o12 ♘ video (action welcome)

[bloodypawn]

[When Zero appears on the device upon setting it up, it might seem that he's exuding a more serious demeanor than he possibly has in the past (that is, at least to those who aren't from his world). A pale, however peculiarly bright white-grey gaze, if only due to monochrome recording, settles upon the camera, well composed. Due to a few earlier

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[trappedinresin]

[She's quiet, sitting upon the other end of the room as he makes the announcement, legs curled up to her chest. The bit about destruction of the apartment makes her look away, but silence reigning a few moments as a sense of guilt steals her words.

After a moment though she licks her lips, lightly clearing her throat.]

What can I do?

[bloodypawn]

[The feed shut off, he glances over to her. His expression shifts from the latter half of the announcement to something more calm. The air still feels heavy from the other day, creating a somber atmosphere within his apartment.

He crosses the short distance between them, a hand resting on her shoulder. It's not your fault, Yuuki.]

Is there something you'd prefer to do? [Knowing her, all he's sure of is that she'll want to contribute.]

[trappedinresin]

[Her hand lifts, fingers softly falling around the comfortable warmth, lids drifting shut for an indulgent moment, simply breathing in his scent.

She shakes her head.]

What's needed most now? If someone needs an escort or is in trouble...

[bloodypawn]

I think surveillance is the main necessity for right now. Keeping an eye on the network is a good idea as well.

[It's a bit difficult to tell what's going on beyond the general proximity of the building. So far, though, at least things seem to be all right. ]

[trappedinresin]

Mm... [A weak smile, hefting the device within her other hand, previously sitting between her knees in her lap]

I'll monitor this, then.

[bloodypawn]

[He hates to see her like this, even if he does understand her reasons. The smile she bears is easy to read, aching.]

All right.

[Nods. He slips away from her side after that, only to crouch down on his knees to better face her. A hand lifts to softly cup a cheek; his gaze is clear as it settles upon the matching pair of crimson eyes before him, though he isn't sure of what he's trying to look for, if anything.

Quietly.]

It'll be okay, Yuuki...

[trappedinresin]

[Her expression is pained but grateful, gaze dancing back and forth between the bloody red of his (worry stirring beneath the surface by the intensity of the color. Understanding as the scents within the air touch her nose, too).

She nods, after a moment, swallowing thickly. One of her own hands lifts to gently fall over the one clasping hers.]

I know. [A deep breath. It will be. Wherever her mother is right now, it has to be infinitely better than this place that she never belonged to. It's the selfishness that wishes to draw her back.] It's just hard.

[bloodypawn]

[He nods, heart aching for her, sympathetic. Although he doesn't wish to imagine it, he hopes the day he leaves this place will be before Ichiru does.

Leaning up, he presses a kiss to her forehead. ]

You were able to meet with her. She saw how you've grown... Being here gave you that kind of chance, right? It's good that she isn't in this mess that's happened here, don't you think?

[Far from the optimistic one, he only hopes it might help her to see it from a different angle.]

[trappedinresin]

[Another smile, this one placating as her brow furrows, neat. Thoughtful the contemplations are evident in her expression as she speaks.]

I wonder what she thought of me.

[Curiosity resides within her tones, though a measure of reluctance makes her words rhetorical. If it's unfavorable she's afraid to listen to the true answer.

Was she proud? Disappointed? Content? There's certainly nothing applause worthy that she's accomplished, particularly since awakening. It's a little disheartening, when she thinks about it and wonders what sort of impressions she may have left. Particularly only meeting once more within a world where selling themselves for money is the only avenue for buying freedom.]

I wonder...

[bloodypawn]

[Watches her quietly. Her curiosity leads him to contemplate what kind of reaction his own parents might have had. How would they have dealt with the consequences of that night? Would they have continued to support him, or shown him the mercy he so often longed for? Would they have tossed him aside?

It's never been easy to imagine. Five and some-odd years later, practically a lifetime ago, but still a deeply rooted wound.]

I wonder.

[There are many answers. He didn't speak much with Juri, doesn't know what the two discussed, but he knows enough of Yuuki's past to guess. She was probably grateful, relieved to hear that, in spite of the past year, at the very least, it seemed Yuuki was able to live that bright and carefree childhood.

It goes unsaid, however. Only the echoed murmur of curiosity at his lips, and the more quieted tone that slips into his voice. Somber as he contemplates how he would reply, were it Ichiru.]

Would you do it over, Yuuki? Her being here... Even if you knew she was going to leave soon, would you?

[trappedinresin]

[She falls quiet, the question weighing on her mind as she digests his words. It's something she contemplates seriously, the silence stretching for the span of what feels like minutes. After a moment she shakes her head.]

If it was somewhere else other than here, I would.

[As she says it aloud she knows she means it, though the lonely feeling it induces twists her stomach, as though vocalizing it bars her mother from ever returning.]

The selfish part of me wants to say yes. Because even if it's for a couple more minutes, it's worth it, isn't it...? If you love someone...you never stop longing to see them.

[The lesson is one she's come to learn all too well.]

But mother-- she loved father. Not once would she ever consider betraying him. Forcing her into a place that may try and defile their vows to one another, I couldn't ever wish that on her either.

[bloodypawn]

[Her reply is a respectable one, if nothing else. It makes sense, and he understands, even before she finishes speaking.

"If you love someone... you never stop longing to see them," she says. Once more, her words strike deep, resonating. They stir memories of the soiree, and the way the very blood in his veins responded to even the lightest brush of her gloved fingertips upon his arm. They brought to mind those first number of weeks that followed her departure, and just how numbing and infuriating (how agonizing) the truth could be

[trappedinresin]

[She smiles, nodding her head at his reassurance. The experience and memories she's gained of getting the chance to meet with her mother again, she'll never forget. She'll always treasure it.

Hand turning beneath his, she threads her fingers in between his own, grip tightening.]

Can I ask you something...?

[bloodypawn]

[He squeezes her hand in turn, focusing on her. Curious.]

Yeah, sure.

[trappedinresin]

[There's a bit of hesitancy. She's not sure how to venture forward with this one, or if she even should. After a brief second of hesitation however, she finally speaks.]

What were your parents like, Zero?

[bloodypawn]

[His eyes widen a bit, shifting away for the moment. It isn't what he expected, although he didn't especially anticipate anything in specific. His brows briefly crease in though. The question isn't one that he's particularly fond of, however it's nothing too new. It's easier than talking about Ichiru. He knows Yuuki has no ill intentions, though. ]

They were strong, and good at their job. We moved around semi-frequently, and they often were away from home for long shifts, even for days. ... they were good, though. They cared for and loved us, with everything they had.