[Video]

[ahandsomedevil]

Merlin's gone.

[At least he's not breaking things this time. But if possible, he looks even worse than when Johannes left.]

I'm...I need a few days away.

[To sneak around with Yuca, yes, but also to heal broken heart do manly stuff like smash beer cans on his head instead of crying.]

Raven, can you look after Alice? Please?

Comments

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[mirroredecho]

[Welp, this isn't good.]

Want some company?

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[ahandsomedevil]

[It takes him a minute to register that, another minute to come up with an answer]

I don't know.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[mirroredecho]

Then you're getting some anyway.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[ahandsomedevil]

[He nods, a bit frantically, and sends the coordinates.]

[saintedsinner]

-=What? First Winry, then RanFan, and now Merlin? Sucks to be Edward with automail.=-

.... Dammit!

[ahandsomedevil]

[They can start a club!]

...yeah.

[saintedsinner]

Shit like this is bad enough to drive you to drink.

-=They should!=-

[ahandsomedevil]

Or worse.

[Because Horst was already a drinker.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[feel_nevermore]

Of course I will. [As if he needed to ask.]

As soon as I'm done making sure you're okay. ...Where are you?

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[ahandsomedevil]

My room.

[So at least he's not doing anything stupid like last time...he just sounds more defeated.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[feel_nevermore]

Fine. Stay there. I'm headed over.

[It would have been difficult to do worse than he did last time. But she hears than defeated tone just the same as she feels his distress, and it breaks her heart.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[ahandsomedevil]

[He's not going anywhere like this; the only plans he has, he'll have to put on a brave (or at least unaffected) face for. Not happening right now.]

[sauceytomato]

...He'll come back, Horst.

[ahandsomedevil]

[A hoarse laugh]

And then he'll leave again. Or I will.

[sauceytomato]

Or neither of you will.

[ahandsomedevil]

...And if he doesn't remember me?

[Because Horst is sure he'd love Merlin no matter what the dope was like when he returned, but....]

How is this worth it, Sasuke?

[Voice]

[showchoirstar]

[A familiar piano chord is the first thing that is heard through the PCD -- along with a quiet even breathing as whoever is behind the device plays. Soon, though, a familiar voice melts in seamlessly with the piano:]

Whenever I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me... speaking words of wisdom, let it be...and in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me... speaking words of wisdom, let it be...

[After all, Rachel isn't that fantastic with physical comfort -- or even actual words of comfort -- but singing, she can do that. And when faced with such a tragedy as so many people losing their friends, including Arthur -- well, there really is only one song that suits perfectly.

She will continue singing the song until it is over -- and as Rachel only has a piano at her disposal, that is the best the instrumental will get -- but when she finishes, she is silent.]

[Voice]

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst didn't cry when his brother left, or when nearly all his friends forgot him within a week, or when he died.

He's come close with Merlin just being suddenly gone, but he's managed not to. But this song? He's glad there's no video, but there's the faint sound of sobs if she listens.]

Rachel....

[Voice]

[showchoirstar]

[Normally, Rachel would be ecstatic, to hear someone crying while she sang. That meant she did it right. But for now, it just makes Adstringendum all the more unstable.]

-- I don't remember everything of my stay here, but I can never forget how much I care about all those I met.

He may return with no memories, but he will not forget that.

You shouldn't give up so easily.

[Voice] DAMMIT PR /choked up

[ahandsomedevil]

[He has some amazing friends, and they've certainly kept what would have been a disaster under control. But it's different to hear comfort from someone who only just got back here.]

Thank you.

[He really means that, more than she knows.]

I'm sorry that you had to come back here. But...I'm glad you're here, too.