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[ There's something to be said for investigating on your own. Even if it's something as simple as learning what district is what, and where the different kinds of stores are. And to be fair, Otome isn't actively looking for anyone (or anything, for that matter). But when she glances ahead, and sees a familiar head of hair... ]
Leon?
Leon?
[Oh, hi mom.
Leon was...well, he was hovering. Hovering outside of a particular shop. Which is strange enough in and of itself, because Leon is not the sort to waste time....but he can't quite help but hover.
Because he can't quite bring himself to enter the candy shop (is this a store solely devoted to candy? What.) But he also can't quite bring himself to leave because he wants some.
He's so focused on this that when Otome comes up to him, he jumps.
And then, because he's embarrassed, he bristles.]
What-- oh. It's you. [... a-ahem.]
Leon was...well, he was hovering. Hovering outside of a particular shop. Which is strange enough in and of itself, because Leon is not the sort to waste time....but he can't quite help but hover.
Because he can't quite bring himself to enter the candy shop (is this a store solely devoted to candy? What.) But he also can't quite bring himself to leave because he wants some.
He's so focused on this that when Otome comes up to him, he jumps.
And then, because he's embarrassed, he bristles.]
What-- oh. It's you. [... a-ahem.]
[ Leon... well, he's far from a grown man, but he has a good head on his shoulders. Otome hadn't wanted to worry too much over how he'd fared during this time, but she also can recall the strained way he'd looked when he'd been searching for Stahn.
So she doesn't actually feel all that guilty when she calls him, voice at its usual soft volume and tempo. ]
Leon? I was wondering how you're doing. Is everything all right?
So she doesn't actually feel all that guilty when she calls him, voice at its usual soft volume and tempo. ]
Leon? I was wondering how you're doing. Is everything all right?
[No, everything is not all right. After the harrowing time with Stahn, they... well, they were able to work a little bit of it out, at least. He's a little bit more settled, knowing that Stahn didn't really want to draw his sword on him, and it was just Cerealia causing him to act that way.
(Though that's just something else he's angry about now, honestly. How dare this place do something like that to someone like Stahn?)
He's grateful this is voice, honestly; it lets him not have to worry too much about how harried he assumes he looks. His tone, at least, is calm.]
Otome. [she's graduated from "you".] I'm fine. [Obviously. Why wouldn't he be!!! That answer comes as though he's had to say this over and over to someone recently (hint: it's Stahn).] ...That is, everything is fine.
(Though that's just something else he's angry about now, honestly. How dare this place do something like that to someone like Stahn?)
He's grateful this is voice, honestly; it lets him not have to worry too much about how harried he assumes he looks. His tone, at least, is calm.]
Otome. [she's graduated from "you".] I'm fine. [Obviously. Why wouldn't he be!!! That answer comes as though he's had to say this over and over to someone recently (hint: it's Stahn).] ...That is, everything is fine.
Edited 2015-12-01 05:45 (UTC)
[ To her credit, she had listened to Kogami's advice and tried to sleep when she could. But there were more cases of people falling ill by the day, and medicine and healing powers weren't doing anything for them. She's started to investigate looking into the code, and after about three hours of sleep, some nameless nightmare had jarred her back into working.
Maybe tea will help, she thinks, moving into the kitchen as her head pounds in protest. And in the meantime... time to call another source of concern, so-- ]
Leon, hello. [ Her voice is softer than usual, but that's fine. ] I was calling to see how you and Stahn were doing, with this sudden epidemic going around...
Maybe tea will help, she thinks, moving into the kitchen as her head pounds in protest. And in the meantime... time to call another source of concern, so-- ]
Leon, hello. [ Her voice is softer than usual, but that's fine. ] I was calling to see how you and Stahn were doing, with this sudden epidemic going around...
Otome.
[Nothing about this call strikes him as off at first, honestly. It's a very Otome thing, especially now that he's becoming more aware that the illness is widespread. Luckily, he and Stahn appear to have gotten off without much of anything--he's been watching Stahn like a hawk (though he won't admit it), and while he seems to have displayed a few symptoms, he seems as cheerful and energetic as ever.
