☼ 003 [video]

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel looks a bit haunted and haggard, like he hasn't slept in a few days and maybe was recently in a fight. Which wouldn't be incorrect assumptions, for that matter. He stares at the feed a moment like he's not sure what to say, then frowns.]

According to the date on my tablet, I've only been gone a little over a day. [A bitter laugh.] My, how much can change in a day.

[A brief pause and then he puts on a private filter.]
[Private to Riku]

We should talk. [His tone is severe, but not belligerent. You got some 'splainin' to do, Riku.]

Comments

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[motioned]

[There's concern in her face, and there in her voice when she begins speaking.]

What happened? Are you alright?

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[got_it_memorized]

[He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.]

Dunno, really. I went to bed and suddenly found myself back home. But I didn't remember having been here until I came back here.

[And he stares at Ahiru a moment. Everything behind his eyes is screaming that he's absolutely 100% not all right at all, but he just glances away and smiles faintly.]

I'm fine. Glad to see you're still around.

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[motioned]

Yeah, I think that's kinda how it usually works.

[A pause. She can tell he's not fine, not really, but her experience tells her that pushing these kinds of things too much won't help. Still, just making sure he's not going to tell her whatever it is that's going on... That sounds like a good idea.]

I don't think it's been long at all since you disappeared, so it makes sense I'd still be here. But, more importantly, you know you don't have to lie if everything's not fine, right?

video; private

[limitstorm]

[ ... what? he hadn't even noticed that axel had been gone--and the way he looks, whatever he'd gone back to... wasn't good. riku turns on the feed when he gets his own private message, tensed up. ]

About what?

video; private

[got_it_memorized]

[He lifts his eyebrows and waves a hand casually.]

Your haircut, for one thing. I can definitely say that shaggy dog look you had going on when you were impersonating a member of the Organization was definitely not chic.

video; private

[limitstorm]

First of all, my haircut's not under discussion from back then. I had a reason for it.

Second of all, I was never impersonating you guys. Talk about ego with you guys.

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[musclebeast]

D --> Gone for a day? E%plain this, where have you been, what do you mean by that

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[got_it_memorized]

[Headtilt? What's this weird text? And what's with the symbols and stuff? Is his tablet broken? He taps the screen, then shrugs and types out a quick reply.]

Apparently whatever power sent me here decided to send me home for a few months. In the space of like a day and a half. Go figure.

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[musclebeast]

D --> Interesting
D --> So you e%ited this place only to be wrangled in again later
D --> Did anything happen to you during your e%cursion

[boundbyheart]

Have fun?

[She's going to tease him, of course.]

[got_it_memorized]

Oh sure~ It was a regular vacation.

I'm probably one of the few people who would honestly rather be here than back home. Now the boss can do his own stinkin' dirty work.

[boundbyheart]

I'd stay here if it had what I need. I'd like to stay as far away from that jerk as possible.

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[chittybang]

Are you okay?

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[got_it_memorized]

I still have all my limbs and most of my vital organs, so I think that qualifies as okay. [Courtesy laugh.] I, ah... guess I just had a bit of a rough reentry on my way back to Exsilium.

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[chittybang]

If you say so... What were you doing? Were you on a mission?

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[blossomgale]

What changed?

...You don't look so good.

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[got_it_memorized]

You know, now that I really examine things, not a lot's changed after all. I retract my previous statement. I'm still roommateless, best friendless, and without a proper couch to nap on; everything's peachy.

[He says this with a remarkable amount of forced cheerfulness, though the sarcasm should be cloyingly apparent. He meets the girl's eye and gives her a somewhat unamused look.]

Well, now that's not very polite. What if I'd been trying out a new hairstyle? You'd have hurt my feelings.

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[blossomgale]

...I'm sorry. I don't understand what it means for everything to be "peachy". But being best friendless and roommateless sounds really sad.

[ Sorry, she has never heard of that phrase before. As for sarcasm? Sophie doesn't know what that is. So, it flies right above her head. Though she senses the "cheerfulness" sounds off. ]

Hmm? [ It's impolite...? What is tact! She is always unintentionally rude... but honest. ] But what if it really is a bad new hairstyle? If I said you look good, then that would be lying...

[whatsupcroc]

So how long were you gone back home?

[got_it_memorized]

A... bout nine months or so, actually. Yet it's only been like a day and a half here. That's like a microwave vacation or something.

[whatsupcroc]

The time was bound to be all fishy! I mean, when we think about it, it always is anyway. We're never running at the same speed between worlds!

Weird to think that all that time went by just like that, and then you're here again, and here nothing's changed except for you.

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[givetheslip]

Quite a lot can, depending on the day.

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[got_it_memorized]

So I've noticed. Did I miss anything exciting around here?

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[scalded]

Were you gone for longer than a day?

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[got_it_memorized]

[Yikes, that's some scar, kiddo. Axel knows a burn scar when he sees one--he's got a few of his own--but he doesn't say anything about it. He nods, then sort of half-shrugs.]

Well, according to the calendar it was about a day and a half.