[010] [action/audio] covering a shift

[complexing]

[This isn't the first time Touya's woken up to an empty side of the bed, but it is the first time he's gone to bed alone. In a house with only him in it.]

[He comes out of the bedroom and casts cursory glances around the living room and kitchen. No sign of either of them. Twenty minutes with a bowl of cereal and his journal tell him there's no word on the network either. His shoulders come down, and he stares at the journal and his empty bowl. After a minute, he reaches over and starts a recording.]

[Audio]

After being kidnapped, where in Luceti have people been returned to? If I was looking for someone who had come back, where would I look?

Comments

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

To be honest, they could arrive anywhere. I've awakened from kidnapping near the river or lake, and had friends arrive at the plaza or in the middle of the forest....

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

...yeah, I thought so. [That doesn't stop him from sounding disappointed, though.]

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She understands, and her voice softens a touch.]

Who are you seeking? If nothing else, at least others can keep an eye out for the person.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

Tsukishiro Yukito and Yue. They didn't come home after work two days ago. [It makes him sick to think about it, honestly. But she's right: more people can be on the lookout if he makes the effort despite how much he doesn't want to think about the details.]

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

I imagine it will be a while, then...but still, I'll keep them in mind. If I find them, I'll pass on the news.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

[A while... Touya definitely isn't looking forward to waiting a while. The house is already eerily quiet, not to mention Yuki is the love of his life and he's getting there with Yue.]

...the Malnosso haven't killed anyone before, have they? On purpose or accidentally?

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

...not that I know of, no. That might defeat their purpose of using us as lab rats. However, they don't seem to mind returning us in bad shape.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

Most of the time 'bad shape' can be fixed... [This conversation is starting to drive him crazy.] Dead is a little irreversible.

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Not here, it isn't. But regardless, I doubt that will happen. It isn't their style. Those kidnapped are likely to need you when they return, but even that will wear off in time.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

I can be there--I just want to be there physically when they do come back. So they don't have to... be afraid longer than necessary.

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

I understand. I'm the same way, with housemates and other close to me.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

...if they could see me now they'd probably think I was making this a bigger deal than it is. They're my only housemates, though. And the people closest to me.

[In a way, it feels the same as when he was little and his mother was sick. He just didn't know or understand what was going on.]

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

I don't think you are. Regardless of whether it's the first time or not, it's always nerve-wracking when people get kidnapped. You just don't know what will happen until they return.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

And you don't know what's happened to them until they return. He was really disoriented the first time. I don't know what they would want to do next...

[Voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Well, recently one of my housemates returned unharmed...although a child for a short time. It was strange, but better than the alternative.

[Voice]

[guardiancomplex.livejournal.com]

Better than a lot of alternatives.

[...Yuki would have been an adorable kid. That would probably be the only acceptable outcome, Touya thinks.]