[ what tenka gets in response is the sound of something shattering. souza is standing in the doorway to the kitchen, and there are pieces of his cup all over the floor. for several moments, he stares, mismatched eyes wide and stunned and disbelieving. .. this.. isn't possible. tenka was gone.
but then, so was thatch, and he's back, too, isn't he?
this just doesn't happen to a spirit. he's accustomed to losing those he loves-- having them returned to him is unheard of, absurd. his breath hitches, and suddenly, his eyes are wet, tenka's profile blurring in his vision. tears spill down his face, and before he realizes what's happened, his knees have gone out from under him, and he's kneeling in the middle of broken porcelain and spilled tea. ]
T-- [ he sucks in a shuddering breath, voice trembling, barely daring to be hopeful. ] Tenka-san..?
a.... of course.......
but then, so was thatch, and he's back, too, isn't he?
this just doesn't happen to a spirit. he's accustomed to losing those he loves-- having them returned to him is unheard of, absurd. his breath hitches, and suddenly, his eyes are wet, tenka's profile blurring in his vision. tears spill down his face, and before he realizes what's happened, his knees have gone out from under him, and he's kneeling in the middle of broken porcelain and spilled tea. ]
T-- [ he sucks in a shuddering breath, voice trembling, barely daring to be hopeful. ] Tenka-san..?