exsilium | Video | BACKDATED to early the 11th

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Video | BACKDATED to early the 11th

[It's early Wednesday morning when a new video message turns up on the network. The nun seems to have none of her usual energy and the bags under her eyes are fairly pronounced. Flynn and Fluffy have likely put up with her pacing almost incessantly since dinner time last night, and even now she fidgets in her seat, fingers playing with an ornamental looking watch hanging at her neck.]

Has anyone seen Chrono? Short, grumpy, purple hair. He's usually with me.

... He might have been in some kind of fight, so I'll take anything. Or anyone to help me look.

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[She'd love to find him too, find him to be totally unharmed and safe, but just charging out while they have no idea what has really occurred will only waste time and get them nowhere. Still, she won't condemn Rosette's determination, just maybe her methods.]

Where will you start?

The nearby perimeter of the city first. Get a map to check off areas, and I know someone who knows hiding areas out there.

It's not much, it's probably not even likely... but it's a start.

[It's a fair start, certainly. But it still could take too much time. They'd be looking aimlessly.]

When did you see him last? Where was he?

[She slouches, a little miserably.]

Right here... It was early in the morning, and everything was fine. I went to work and everything.

[That's something but it isn't enough and the apartment, for the most part, doesn't look as though a fight occurred anywhere near it. There's a hint of urgency to her voice where it's been otherwise rather.]

Do you have any idea where he may have been fighting or where he was intending to go for the day?

I spent all last night searching the route... And I know a couple of spots we decided would be good if we had to pull a battle to it.

If you have a map I can mark them, or I can take you. [She was never one for collecting evidence, there were others in the order with an eye for that sort of thing. But for the life of her she couldn't see any signs amongst the destitution and squalor of a demon fighting something that could have overpowered him.]

[Without any hesitation,]

Take me there.

[She picks up one of her handguns and sets it into the holster at her belt. She nods, stepping past Mary to get the door.]

We'll start by the market, then.

[With a determined nod, she follows after Rosette.]

[The trip down is quick, as those things go. A light drizzle has started, almost like clockwork for this time of day.

Rosette picks a direction, heading north on a moderately well paved roadway. Natives residents look up as they pass. Most look back down or turn back to their work in disinterest, but one mutters a curse, and spits on the ground in front of him.]

He was working on a sewing project, so I don't know if he went early or not. But usually, it's down this way.

[There are alleys as they pass, yawning and dark even in the midmorning haze.]

[... A sewing project. One of his newer skills, she'll guess. Through the thought, however, she manages to nod and keep pace. She hardly looks toward any other direction except where Rosette is headed. In the corner of her eye, (or well, what most might consider to be the corner of their eye) she can see the faces of those they pass, what they're doing, their livelihoods. It dawns on her that perhaps one of them had seen Chrono recently, but to look may be too much. It's easier to focus on the task at hand than get lost in her surroundings.]

[Rosette picks the clearer paths through as the area expands into something of a square. Little crowds gather around a charismatic young man, hawking unlabelled bottles, standing, barefoot on a crate. Small stalls selling salvaged and scavenged antiques and necessities mix with rickety, well guarded tables, where food is kept under close eye.

Appraising, sharp eyes of those looking for an easy mark, the calculating looks of day merchants, and the simple tunnel vision apathy of those here to seek what they need.

Rosette herself drifts between stalls, peering down cul-de-sacs and alleys for any sign of.. well... anything. This area is far less intimidating than it was after dark, letting her feel a bit more brave about the darker corners.

In the mean time, two children playing tag nearly run Mary over. The elder of the two slaps the younger brother in the back of the head, murmurs an apology and they both run off.]

If... we find something, can you tell what happened?

[She hardly noticed the people or children at all, so focused on simply walking. It even takes her a brief moment to realize Rosette is asking her a question at all, and another moment for her mind to back peddle to grasping what was said. Unfortunately, she doesn't really have much of an answer.]

I will try.

[It would be her best, but she was already tired from trying to search the city earlier. Her limits were creeping up on her and there was always the chance she'd be useless. Too exhausted and she could lose herself. It would need to be a careful balance.]

Even a chance is better than none.

[Rosette nods firmly to herself. Conversely, it felt better for her to move and walk again, it pushed away the weariness, away all the what ifs buzzing in the back of her mind.

Still, they'd made a full circuit, from front facing stalls to the less savory and likely less strictly legal dealings tucked into the farther corners without a single trace of anything amiss.]

The training facility, next, then.... we usually give lessons out there in the mornings, but I had an early shift.

[Another nod as she follows obediently.]

The locations that were decided on as the better places to fight, how many were there?

