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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[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.

Rest then, I'll get us home. [Rosette's hold on her shoulders loosens and drops away, but the hand at her forehead remains, standing sentinel against another sharp spike in fever.]

... Sorry... I didn't know.

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

I never- I didn't tell you. It's not... always this. [But there was no time to explain, no time to worry about her, although now that seemed to be the case regardless.

There was more she wanted to say and explain. Something along the lines of another apology and an urgent plea to try and keep her awake. But her eyelids felt too heavy and suddenly she was simply too weak to even manage to stand. What eyesight she had managed to clear began to blur again and then she was out.]

[When Mary awakens, it's looking up at the unfamiliar ceiling of apartment 304. Settled as comfortably as one may on the couch, she is surrounded by blankets and a cool cloth on her forehead. The aroma of tea has filled the room.

The stout young native man she'd found to carry Mary was more than willing to do a gentle and careful job for the amount of coin Rosette promised and paid, so Mary will find herself unbumped and unbruised.]

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Video | BACKDATED to early the 11th

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