It's always the same... [Closed]

[faithfulflame]

Who: faithfulflame & Various CR
When IC: 3/4-On, OOC: 9/20-On, IC Backdated to after the Raid
Where: Various
What: Rei's back from the raid and functional, so she goes to find people.
Rating/Warning: Discussion of violence/death/gore, possibly strong language and nsfw description.

---

In the wake of the raid, stumbling out of the CERES Headquarters with Hirari and Toothless both injured and possibly dying there hadn't been time for Mars to think, let alone contact anyone.

She'd forced Hirari to the hospital, worry over the shadow creature and the possibility that it'd been poisonous at the forefront of her mind, and afterwards she'd staggered home with Toothless in tow and done all she could to tend to him. It hadn't been enough, but she did take some tiny bit of solace in knowing that he'd return in a few days time, and that she'd eased his passing. And that he hadn't died in that horrible place.

After that, she'd collapsed, simply passing out for a full day, too exhausted from the ordeal and her migraine to even wait up for Minako's return. When she'd finally gotten up, it'd been hard, and the blonde's aide was beyond appreciated. She'd needed time...and she took it, but bedridden as she was the only thing Rei could focus on was a single, awful thought: I wasn't good enough. I failed those people, and they paid the price.

But after she finally was able to get up and move, migraines passing, it took even more time for her to work up the courage to step out the door. Eventually though, she managed. There were people she needed to talk to, information to share, and questions she needed answered.

ooc: I'll put up individual starters for people she's contacting. But if you'd rather do a different scene OR if you want to catch her and aren't on my list, let me know on Plurk or via PM!

Comments

Illidan Stormrage

[faithfulflame]

[Contacting Illidan via the network was pointless, Rei know. He was inept with technology and blind, so instead she simply cast out her psychic senses and looked for the enormous Night Elf. It'd gotten easier as she'd gotten more used to his presence, and it didn't take her long to catch him. Maybe trolling it up under a bridge or in a park, it doesn't much matter.

Since he's blind, though, he can't see how bedraggled she looks, but that's probably for the best. However, maybe for the first time since they met, her voice is uncertain and tinged with worry.]

Illidan? We should discuss what happened. I...brought you some tea, as well. If you like that.

[Lame. But hey, give the big scary elf some tea right?]

[unpreparer]

[Illidan had remained in the park for the time after the raid, it provided him with enough quiet to muse over what had happened. However he did not know how he had suddenly been transported outside unharmed. Ignorance is bliss in this case.

He noted the familiar presence, and watched her approach from his perch in one of the taller trees in the park. He sat and listened to her offer before dropping down and walking towards her.]

It has been many, many, years since I have offered such a thing. [It had been so long it almost felt strangely foreign to fall back on such civil mannerisms, but if she would treat him as such, then he would return in kind.] I humbly accept your offer, priestess.

[The term "humbly" is to be used loosely here.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei nodded and offered him the thermos, unscrewing the top. It was the largest she could find, a fair sized one even for him, though she'd consider it a jug.]

I have no reason not to offer it. You went through the same things I did. You're a comrade in arms, in a sense.

[Different part of the building.]

I would have come sooner, but the past three days I've been largely unable to walk.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

[faithfulflame]

[Hiccup. Hiccup was one of the last people she contacted, for a number of reasons. The call comes through not as Rei Hino, but as Sailor Mars. She didn't really want to, but she couldn't not. If only to make sure Toothless was alright, and to apologize for what'd happened.

It's hard typing, but she manages, after perusing Identia for his contact information.]

Hiccup. It's Mars, from before. If you are well enough, we should speak in person. I can come wherever you would like, but it's too important to talk about over the network.

[allthreefourths]

[ --ah. checking up on people is also a thing he'd been meaning to do, but... from the looks of it, mars had beat him to it. there's no hint of hesitation, even with the thoughts in his head, mostly apologies for being reckless enough to make her experience his death. questions about the specifics of toothless... though he knew, already, that the details weren't what he wanted to hear (toothless died). ... and ultimately, whether she was okay.

this is important. ]

Hey. It's good to hear from you.

[ he won't say i'm glad you're okay. he's not sure if that's the case right now. ]

My place is open, if you're up to it.
I'll send you the address.

[ and send it he does. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei has a lot to say on the matter, and not at all interested in discussing it over the network. But she does want to talk, and she wants to apologize, and to offer him some token of...something...to make up for her failure. His death hit her the hardest, and she'd cried for hours after Toothless had passed, but she had to do this. She owed him this.]

I will be there shortly. Thank you for speaking with me.

[And perhaps ten minutes later, she arrives. She's not even bothering with subtlety or stealth, she's practically flying across the district, bounding from rooftop to rooftop until she reaches his. A quick glance in the window to confirm, and then she heads inside to the door, knocking with a lump in her throat.]

Namur

[faithfulflame]

[Much like Hiccup, Rei put this off a few days, and when she finally does send the message, it's again as Mars. Namur was a bit easier to find than Hiccup, given his rather unique physiology, and she definitely owed him as much of an apology.]

Namur, this is Mars from before. Do you have a moment to meet? There are things I need to say. And I would prefer to say them to you personally.

text

[om_nom_namur]

no problum sweethart u wanna come over?
making sushi

text

[faithfulflame]

I would not say no to that. If you're willing to share, I will bring a proper tea.

[Not addressing the sweetheart comment.]

Hirari no Abe

[faithfulflame]

[Hirari is actually the first person Mars contacts, and it's not over the network, but in person. She visits his hospital room as soon as she was well enough to get out of bed and transform. With a basket under one arm holding a thermos, she strides confidently into the room.

