat, getting to the point "How much do you know about what I'm doing here?" Your face scrunches a bit in thought, before you shrug. "Not that much... I mostly just heard that you have a plan to get the stars and planets to return." That's all you know? That's all you know and you're already willing to join? Well, Simon isn't really one to judge. You need a little run down, though. He's willing to oblige. It's not like you can run off if you get too frightened, since that'd involve you getting back into your space shuttle... Which Simon is sure that his "friends" have already started dismantling for parts.
"Well, what if I told you that it was simple?" Simon asks rhetorically, placing his hands against the metal desk. The leather of his gloves creaks a bit from the pressure as he leans forward, like he's sharing a secret. A secret that everybody in the old C.O.I prison station knew except for you. "That the way to reverse The Quiet Rapture was to get the very thing that caused it to reverse it?" The expression you give him in response can only be described as dumbfounded. A charming expression... Simon needs to stay focused.
You hesitate, then tilt your head. "That would require knowing what caused it... Nobody on Eden does. Do you know?" you ask, your voice slow and careful. That's exactly what he was hoping you'd ask. Now, just to find out how to word everything... "Of course I do. I'm sure you're aware of the blood oceans? You probably saw the one below us, on the moon, when coming in?" You nod slowly, furrowing your brows as you listen. "There's a creature in there. I saw it... her. She caused The Quiet Rapture."
Your eyes widen in shock and horror, before you look down. Your expression looks as though you're expecting something to reach through the floor to kill you both. Simon can't lie... your eyes are beautiful. Stay focused. He continues before you can panic "I know what you're thinking. No, she can't hurt us here." As far as he's aware, at least. He's not going to say that part out loud, though. You don't relax as much as he had hoped, but you do return your gaze to him. "And this creature? What is... she?"
Humming softly, Simon thinks of the easiest way to describe her in a way you'd understand. Eden is all about religion, after all. "She's God. Well, the closest thing we have to one at the moment, at least." Then, he gestures to the floor "She can only witness and experience our world through a very limited view, though... and made a judgement on us through her limited knowledge. Hence The Quiet Rapture." "So she thought we weren't deserving of existing?" "Exactly."
You're not handling the information well. He can tell from the way your shoulders begin tensing up and the anxious biting of your lips. For a moment, neither of you say anything. You simply don't have any words to describe how you are feeling, and Simon is waiting to see if you are going to give a response. Upon getting none, he holds his hand out to you for you to hold. "We've been given a second chance, though... That's where we come in. Everything will be okay."
The second you place your hand into his, Simon gently squeezes it. This time, he doesn't give you any time to respond before he continues "I've made a... connection with her. Through me, she sees, she hears, she touches, she tastes, she smells... She perceives through me. I have broadened her worldview. She can do the same through you, too, if you join us. You can broaden her worldview." You hesitate to answer, looking to his grip on your hand. For a moment, Simon thinks you'll outright deny his offer. As much as he knows you can't exactly run away, it'd still be a hassle to catch you and throw you into a cell... Not to mention the emotional turmoil...
Luckily, though, you simply look up to him and ask "How do I know you're telling the truth?" Simon can't help but let out a chuckle. It's always been a bit ironic, even when you both were children in Eden... How you could be so devoted to Eden and their cult-like teachings when you were always so curious and questioned everything? Luckily for you, he has proof. "I can simply show you. I have photos of her. X-rays, to be precise. If you still question me, then through our joining ritual, you can meet her. Just a simple baptism, of sorts."
"Well, why would I go through that baptism if I don't believe you?"
"There wouldn't be any harm done if I were lying to you, now, would there?"
You go quiet, again. He can see the gears turning in your head. He's right, as far as you're concerned. It's not like he'd be asking you to give your blood or kill someone. You'd just get a little wet, maybe need to change your clothes, then be on your way back to Eden to call his bluff to all his old peers... You don't need to know it's blood until the last minute, now, do you? It's for the best that you don't. He wants to save you, and if saving you requires a little secret or two, then so be it. Seeing you with a look of betrayal on your face would be better than seeing you die. Maybe even worse. Maybe you'd just disappear before his very eyes, much like he remembers the two of you watching Mars do all those years ago?
