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

[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.

action?

[oceantrauma]

At least you have Rapunzel-san. And I'm back now.... [He hopes that helps, at least a little.]

Okay. [With that, he shuts off the device and heads out to wait for her in front.]

action:

[charring]

And I'm very happy you're back.

[Guess who's showing up a few minutes later, grinning and ready to hug her kid. Hope he doesn't mind.]

action:

[oceantrauma]

[As long as the hug is from someone he knows and cares about? It's perfectly fine. He hugs Charlie in return, tightly.]

I didn't mean to leave you alone for so long.

Re: action:

[charring]

Blame the City. You've nothing to apologize for. I'm just glad you're not in the same state you returned in the last time you left.

action:

[oceantrauma]

Oh, yeah.... That wasn't the best way to return.

Maybe it's best I didn't exactly go home after all. I would have been put right back in that mess.