But anyone with sense can see the worry in her eyes as she stands at the foot of his bed, looking at him.]

I came to check on you. How is your treatment?

[snakebait]

[ Hirari isn't too fond of being bedridden, but since Mars was right about it having been poisonous he would stay until he was allowed to leave. But after that? He's right out the door.

He looks annoyed and kind of sweaty, but that's because they just gave him another treatment. He moves too much, they say. ]

It's going fine, I guess. Painful when they do stuff, but fine.

Ryuko Matoi

[faithfulflame]

[Oddly enough, Rei finds it fairly easy to contact Ryuko. Maybe it's because they're friends or something, or maybe it's because she has a general idea of how Ryuko is going to react. Either way, her CEREVice will buzz with a text from Rei, who's been missing for at least five days now.]

Ryuko-chan, can we talk in person? Privately? It's important.

[dishonorstudent]

where are you

[ Inside the classroom, Ryuko raises her hand. Perfect time to skip another lesson in CERES history. ]

Abe no Sousei

[faithfulflame]

[Sousei is another one of those people. Another one of the few that Rei actually trusts, and another that she doesn't feel the need to hide her identity from. Approaching him in person is easiest, she feels, and she'll just go to the gym and wait for him to show up for class.

Naturally, she's not here for school. She looks in rough shape, physically, like she hasn't slept well in days. But she's here to share information, so that should be worthwhile.]

Sousei-san. I'm sorry I haven't been to class in a few days. I hope it hasn't troubled you too much.

[Gaman...]

[deontology]

[That doesn't surprise him at all. He's already heard some things about the raid from Soramaru, though his death was something they skirted around quite carefully; when someone as careful and punctual as Rei misses class, it's pretty clear something is wrong.

He inspects her thoughtfully, before neatly sitting in front of her, unbothered by the fact that physical activity isn't on the itinerary for today.]

It has not, no. [He'll be honest here; it hasn't troubled him, but it has worried him.] Are you going to tell me what happened?

[To make her look so exhausted, and to make her miss class...]

Athena Cykes

[faithfulflame]

[Another message that takes time. Several days, with her hemming and hawing about how to go about it. But she does send the message. It's been longer since they'd spoken, and she'd definitely gone through the network and seen Athena's broadcast about bombs...]

You're back? We need to talk. In person, as soon as possible. I need to talk to you, badly. And it's urgent.

[psycholawgy]

[ athena, being of fire, is all cool and stuff since she can't be upset for long. this does, however, surprise her. hopefully it's not bad news... ]

I'm at work. Can you go to the hospital?

Phoenix Wright

[faithfulflame]

[Phoenix was someone Rei trusted, and he'd been good to talk to before. An adult she liked, and one who she actually felt she could count on at that, was a rare thing. She had information, and she wanted to talk to someone she felt would actually be able to understand some of the implications.

That he was also someone she found comforting to be around was incidental, and in no way factored into the decisions.]

Phoenix-san. Do you have some time after work? I would like to talk to you, about something important.

[bewrightback]

Rei? Of course. Just name the place. : )

Archer

[faithfulflame]

[And then there's this asshole. Unlike the rest, Rei knows where to find Archer, and he's probably already figured out what happened, based on a previous conversation and massage lessons for a certain blonde. But she'd rather tell him outright.

So, walking under her own power she heads over to his usual spot.]

Do you have time to talk?

[Nevermind that she looks bedraggled and bad, she's still better than he'd seen the other day.]

[swordboning]

I do. But you look like you might need some sleep, a shower, and a meal before you go doing anything strenuous.

[Though he's sure she had the last one. But he's not sure she should be walking around along but it's really none of his business.]

What do you want to talk about?

Leia Rolando

[faithfulflame]

[And after a few days of basically being unable to really accomplish a lot, Rei realizes that she probably just needs to talk to someone about all this who wasn't involved. And who better than the perky, cheerful arcade worker?]

Leia-chan, I apologize for disappearing on you for a few days. Do you have a little time to meet up?

[journaler]

[Leia's kept herself busy with reconstruction efforts and documenting their progress with the repairs. She can't ignore a text like that, though; she's definitely noticed Rei's absence, and is all too eager to hear what she has to say.

Catching up seems like a good way to take a break.]

for u? of course i do!! （‐＾▽＾‐） no need to apologize! just tell me where you are and i'll come ✩

Minako Aino

[faithfulflame]

[The morning after Toothless had finally passed, things are fitful at best. In her room, Rei had essentially sobbed herself to sleep, only to be woken up by a vicious migraine. The strain of being around those spirits, the stress of the past day and a half weighing on her, and physical exhaustion crossing too far over the threshhold. She hadn't done magical heavy lifting like that in a while, and never like she'd done with those spirits. The power there, the way she'd pulled that password out of thin air was certainly useful. But it left her with a lingering sense of something. Regret, maybe?

Either way, early in the day she stirs, eyes blinking as her bedroom door opens and feet pad in. Blearily, she looks up, half expecting a robot.]

Hello?

[idolater]

[seriously, why would there be a robot in their apartment? Rei must really be out of it.

Minako had given her space, of course. but she'd waited up with the poor dragon, as well, had heard of its master's fate. she knew there was other stuff going on that Rei was not telling her, but she didn't want to push her yet. Rei would explain everything in time.

when she heard Rei moaning in her sleep, that was when Minako had decided to go in. she stops moving so that she can announce herself first, before moving over to Rei] It's Minako.