But he's watching. He'll just... tell Otome if it gets worse.]
We are both fine. Stahn is too much of an idiot to catch a cold regardless, and I am not going to be taken down by something so simple.
[leon............... a pause.]
... Are you calling everyone you know and asking this question?
[Nothing about this call strikes him as off at first, honestly. It's a very Otome thing, especially now that he's becoming more aware that the illness is widespread. Luckily, he and Stahn appear to have gotten off without much of anything--he's been watching Stahn like a hawk (though he won't admit it), and while he seems to have displayed a few symptoms, he seems as cheerful and energetic as ever.
But he's watching. He'll just... tell Otome if it gets worse.]
We are both fine. Stahn is too much of an idiot to catch a cold regardless, and I am not going to be taken down by something so simple.
[leon............... a pause.]
... Are you calling everyone you know and asking this question?
[what's the best way to make up for being a jackass (even if it wasn't technically his fault, he was still a jackass okay)? buying the person you were being a jackass to something they like is definitely a good start. thank god yuri's sweet tooth helps make figuring out what to get super easy.
the sweet of choice happens to be ice cream. you can't go wrong with ice cream. while on the way home, flynn pops into the ice cream shop to pick up a carton. ...make that two. it's the least he could do,after all. the good intention comes to halt upon noticing that the fridge with the larger cartons happens to be out of chocolate. going for chocolate and vanilla was the plan. hmm... oh look, a shop employee. maybe they'd have some more in the back or they could make a recommendation about what else to get. flynn approaches the person from behind.]
Excuse me. Might I trouble you for a moment?
the sweet of choice happens to be ice cream. you can't go wrong with ice cream. while on the way home, flynn pops into the ice cream shop to pick up a carton. ...make that two. it's the least he could do,after all. the good intention comes to halt upon noticing that the fridge with the larger cartons happens to be out of chocolate. going for chocolate and vanilla was the plan. hmm... oh look, a shop employee. maybe they'd have some more in the back or they could make a recommendation about what else to get. flynn approaches the person from behind.]
Excuse me. Might I trouble you for a moment?
[Edna's not one to call for favors or anything of the sort, but this is something she can't really handle all alone by herself if Mikleo actually does pull a stunt like this while his BFF is missing. He hasn't re-enacted The Great Escape (yet), but better safe than sorry. It also doesn't help that Mikleo has an ability that allows him to pass undetected for a short period of time (as a literal bubble boy). And so, Edna speaks, in a completely deadpan voice, sounding for all in the world like an officer looking for a lost housecat.]
If you see a Meebo wandering around unsupervised, return him to [insert Zestiria household address in the Residential District here.] If he refuses to come along, tell him that Edna knows where to find search dogs. I'll ask for them to bark extra loud.
[Dogs. One of his worst fears, even as robot CYbuddy dogs.]
If you see a Meebo wandering around unsupervised, return him to [insert Zestiria household address in the Residential District here.] If he refuses to come along, tell him that Edna knows where to find search dogs. I'll ask for them to bark extra loud.
[Dogs. One of his worst fears, even as robot CYbuddy dogs.]
[What.
Look, there are many messages Leon can expect to receive on days like this. Messages from Stahn about something or other he saw. Messages from Stahn about memes. Messages from Stahn.
Basically, there's a trend here, and Edna doesn't fall into it.
Still, he listens, and it doesn't take him much to figure out what she's saying here. (Is Mikleo really afraid of dogs?)]
Why would he be wandering around unsupervised?
Look, there are many messages Leon can expect to receive on days like this. Messages from Stahn about something or other he saw. Messages from Stahn about memes. Messages from Stahn.
Basically, there's a trend here, and Edna doesn't fall into it.
Still, he listens, and it doesn't take him much to figure out what she's saying here. (Is Mikleo really afraid of dogs?)]
Why would he be wandering around unsupervised?
[ What a fine, fine evening. An evening where you wouldn't expect a young woman to have emerged from a bar with a faintly reddened and scraped cheekbone, maybe, but Otome's not giving much thought to it. It's honestly too shallow an injury to bother using a healing spell for, so she figures some ointment and a bandaid on it and the rest should handle itself.
