accidental video/voice [backdated a little]

[cry_reaper]

[As is often the case in these things, it begins with a animal knocking the device askew, showing a cock-eyed view of a coffee table and a woman sleeping on the sofa behind it. The table is scattered with a pack of empty cigarettes and a full ashtray and a similarly empty bottle of alcohol with a glass of melted ice nearby.

As the living room around her finally reverts back to it's fully solid and non-glass state, a Prussian Blue cat jumps onto the sofa, sniffing at her mistress lightly before snuggling in next to her. Bleary human eyes open and a hand pulls out from under the blanket to scratch the cat's ears and Mara's muffled voice is heard.]

He's coming back, that's how things work, they have to.

[There's a whine off-screen from a dog.]

That goes for you, too. Don't you worry.

[She sits up a little, realizing that everything's gone solid again. For the briefest moment, there's hope in her eyes, but she tamps it down and reaches for the device, switching it to voice, not realizing it's been broadcasting video. The screen goes dark as she addresses the network.]

Ken? Are you back, love? Are you alright? Aya? Ivy?

Comments

[hatesthefood]

[Bandit retreats back into quiet watchfulness but sure enough, a little while later, he's insistently whining again. Another cat appears from where he's been hiding at the sound and a moment later,t he dog barks and takes off for the door.

After the knob turns, a very dirty, sunburned man walks in, but there's no mistaking who it is.]

Mara?

[archivy]

I am fine, thank you for asking.

[othersdie]

Have you been trapped in the glass City the whole time, Mara?

[cry_reaper]

[She doesn't quite believe it. She knows, intellectually and from her own experience what happens when people die here, but that voice inside her head, the one that always said she would never get what she wanted, not really, has been very loud of late.

She can't stand yet, but she can mange a choked-sounding response.]

Ken?

[cry_reaper]

Where are you?

[cry_reaper]

Yes. Justin, were you... were you in the desert?

[archivy]

With Mr Leon. Are you all right?

[hatesthefood]

[Bandit's already at his feet, bouncing and yipping at him. Of course, Gent the cat wants nothing to do with such noise so he jumps up on the couch to curl up with Mara, waiting his turn.

A few moments later and Ken's by the couch, bending down to offer Mara a small smile.]

Hey. I'm home.

[When he reaches up to touch her face, his hand is warm, and not sunburned warm, either.]

[cry_reaper]

[He's alive. Even if she didn't feel the hand on her face, her Reaper senses confirmed it. Alive. She doesn't understand it, that's clear enough on her face, but she doesn't care as she leans forward to press her forehead against his.]

You're home.

[hatesthefood]

Looks like you're stuck with me for a little while longer.

[He shifts just enough to kiss her forehead.]

[cry_reaper]

I've been better, dear. Are you... are you staying with Me. Leon, now?

[archivy]

Yes. I have hired him as my bodyguard.

[ p a u s e. she's supposed to keep her distance, but she does like mara and she was kind to her. ] I hope that you will feel better.

[cry_reaper]

[She's crying a little as she gave a him a gentle swat.]

What were you thinking out there? Were you picking fights with those... those... things! Why didn't you go somewhere safe?

[cry_reaper]

Ken's back, I'll be right as rain. Is there anything you need?

[archivy]

That is good. And no, I do not. Thank you.

[hatesthefood]

[If he wasn't so stinky, he'd hug her.]

We didn't pick fights with them. Some of the things out there hunted in packs. Aya and I were cornered and we had somewhere safe, but they found us there.

[othersdie]

Yes, but not the whole time.

...Are you okay?

[cry_reaper]

Did you leave anything here, I can bring it over tomorrow if you like?

[cry_reaper]

I... I will be.

[cry_reaper]

Did Aya come back with you?

[She doesn't care about the smell, she's probably not a spring flower either, she just presses her hands against his chest, making sure he's solid, that she's not dreaming.]

[hatesthefood]

[A hand moves to cover one of hers.]

Yeah. He should be on his way to see Dawn. We would've tried to contact you two after we woke up, but neither one of us could find our comms.

[archivy]

I did not have many things to begin with, but I think there is still at least one dress left.

[cry_reaper]

You should have found someone to let us know. I was w-worried.

[She wipes the tears from her eyes and really looks at him, tying for some semblance of control.]

You look wrecked, let me go run you a bath so we can get you cleaned up.

[cry_reaper]

I'll take a look and bring it over. Send me your address?

[She'll return the dress along with a few other similar items. Possibly including something small, stuffed, and cuddly. She would have liked something like that as a child.]

[coyote_walking]

Mara? You okay?