23rd roar [ text ]; backdated to the morning of the 24th

[adamant]

[ Guess who saw the feed first thing upon waking and nearly flipped his shit? Yep. He flips it open to make some calls. ]

The empty base, and now this. Whatever it is they've got planned, it'll be best to stay on our guard.


[Private voicemail to: Cooper, Cooper, Sora, Ventus, Xion, Rise, Kisa, Nanako, Cecil, Yuffie:]
You're not hurt, are you? [ It's probably a good thing they can't see how worried he is. Suddenly--ping! ]

Error: user ID 'Yuffie Kisaragi' not found_

[ That's an unpleasant surprise. He checks his pokemon box--and finds Zuzu, looking forlorn. ]

[ Public text message sent out about an hour later: ]
If you knew Yuffie Kisaragi, she's been sent home.

[ He's just going to spend the rest of the day being grumpy and frustrated and torn between flying out to Goldenrod and staying on course to Blackthorn. ]

Comments

[action]

[soggypastry]

Because she had a purpose then. She had something to work towards, something that she thought made her life worth something. [She shakes her head; she has her own doubts as well, but that's just all they are. Doubts.]

But I don't think she'll go that far. Not yet. She cares about her team and her friends, and I doubt she'd leave them behind. But that doesn't mean she puts the same value on her life that the rest of us do. Not when she thinks she's worth less than us.

[action]

[adamant]

No, it's not something that would change so soon. [ She had to have been like this before training, and it breaks his heart to consider that it's probably true. He sighs, crossing his arms. ]

...I'm sorry.

[action]

[soggypastry]

That depends on the person, Leon. What's too soon for someone can be too late for another person. It's different for everyone. [She sighs now; this topic is a little to close for comfort, but---sorry? What's he sorry for?]

What are you apologizing for?

[action]

[adamant]

For... [ Being difficult about things. Being glum. Bringing up private griefs. Being a big baby. A whole variety of things. ] ...being a nuisance.

[action]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning just shakes her head. If he honestly thinks that...good grief.]

Don't worry about it. I'd tell you right away if you were being a nuisance.

[And since she hasn't, well...she's not going to. She knows he's hurting over Yuffie and worried about Xion and the others, and this is just his way of handling that. Not the best way, and there are certainly less bull-headed ways, but...well, this is Leon. Wouldn't be Leon if he wasn't like this.]

[action]

[adamant]

[ That draws a tiny huff of amusement from him. ]

I know you would. You'd probably punch me, while you were at it.

[ Will this be a recurring gag in their relationship? Yep. He turns away from her, and keeps walking up the path, quiet again. ]

[action]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning smirks the faintest amount in return at that; good to see his mood is improving.]

No "probably" about that. I'd knock you flat onto the floor

[Always a running gag with them. Always. But for now she'll just be falling into step again, tugging her scarf up around her mouth and nose to ward off the wind. Coastal girls never really fully adjust to the chill of snow.]

[action]

[adamant]

[ As the silence stretches, and he still hasn't reached for her hand, it becomes pretty clear his mood is far from picked up. Every time he loses someone, it feels like it hurts more, and serves only to jar him, make him question his choices--especially her. She could vanish tomorrow. And then where would he be? ]

[action]

[soggypastry]

[It's clear as day that his mood isn't picking up, but Lightning wouldn't have been surprised if it had after everything else around them. If she knew which direction his thoughts were turning she'd punch him again, but instead she only breaks their unspoken border and reaches out, taking his hand to offer what comfort she can in the silence.

If he asks why, she'll just say her fingers are starting to get cold. It wouldn't be a total lie, either.]

[action]

[adamant]

[ It takes him a bit by surprise, to see her initiating physical contact like this, but he isn't about to turn it down. He squeezes her fingers gently, tucking their joined hands into his pocket--for warmth, of course. Lucky runs ahead, leaving big paw prints in the snow. ]

[action]

[soggypastry]

[Leon's squeeze of her fingers earns him a soft smile, even as Lightning turns her gaze back towards the running Arcanine. For a few minutes, she just watches Lucky bound about in peace and quiet, then glances at her human companion. There is something that still needs to be said.]

You know...if you want to check on the others in person, we could probably make it to Goldenrod by morning if we get back to town by dark. The train might be running again by the time we get there.

[action]

[adamant]

[ He shakes his head a bit. ]

They can handle themselves. We've still got to head out to Blackthorn. [ A beat. ] Unless you'd rather change our plans. Did you want to challenge Pryce, while we're still in town?

[action]

[soggypastry]

[Lightning doesn't seem entirely convinced about them being able to handle themselves, but she doesn't press the issue and instead shakes her head.]

Not this time. I'll come back around and handle him another day. [Her "Maybe when the weather's warmer." remains unspoken; more ice in this chill just doesn't seem appealing. Especially since Odin would slip and slide and Sen is...not the most graceful Lucario around.]

[action]

[adamant]

[ He's not entirely convinced of it, himself. Still, most of them (who aren't Xion) don't need the help. ]

If that's what you want. [ He knows she isn't fond of the cold. He can't say it's his favorite season, either, but he can appreciate its beauty, especially when they arrive at the lake--it's glittering. He turns to her. ] Not bad, huh?

[action]

[soggypastry]

[To be fair, most of Light's concern is her big-sister instincts flaring up again. They are pretty good at handling themselves...when trains aren't getting hijacked, anyway.]

It's something, that's for sure. You don't see this kind of thing often anymore...not even here.

[Something actually quite beautiful. She's more of a sunsets-on-the-beach kind of girl, but even she can admit it's a pretty sight.]

[action]

[adamant]

[ He tugs her closer, until they're shoulder-to-shoulder. He wishes he could put how grateful he is into words, but anything he comes up with just feels insincere. No one else would put up with him as much as she does. He tilts his head down a bit, kissing her temple for a second before pulling away. ]

[action]

[soggypastry]

[His sudden tug catches her a little off-guard, but she's against his side before her feet can slip out from under her and all she does is smile softly. He's not good with words and she knows that, but his gestures still get his meaning across. She stays put when he pulls back, just enjoying the view and peace for what they are for the moment. Who knows how long either is going to last?]