video;

[oceantrauma]

[Unaware he's been gone over a month, Ken flips on his device, eyes wide as he gives gentle blows on his arm.]

This is a useful curse, at least.

Comments

[charring]

Ken!!

[Anyone who knew Charlie would find this display of emotion alarming. It's uncommon. Except this is Ken. Her kid. She's allowed to flip out.]

Where are you?

[oceantrauma]

Uh, I was on my way to the library. Should I have stayed in today? [He should have checked the calendar. He only checks the date and time on his device NOW.]

Charlie-san, when did it become May?

[charring]

A few weeks ago, Ken. I'm on my way to get you.

[oceantrauma]

I was gone...

I didn't even realize this time. Don't recall returning home, either.

[charring]

For a while. [Charlie only rushes out this next bit because if she doesn't, she'll never bring herself to say it. So here goes.]

Merlin and Arthur are gone, too. Rapunzel lives at our house. It's been been hectic.

[oceantrauma]

Gone....

[He goes quiet for a while. His voice is soft when he responds.]

I'm sorry. I bet that's pretty rough for you. At least Rapunzel-san isn't by herself.

[charring]

It is, yeah.

[She'll be honest with Ken. And a scant few others, if only because it's the only way she'll be honest with herself.]

Almost to the library. See you in a bit, Ken.

[mortemscintilla]

Ken-chan. You're back!

[ ... ]

Did you hurt your arm? [ y r u blowin' at eet? ]

[oceantrauma]

I wasn't aware I was gone.

No, nothing like that. But blowing on it keeps it cool. My breath is cold today.

[mortemscintilla]

Really? That must be sort of surreal.

[ Damn City time-glitches. ]

Oh! You're cursed too, huh? But at least it's a good one. Think of all the chilled drinks you could have.

[oceantrauma]

It is. Charlie-san said I was gone for a few weeks. But I don't recall leaving at all.

[He's quiet for a moment, then smiles a little.] Yes, you're right. That would help with the heat, too. [And this way he won't give his arm frostbite, too.]

Would you like some lemonade, Li-san?

[mortemscintilla]

Well, if it's any consolation, you didn't miss much. Just the City being its awful self.

[ He brightens at the offer, ] Lemonade sounds like a great idea. I've just made a batch of butter cookies and little bits of smoked salmon that'll go well with it.

[oceantrauma]

Then I'm glad it wasn't any worse than usual.

[Ken perks up to that.] If Charlie-san's okay with it, I could stop by with some, then. If you're at the cafe?

video;

[othersdie]

Welcome back.

[It may not be a terribly emotive welcome, but it's sincere.]

video;

[oceantrauma]

[That's all Ken needs.]

Thank you, Justin-san. I wasn't aware I was gone, but according to Charlie-san I've been gone for a few weeks.

Has anything big happened in the City?

video;

[othersdie]

You haven't missed anything important. The curses have been different.

It's good to have you back.

video;

[oceantrauma]

Different, how?

Th-thank you. I do miss home, but it's nice to come back to you, Charlie-san and my other friends here.

video;

[othersdie]

They've been lasting for two days, with increased severity on the second day. It could mean something.

...You'll get to go back. Eventually.

video;

[oceantrauma]

That is strange. I can't imagine that wouldn't happen without a reason. That's never happened before?

Yes, I hope so. I hope everyone gets to. At least, those that want to.

voice;

[lawbender]

I thought you might have gone home.

[ It is her usual reserved way of speaking. She sounds a little sad. Children especially do not deserve the City, she thinks. ]

voice;

[oceantrauma]

If I did, I don't recall it. It would have been a short stay. But seems like I was gone from the City for very long.

Have you been well, Lin-san?

voice;

[lawbender]

About a month, I believe. I don't know the exact date you left, I'm afraid.

I've been well enough. Korra is in the hospital.

voice;

[oceantrauma]

It's okay. I don't even know when I left.

Good to hear you're doing well. But I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm afraid I don't know Korra-san, but I hope Korra-san will be better soon.

voice;

[lawbender]

I'm surprised you don't. She seems to know everyone here. But I appreciate your concern. It was probably a good thing for you to miss the curse that resulted in that.

voice;

[oceantrauma]

I haven't met many people.... Most of the ones I knew from before have gone home.

What curse was it?