[Accidental Voice] / [action]

[keyofflowers]

[she sounds really sad, wistful even, when she finally does speak and her voice is coming from far away, as though the device is on the floor while she's across the room.] ...This happens a lot, doesn't it?

[And a sigh] At least he'll be safe now.

[Kairi's going to be wandering the hallways. Feel free to comment on her lack of warm clothing and

Comments

[haruhifujioka]

Haru was coming out of the library to get something to eat when she noticed Kairi walking through the halls. She looked under dressed. Too little for the blizzard that seemed to be raging all over the place right now.

"You're going to catch cold." It was a passing comment, but Haru felt she should at least say something.

[keyofflowers]

[Kairi glances up distractedly.]

I guess it is a little cold out. I wasn't really thinking about that.

[haruhifujioka]

Haru sighs and walks over to the girl.

"We should get you into something warm before you get a cold."

[keyofflowers]

[Kairi offers a sad sort of smile.]

I guess so. [She shakes her head a little, as though to clear it.] I'm sorry. It's been a while, though it's good to see you again.

[madeinoblivion]

[It doesn't take long after checking quick, and checking in with Namine, to guess what Kairi's taking about.

And suddenly he feels...really bad, about all the pretending-to-be-Riku tricks.

So he heads out to find her, eventually slipping in beside her from a stairwell, walking in silence with a careful sideways half-smile, for a few moments.

He doesn't really know what to say, about Sora. So instead he tries a deep breath, to be friendly, lighter-hearted.]

Hey Kairi...

Thanks for doing all the hot cocoa. The peppermint especially.

[keyofflowers]

[She senses his presence before she chances a glance at him. It's not the words that matter to her now, and just the thought, the sense of what he's trying to do, that means a lot to her.]

I'm glad to do things like that. And I'm really glad you liked the flavors I chose. I wasn't sure who would like what, but peppermint's one of my favorites.

[And he gets a small smile for the effort.]

[madeinoblivion]

N-

[Kairi looks so closely like Namine when she's still upset but trying that he has to bite his lip to keep from slipping and calling her by her Other-side's name accidental instinct.]

Nice of you...I didn't expect it! [And he hadn't, the other day, eyes so wide with surprise at the crisp bite in his first sip that he'd nearly choked between barking orders up and down the hedgemaze, between runs on the infamous snowmobile.]

Haven't had anything peppermint since last Christmas, and I was sickish then, so...I forgot what it tasted like a little.

[Arland grins sheepishly, then pats her sportingly on the shoulder]

Don't worry.... we'll beat Leviathan good, once the storm lifts up a little. We'll have so much more snow to make ammo with, once we dig the fort back out!

[He leans in quieter then, a gentler whisper]

...and they always come back. One of 'em, or both.

[keyofflowers]

[If he had slipped up all the way, she would have understood what Namine feels a lot of the time meeting Kairi's friends. As it is, he's lucky this time and it goes right over her head.]

I'm glad you liked it, though. I'll have to do it more often. And we have to beat Leviathan. They can't win.[She's slowly warming up to him again, letting her mind latch onto something other than Sora's disappearance. The pat on her shoulder earns him a slightly bigger, and warmer, smile.]

...Thanks, Arland. [Here, whether you expect it or not, you're going to get a quick Kairi hug.]

[no_mountains]

How do you know that?

[keyofflowers]

...I haven't heard from him in a while. This always happens when he goes quiet.

[no_mountains]

What happens?

[keyofflowers]

Well, I haven't talked to Namine yet, but usually this means Sora's gone home again.

[voice]

[geokinetic]

... Did you lose someone?

[voice]

[keyofflowers]

I think Sora's gone...

[voice]

[geokinetic]

Oh... I'm sorry. He was a really good friend of yours, wasn't he?

[voice]

[keyofflowers]

Yeah, he's one of my best friends from home. I mean, I'm glad he's home again, but I already miss him.

[jacaranda_honey]

[Nearby Patchy is nearby. She promptly hugs her from behind. She has, indeed, read the post already.]

A friend of yours... is gone again. Right, Kairi...?

[keyofflowers]

[Kairi's startled by the sudden hug, but she sighs and turns around to face Patchouli, nodding.]

Yeah, Sora's gone again. It's the third time.

[jacaranda_honey]

Try not to worry too uch, okay, Kairi? He's always come back before, and he's come back safe...

[keyofflowers]

[She nods again and offers a small smile.]

Yeah. I guess I just have to hope that wherever he is, he's safe. That's what matters.