Simon watches as you hesitantly shrug "I guess so. We'll see how I feel when we get there." That's better than a no. God, he doesn't like seeing you so stressed. Why'd you even come here if you didn't know anything about what he was doing? Did you want to see him that badly? No, he's not about to get his hopes up by assuming it was to see him. "I'll take that. Here... I'll get the photos out." He replies, before starting to open one of the drawers. The copies of the x-rays are in one of these drawers. There they are! Pulling out a hard drive, he opens up the nearby computer and starts... well, it takes him a bit, but he finds out how to open up the photos. He's done it before, but still hasn't quite memorized it.
He turns the computer so you can see the x-ray photos. The skeleton of her, of all her sharp teeth... In the back of his mind, he can hear her grumbling about how the images "do her a disservice". Simon pays her no mind, instead watching closely as the color seems to drain from your face. Yet, you just keep staring, as if unable to look away. You must need his guidance to understand... "That's the creature in the blood ocean. No, it isn't a skeleton. As I said, the picture is an x-ray." You tear your eyes away from her, looking to him. You fumble over your words "So she is... a giant... what? Eel? Anglerfish? Frogfish?" "All that really matters is that she's a... cosmic being of some kind."
Simon leans forward, again. Shaking his head slightly, he shrugs "To be honest, I don't understand her physical form. I don't understand her in general, fully. What we need to understand is that we cannot understand." You look more confused, but give a small nod. Damn it... All those feelings he has for you are just returning. He remembers all those times you listened to him as he explained random topics to you, and those little expressions of confusion turning to understanding... Not today, though. You're just confused.
"I'll never understand you mortals and your feelings of romance... Stay focused." Simon hears her whisper. He blinks a few times, before turning his full attention to you "So... Do you believe me?" You hesitate, before nodding. "Yeah. Yeah, I do." "Would you like to go through with the ceremony?" You simply nod in response. He can tell that you're still... processing everything. He needs to take things slowly. "Alright. First, my crew needs to... finish setting everything up. I'll be back in just a moment to discuss some things with you. You stay here, okay?"
He quickly steps out into the hall, before looking around. Jack is walking by, carrying a part from your shuttle to the parts and services room. Waving him down, Simon calls him over "Jack. I need you to do something for me." Jack perks up, walking over to the leader with a grin. "Anything you need, captain!" Simon quietly shushes him, not wanting you to possibly hear the conversation. "You see... The person who came is is... somebody special. Somebody personal. They are going to go through with it, but they also seem a little unsettled. I need you to make sure that the blood is all set up, then that everybody leaves the room before we come in."
Jack raises an eyebrow in confusion, before frowning. He matches Simon's quiet tone "But isn't it meant to be witnessed so that we can step in if something goes wrong, and so that they can meet everybody?" Simon sighs, rubbing his face in frustration. "Don't question me. Just have everybody stand in the other room, and I'll call if I need any of you. We'll hold a dinner or something so they can meet the others..." Jack straightens up, nodding. Without another word, he rushes off to perform his new task.
Simon takes a deep breath, turning around to head back into the office. Sure enough, you're sitting quietly, just as he had asked. He gives you a small smile, returning to his seat at his desk "Alright. The final preparations are being made as we speak. There's just a few things you should know before we go through with it." You quietly watch as he sits back down, before starting to fidget with your fingers. Your voice is quiet, but a little bit shaky "Yeah? The fact that the cause of The Quiet Rapture is beneath us isn't the best part?" Simon rolls his eyes at your sarcasm, his smile growing a bit warmer. "Of course there isn't. Once we go through with this, you'll be connected to her. Which comes with it's own... lovely changes."
Clasping his hands together, Simon continues "The main thing I want to warn you about is the sensory changes. One of your senses, and we won't know what until it's already said and done, will grow stronger. A lot stronger." You furrow your brows, subconsciously rubbing at your arms a bit. Almost like you're testing how sensitive your sense of touch already is. After a few moments, you ask a simple question "Why?" "As I said... She perceives the world outside of the blood ocean through me, and she can do the same through you, if you let her. To a lesser extent, though. Your senses are how you maneuver the world around you... It's like you're feeling for two. So, they must be strong enough to accommodate two."