Granted, she has to get home first, which is what she's in the process of doing. ]
Granted, she has to get home first, which is what she's in the process of doing. ]
[He's... lost.
Leon normally wouldn't be anywhere near this district at this time of night, but he'd wandered out to take a look around one of the other districts and had ended up here. How he can have this bad of a sense of direction is... really a marvel, honestly.
"Young master, I think it was the last turn! We should have gone right instead, maybe--"
And Leon huffs exasperatedly, looking at his sword instead of ahead of him.]
Enough, Chal, this is the right direction--
[He's at least aware enough to realize when he's about to bump into someone; he stops just in time, looking up with the full intention to snap at whoever it is...
... Oh.]
Otome.
[A blink.]
What are you doing here?
Leon normally wouldn't be anywhere near this district at this time of night, but he'd wandered out to take a look around one of the other districts and had ended up here. How he can have this bad of a sense of direction is... really a marvel, honestly.
"Young master, I think it was the last turn! We should have gone right instead, maybe--"
And Leon huffs exasperatedly, looking at his sword instead of ahead of him.]
Enough, Chal, this is the right direction--
[He's at least aware enough to realize when he's about to bump into someone; he stops just in time, looking up with the full intention to snap at whoever it is...
... Oh.]
Otome.
[A blink.]
What are you doing here?
[Today is just another bright and sunny day, or whatever counts as weather in Cerealia. There's nothing unusual about that, and there's also nothing unusual about Minato paying a visit to Scoops N' Smiles, casually strolling in with hands tucked into his pockets.
This should be by all means a typical scenario, with a typical customer making a typical order and leaving in typical fashion, but something just doesn't sit right here- Wasn't this guy just here yesterday with a kid in tow? And if he likes ice-cream that much, shouldn't he be more of a frequent customer?
Exposition aside Minato's browsing through the menu now, looking up after he's seen a few pages.]
Is there anything you'd recommend?
This should be by all means a typical scenario, with a typical customer making a typical order and leaving in typical fashion, but something just doesn't sit right here- Wasn't this guy just here yesterday with a kid in tow? And if he likes ice-cream that much, shouldn't he be more of a frequent customer?
Exposition aside Minato's browsing through the menu now, looking up after he's seen a few pages.]
Is there anything you'd recommend?
[Leon should never be put in charge of dealing with customers. Never.
Unfortunately, sometimes the only other option is Mikleo, who customers often can't even see, and so instead poor Minato gets to deal with his hairstyle twin.
Emo hair, totally in style.
Leon slowly looks at him when he asks his question, and then huffs under his breath shortly.]
No.
[WOW, FRIENDLY.
(It's not true, there are types of ice cream that Leon would recommend, but that would involve Leon admitting he likes ice cream, which is not going to happen.
Sorry, Minato.]
Unfortunately, sometimes the only other option is Mikleo, who customers often can't even see, and so instead poor Minato gets to deal with his hairstyle twin.
Emo hair, totally in style.
Leon slowly looks at him when he asks his question, and then huffs under his breath shortly.]
No.
[WOW, FRIENDLY.
(It's not true, there are types of ice cream that Leon would recommend, but that would involve Leon admitting he likes ice cream, which is not going to happen.
Sorry, Minato.]
[She has a small mental list of people to repay after she gets out of ViViD. Kashuu, Saitou, Rapunzel, Ryuko - there are too many people whose debt she found herself in. But there's... a smaller number of people whose debt she found herself in twice over.
Leon's in one of those numbers.
So here she is, staring down at her CereVice wondering how to express to him that hey! She owes him! She doesn't like that she owes him! Fix it!!]
I am in your deb|
[too formal. no.]
I have somehow procured some items|
[ok that's a lie. and also what are these items??? it leads her to smash out in frustration]
what do you even like
[BEFORE FACEPALMING REALLY HARD but her other hand slips and her thumb presses 'Send' without her noticing
oh]
Leon's in one of those numbers.
