estoria | [open] casually returns after beating his own game

Entry tags:

[open] casually returns after beating his own game

Who: sorey

unwaverings & you!!!
When: ic 4/29
Where: ceres gardens & outside apartments
What: sorey's returned from his canon update and is already having a hard time
Rating/Warning: tales of zestiria ending spoilers will definitely be in threads

a; ceres gardens

[ It's only been three days since he disappeared from Cerealia, but to him it feels like it's been quite a bit longer (and he definitely believes it's been longer). He's caught a little off-guard by the sudden return, and he has far too much on his mind to really listen to the powerpoint a second time — he's focused on wanting to see if his friends are still here and thinking about what he's just gone through.

But before he can get too far into his thoughts, he's being dropped off back in Cerealia somewhere — namely, the body of water in the gardens. He's always liked to frequent this place since he's arrived here, just for its nature — it's a nice break from all the technology — and thanks to this, he knows there are some not-so-friendly creatures roaming the waters here. So once he quickly recognizes he's in the gardens, and more specifically in the water in the gardens, he hastily climbs out (at least they dropped him at the edge?), splashing about, and narrowly avoiding losing a limb in the process (and losing a bit of the tip of his cape instead). Then he rolls onto his back, sprawling out on the grass next to the water and panting.

An exasperated sigh. ] Phew! That was way too close! I could've seriously died there!

[ Aaahhh ... What a way to come back here. How welcoming. At least it's keeping his mind off things for a few moments. ]

b; outside the apartments

[ After his incident with the water, it doesn't take him long to realize there's some lingering negative energy here. The same negativity that made him ill before he disappeared. That's ... confusing. Had it really stuck around for that long? Was the colony okay? (Were his friends okay?)

It's giving him some illness even now, and it's making it difficult to walk, but he wants to get back to the apartments as soon as possible in order to check on everyone. So he trudges forward, still soaked from the water and clutching his chest in an attempt to stifle any pain and get himself to move faster.

So please excuse the soaked boy stumbling through the entrance to the apartments. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The water seraph has been out all night and some of the day looking for Sorey on his own. While the corruption has been dissipating, Mikleo hasn't exactly given himself much of a rest. Even if he stayed at the apartment most of the time after the sealing, he's been too stressed at his friend's disappearance to really watch his health.

Only now has he decided to return to the apartment and take a rest. He hasn't admitted defeat yet, but he knows that he needs it.

As Mikleo shuffles through the entrance of the apartment complex, he sees a very familiar person. His heart skips a beat, and before he knows it, he's running after the Shepherd.]

Sorey!

[Does Mikleo care that Sorey is soaking wet? Absolutely not. He's just going to--well, not exactly tackle him, but there'll be enough force to possibly make Sorey stumble as he hugs him. It doesn't last very long because then he releases the Shepherd to look at him with concern and relief in his face, despite how he crosses his arms and tries to school himself into a stern expression.]

You've been gone for three days. Nobody could find you or reach you through the CereVice. [He pauses for a moment to ignore the tightening in his throat, covering it up to study Sorey's face. Mikleo frowns slightly, seeing that there's a pain behind his friend's eyes that hadn't been there before. His tone is softer as he says the question he needs to ask.] What happened?

[ Well that sudden hug sure is unexpected and catches him off guard as he stumbles a little from it. At least he doesn't fall. This return to Cerealia sure is full of surprises. But he'd recognize that voice anywhere. ]

Mikleo?! You're still here! [ WHAT A RELIEF. He can't help but smile at that, hugging him back before Mikleo lets go of him. But he listens to what his friend has to say next, and adopts a slightly stocked expression on his face. ]

Wait, I've really only been gone for three days? [ That is far less than he thought. But ... that's a good thing, right? He ... thinks. At least, he hasn't left his friends here alone for long then. He has a lot to think about on the subject of leaving, and his world, and time spent in these two different places, but he'll try to keep those thoughts subdued for now. He wants to focus on Mikleo!