"Well... How have you been coping with it? Which sense of yours is stronger?" You ask, looking genuinely curious, maybe even a bit concerned. Simon doesn't exactly know how to respond. How should he describe his position here, and how he has a deeper connection to her, so his senses are all attached to her? Much less how he... hasn't exactly been coping at all. Just struggling. "Well... Um... As the captain, I have a much closer tie to her. So... All my senses are heightened." he speaks, his voice slow as he thinks of the words on the spot. Then, he dances around your second question "I'm still figuring things out. I wear these gloves, for example, to help with getting overwhelmed. Yet, what's important is that I'll help you with whichever sense becomes stronger for you. A captain looks after his crew, after all."
Before you can say anything else, Simon stands up. He can't take how concerned you look for him. He's the one who should be concerned for you. You still don't have that link to her set up, yet. "Let's make our way to the ceremony. Because you seem a bit nervous, the others won't be present for it. However, we'll have a nice meal once you recover so you can meet everybody." he says, beckoning for you to follow him. Sure enough, you're already listening to him, as you stand up from your seat. Simon is silent as he walks down the halls, letting you get a chance to get familiar with them.
Then, you quietly speak up "So... Should I be quiet around you, or...?" The question causes Simon to think. While it would be a bit more comfortable if everything was quiet all the time... he doesn't want you to take it as him wanting you to talk less. He loves the sound of your voice... He looks to you, smiling in a half-joking manner "Not you. If you could get everybody else to be quiet, though, I'd love that." Your mood finally lifts a bit, and you give him a slight snicker in response, trying to stifle it with your hand. He quickly looks away, trying not to let himself get distracted. He can practically feel his heart flutter for a moment.
"Simon... You must explain to me how you mortals choose your partners, one day." he hears her whisper. He lets out a soft scoff at that, trying to pass it off as a chuckle so you don't think anything of it. He nods to her, before looking back to you. "Do you have any other questions, before we go through with this?" "Does she has a name or title?" Simon hums in thought, before listening if she wants to give herself one. He hears her own hum, before her voice chimes with curiosity "Let them think of one." Simon smiles, gesturing to you "She doesn't currently have one... but we would benefit from creating one for her. Tell me... do you have any ideas?"
"Well, as much as we cannot understand her, people flock to what they understand. So, we'd need something slightly familiar. Eden is still the largest human colony, so we should also cater to them." You speak, your voice full of thought. Then, you look to the floor, shrugging. "What about Mother? Similar to how many in Eden call God "Father"?" Simon waits for her to respond... After he hears her response, he passed it on to you. "That works perfectly." Once you smile, he looks ahead, again. The doors to the main area are just ahead. He can smell the strong, metallic scent of the blood already...
That means that he'll have to explain the blood to you. Which, that's the easy part. Nobody got hurt to get it, since it's from the blood ocean. The hard part will be convincing you to go in and get covered by it. As much as nobody got hurt for it... it is still blood. It looks like blood, smells like blood, feels like blood, tastes like blood... it will get in your clothes and hair... That's not even mentioning the transformation that will happen, or the hallucinations. It's not exactly going to be pleasant. But he'll be there for you, every step of the way.
Simon opens the door, revealing the metal container, filled with blood. He hears your footsteps pause and he doesn't have to look at you to know you're in shock. "Simon... What...?" you trail off, your voice slowly going a bit higher from distress. He quickly turns to you, his breath picking up a bit. Just the smell is overwhelming, but he's slowly realizing that... he doesn't exactly know how to convince you it will be fine. Sure, you've been friends. You clearly still trust him. Yet, he hasn't seen you in so long. Maybe you've changed in ways he doesn't know, yet.
"It will be fine. That blood isn't... It isn't from people. It's from the blood ocean." He says, waving his hands a bit, almost like he can literally wave your concerns to the side. Yet, sure enough, you are still worried. "I could guess that, but... What about my clothes? Or my hair? Or if...?" "We have fresh clothes set aside for you. We'll give you a nice, warm bath after. Or a shower, if that's what you prefer. Please-" Your brows furrow in unease, before you take a step back.
Simon slowly closes his hands into loose fists, taking a deep breath in to calm himself. He's getting too fired up... He's scaring you. Simon needs to calm down. Breathing out, he opens his hands again. Then, he looks to you, smiling slowly "It'll be okay. I promise you. All those people who you were talking to when you got here? They've all been through this. I've been through this." You look to the container, then back to Simon. Then, returning your gaze to the container, you purse your lips "How long will I be in there?" "You'll step in and sit down, then after a few words, I'll quickly dunk you in fully. I'll pull you back up after a second, then I'll help you out."
