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[willing_sheath]

[A standard pre-recorded message starts:]

Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system. [There are a few long moments of dead silence before someone draws a breath speaks in a stiff, uncomfortable tone:] Himura Tomoe... [and another long few seconds of silence where she apparently didn't realize how to stop the recording.] is not available. At the tone, please record your message. When you have finished recording, you may hang up or press one for more options. To leave a callback number, press five.

[BEEP]



[ooc; for action spam to be counted as log activity feel free to comment to my annual log under the appropriate month]

Comments

[goldenglasses]

[Vash is waiting for her just outside of work. Smiling in a strained way as he walks up to her.] Hello, Tomoe. It's good to see you. [He's stalling. Unsure how to say: the man you loved has returned with no memories of you.]

[willing_sheath]

[She doesn't need the connection to recognize a fake smile. She moves closer, nodding in turn.]

Yes... [She tilts her head a bit, studying him.] What... what's going on...? [You're acting odd and she doesn't like it.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly.] Okita is back. He's on the network and-- and he doesn't remember being here at all. [He watches her. Expecting this news to be crushing. It was hard enough to be forgotten by a friend let alone someone that you loved.]

[willing_sheath]

She inhales sharply, hands lifting to grasp at the front of her blouse, taking a quick step forward before all of the words register in her mind beyond 'Okita is back'. Just as quickly her shoulders droop as the rest of what he has said clicks into place.

Ah... [It isn't a landslide of emotion but a slow trickle as the truth of the matter sinks in--the brief joy in having him back, followed by the sadness at realizing what his lack of memory meant.] I... I see... [she lowers her eyes, staring through him as she tries to categorize and make sense of what she's been told and what she is feeling... and is surprised to find there is an equal part pain and relief. She frowns, hugging her arms slowly.] It's... It's probably better this way...

[goldenglasses]

[Tentatively Vash steps closer to her. Reaching forward to place a hand on her shoulder.] Are you sure? It's okay if you're not okay.

[willing_sheath]

[Tomoe moves a little closer to him when he touches her shoulder, wanting the contact. Always wanting the contact...]

[She nods slowly.]

All we did was hurt each other... He doesn't... need to be burdened with me this way... [Because that is how she felt by the end. An unwanted responsibility...]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash's eyebrows dip down as he frowns deeply.] Stop it. Stop thinking of yourself in that way. You are not a burden.

[willing_sheath]

[She almost flinches as the reprimand. Almost. She lowers her head a little more, exhaling in what would be a laugh... if it weren't bitter.]

I wish it was that easy... it would solve everything if it were, I'm sure...

[She leans in, pressing her forehead to his chest, feeling her mood begin to spiral down, that snide voice in the back of her mind already beginning to hiss. She at least recognized what was happening... even if she couldn't do anything to stop it.]

[goldenglasses]

I know. I know it's easier to say then believe in yourself. [He wraps his arms tightly around her to hold her in a hug.] But I don't think you're a burden and you believe me, don't you?

[willing_sheath]

[She lets out a slow breath as he holds her, taking comfort in the contact and trying to fight back those toxic thoughts. She nods subtly where she is pressed to his chest... and then reaches out to him through their connection, impressing the sense of protection, safety and trust she has with him--and the gratitude for it... all of the things she could never hope to find the right words for... that one simple phrase couldn't encompass. She shifts to cling directly to him before answering silently.]

I do...

[goldenglasses]

Then you are not a burden. [He brings up a hand. Gently resting it on the back of her head.] And I am so sorry that this city keeps toying with your emotions like this.

[willing_sheath]

It feeds off of us... it must... [Why else would so many things happen that seemed to outright target emotional upheaval?] What do I do now...? Do I approach him? Or keep my distance?

What is the right thing to do...?

[goldenglasses]

I think it depends on what you want. Do you want him in your life again?

[willing_sheath]

I want him to be happy... I want him to be safe... [She holds a little tighter to him]

The less he knows of us... the better...

[goldenglasses]

Then I don't think you have to tell him everything. It will be hard not to let him know that you two have met before, but I think you don't need to tell him just how close.

[willing_sheath]

[She nods and then pulls back slightly.]

What [she pauses to clear her throat] What did he say...? Does he look alright...? [She doesn't move to get her phone, not just yet. She isn't sure that she's ready yet.]

[goldenglasses]

He hasn't really said much of anything, but he looks alright.

[willing_sheath]

[She nods again]

Good... good...

[goldenglasses]

Some people have started to tell him how he's been here before. So he might not be too surprised if you say the same to him.

[willing_sheath]

[She nods slowly before drawing her arms around herself again.]

Right...

...

I suppose... the first thing to do... is look at the post...

[goldenglasses]

Would you like company to do that? Or some time alone?

[willing_sheath]

[She considers it for a long few moments.]

Alone I think... at least for now...

[She needed to process, and even if she couldn't really hide from Vash behind her mask anymore she would still try. Best to do it on her own.]

[goldenglasses]

Alright, I won't be too far away if you change your mind.

[willing_sheath]

[She nods.]

Thank you... for everything...

[And she'll head out from there... heading straight for North Park]