He understands why no one could find or reach him, though, hah ... ] Well ... I guess you couldn't find me because I wasn't even here. [ Hahaha ... ]

[This has only confirmed what Minato told him. Peculiar, but good for their world in the overall scheme of things. Hopefully.]

Of course I'm still here, and yes, you've only been gone three days.

[Mikleo has no doubt that Sorey will learn that he'd almost gone out of his mind with worry, but it's not going to be coming from him. All that matters right now is that his friend is here and seems relatively unharmed in a physical sense.]

You were back on our world, right? Someone I met here told me that might have happened to you. [He sighs softly.] Still, that's not something I'd care for a repeat on. It wasn't the most comforting thing to find you'd suddenly disappeared into thin air.

[ Sorey can easily assume Mikleo would've worried about him anyway. Sorey would've done the same if Mikleo'd disappeared for three days without warning. It's only natural.

Scratching his cheek with his finger. ] Yeah, and a lot more than just three days passed there. [ He pauses for a moment, as concern washes over his face. While he's worried about having left Mikleo behind here, the things he'd experienced in their world are sinking in more at the thought of his having returned there, and for a moment he can feel his stomach turn. He'll hide it as always, though, besides that look of concern. Which can go towards something else anyway — his sudden disappearance from here. He ... feels bad. ] ... Sorry. For worrying you.

I'm sure of that.

[One look at Sorey's face tells him that there's been a significant passage of time. Mikleo doesn't believe for a second that his sudden disappearance is the only cause of his friend's concern, either. He shakes his head at the apology.]

It's hardly your fault, Sorey. You don't need to apologize for that.

[Especially when the water seraph will always forgive him in the end. He gestures and starts walking.]

C'mon. Let's get back to the apartment, and you can tell me what's happened in our world. It looks like you've been through a lot.

[ Well, Mikleo's right about that. It isn't his fault. But he couldn't help but feel bad about it regardless. He was powerless to whatever happened.

But — ah ... He stands there for an extra moment or two after Mikleo gestures to start walking, before he starts to walk, too. ]

Hey, uh ... you think we could take a rain check on that for now? [ At least ... for a couple days. Maybe. He doesn't want to worry Mikleo, but things are still sinking in for him, and he's positive now that he has time to think about what's happened, he's going to need a little time to work through it. But he needs something not-so-worrisome to respond with, so. ] I mean, it's a lot to take in, so I just ... want to take some time to gather my thoughts so I can better explain things to you!

[ He says that all with as light a tone as he can muster. Really, most of what happened isn't so difficult to talk about. It's Gramps that's holding him back, mostly. But he wouldn't feel right telling Mikleo everything but that and keeping it an intentional secret. So he just ... needs a couple days. ]

[The seraph pauses and turns enough to look back at Sorey. For a moment, he's quiet as he studies his friend. Mikleo can't even guess what's happened, but, just like the time with Sorey's temporary blindness, he doesn't push too hard.

So, flimsy as the excuse is, he'll acquiesce to it.]

Alright. [This time, Mikleo will walk by Sorey's side, close enough for their arms to brush every now and then. A silent show of comfort and support.] I'll need to let people know that you've come back. Quite a few people volunteered to help look.

Thanks.

[ He's sure Mikleo probably caught on, but he appreciates him allowing him to have some time to think on it. He really, really needs it.

But oh dear, was Mikleo really that worried about him? That he got together a search party? — Well, Sorey's not all that surprised, in the end, but ... he does feel bad about it. He must've worried a lot more people than just Mikleo. ]

How many people did you get to look for me, Mikleo?

[Wow, Sorey!!!]

I didn't get people to look for you. All I did was ask them if they'd seen you. I was going to search by myself, but...they offered to help, so I took them up on it.

