corrinesbell | 141. Evening

[The first day Sayo didn’t show up for work, Sheena was only a little worried. She’d been having more memory problems lately, and chances were good she had forgotten again, or thought she was supposed to stay at the restaurant.

It was a little more worrying on the second day. She met no rampaging half-elves in the street, though, so it was probably nothing.

But now? It's been days, and now that they're free of the chaos of a draft and a weird holiday, she’s decided to figure out what the heck is going on here. Her filtered attempt at a message to Sayo breaks. That’s…about the end of it, then, isn’t it?

She’ll sneak into the house to check. It doesn’t feel right to just walk on in. When she makes the announcement she’s back in the tea shop.]

Look, uh…I know things are kinda rough right now, but someone’s gotta… [It’s impossible to soften this kind of thing, huh?] Sayo’s gone. I’m pretty sure. She had a bunch of notes about people that she wrote down, so if you want them…I’ve got them.

[There's a pause.]

So. Five years. ...Kinda not how I wanted this day to turn out. Sorry, Sayo.

[[ooc: And if you still want a note from Sayo, Ashlee directs you to still comment on the OOC drop notice! NOW WITH IMPROVED TIMING.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fine. [Let him think for a moment. The obvious, normal choice would be the plaza, but he almost shudders at the thought of how crowded it might be.] The southern-most bridge in the village.

Fine. [Unless he plans to lay a trap there. But it's public enough.]

Don't attack me. [She wanted to threaten him, promise to tear up the letter or withhold it if he tried. But that wouldn't be what Sayo wanted.]

Do not give me reason to.

[He'll shut the journal without waiting for any sort of reply. Wrapping himself in a warm jacket, he heads out to wait by the bridge. He tries for inconspicuous - tries to hide how anxious he is to have the note in his hands - but he can't stop staring up the road, willing the summoner to appear.]

[Yeah right, she thinks. Her existence counts as a reason for him.

Sheena approaches the bridge a short while later, arms folded against the chill. She's walking pretty slowly.]

[He makes no sign of acknowledgement or recognition when she comes into sight - he just keeps his eyes trained on her. When she's finally close enough, he'll speak.] I want my note.

I want your word that you'll just take it and go.

I have no desire to waste my time here. [Despite Kaori's knife hidden beneath his coat, he has no intention of attacking her as long as she gives what belongs to him.]

[Well. In that case.

She holds out a thin envelope.]

[His hand is quick to reach for the envelope, but he takes it carefully as if afraid it might crumble to dust and be gone forever. He stares down at it a moment before pushing it open. He won't read the note now - he won't be able to without falling apart - but he wants to confirm its authenticity.

He sees his name at the top, and the handwriting is achingly familiar. It's hers. Carefully, he tucks the paper back into the envelope.]

[He should be happy that she honored Sayo's wishes and didn't burn the thing.]

Look. She thought you were worth it. Don't ruin it by doing something stupid or crazy.

[He looks back to her with a carefully constructed glare as he slips the note into his coat pocket.] Don't tell me what to do.

I'm telling you what not to do. Sayo got the idea there was good in you somehow and you don't wanna screw that up.

I never needed to prove anything to her.

141. Evening

written - private

written - private

written - private > action

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