caughtinanetwork | 19

[ He'll be behind the bar when she gets there, polishing a few glasses and though Kusanagi's told him not to, he's still practicing the fine art of Tossing Around a Bottle of Liquor and Making It Look Good. ]

[ she arrives, looking around as she enters. oh, hi Ronnie. I see you there. she'll make her way over right now okok. ]

[ Perking up now, setting that bottle and two glasses down before vaulting himself over the bar. ]

Miss Kohaku! I was wondering when you'd make your way over here.

Believe I owe you a hug, don't I?

[ She looks up at him and stares at him for a few moments, before nodding quietly. ]

If you would still give me one, I'll gladly have it ...

[ Have a smile back before those arms are around her, wrapping her up in a warm tight hug. ]

Breaks a bloke's heart to a lady looking worse for the wear. Care to tell me what happened then?

[ Kohaku takes a moment as he hugs her before hugging him back just as tightly, burying her face into his chest. When she responds to him, her voice is muffled, but he's close enough that he can probably make out what she's saying. ]

It's this place.

[ She means Vatheon. ]

[ He's gonna stay still though, just keeping her in his arms because girls seem to like that. ]

I've to admit the city's a bit dicky... always a cause for complaint. Got a few things I've half a mind to burn someone's ear off for but let's start with you, sweetheart.

What's gotten you in a bit of a kerfluffle, then?

[ She stays where she is, silent for several more moments. But then she turns her face enough so that her cheek is resting on his chest, and she's able to speak a little clearer. ]

So many of the people I love have left this place recently ... I just found out that someone I considered an older brother and his family are all gone now, too.

[ And now that she's actually said it, she feels like she's going to cry again. She turns her face back into his chest, almost like she's trying to hide how emotional she is. ]

[ And with that, he hugs her just a little tighter. He feels for her. He's only gone through one loss.. two... but to think about losing more people than that and he can only imagine the pain would be even wore. ]

It's all rubbish, this city is. S'like it's making a bleeding experiment of us all. Throwing us in this city, getting us all cozy with each other then....

[ A small sigh. ]

Were they from your world?

[ Kohaku has been in this place for so long that she's seen plenty of people come and go ... many of them were people she cared about, and still did. She's never had so many leave at around the same time, though, and that's what made this so difficult for her. She listens to him as he speaks again, then shakes her head a little as he asks her that question. ]

Mitsuhide was one of the first people to help me when I arrived in Vatheon. He and I continued to be friends, and eventually, I came to see him as an older brother ...

[ She clings a little tighter to Ronnie, trembling a little bit. ]

... Mitsuhide told me once, a little of what happened in his past. Motochika was here, too ... but he told me, Motochika, he ...

[ She trails off, and is unable to continue that train of thought, but it might be easy to tell that whatever happened to Motochika wasn't good. Kohaku's worried about what might have become of all of them upon returning home. ]

[ Right in the feels, Kohaku. Right in the feels. So he hugs her a bit tighter especially when he feels her shaking. ]

S'alright now, no worries...

[ That bit gets to him too. Rin told him of what would happen to Yukio when he went home and it worries him. But he exhales, clearing the thought from him mind. ]

Whatever's happened is supposed to happen, I'd wager. M'sure they'll be okay. They're home now.

[ ... right. Keep thinking positive, keep thinking positive. Still, she's worried. Mitsuhide is her big brother, no matter how many worlds separate them. And by proxy, Motochika and Gracia are her family as well. ]

... Yeah. They are. They will be. It's okay.

[ It's obvious she's still worrying, though. ]

Yeah, there you go.

[ He's cheering up a bit too at least, pulling away to ruffle Kohaku's hair. ]

Who knows? Maybe they'll be back someday and you won't have to miss them so much.

[ Then there's the worry they'll be back and not remember her. But he's not gonna tell her that. ]

Maybe ...

[ The last time someone she knew went home and came back, they didn't remember anything. She's been afraid to become close with her again ever since. She knew she shouldn't have been so scared to try and become close with her again, but ...

Yeah, she already knows. ]

[ And there's a nudge to her cheek with two of his knuckles before he gives her one more hug and pulls away. ]

Let me get you something and we can talk a bit more, alright?

[ Small sigh though as he makes his way back behind the bar. ]

I lost my first friend here too. He did come back though...

[ She does let a smile show at the nudge, and it holds as he pulls away. She follows him, sitting herself in a seat at the bar and leaning on the bar in front of her. ]

He did? What's happened since then? Did he remember you when he returned?

[ Ah good. She's looking much better. But he slides himself back behind the bar. ]

Well... Doesn't really remember me, truth be told.

[ But there's a laugh from that. He's good. ]

M'not giving up on him though! Bit of a special lad he is.

Oh, I'm sorry ... I know how that is.

[ She's glad to see he's not giving up, though. He's a lot stronger than she is for that. ]

I'm glad you're not giving up on him. He's lucky to have someone like you.

[ Is it strength or stubbornness? No one really knows. ]

Wish he knew that from the start, miss.

[ There's the tiniest hint of a smile as he reaches for a few bottles here and there and slides over a coke with grenadine syrup and a cherry. ]

Wager it was a bit too early to bring out anything with a bit more kick. On the house, compliments of the barkeep as thanks for the kind words.

[ ~~We'll get this one drunk someday~~

She takes it and offers him a smile. ]

Thank you. I still maintain that the 'kind words' were based on truth, though.

[ She sighs a little. ]

I was pretty close with someone, and then she left the city for a while. Since she's come back, I've been a little afraid of getting to know her all over again. She didn't remember me.

[ ~~it will be wonderful and terrible at the same time.~~
He listens intently, resting his head on his hand as he settles down to watch her. ]

What'd you do then...?

[ Nail on the head again, sister from another mister. ]

[ ~~I headcanon that she's a moodswinging drunk.~~

Kohaku sighed. ]

I haven't really done anything. I've been too afraid to. I wished her hello again, welcomed her back, but from then she and I haven't really spoken at all.

[ ~~Aw babbu~~

He reaches over to ruffle her hair, smiling a bit. Yeah, he's right there with you. ]

You too, eh? When he came in, I was real happy to see him. Him...? Not so much. Hasn't been the same since.

[ Glancing off though. ]

D'you think it ever will be...?

I hope so. It would really suck to lose any more friends to this place.

[ She smiles a little at the hair ruffle. Ronnie was really a nice guy. ]

19 | text

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;

action;