[Even he'll admit that he can't cover the whole colony by himself. Noooot that it would've stopped the seraph from trying.]

Ah, by the way, the sealing was a success. A very exhausting success, but the spiritual corruption has been going down. Hopefully, the seals will hold until we can get a better idea of what the thing that tried to get out was.

[ Ahaha ... he just laughs a little at that. Okay, Mikleo, he'll believe you there. He appreciates people trying to help him, though. He's glad to know people were willing to do that, for him and for Mikleo.

It takes him a moment to realize what Mikleo's talking about there at the end. Right, it's only been three days here. It's been so much longer for him back home, and he's been through a lot and has a lot on his mind. But he realizes what he means after a moment. ]

You mean with those ghosts, right? That's great! No wonder I don't feel as sick here. [ Still a little sick, obviously, but it's not nearly as bad as it was before. ] Glad to hear the colony's safe again. [ Mostly! ]

[Mikleo glares at him, but there's no heat in it. Now that he's not as worried about Sorey, he can appreciate how very...different his experience in the colony has been in comparison to their world. Being able to communicate and befriend so many people, to the point where they're willing to help him out in their own ways if he asks. He thinks this is a nice change.

He nods at the question.]

Safe from that, at least. All we've been able to learn so far is that thing was worse than the ghosts.

[As the pair approach the apartment, Mikleo glances up at his friend.]

I don't know about you, but I could go for some vanilla ice cream.

[He's hoping that Sorey's favorite will help soothe whatever pain he's in at least by a tiny margin. The seraph wants to help him more, but he can't until his friend tells him what the cause is.]

[ Worse than the ghosts, huh ... He'll take on a sort of thinking position as he walks, wondering about what it could even be. He ... doesn't want to find out, and he hopes that seal can hold up for a while. At least until he's feeling better again.

But he comes out of his thoughts when he hears Mikleo mention vanilla ice cream. Smiiiling. ]

You know I could too! [ And then there's a sudden pang in his chest — a little pain reminding him that whatever vanilla ice cream he eats here in Cerealia will be the last he tastes before he returns home to sleep with Maotelus. But instead of sounding upset, he ends up sounding more cheery. ] So make as much as you can and I'll eat every drop of it!

[ Except for the portion that's allotted to Mikleo, of course. ]

[Mikleo's of the same mind as Sorey with regards to whatever-it-is. He doesn't think anyone's up for a monumental battle with it. Not right now, at least.

Sorey's overly cheerful tone doesn't go unnoticed, but he doesn't comment on it. The seraph has promised to give his friend time to sort his thoughts, after all. So, instead, he goes for a small smile.]

Maybe not all at once or you'll just get sick. [Mikleo pauses to open the door for them.] But I don't see why I can't make enough for a few days while I'm at it.

[ Ah, then he'll enter the apartment. It's weird. He just experienced so much in his own world, but this place has hardly even changed. It's nice to return to, in a way. ]

If you make that much, I'm just gonna be tempted to eat more, y'know. [ And he will eat more. You know he will.

But he'll go ahead and wander around the room, marveling at how it's just how he left it, and stopping to put his hands on his hips. ]

Really has just been three days, huh.

[ That's more to himself than anything. ]

Maybe I'll put a lock on it, just to be safe.

[His tone is teasing as he enters the apartment and starts getting out what he needs to make the soft-serve ice cream. Out of the corner of his eye, Mikleo watches Sorey, still concerned. He decides to go with a light comment.]

Now you know how surreal it was for me when I learned you'd been here two months when I arrived.

Hey, don't do that! [ Pouting! He doesn't want a lock to be on it because then he can't keep taking more ...

But he can agree with Mikleo on that, and sympathize with him. All these differences in time ... it's weird as heck to deal with. ]

Yeah, I guess I can see that now. It's a strange feeling. [ Putting a hand to his head, and acting like his usual, animated self. ] Aaah, it's making my head hurt just thinking about it!