So here she is, staring down at her CereVice wondering how to express to him that hey! She owes him! She doesn't like that she owes him! Fix it!!]
I am in your deb|
[too formal. no.]
I have somehow procured some items|
[ok that's a lie. and also what are these items??? it leads her to smash out in frustration]
what do you even like
[BEFORE FACEPALMING REALLY HARD but her other hand slips and her thumb presses 'Send' without her noticing
oh]
Edited 2016-01-16 05:56 (UTC)
[Alright so.
He wasn't expecting this. He gets texts a lot from Stahn so it's not like texts are a weird occurrence or anything but. ??? ???????
Lili........... Oh. Her. The girl who was determined to fix her own weakness. This is...
... A weird question.]
what is that supposed to mean
He wasn't expecting this. He gets texts a lot from Stahn so it's not like texts are a weird occurrence or anything but. ??? ???????
Lili........... Oh. Her. The girl who was determined to fix her own weakness. This is...
... A weird question.]
what is that supposed to mean
[NOTHING CAN BRING AI THAO DOWN.
... Well, she feels moreinvincible heartened by the good turn of events that have occurred in the past week or so. The last ViViD game wasn't all that bad and she got to bond with Athena more, they ate good cooking at Adolf's place, and most importantly of all after that conversation with that certain person, Ai feels...
Overall, the esper's been having a good time, enjoying more of the mundane aspects of life on this weird planet. Speaking of the mundane, it's that time again where she stalks the food stalls and shops, on the lookout for good eats. Usually, she'd go and restock on some pudding since it runs out fast, but today, Ai wants something more with a bite to it. Something chilly and cool, and stress relieving!
Oh, she's never been to this ice cream shop before! Her eyes light up and the young woman makes her way inside.]
Hello!
... Well, she feels more
Overall, the esper's been having a good time, enjoying more of the mundane aspects of life on this weird planet. Speaking of the mundane, it's that time again where she stalks the food stalls and shops, on the lookout for good eats. Usually, she'd go and restock on some pudding since it runs out fast, but today, Ai wants something more with a bite to it. Something chilly and cool, and stress relieving!
Oh, she's never been to this ice cream shop before! Her eyes light up and the young woman makes her way inside.]
Hello!
[Sorry, Ai... sorry. If she's expecting a polite greeting in response to her perfectly polite greeting, she's... not going to get one.
Instead, there's Leon standing there at the counter.
Why.
When he sees her, his eyebrows arch, and he frowns.]
You again.
[So...friendly....]
Instead, there's Leon standing there at the counter.
Why.
When he sees her, his eyebrows arch, and he frowns.]
You again.
[So...friendly....]
[That starts out with a text!
Something that's probably not super uncommon since Kashuu has definitely been sending a few stray coupons Leon's way whenever he catches wind of bake sales or deals or any new sweets shop opening up that looks interesting.
Today, he'll get an advertisement (including directions) that says: Quite Ryeght Bakery's Grand Opening, 10AM. First 50 customers receive five items free! First 100 receive complimentary membership cards, which include discounts and early access to our newsletter detailing new items! We look forward to seeing you there!
But it's a trap.
Kashuu will be there, standing outside of the bakery... WAITING. MENACINGLY. Mostly because he assumes Leon will show, but also because even if he doesn't, he'll still get some free food out of this. Win-win?!]
Something that's probably not super uncommon since Kashuu has definitely been sending a few stray coupons Leon's way whenever he catches wind of bake sales or deals or any new sweets shop opening up that looks interesting.
Today, he'll get an advertisement (including directions) that says: Quite Ryeght Bakery's Grand Opening, 10AM. First 50 customers receive five items free! First 100 receive complimentary membership cards, which include discounts and early access to our newsletter detailing new items! We look forward to seeing you there!
But it's a trap.
Kashuu will be there, standing outside of the bakery... WAITING. MENACINGLY. Mostly because he assumes Leon will show, but also because even if he doesn't, he'll still get some free food out of this. Win-win?!]