You look back to Simon and he practically has to hold in a breath as he sees the anxiety in your eyes "You'll be the one to do it?" Of course he will be the one to do it. He'd never trust anybody else to. They don't know you well enough to. He clears his throat, keeping himself from going on another heated ramble "Of course. I am the captain, after all. I'd... I'll be by your side the whole time." Simon holds his hand out, offering it to you. He can't tell whether it's to comfort you or just because he wants to hold your hand... Either way, it doesn't matter, because you take his hand and let him guide you.
The two of you approach the container... To be honest, Simon can't tell if it was an old, tiny shipping container, or perhaps just an old metal closet. Whatever it used to hold has long since been discarded and used, so it doesn't matter. Now it's practically only used for this one purpose. To welcome new crew members in. To show them the light of her. The light of Mother, as you've now named her. Simon can't help but smile. You haven't even officially joined, but Mother has already taken enough of a liking to let you give her a name. You'll fit in perfectly. He's sure that, with you by his side, you'll both be able to show Mother what to create when she remakes the planets and stars. When she creates a life worth living.
You stand next to the container, taking off your shoes and socks. Then, you step into the blood, immediately shuddering at the feeling. Simon is immediately by your side, helping you sit in a way that your arms don't touch the blood. He doesn't want you to lift them out and see... whatever strange things tend to grow and cling at what touches it. Much less how your body morphs and shifts. It's all painless, perhaps even numbing, and it goes away after a while... but that doesn't mean it isn't terrifying in the moment. "Are you comfortable?" he asks as you're in place, keeping a hold on your hands. You give a small nod, but he can feel you shaking a bit. "Everything will be alright."
You swallow thickly, nodding slowly as you watch him kneel beside you. You trust him to keep you safe, and Simon is going to make sure he honors that. To be honest, there has never been any specific prayers or words that Simon has said during this ceremony. Just him simply saying that he welcomes them after everything is said and done. Yet... This is you. You need something. You're special to him. He swears, he wasn't this attached to you before. He had feelings for you, but they were never this strong. Is he finally, truly, going insane?
"Praise be for Mother, for she is giving us this chance to prove ourselves right. May we show Mother the full extent of humanity, of right and wrong, of virtue and sin. Together we'll show Mother what Eden should be, and in turn, Mother will reward us by making Eden as so."
With those words, and a quiet "hold your breath and close your eyes", Simon moves an arm to the back of your shoulder and the other to the front. Then, he quickly dunks you underneath the blood, before helping you rise back up from it. You let out a startled gasp, almost like you want to scream, but simply can't make the noise come out. "I baptize you in the name of Mother and in the blood of Mother. May we prove ourselves, in honor of those who came before." Simon finishes, looking to you quietly "I welcome you..."
He trails off, your name quietly falling from his lips. Your face is already changing and morphing, with the vein like growths clinging to you. You look so startled and frightened, which he can't blame you for. You're probably far, far out, witnessing some vision that he can't quite see. It's part of why he has never had any grand speeches for this. Mother does all the talking. Simon is silent, before he gently runs your back, pulling you to rest your head against his chest. He can't look at you, right now. Not while your face has changed. Not while your face is covered in blood. Especially not while you're so afraid.
"It will be alright, Simon." Mother speaks, far, far back in his mind "They will return to their normal. When they do, they will be enlightened by me. They will be saved by you." He holds you a bit tighter, closing his eyes as that pressure in his head returns. Mother draws a bit closer "You are attached to this one. I do not understand. I trust, in time, you both will show me why." "I'll show you why." Simon murmurs, before leaning back a bit and calling out. "Jack! I need you!"
Just as Simon had requested, him and the others must've been waiting by one of the exits of the main area, as Jack is instantly walking towards the captain. Simon looks up as Jack speaks "What do you need, Captain Simon?" "Get me two of the towels from the laundry, and a fresh set of clothes. I'm going to help transfer them to the showers, so they'll be able to quickly clean off once they come back to." "Whatever you say, captain!" Jack replies, already scurrying off to grab what is needed.
As soon as he's out of sight, Simon pulls you close again. You're safe, now. You're with him, now. Soon enough, you'll be helping others, just as he has helped you. All he has to do is guide you, like any good captain should.