[ It's almost like he's talking with two different Mikleo's. He just saw one, in their own world. But this one is here, and he hasn't seen Sorey in three days, but Sorey hasn't been here for a long time, it feels like, and ... augh. Too complicated. Maybe he should just stop thinking about it. ]

[He pretends to think about it.]

Alright, I won't, but you have to promise not to eat all of it at once.

[Mikleo starts the prep work for the vanilla ice cream. He smiles a little as he decides to humor Sorey.]

I guess just think about it like a hiccup in time. [Although, this brings up an interesting question.] Sorey...did you remember anything about Cerealia while you were there?

Okay, okay. I promise. [ Ugh, Mikleo. Cornering him like that! No fair.

He'll try to think about it like some weird hiccup in time, though. He probably won't dwell on that aspect of this situation for too long, but it's still a little strange to think about, in all honesty. It's not something he can't move past fairly quickly, though.

But that's a good question Mikleo brings up, and one that's ... a little sad to think about.

He shakes his head. ] ... Nope. Not a thing. It's almost like being here never even happened until I came back. Even though I know it did.

[ Because he remembers everything before he left now ... just he didn't remember them when he was back home. The knowledge of this isn't going to change how he goes about making friendships and his general day-to-day life in Cerealia, though. It doesn't cheapen what he experiences with others here. Not in his mind. ]

[He does it out of love, Sorey.

Mikleo nods and makes a thoughtful hum. He'll wait to make a comment until he's done with the louder part of the ice cream making. On the plus side, this means the seraph is done and can start scooping the delicious, frozen treat into bowls!]

That makes some sense. Even if one of us told you what happened in the future while we were here, then when you go back, it won't diverge from its intended course. Unfortunately, that means forgetting everything else.

[It won't stop the water seraph from befriending the people here, either. In a way, it's no different than losing his human friends to time and continuing his life without them.]

[ Yes, good, start scooping, Mikleo ... He needs it ... It's probably not the best idea to be eating ice cream while soaking wet, but — whatever. He's not even thinking about that, honestly.

But he'll answer him. ]

Yeah, I think that's why it happens. [ Forgetting this place. And he smiles afterward, taking his usual optimistic tone. ] So we should enjoy the people we meet here while it lasts. [ No regrets! No thinking about how they'll forget them! Only living in the now and appreciating all the amazing people they can meet here, and all the things they can learn. ]

[Mikleo puts Sorey's bowl on the table, after putting in a very good amount of the treat in it for his friend's portion. His own sits on the counter, for now. He puts the rest away in the freezer.]

My thoughts exactly. It's no reason for us to not try to befriend them.

[He goes to sit down at the table and decides to try for some normal, light teasing.]

You smell like fish. What on earth did you fall into before you got here?

Right! [ Nodding!! He agrees completely.

But that last comment gets him to look shocked, and then down at his ... very wet self, and maybe sniff his sleeve a little.

He gives a sort of embarrassed laugh, though. ] I guess they thought it'd be a good idea to drop me in that water in the gardens. [ Casually staying quiet about that fish thing trying to eat him. But Mikleo may know about the dangerous creatures in that water anyway. ]

That explains a lot.

[Mikleo shakes his head, looking slightly annoyed. Of course they'd dump him in the dangerous pond out in the gardens.]

Well...at least you didn't get hurt. You'll need to take a shower, though.

[ He nods in response! But ... also ... ]

... Think it'd be okay if I ate my ice cream first?

[ This is important. He could really use this ice cream, and the whole soaking wet thing isn't completely bothering him. He'll clean up the water he drips everywhere later okay he's a good kid. ]

[Mikleo chuckles a little.]

I think you've earned it. Just don't forget, okay? Otherwise, you're sleeping on the couch or I'm not going to bed tonight.

[He's not going to sleep when Sorey is smelling like that gross pond, okay.]

[open] casually returns after beating his own game

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