animus_network | 002 ❀ And your World will Burn

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002 ❀ And your World will Burn

It seems I have been returned.

[Chidori's voice is quiet and impassive as usual, and she's as straight to the point as she's ever been. For a moment though, it seems as if that's all she's going to say, but then she takes a deep breath and continues.]

The world was... not as it was, when I was sent back. It is... concerning, to say the least.
If it is not too much, can anyone tell me roughly how long I was gone?

[Another pause, this one even longer, and then quieter still-]

...Minato. Are you still here?

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[ ... Silence. Just--silence, because this is so unsettling and he just didn't want to believe it.

He won't. But for now, Chidori is here. He has to go to her. ]

[ And she is greeted with the view of him staring and then rushing off-screen in a huge hurry.

Because he is busy making his way through the Libraries and to every terminal he can find, as quickly as he can, until he finds her. ]

[ He'll tear the entire tower apart if he has to, to find her.

... It takes him longer than he would have liked, until he finally finds her, but simply because the tower is so vast. ]

[ He is very out of breath and he doesn't know how long he's taken, but he just stands there, staring.

He was so worried.

What should he say, in a situation like this? Were there words TO say? He isn't sure, so instead, he merely stands, staring for the moment. ]

[She's been waiting since she saw him move, and she turns to face him, expression neutral for a moment. Then her mouth moves, lips curving in the barest intimation of a smile, and she stands, smoothing her skirts carefully.]

If you had only waited a moment... I would have told you where I was.

[ ... He is perfectly inexpressive, though there's the smallest hint of emotion there. Worry, concern. Thankfulness. He doesn't say a word. Maybe words weren't necessary here.

Not when actions could suffice. In particular, this action speaks for itself.

He merely walks up to her, and gives her a loose hug. ... She is family to him. He doesn't know what happened to her, while SEES had taken her. He doesn't know if that barren wasteland she saw was also true...

But he can only offer comfort this way. He can only hope the action speaks for itself, and it isn't until he lets go that he says anything-- ]

... I let you down. I'm sorry.

[ For what happened last time they met. For letting her slip out of his grasp, both before they came to the tower, and afterwards. ]

[She wouldn't expect anything else, though she does appreciate what he does let her see before she's suddenly hugged. It takes her a moment, when it happens, to realize he hasn't collapsed or anything. That he's hugging her and not passing out from overexerting himself like he's prone to doing. And she almost loses the opportunity to return the sentiment before he pulls away. Chidori's hug is no less careful, but it's stronger- the ruins their world had been when she'd returned, the absolute loneliness of the place... until that moment, she hadn't realized just how much it had affected her. She's almost hesitant to let him go when he finally starts to pull away, but she lets him, and her lips press tight at the apology, head shaking.

She doesn't fault him, of course- there are things greater than their control at work here. But Minato is Minato, and she knows he won't let that affect what he thinks he could or should have done. She can't say she doesn't understand though.]

No, I'm the one who's sorry. I left you alone again...

[Because she'd seen how he'd been here by himself, without the rest of their 'family'. She hadn't wanted him to wind up like that again if she could do anything--

But she had, and while she knew it wasn't her fault as much as it wasn't Minato's, she still said it, because it was true.]

Whether or not it's accurate, approximately a month and a half.

That long?

[Longer than it had seemed like she'd been in what remained of her world. But still...]

I see. Thank you.

[And then because she has manners for once and she is honestly curious for another-]

You have not found yourself injured again, have you?

[not entirely accurate figure on his part, but hey! an answer nonetheless. and the next dilemma: to tell her, or not to tell her.

...]

Even if I have, it doesn't matter.

[She'll figure it out eventually.

All of it.]

So long as you are not bleeding without regard for your surroundings once more...

Is there a problem with doin' that?

Only if you happen to bleed on someone else. Or pass out.

[A sound then, roughly the verbal equivalent of a shrug.]

Both would be unfortunate.

I wouldn't be passin' out, so no issues there. But if I did end up bleedin' on someone, they should feel honored.

[really just said that, yes]

[Chidori is completely unfazed.]

Another inclination influenced by your culture's blood color business, I assume?

A little more than just an inclination. But yes, that would be correct.

[Oh Dualscar. Really, what in the world is your damage?]

Regardless of how you feel about it, I doubt the other party would feel the same. Especially if they're human.

The humans shouldn't be in that close of proximity, 'less they have some greater purpose.

Do you wish for an apology?

Why not?

...and no. You have yet to bleed on anything of mine.

Because I'd hope to kill them, if not injure them severely.

--But if I ever do, however unthinkable the situation may be, it'd be best to prepare yourself for disappointment.

Is that so. [Statement. Not a question.] That is a shame.

[You would have made an excellent sketching subject.]

But I'll keep that in mind.

Very good.

I will, however, expect you to replace what you bleed on.

[She's just messing with him now, but I mean really, he kind of asked for it.]

[dualscar? take something lightly?? preposterous!]

It depends on what you were doin' in the first place. Perhaps I'd consider.

...meaning if it were to happen while keeping you from bleeding all over everything else?

[Always blunt, but there's an amused edge there. Are you being somewhat civil at the moment Dualscar?]

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002 ❀ And your World will Burn

[Video] also... 1/idk

[2/something who knows]

[3/4]

[4/4 and also action now I guess]

[action; Minato stop being so adorable]

[action; no he won't stop being adorable]

[action; oh well thats okay too I guess]

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