fourteen | oo42 [ voice // action ] BACKDATED TO THE 20TH

Um... hi. [ She feels a little awkward, not knowing how to begin -- but she softens it with a laugh. ] It's been over a week now ... I wanted to thank everyone who's been taking care of me, and everyone who's come to see me at the clinic! It made me really happy. [ A beat ] And look, I'm even outside today!

[ She turns the journal away from her and holds it up. Anyone who cares to look will see the jewel blue sky and a few tree canopies creeping into the edge of the frame, from where they overhang the path. There is a quiet laugh as she does it -- and a murmur of "you dork," both from a male voice. Xion's own quiet response is to laugh, and return gently, "I am not!"

It's been getting better, doing things with her hands. Her whole right side is still sore, but it's come a long way from the hideous, blistered mess that it was the night of the fight. It's a little easier to use her left hand ... her wrist and her shoulder are still healing too, but they're easier to handle. Thank goodness for being ambidextrous, right?

Slowly, she lowers the journal back down, taking care so she doesn't accidentally close it. As a result, the journal catches a glimpse of [Bad username or site: cakeblocked title= @ livejournal.com] standing beside her -- probably the source of that laugh and comment. But then it's just Xion again, smiling. She seems pretty content, even despite the fact that she's still recovering. ]

... it's a really nice day out, today.

[ She looks up at the sky again, pausing briefly. And then her expression clouds, and becomes a little more serious. And just in case -- if he is back, if he would hear it -- she'll filter this. ]

( Locked FROM Vanitas | 100% )

Although... if anyone's seen Vanitas, if he's back ... [ Her eyes narrow. Not in anger, not in concern, but ... a quiet, vaguely troubled thoughtfulness. Yes, she knows ... what happened to him. ] ... I'd just like to know.

[ The other voice pipes up again. "Ready to go?" And the feed, for now, cuts off.

They'll be making their slow but steady way to the village plaza, where Xion, tired from the trek, will end up parked on a bench while Luke gets some food for them. Feel free to bother them at any point along this route -- he'll be supporting her and helping her walk with an arm around her waist. You could catch them on the way back to the clinic too, but, well, by then, Luke might be carrying Xion, and she might well be dozing in his arms. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The two are sitting close to the other's side, both eating a dish of soft, boneless chicken. Luke is happy as a clam; chicken is his favorite meal, and he's with the girl he loves, and she's recovered enough to be outside. How could he not be happy with this?

The voice makes him look up from his meal, and he takes a second to wipe his mouth clean with the napkin in his lap (not that it was messy, it's just a force of habit) before he raises his head a little to greet her.]

Hey Cheyenne!

[ Xion, for her part, is happy for most of the same reasons, though she really hasn't got any particular feeling about chicken. It's chicken! Everything tastes like chicken. But it's still good, and she's very happy to be out here, away from the clinic for the first time in what feels like forever.

She, too, pauses when Cheyenne approaches, and she takes a moment longer than Luke to clean her face and hands before smiling at the other girl. ]

Cheyenne... it's good to see you. It's been a while.

It has been, hasn't it. My apologies.

[Is that the sort of thing she should apologize for...? Sure, let's roll with it. She knows she's been antisocial lately, after all. Just a bit more than usual... but still.]

I hope I am not merely making an incorrect assumption, but are you all right? You seem unwell. [Well, her soul does, but that still counts.]

[... He looks at Xion for that one. Maybe it'd be best if she answered that one herself, instead of going ahead and possibly saying something she doesn't want him to say.]

Xion?

[ She pauses at the question, and looks down at her lap. Her smile doesn't fade -- not all the way -- but it does change. It's quieter, a little more pensive, as she thinks of how to respond. ]

No, you're right. I ... about a week ago I got hurt pretty bad. [ Really bad. ] I'm still recovering. That's all.

I see. That is most unfortunate. [She doesn't sound very sympathetic, but that's just how Cheyenne is.] I hope you will be able to make a full recovery.

[Still, a week ago, hm... she turns to Luke.] Have you been staying with her during this time?

[At least Cheyenne didn't seem to be horrified or anything, though Luke isn't surprised by her apathy. That's just the way she is.

He pulls his arm back to rest on the top of the bench, behind Xion's head, and gives her a small, supportive smile when Cheyenne spoke up again. What was this about...?]

Of course I have... Why do you ask?

[ Oh, Xion isn't fussed. In her few conversations with Cheyenne she grew used to that emotionless response. She simply takes the other girl at her word. ] Thanks, Cheyenne.

[ ... but she pauses at that question, looking beween Luke and Cheyenne ... so she catches that smile, of course, and appreciates it, but she's more curious about why Cheyenne is asking. So she simply stays quiet, waiting. ]

I stopped by your apartment a few days ago for our usual session and no one was there. I tried again a few hours later and though I could sense someone was home, that someone was not you.

I thought perhaps you had been kidnapped or sent home. I am... [A pause, thinking of the right word to use.] Relieved to hear that was not the case.

[For a moment, Luke is very quiet, his expression full of wonder. That must've been Asch she sensed. But... that just confirmed that they really did have different souls. Now that there really is evidence of it, Luke forgets to even think for a second. But once he does -

... Oh, that's right. Luke blinks before he widens his eyes, then lets his head fall back as he lets out a groan, as if he just realized he forgot something.]

Did I miss it? Dammit, I'm sorry... [He brings his head forward to look at her again.] Are you still hungry? I can feed you later tonight if you need me to.

[Later, after he and Xion are done with this.]

[ For a long, long moment, Xion only looks between them. ... then her gaze settles on Cheyenne, her expression neutral. ]

... I forgot. I think you told me once, a long time ago... you feed on souls, don't you? [ A beat. She looks at Luke again, then down at her lap. ] ... I always meant to offer.

oo42 [ voice // action ] BACKDATED TO THE 20TH

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