[Kashuu knows him so well...... So well... Leon wasn't prepared for this at all, quite honestly, and he deliberates over it for a long, long moment before he finally caves. He'll just...go take a look!!! This isn't a commitment. He's not.... making any promises here!!
(Chill, Leon, you haven't even responded to the text.)
So it is that he's...hovering a little ways away from the bakery at a little after 10, shuffling about vaguely and embarrassedly.]
(Chill, Leon, you haven't even responded to the text.)
So it is that he's...hovering a little ways away from the bakery at a little after 10, shuffling about vaguely and embarrassedly.]
[ It's a nice, normal day in which Otome is just casually leaning against Leon's favorite sweets shop, holding one cone and one cup in her hands. Two different ice cream flavors, it appears.
And there's no guarantee she'll even see a certain someone today-- but if he does appear, she'll be there. ]
And there's no guarantee she'll even see a certain someone today-- but if he does appear, she'll be there. ]
[mom are you stalking him--
That is, he wasn't going to go to the sweets shop today, but Kashuu forwarded him a coupon, and there was an ad with a type of pudding in it and... well, he just--wanted to see, okay.
That's all.
When he sees Otome there he freezes and very nearly starts walking the other direction.
Aaaaaaah.]
That is, he wasn't going to go to the sweets shop today, but Kashuu forwarded him a coupon, and there was an ad with a type of pudding in it and... well, he just--wanted to see, okay.
That's all.
When he sees Otome there he freezes and very nearly starts walking the other direction.
Aaaaaaah.]
[Well, the carnival was already giving her unfortunate flashbacks - the bright lights, the crowds of people, the loud noises.
It got worse when for some reason this caterpillar thing started to walk toward her. And for ever step she took back, it would come two steps forward aaaaaand.
And she's off, zooming through the crowd as best as she can and not paying attention at all to where she's going.
This sounds like its destined for a crash collision.]
It got worse when for some reason this caterpillar thing started to walk toward her. And for ever step she took back, it would come two steps forward aaaaaand.
And she's off, zooming through the crowd as best as she can and not paying attention at all to where she's going.
This sounds like its destined for a crash collision.]
[A CRASH COLLISION INDEED.
Right into Leon.
Unfortunately, Leon is not big enough to be able to take sudden, surprise collisions; it topples him, and tsun dominoes it is.... right into one of the bobbing for apples barrels. Except instead of apples it's some sort of weird Space Fruit but whatever, the point is, there's an unfortunate crash indeed, and then there's water everywhere.
Good job, Lili.]
Right into Leon.
Unfortunately, Leon is not big enough to be able to take sudden, surprise collisions; it topples him, and tsun dominoes it is.... right into one of the bobbing for apples barrels. Except instead of apples it's some sort of weird Space Fruit but whatever, the point is, there's an unfortunate crash indeed, and then there's water everywhere.
Good job, Lili.]
[getting all of the swamp sludge clean? kind of a project. stahn just has way too much hair for that. so he's in the shower for a long time.
like.
"if this wasn't cerealia, all the hot water would have been gone a half hour ago" long.
he'll emerge eventually though, and definitely worse for the wear. sure, he's got much more comfortable clothing on, but it's plain to see that stahn's hair is a tangled, knotted disaster. one that clearly has a comb stuck in it midway through, because he can hardly reach all of his own hair comfortable when it's this bad.]
Leon... Can you pull this out for me? It's... stuck... [there are so many regrets right now.
but hey, at least stahn's not asking him to actually comb it.
(and it's probably pretty obvious that stahn isn't thrilled with this situation either.)]
like.
"if this wasn't cerealia, all the hot water would have been gone a half hour ago" long.
he'll emerge eventually though, and definitely worse for the wear. sure, he's got much more comfortable clothing on, but it's plain to see that stahn's hair is a tangled, knotted disaster. one that clearly has a comb stuck in it midway through, because he can hardly reach all of his own hair comfortable when it's this bad.]
Leon... Can you pull this out for me? It's... stuck... [there are so many regrets right now.
but hey, at least stahn's not asking him to actually comb it.
(and it's probably pretty obvious that stahn isn't thrilled with this situation either.)]
