fourteen | oo36 [ voice // action ]

[ There is a girl in the woods west of the village. She's unconscious, and wearing a New Feather dress, so it'd be easy to mistake her as part of the crop of new kids.

However, she is anything but new to this place (and new to showing up wearing things other than what she ought to be wearing gosh darnit), and when she comes to, she will sigh, quietly, under her breath. She wakes up groggy and feeling extremely tired, oddly, so she won't bother trying to go anywhere on her own just yet. It is, thankfully, not cold today. However, it is pouring rain, which is also just her luck. So she will curl up at the base of a tree, trying to get shelter from the worst of it, and reach for her (slightly soggy) journal. ]

This has got to stop happening...

( Luke | Locked 100% )

Hey. Sorry I just disappeared like that. Um... can you come pick me up? And bring a coat? Or an umbrella, or something...

[ The first voiced bit, before the filter, was sort of murmured to herself. Now she addresses the journal directly, figuring she's got at least something of a wait ahead of her. ]

Hi, guys. Can anyone tell me what I've missed? Or maybe just how long I've been gone. The draft had only been over for a day or two when I got taken, I think...

Is everyone okay?

[ Of course, Ven and Vanitas are immediately on her mind, but she doesn't say that outright. She also doesn't know about who's left... and who's arrived. She's not aware there's been a new feather cycle at all! Someone ought to get her up to speed.

a day later, in the evening, an additional filter is added to the post. ]

( Richard | Locked 100% )

Hey, um ... I ... wanted to talk to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ big brother ;; ] You're not the first person to say that... I guess they just like me. [ an uneasy joke of her own. the past two times they've taken her haven't been too bad, but the memories of some of her other, more terrible mallynaps linger. ]

Oh, there's been new feathers? I've probably missed all of them... I guess I'll have to look through the journal later. [ a beat, then she laughs. ] That's what I'm trying to do. I'm getting soaked anyway, though. [ right on the money, Ramirez. ]

[Well then they both just not find this funny at all, then. He's only had to deal with it once, but it was enough to inspire great feelings of disgust whenever he hears yet another one across the feed.]

I'm sure they would appreciate your kindness.

Who's coming to get you?

[He doesn't think you're stupid, Xion. You wouldn't be standing out there and shivering in the rain unless you were waiting for someone.]

[ it's actually the first comment that catches her more than the second. appreciate her kindness...? really? but why would-- it's not like she's anything special...

she's silent for a moment as these thoughts run through her mind, then gives her head a quick shake. ]

Luke. He's already on his way out. [ with a note of fondness. ] I'm just going to try not to drown until then. [ and that is said with actual humor. ]

[He doesn't think anything of it. New Feathers usually wind up dazed and confused and any sort of comforting stranger is usually welcome.

...And Xion is a lovely, sweet girl and he will say as much to anyone who asks. :|]

Mmm. Try to do so. I would hope he retrieves you soon.

Are you hurt? [She doesn't sound as though she is in any sort of pain, but it doesn't hurt to check.]

[ you're the best big brother ever, Ramirez. ♥ ]

Well, I'm not really sure where I am... but knowing him, he'll find me anyway. Don't worry.

No, I'm fine. Really! Just tired...

[He tries his best. ♥ Until he gets horribly, horribly traumatized off of interpersonal relationships.

But that's later on.]

You sound confident. [Normally this would be sarcastic. But Xion is of tender younger sister age, and he doesn't snap at his younger sister. So instead this is just a carefully neutral statement.

He will trust your judgment for now, Xion. As long as he doesn't turn out to be some Air Pirate or something.]

Rest, then. We can speak later.

Well, he found me before, after my last kidnapping... I know he can do it now.

[ that brings a pause, and a laugh. ] I'll rest once I get home. It's a little hard to rest in the rain! [ which is a lie, since the moment she stops talking to someone, she will absolutely fall asleep. ]

[...Well, then.]

I'll trust that he's reliable.

Do you just plan to sit in the rain, then?

Until he gets here... I just feel tired, not sick, but I'm so exhausted I'm not sure I could make it back on my own anyway. So rather than waste the energy I thought I'd wait... I'll get wet either way. [ said with gentle humor. ]

[HE DOESN'T LIKE YOU STAYING OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN. Wet. And alone. And possibly getting sick out there.

He has to fight down the urge to stomp out of the house and try to find her himself. No, no. That's just stupid and showing far more attachment than he feels like having for someone.

At least try to keep it neutral.]

Very well. I pray he finds you soon, then.

[...And he doesn't say it, but he'll hang around on the feed until then.

Just. You know. To make sure everything's okay.]

He will.

[ she makes a quiet sound, just a sleepy sort of sound. stay awake, Xion... ] How've you been, Ramirez?

[Ffff. You can sleep, you know. It won't hurt his feelings.]

I'm perfectly fine, Xion. I'm not the one out in the rain.

That doesn't really answer my question, you know... [ she laughs quietly. ] I meant in general... but I guess that works too.

[He's evasive. He won't answer anything if he can find a way to wriggle out of it.

...But Xion is harder to brush off. Curse you and your baby sibling qualities.]

I'm afraid you'll need to be more specific.

... how can I be more specific about a general question? [ :o ] I just wanted to know if you've been okay lately! [ with some amusement. oh ramirez. ]

[Because if you aren't specific, he will be completely content with giving very vague, unsatisfying, monosyllabic answers. :|a]

You didn't sound particularly pleased with my answer.

But thank you for your concern; I've been fine.

[...If you don't count that whole Valentine's Day thing. orz]

It just sounded like you were referring to right now! Which wasn't what I meant... [ yawns. she's still tired, too.

... ah, yes. The Thing Of Which We Do Not Speak. that's okay. they can leave that pile of awkward alone for now... ] But that's good to hear.

[HOW WAS HE SUPPOSED TO KNOW he's terrible at this whole "communication" thing.] I'll keep that in mind next time. [...But he hears that yawning. Goodness, woman, he hopes Luke gets there soon.]

Go to sleep, Xion. You're exhausted.

[ yawns again. ] You want me to sleep in the rain? [ with humor. but it's what'll end up happening anyway... ]

No. [He doesn't want her in the rain at all, much less sleeping in it. And especially after the Malnosso had just returned her.]

But I'm afraid there's little I can do about that situation.

oo36 [ voice // action ]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]