024 ☠ VIDEO

[virginwings]

[She's not looking directly at the screen when the device turns on, but it's easy to see the red eyes that come from tears that have passed and the messy hair of someone has looked almost everywhere, worried. Though as far as she believes, she has switched onto an audio connection so there's no one watching her pathetic state, as she tries to sound normal--]

Has anybody seen Kaito?

[Hiccuping, she shakes her head and rubs her eyes with her sleeve.]

Or is he really gone... Home.

Comments

[mortemscintilla]

[ Ordinarily, a distressed girl is hardly something he'd take note of. ]

[ But... ]

Would you, um [ He hesitates, ] Would you like me to check The Hall of The Missing?

[virginwings]

[Thinking this whole thing is still audio, she doesn't move any to look at him or anything.]

Mmm--! [Oh yeah, there is a Hall of Missing. Guess who didn't think of that, and by a changing expression on her face feels only sadder thinking about it.] Will you?

[mortemscintilla]

Of course, if you want me to.

[ Sympathetic as he sounds, he doesn't say But I'm sure Mr. Kaito is still in the City, or some such platitudinous crap. ]

[ Odds are, he's likely left. But Gazelle sounds upset enough that he doesn't add anything further. ]

[virginwings]

Yes... please.

[Sorry. Conversation isn't going to really happen right now.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Understandable. ]

[ Once he's confirmed Kaito's portrait is in the Hall, he'll send her a text. ]

[virginwings]

[She will wait for it then.]

[Unless she sees him there when she decides to go with Setsuna a minute from now.]

[As for right now, he can just enjoy the "audio" conversation stopping entirely? Oops.]

[vengefully]

The Hall of Missing should confirm that if he's gone.

[virginwings]

[She still thinks this is on audio, and so she believes he can only hear her cracky voice.]

Ah! Where...is it again?

[vengefully]

[and of course sasuke isn't really one to comment on that]

It's right across from Building 12.

[virginwings]

Building 12? ...That's the one at the top of them all. [right?]

[vengefully]

Yeah— so it's just around there.

[virginwings]

[Before replying, she sniffed and wiped her eyes.]

uh, thanks.

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[beyourarmy]

Have you checked the Hall of Missing?

I've definitely not seen him in a while, now that you mention it.

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[virginwings]

Um, no... I forgot about the Hall of Missing.

[And enjoy the momentary look of surprise she makes when she goes to wipe her eyes again and finally notices the video connection. It won't last long because she looks away soon after.]

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[beyourarmy]

[Hard not to notice she looks away, and looked upset to begin with.]

You want someone to go with you?

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[virginwings]

[She awkwardly shakes her head, while still looking away.]

Ahmm, I don't think I can. [That would mean having to accept letting go.]

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[beyourarmy]

[He can understand that, but the end result is the same, isn't it?]

I could go look for you, then, but you want to hear what I find, right?

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[virginwings]

[FFFFFFF Setsuna why do you have to be right and kind of remind her that she should always see/do things for herself.]

... No, I should go. But will you still come with me?

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[beyourarmy]

Of course I will. [Hell, he'll stay with her all day after, too.]

You want to meet outside the Hall?

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[virginwings]

Yeah. I can do that.

... Five minutes?

[And if he does that, she might just stick to him like glue for as long as she can.]

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[beyourarmy]

Five minutes. See ya there.

[He switches off the device to head out. And for one day? He'll allow her to.]

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[virginwings]

[She's off shortly after as well, but her pace isn't a hurried one. She takes a minute to fix her look and try to work up a bit of a wall so she won't cry again. As such she arrives one minute after the promised time, not sure of how to say hi.]

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[beyourarmy]

[He gives her one of his lighter smiles, the type softened with sympathy.]

Hey. [And who's counting minutes? He's certainly not. He nods towards the doors.] You ready to go in? Or want to just take a deep breath for a moment out here?

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[virginwings]

Hey. [She gives a small smile as best she can in return.]

Let's take a moment, but just for a minute.

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[beyourarmy]

[He keeps his tone and expression light.] Okay. I'll try to time you, but I'm not wearing a watch.

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[virginwings]

[She appreciates the lightness he is using, but is caught by surprise on what he says just long enough to let surprise replace sadness for a second.]

Eh. You're timing me?

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[beyourarmy]

[Very gentle smile to that as he points to his bare wrists.] How am I supposed to do that?

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[virginwings]

[Blinking, because what does a wrist have to do with time.]

Ahm, don't you have your phone...

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[beyourarmy]

[He's still not used to that.]

Oh yeah! That thing.

But not the point! I'm not really going to time you, silly.

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[virginwings]

Right, heh. We should go inside now.

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[beyourarmy]

[He nods, and manages to stay quiet for a bit, knowing this won't be easy, facing the Hall. Setsuna even gets the door for Gazelle.]

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[virginwings]

[Gazelle went quiet when he got the door for her, feeling the reality coming back to her. All small talk was over and she felt she should run away but with a breathe she smiled briefly to say thanks and walked, if not rushed, on through the doors. She slowed a little afterwards to allow Setsuna to catch up.]

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[beyourarmy]

[Normally, he might have gotten impatient and pushy, but Setsuna kept it slow, for a change, not wanting to rush her. It was best if she went on her own, and she was nearly there. It would be different if she was still outside the door.]

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[virginwings]

[But she may just need a push! Since after he catches up, she continues forward with a slow and steady pace, nervously side eyeing the pictures of all the missings.]

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[beyourarmy]

[He still waits, giving it time. If she continues so slowly he'll start to push, though.]

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[dignity_misery]

[Oh good god. Carla is not good at this nor is she particularly inclined to be helpful. AND YET.]

...you want something to eat?

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[virginwings]

[Well, this is a little awkward, considering. But Gazelle doesn't hate Carla really and it'd be rude to ignore her, when actually the offer doesn't sound like a bad one.]

...Ah, you'd do that for me?

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[dignity_misery]

Sure.

[Even if she feels nauseous just offering.]

What do you want.

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[virginwings]

um, omurice?

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[dignity_misery]

Fine.

[Carla is a big eater. She knows all the food in this town, and she will obtain it.]

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[virginwings]

[Really? Just like that? She may just have to change her opinion of Carla all over again.]

Where should I meet you?

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[dignity_misery]

The fountain. Don't be late, or I'll eat it.

[Legit threat.]