(closed) close your tired eyes, relax and then

[sasaeru]

WHO: Gran and Ulvida
WHERE: De Chima government houses, in front of #2
WHEN: October 1, evening.
WHAT: Ulvida has just arrived and isn't sure where to begin. Gran comes across her on the way back from school.
WARNINGS: Spoilers for season 2 of Inazuma Eleven, mainly!

[It's still early in the evening, but apparently the sun goes down earlier at this time of year in this world, too. The sky is already dark and the entire street is flooded in color-draining orange light. In that light her hair is gray; her skin, clothes, and the envelope of papers in her hands are all the same, dull color that remind her of the darkness of Aliea's base. It's cold, too; it's not just evening, but it's almost winter in this world while she's dressed for the warm spring weather back in Japan. Her thin cardigan does nothing to keep her warm and she shivers as a chilly breeze picks up, making goosebumps rise up on her skin. Still, she doesn't make any move to step inside the house behind her.

De Chima, number two. They said it was hers; she can only think that they're wrong. This isn't her house, let alone her home. She could see signs of other people living in it already and that makes her want to go inside the building even less. These weren't her people.

Her people weren't there. Although, with what she was told about the war they expected her to fight, she's not sure if she would want them here either. They'd already been through enough at Kira's hands. They'd already been put through enough at the whim of adults. If the alternative was for somebody else to be here... she shivers again, but it's not just from the cold. The thought of Keeve, Wheeze, or Nero or Quill being here alone sends a strong chill down her back. No, it's best that it's nobody else is here. She could handle this. It isn't right to wish for someone else to be stuck here with her.

For a moment, just a brief moment, she thinks of the brilliant flash of red that was always there in the corner of her eye. And she has to close her eyes then to ignore how difficult it is, in that moment, to bear with the realization that the world around her is still colorless, still drowned out by the orange light, and she's alone. Drawing her legs up to her chest, she leans forward and drops her head on her knees. She'll have to go inside eventually before she freezes up, but what she would really like now would be for this all to be some terrible dream.]

Comments

[sasaeru]

[She's sure she isn't dreaming. She would hate if she were. But the feel of Hiroto's cheek against her hand and the tickle of his hair falling over her skin, the sound of hire breath and the crinkle of his eyes when he smiles -- they're so clear to her, she's sure they must be real. She'll believe it is until she's proven wrong.]

We've got something in common, then. I'm here, now.

... Let's go inside. I've been out here long enough.

[starlinings]

[That confirmation is enough to light his face up like the sun, lighting up the area more than that streetlamp ever could. A soft laugh escapes, soaking in those words as he takes her arms, moving to pull her into a standing position.]

It's just this way.

Not too far down from where you are.

[sasaeru]

[She follows easily; the smallest tugs and the gentlest nudges from him will be enough to tell her which way to go, and she's soon standing beside him, albeit a lot closer than they had gotten used to in the past few years.]

Is that where they put you?

[starlinings]

[It's like a familiar glove, walking alongside her as they head down the sidewalk. Thankfully, De Chima 007 was on the same side of the street as hers. They didn't even have to cross the street to get to each other.]

Mm.

It almost feels like fate, you being so close.

[sasaeru]

[She keeps close to them as they walk. He's not the sort of person to radiate body heat, but it blocked the wind from one side. It's only a short walk, so she doesn't say anything about it and focuses instead on his words.]

...

[She doesn't know how to respond sincerely without revealing too much, so she sighs, then shakes her head instead.]

If you've been lazy taking care of yourself, you won't get away with it now.

[starlinings]

[Her own get a soft little chuckle out of him, one he only used when in the vicinity of his closest friends and family. One that could be likened to Gran a little bit--the more confident, positive parts of his personality.]

I've been doing my best.

[Although, given his roommates, that's not exactly a vote of confidence. Good thing Reina won't find out about that just yet.]

[sasaeru]

[His best. A sidelong glance may give away the fact that she's trying to gauge exactly what his "best" entails, but deciding that she will find out inevitably sooner or later, she simply nods and walks along besides him, opting instead to call his name one more time.]

Hiroto.

[starlinings]

Hmm?

[It's soft, but curious enough.]


Reina?

[sasaeru]

[A shoulder bumps gently into his.]

Thank you for finding me.

[starlinings]

[Her words reach his heart, green eyes trailing down to where their shoulders touch.

It's then that it hits him.


That all of this is real. And he answers in the only way he knows how to. By giving what he believes is rightful credit.]


You found me.

[sasaeru]

[His reply prompts a smile. A faint one, nearly hidden in the dimness around them.]

I'll always find you, wherever you go. I'm always looking to you. [He'd always been her Northern Star, after all.]