Not many, we couldn't find more than two spots where there weren't people living nearby. Most of them are near the outskirts.

[The plan would require retreating, but without the Order here to evacuate people during operations...]

Was there time for him to reach one of those locations if he wasn't already there?

[It dawns on her that Rosette may have known how long the battle lasted just from the contract. It may have narrowed their search if Mary had considered it sooner.]

It wasn't long. A second, maybe two. [She reaches up and curls her fingers around the watch at her neck.] Not long enough to break the seal.

[She had gotten away and sat down in an empty patient room, just in case he needed to. The additional stress on the seal never came.

As they walk towards the training hall, however, if Mary is able, there is the faintest, lingering air of a familiar demon aura here, where he'd thrown up a barrier to deflect a Jedi's blast. There are no physical signs anywhere, no scuffle, no destruction, just a rapidly evaporating hint.]

[Mary senses nothing immediately except a ping in the back of her mind. But she can't make any sense of it, whether it is a welcome thing or not and allowing it anything further leaves her reluctant. Still, how many more places would they be able to look. They would eventually do exactly what Rosette would have planned before Mary had said a word, search the whole city for one person. That wouldn't do. If she could look, even if the battle never happened here, then she could at least know if he ever made it to the training rooms or if the fight occurred before then. That could be something. But this was a hit or miss, she would have to be certain beforehand.]

You're certain he would come here?

[Rosette leans against a post by the entrance, intending on resting a moment. Her gaze however, turns towards the doors and the hint of a fond smile breaks through the worried urgency she'd carried most of this excursion.]

Positive. Either before or after shopping... Once we get a routine going, it can be hard to break, you know?

After this, it's errands or doing things around the apartment. Making sure Flynn doesn't get near the kitchen, that sort of thing, until I get out of work.

... I never thought I'd like that sort of thing, but it's really nice walking home with him after a long day. He doesn't have to do it, but there he always is, like clockwork. And complaining like a child if I'm even a little late.

[There's a sympathetic smile on her face.]

I'll see if I can find him. [A pause before she begins. She's not sure if this will work or what may come thereafter. There's a part of her that knows she shouldn't be trying this at all, it's too risky. But she can't very well give up. She looks to Rosette with reassurance.] Rosette, others are missing and even more are looking. Even if I can find nothing, I'm certain that together everyone will be found.

[Unaware of any troubles it might lead to (because Chrono is a communication EXPERT), Rosette smiles, gratefully.]

I know... I've had way more help than I'd ever expected. Strangers too... it's kind of amazing.

... And thank you.

[There's a smile and nod to Rosette's words.]

Of course. I'll begin.

[She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, with her feet firmly planted on the ground. All of her mind concentrates and the images begin. Like a moving picture with missing frames that slowly wind together. For Rosette, the time having passed would only be maybe a few minutes at most. For Mary, the time spent feels much longer. An hour, two. Nearing three. All the while she remains quiet as she watches. Her focused expression twisting toward exhaustion while the few minutes pass.

In a sudden moment she lets in a short breath.]

Chrono. He- he was here. [Her face twists further and her head turns as though she were shying away from something, though the rest of her body doesn't move.] And... no, no. It was- he was fighting a transport. Another transport. They- [She struggles for only a few seconds longer before everything fades. Her stance wavers until her balance leaves her and she falls to her knees. Her face is covered in sweat and her body shakes to keep herself from fully collapsing.

Everything wants to surrender and rest, but if she did so now she isn't sure it would be her who stood back up. Through ragged breaths she tries to recollect herself.]

I- I'm sorry, Rosette. I couldn't- [She falters again and decides that talking may be best saved for later.]

[As Mary pulls free of the vision and the struggles in the wake of it, she will find her back pressed to Rosette's chest. One of her arms holds Mary tightly across the shoulder and the other hand, cool almost chill in comparison, presses gently to her forehead Not enough to constrict but just enough in case the fit were to turn violent as Joshua's had begun to. She felt guilty, almost foolish, having assumed that somehow Mary the most beloved would be free from this.

As she speaks, her words are calm but urgent. At the moment,what she saw or did not see was the least of Rosette's worries.]

It's okay. It's fine. It's okay. Just hold on.

[For a brief moment she struggles, or was her body just shaking? She can't tell anymore. This is reality right? The only thing she can be certain of is Pandemonium, sitting and waiting for her opportunity. Mary won't let her have it, if she can help it. All her remaining strength is left blocking Pandemonium away. It's a draining task that is more evident when she speaks. Her mind is clearing, but her voice is without the usual life it holds.]

I'm fine. I'm sorry. I should rest.

Video | BACKDATED to early the 11th

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