ellipsanet | 003: A Long Sleep (Text; un: ushiromiya

[Eva had been told that to everyone else, only five days had passed since her death... for her, it had been much, much longer. She was still wrapping her head around that. Some hours had been spent looking through old messages on her phone to remind herself of the broad strokes of what had happened here- and winced at her younger self's theories about her future- but she was sure she had missed something.

For now, she just wanted to get the message out quickly.]

Good evening, Ellipsa.

So, I died in that other dimension, and my flower finally brought me back here earlier today. But I'm sure you figured that out already given I'm making this message, right? I can't remember if I ever did make that offer about bringing people back to my world who didn't want to go home, but whatever I said back then, I wouldn't advise taking me up on it. You'd be cursed by association.

[It was an offer she had considered making- and never gotten around to it- but the idea had been firm enough in her mind that she was uncertain if she had or not. Either way, given the state of affairs in her own world, she figured she'd get that one out the way now.

But rather than elaborating, she just attaches the address of a fancy bar in central Nightwake.]

If you want to ask me questions about that or what happened to me, fine, but before I deal with any of it I'm going to need a strong drink. I'll be at the Shining Karaoke bar until closing. Feel free to come by. Ushiromiya Eva

[A pause, before she added a short remark at the end. There was someone who had tried to save her, before it all ended...and she, too, had perished with her. One person- maybe two? Her last memories were foggy enough as it was that even if time had warped and she'd died twice, she couldn't say for sure. But she wanted to thank her, regardless.]

The people I spoke to before I died in there. I'd like to talk about what happened if you can spare the time. You know who you are.

[And well, then she's going to sit at the bar and wait to see if anyone will come by. What a mess...]

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You'd better.

...But yeah, guess we should finish these drinks and head home...the cats'll get worried about me if I'm back too late, right?

I'm sure they will.

[Honestly, he bets they only care about whether they'll get fed on time - cats are like that, aren't they? -, but if it makes her more inclined to go home, he'll nod his head to it! Once their glasses are empty, he helps her up and immediately offers an arm to steady her. She probably needs it! Before heading out with her, he gives the bartender a grateful nod. He'll be back and give the man enough of a tip to cover tonight's expenses.]

Do you want to take a teleport node? That'll be fastest. Or do you think it'll make you sick?

[Yes, she's definitely stumbling, grabbing onto Hijikata's arm to keep herself from toppling over. She wasn't feeling too queasy, at least, but still...]

A teleport node, huh? That'll be fine. I'll cover getting your suit cleaned if I do get sick.

[...There was a faint scent hanging about his clothes. It was only now she started to notice it, as he helped her outside. Right...he was a smoker, wasn't he?

She'd always hated that smell. Always yelled at her husband to take his cigarettes outside so she didn't have to tolerate it- but now- now that scent felt safe.

She gripped onto his jacket as they walked.]

...It's been a long day, right? I don't mind if you want to light up, you know.

[Please.]

[He smiles at her offer to get his suit cleaned if she gets sick over it - even though he thinks that she meant it entirely sincerely, he felt a bit of that spunk again! And of course, she doesn't have to ask him twice to smoke. He stops to take a cigarette out and light it with his fire magic.]

Thanks for giving me permission.

[Warm and sincere as he is in saying that, if they can still rib each other like before, maybe things will be okay after all, even if it'll be a hard path for Eva to overcome her grief. He exhales smoke.]

It's just a short walk. You'll be in your cosy bed before you know it.

[He'll definitely bring her all the way to her room, who knows what wrong turns she might take in the dormitory otherwise!]

[Yes, that scent was unpleasant as it ever was, but she took comfort from it all the same. Not that Eva wanted to admit that. It was too raw, too difficult, too soon-

But she let him help her. She trusted him. And that was more than she could say for anyone back home who still lived.

If that fragile feeling was enough then...perhaps she'd be able to lean on him a little, until her heart was strong enough she could stand up on her own again.]

...living in a dormitory at my age feels a bit silly, doesn't it?

[A half mumble, as she let him help her back to her room- and no sooner had she got in the door, she wandered over to crash on the bed. Much to the confusion of her cats!]

[He just offered a vague hum and a shrug in response to her question - he'd probably feel the same as her, but on the other hand, going by the local timeline she was a young student enrolled at the Magical Manor up until a mere few days ago, so surely they'd support her in these circumstances.

When Eva immediately crashes, startling her feline friends, he sighs and follows to at least take her shoes, outerwear, and any pointy hair accessories off her if she didn't lose those on the way from the door to the bed.]

Good night, Eva-chan.

[Before he leaves, he'll make sure that the pets have food and water, and tomorrow, he'll check in on her early in the day. Whatever happened in the decades she spent back home, she needs any support she can get, and he won't fall short of doing his part.]

003: A Long Sleep (Text; un: ushiromiya_eva/Action)

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