[Leon had a slightly easier time of it--his hair is significantly shorter and easier to work with, and even if he's still trying to erase the general feeling of being covered in slime, at least he's not in the situation Stahn's in.
Which is... honestly a mess.
Leon arches an eyebrow at that, but things are a little more comfortable between them these days (even if they still bicker like crazy), so he's not going to argue something as obvious as that.]
Sit down.
[You're too tall and he's not standing up from the couch to deal with this!!!
(But he will deal with it, at least.)]
Which is... honestly a mess.
Leon arches an eyebrow at that, but things are a little more comfortable between them these days (even if they still bicker like crazy), so he's not going to argue something as obvious as that.]
Sit down.
[You're too tall and he's not standing up from the couch to deal with this!!!
(But he will deal with it, at least.)]
[It's the day after the carnival and there's not much else to say since that's all done and over with.
Well, there is this one package from Ai Thao and inside are various gummi candies, neatly wrapped up and only a short note.]
"I had too much! You can try these, they're really good!"
- Ai Thao
Well, there is this one package from Ai Thao and inside are various gummi candies, neatly wrapped up and only a short note.]
- Ai Thao
Edited 2016-02-02 05:04 (UTC)
[okay, so maybe the kitchen isn't the best place for stahn. but he had a lot of fun during the afternoon, and that's why he's coming back with an entire box full of cake pops.
but first comes the way he bounds through the door with (probably far too much) enthusiasm. he's excited and proud of his efforts, and he wants to share them with his best friend!!]
Leeeeeeeeeeoooooooon! Are you here!? [why actually check, when he can just yell loudly from the doorway as he nudges it closed with his elbow?]
but first comes the way he bounds through the door with (probably far too much) enthusiasm. he's excited and proud of his efforts, and he wants to share them with his best friend!!]
Leeeeeeeeeeoooooooon! Are you here!? [why actually check, when he can just yell loudly from the doorway as he nudges it closed with his elbow?]
[He is here, and actually in the living room with a book (not from the library), which he's been thumbing through, but... there's a big temptation to answer "no" to that, somehow. Too much enthusiasm.
Too much sunshine.
Somehow, he stands his ground, keeping his place in the book with a thumb as he closes it.]
...Stahn. What is it now?
[sound more enthused, Leon.]
Too much sunshine.
Somehow, he stands his ground, keeping his place in the book with a thumb as he closes it.]
...Stahn. What is it now?
[sound more enthused, Leon.]
[As Mikleo enters the building with the shattered glass, he takes a moment to survey the room. He's looking out for potential enemies and structural failure, but the place seems sound. It's by far the safest building he's come across in this wasteland.
Mirror shards crunch under his shoes as he carefully steps more into the room. The water seraph turns in a circle and appears mostly satisfied that the place has been totally abandoned. Yet, something catches his attention from the corner of his eye. He looks over, and then, all of a sudden, sound reaches his ears.
What remains of the mirrors shows a scene that's altogether too familiar to him. It shows Heldalf confronting Michael about giving up Camlann, and the former Shepherd's consequent refusal. It shows how the village was destroyed by Hyland forces, how Heldalf didn't lift a finger to help them. It shows Muse, injured, and Michael taking her baby to the altar, laying a curse on Heldalf and killing her child.
Just like before, Mikleo can't look away. His hands clench into fists, jaw and shoulders tensing, and he tries to school his expression. It's...it's hard, though. He doesn't want to see this again. He wants to move passed this, not be haunted by it.
Damn it...why does he have to be so weak?]
Mirror shards crunch under his shoes as he carefully steps more into the room. The water seraph turns in a circle and appears mostly satisfied that the place has been totally abandoned. Yet, something catches his attention from the corner of his eye. He looks over, and then, all of a sudden, sound reaches his ears.
What remains of the mirrors shows a scene that's altogether too familiar to him. It shows Heldalf confronting Michael about giving up Camlann, and the former Shepherd's consequent refusal. It shows how the village was destroyed by Hyland forces, how Heldalf didn't lift a finger to help them. It shows Muse, injured, and Michael taking her baby to the altar, laying a curse on Heldalf and killing her child.
