*18* Aftermath. [Audio, fail!lock to the Silver Dragon/Hinata Inn, dated to the 6th, evening]

[mrmew_tamer]

[A few seconds of silence, then a strained voice - obviously falsely cheery]

H-hi, everyone! Sorry about not being back after...um, leaving last night. S-something sort of came up and I couldn't...leave a m-message.

I'll be staying at the- wh-what's it called? U-um, the...wizard's shop for awhile. J-just have to....to sort something out!

[Voice is

Comments

[biito_not_bito]

Shiki, yo.

If ya need any help cause you don't sound fine you got me an' Rhyme an' Neku here to help, yo.

[mrmew_tamer]

Th-thank y...you, but I-I'm fine, I promise! I'll be...back in a-...l-little while.

[biito_not_bito]

You sure? I mean... you don't gotta be alone, Shiki.

[mrmew_tamer]

[sniffs]

I'm n-not alone. Azmaria a-and some other...p-people are here.

voice

[tamerofstyle]

Shiki? Shiki, what's wrong?

voice

[mrmew_tamer]

eri... N-nothing! Nothing, I'm...f-fine.

Re: voice

[tamerofstyle]

No, don't give me that, Shiki. What are you sorry for?

Re: voice

[mrmew_tamer]

F-for not coming back yesterday.

[skulls_jr]

... Shiki?

Are you okay?

[mrmew_tamer]

Yes, I-I'm s-sorry for...for making you guys w-worry.

[skulls_jr]

Uh, I wasn't really worried before.

But I kind of am, ya know, now...

[mrmew_tamer]

But don't you live at...n-no, probably not...

[spiralofangels]

Well, this isn't a sight you see every day.

[mrmew_tamer]

[And here it is - audible gasp mixed with a sob] Th-they didn't...they didn't tell me...!

Leave Shiki alone, you big meanie!

[spiralofangels]

Relax, I come in peace.

Mmm, so what happened?

[mrmew_tamer]

Shiki's just starting to calm down, so she's not gonna talk to you!

[scarybarrellove]

Shiki...?

... Crud... something's up...

[mrmew_tamer]

I don't... who's...?

...Ashton.

I-I'm. I'm. [She's crying now.]

[scarybarrellove]

H...hey! Aw man, did I say something wrong?

Geez, I'm sorry Shiki...

[mrmew_tamer]

N-no, you- I'm the one who's- [breaks off suddenly, more sniffles]