[Text]

[miseris_socios]

[He has to face it. He can do it. But other people need to know. He'd looked for her... and then checked the graveyard. Sure enough...]

For anyone who cares, Nanako Dojima is gone from the tower.

... That's all.

Comments

[voice]

[floreatnoctem]

...Ken?

[Chidori has a talent for conveying a great many things in one word- and in this one there is worry for Ken, displeasure with the tower, and sadness that such a young child will have to fend for herself if she's been returned to a dead world.]

[voice][private]

[miseris_socios]

[And immediate private filter. His voice is rough and shaky as he responds.]

She'll be fine. She has to be.

[voice][private]

[floreatnoctem]

[Oh no- hearing Ken sound any kind of distraught brings out Chidori's protective instincts almost immediately.]

Are you... absolutely certain she is gone?

[voice][private]

[miseris_socios]

Her name's not there anymore, and she has a grave.

[So yes. Yes he is.]

[voice][private]

[floreatnoctem]

I see...

[Well, that's as sure as things get in this place.]

Do you want to talk or... anything?

[voice][private]

[miseris_socios]

I...

[He was going to say 'no'. But it's Chidori.]

... Yeah. Where?

[not here]

[pitiedthefool]

[... There were words he was going to say, things he wanted to tell Ken to offer some sort of encouragement, but reality always was harsh. That was something he always acknowledged and faced. Though this time, he really hoped that this was a nightmare they'd all just wake up from and start over again.

But this time...

Yu falls silent before ever lifting his finger to press a button after seeing the truth in black and white.

Nanako was gone. His family.

It cut deep, but for the longest time all he could to was sit there and stare. Outside, it was like he was staring at the screen or maybe even trying to see beyond it. Inside, however, he wanted to scream bloody murder and sob and likely rip the retrieval unit following him to shreds.

But he doesn't. He won't give them the satisfaction of seeing him break down.]

[text | private]

[pitiedthefool]

[...It takes a little while, and he doesn't trust his voice just yet, but he manages to type something.]

Are you alright, Ken?

I'm here if you need another person to talk to, but I can understand if you need your space.

[After all... she is his little cousin.]

[text | private]

[miseris_socios]

I'm sorry I couldn't protect her from them.

[It's not fair.]

[voice][private]

[floreatnoctem]

Wherever is easiest. Should I bring something to eat or drink?

[Just in case he's been too preoccupied to do either.]

[voice][private]

[miseris_socios]

... Yeah.

Um. I don't know. The graveyard, I guess.

[text | private]

[pitiedthefool]

[...not!bro... :c]

I couldn't, either. I'm sorry.

[text | private]

[miseris_socios]

She shouldn't have been here, but if she's back in a destroyed world...

[The thought hurts, okay?]

[text | private]

[pitiedthefool]

[It really does.]

...I know, but all we can do right now is make things better.

[For her sake, and for everyone else who were sent back.]

[text | private]

[miseris_socios]

I know.

... If you need anything, just let me know, okay?

[voice][private]

[floreatnoctem]

I'll be there in a little bit then. Any requests?

[text]

[notsogrimreaper]

You knew her well? I'm sorry...

It's probably better that she isn't here, though.

[text]

[miseris_socios]

Yeah.

But if she's back in her world by herself - it's going to be really lonely! And I don't want her to have to cry. Ever.

[voice][private]

[miseris_socios]

Not really.

[It doesn't really matter what he eats right now.]

[voice][private] -->action

[floreatnoctem]

...alright.

[She'll meet him on the graveyard floor with some hastily cobbled-together sandwiches (chicken, zucchini, rosemary) and some tea in a hand-sewn bag in one hand, a small bouquet of flowers in the other.]

Ken...?

[She could just search for him, of course, but she'd prefer he do things at his own pace at the moment.]

[miseris_socios]

[He looks up as she calls for him, and clears his throat.]

I'm over here.

[He looks back at Nanako's grave, sitting with his knees pulled up into his chest.]

[text | private]

[pitiedthefool]

I will, but the same goes for you too.

[text | private]

[miseris_socios]

Got it.

[text]

[notsogrimreaper]

It's okay. It's safer for her there.

But I understand that you're worried. I am too.

[But there's nothing either of them can do. They can't exactly follow her back home. They can only hope that she'll be alright.]

[text]

[miseris_socios]

There's nothing there, though...

But she deserves better than this.

[text]

[notsogrimreaper]

Sometimes the things we deserve take a while to get to us. We just have to be patient. I know Nanako will be able to wait.

[floreatnoctem]

[She makes her way over to him, settling carefully beside him and offering him the bag with the food in it, resting the flowers in her lap.]

I'm sorry your friend is gone, Ken-kun.

[miseris_socios]

Me too...

[He peeks in and takes out one of the sandwiches, picking at it a little.]

I... I really liked her. Like... a lot. A lot a lot. And it feels like someone hit me in the chest, now that she's gone...

[text]

[miseris_socios]

I'm still worried.

[text]

[notsogrimreaper]

Try not to be. Be strong. Nanako would want you to be strong.