Just like before, Mikleo can't look away. His hands clench into fists, jaw and shoulders tensing, and he tries to school his expression. It's...it's hard, though. He doesn't want to see this again. He wants to move passed this, not be haunted by it.
Damn it...why does he have to be so weak?]
[He's seen this so many times in his nightmares, you'd almost think he'd be numb to it by now. But he's not. The image of him pulling his sword out on Stahn, of telling him--
I chose to do this of my own accord...
--and then everything went so very, very wrong, and even just seeing the water crash in through the disjointed mirrors is enough to leave him short of breath. He hates it. He hates it. It's almost a relief when he sees something else, except... that even though he doesn't entirely understand without context, as soon as he sees Mikleo, it clicks.
Ah.
But the words catch in a throat that feels raw even though there's no water to drown in here, and a chest that feels tight from lack of oxygen (but isn't it just because he needs to breathe?) and in this dusty, broken-down building, there's only the sound of their memories haunting them for a long moment.
He needs...to make sure Mikleo doesn't see it.
He needs to.]
I chose to do this of my own accord...
--and then everything went so very, very wrong, and even just seeing the water crash in through the disjointed mirrors is enough to leave him short of breath. He hates it. He hates it. It's almost a relief when he sees something else, except... that even though he doesn't entirely understand without context, as soon as he sees Mikleo, it clicks.
Ah.
But the words catch in a throat that feels raw even though there's no water to drown in here, and a chest that feels tight from lack of oxygen (but isn't it just because he needs to breathe?) and in this dusty, broken-down building, there's only the sound of their memories haunting them for a long moment.
He needs...to make sure Mikleo doesn't see it.
He needs to.]
[She’s never been scared of water before.
Yet she starts in the middle of the night, fearful and tears already falling down her face. It’s hard to forget. The rushing water. The figure disappearing beneath the waves. The feeling of helplessness because again, she couldn’t do anything again.
They’d left the hellhole they’d been whisked off to but she hasn’t seen Leon yet.
It’s dark outside and it’s late and it’s nonsensical but her hands fly to her CereVice without warning. She just barely has the mind to keep from calling, so instead she texts.
Her voice would break if she called anyway.]
aree yuo okay?
[She doesn’t even notice the typos before she sends the text.]
Yet she starts in the middle of the night, fearful and tears already falling down her face. It’s hard to forget. The rushing water. The figure disappearing beneath the waves. The feeling of helplessness because again, she couldn’t do anything again.
They’d left the hellhole they’d been whisked off to but she hasn’t seen Leon yet.
It’s dark outside and it’s late and it’s nonsensical but her hands fly to her CereVice without warning. She just barely has the mind to keep from calling, so instead she texts.
Her voice would break if she called anyway.]
aree yuo okay?
[She doesn’t even notice the typos before she sends the text.]
i know you probably dont want to speak with me after the ca
[ No. Assuming he was out there at all to begin with, she was fortunate to have avoided running into Leon out in the darkness. What she did run into was the irrefutable fact that nothing lasts and friends are important. No beating around the bush this time. She is all tenderness and all business.
He matters. ]
are you all right leon?
[ No. Assuming he was out there at all to begin with, she was fortunate to have avoided running into Leon out in the darkness. What she did run into was the irrefutable fact that nothing lasts and friends are important. No beating around the bush this time. She is all tenderness and all business.
He matters. ]
are you all right leon?
[He wasn't really expecting this text. But, well... it's been a difficult time, admittedly. While he's in physically better shape than he was, he's... not really all too pleased about things on the psychological side of things, and for a long moment, he wavers back and forth on even answering this.
He doesn't want to talk to people.
But on the other hand.... it's cruel to remain silent when it's a question like that.]
I am fine of course.
[Of course. Like it's a foregone conclusion.]
He doesn't want to talk to people.
But on the other hand.... it's cruel to remain silent when it's a question like that.]
I am fine of course.
[Of course. Like it's a foregone conclusion.]
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