three (video+text) ♞ ❝it's a long, long journey.❞

[curepotion]

[ the video recording is obviously accidental.

Riku's back is to the camera, though his hand is on the keyboard. it more or less looks like he's getting a good survey of the room; you can hear a subtle exhale before he turns his attention back. he notes the blinking light atop the netbook with a quiet noise, and then proceeds to speak clearly, simply: ]

Sora's gone.

[ he chuckles softly, wryly. he can't help it. ] Guess he decided to go slack off back at home.

[ his smile quickly fades, though nothing but the lower half of his face (nose and mouth) can be seen. and seconds after, the video turns off. ]

[ private text to John Watson ]

The blackouts stopped three days ago. I haven't had one since.

Comments

[allsongs]

[she smiles a small, empathetic smile, head tilted just slightly. she doesn't know the words yet, but she can glean meaning from how they're said.]

More? [if he's the sort who can speak to strangers, she's the sort who listens without judgment.]

[curepotion]

[ he hesitates. he's not really one to speak to strangers, he never has been...

but here, he's... starting to learn to. he closes his eyes and exhales, but the corner of his mouth quirks in a rueful smile. ]

He's my best friend. It's not easy to see him leave, but he shouldn't be here.

[allsongs]

[from her end, a soft, low hum of a sound. her fingers glide across the edge of her screen. it is strange to try and comfort someone not physically there, though she wishes to.]

[curepotion]

Everyone else needs him. I can take care of this place.

[ there's no air of superiority in his voice, but resigned duty. ]

[allsongs]

[for someone who looks so young, he seems to Simmaeri to carry a note of world-wearied age in his voice. she does not know the words, but is certain no simple trouble is carried through it. it is something to ponder.

her head tilts down a little to peer up at his image on the screen, eyes squinted just a little as she wonders.]

[curepotion]

[ and that brings him to pull back away from the camera, like she was in front of him. muddled surprise comes over his face and he squints right back, unsure. ]

[allsongs]

[slowly, her brow and smile crease with apology. she doesn't understand completely. not yet. soon, she's sure.

her head shakes a little.]

[curepotion]

[ so he straightens back to his regular position. ]

... no? Nevermind?

[allsongs]

[she says a couple words, but the translator doesn't even bother. it's not even close to Earth-born language. it's her apology, sketched on her features, emphasized by a hand settling over her heart, head bowed forward slightly.]

[curepotion]

[ oh.

... he nods simply. ]

It's okay. You don't have to apologize.

[allsongs]

[a soft, hum of a sound in reply. her expression washes to something more hopeful, smiling a small, encouraging smile.]

[curepotion]

[ ... a headtilt. ]

I'd ask for your name, but... could you tell me?

[allsongs]

[her mouth puckers a bit as she picks apart the phrase and puts the words she knows into an order she can better decipher.

you, name, me.

it's not too hard to figure out this question. she nods, tapping her collarbone.] Simmaeri, I. My name.

[curepotion]

Sim--Simmah...

[ he has a bit of trouble at first, the tips of his fingers coming to his mouth as he tries it out. ]

Sym... Simmae... Simmaeri?

[allsongs]

[smiling warmly as he works the sounds out. getting it at last, she nods.]

Yes. Good.

[curepotion]

[ a quiet, relieved exhale. ]

Thanks, Simmaeri.

[allsongs]

[her eyes crinkle a little with the smile. she breathes out a pair of notes, some kind of you're welcome, before she lifts a palm up, gesturing to the screen.]

You...?

[curepotion]

I'm... Riku. It's nice to meet you.

Weird, but nice.

[allsongs]

Riku. [the effort is made to match his tone and cadence with the name. short and simple, but not something to be handled so thoughtlessly. that's not her style.]

Yes. Good...to meet.

[curepotion]

[ there's a gentleness in his eyes when she pronounces his name, and he simply nods along with it. ]

I guess you don't talk much where you're from, huh?

[ he idly remembers telling someone that text is useful for those who cannot speak--seems like this is the case. ]

[allsongs]

[she squints a little at the question.

mm. let's be very honest:] ...Still learn, I. Much learn. [your words are new, she says, but in words the translator fails to transcribe. fantasy language bullshit, man.]

[curepotion]

[ he runs the words along in his head. she's... learning? learning how to talk? that'd be tougher than not talking at all. ]

... right. It's got to be hard to learn everything here. We take it for granted.