estoria | [Open] I find myself tryna stay by the phone...

Entry tags:

[Open] I find myself tryna stay by the phone...

Who:

faithfulflame & You
When: 6/19-6/23 (Including Robot Event)
Where: Rei's Apartment, TEXT, and various places around Cerealia
What: Minako Aino vanishes and Rei Hino copes.
Rating/Warning: PG 13, for language/mentions of violence and blood

6/19: Introspection/Action Closed to Usagi Tsukino

[It'd been some time since Rei had woken up alone, not since before her birthday. Minako had been a steady, warm presence by her side as they'd slept these past months, right up until the previous night. Opening up had come more naturally, as she'd expected it might, with as comfortable as she'd become with the affairs of the heart. It still confused her a tad, but that seemed the sort of thing that was also natural. She loved her partner, loved everything about her, despite how the blonde vexed her so at times. That was just them, and she was so, so grateful for that soft, radiant presence beside her.

A presence that was, as of this morning, gone. At first when Rei woke up, untangling herself from the sheets she figured Minako had just gotten up early but that didn't track. Today was her day off, she'd said she was going to sleep in and if there was one thing Rei could be assured of it was that when it came to sleep Minako was not going to miss a wink. Rising quickly, she cast out her senses, feeling for the bond they shared.

And came up empty.

With a choked cry, she hopped up and looked around desperately for her CEREVice, or any sign that Minako Aino was still there. And again, she came up with nothing. Grabbing her own device, she ripped it open and searched contacts and a certain app, the bottom dropping out of her stomach. She had departed. The CEREVice tumbled to the floor with a clatter as Rei dropped to her knees, heart hammering in her chest as she clutched the fabric of her clothing.

She was gone. Just...just like that, the person she'd finally begun to really and truly let herself be totally open with was gone. Thoughts grew in her head like a wildfire, her entire body shaking as emotions welled up. She closed her eyes, slamming a fist down onto the carpet, a white-hot flash of anger shredding every single ounce of calm she had. Tears fell as she staggered to her feet, shambling over towards a nightstand and coming perilously close to pitching forward into the mirror in her distress. Her whole body creaked and wobbled while she mopped at her face with a handkerchief, the shock of seeing her face enough to trigger a reflexive attempt at maintaining her appearance.

Trembling, unsure of how to even process anything else, she heads out of the room and into the living area. Moments later, unsure of how she even got there, she wilted onto the couch with a mug of tea and sat there, quietly waiting for whoever might wander in. She had to break the news, she absolutely had to, but how to even begin. First Ami...and now...now Minako. Gone, when it'd been just hours before that she'd just fallen asleep next to Rei. Not even a full day ago they were planning to go out, Rei relenting and agreeing to go to a karaoke bar. And now?

Now, she was sitting on the couch in stunned silence. Completely and utterly unable to even sip at her tea.]

6/19: Text Network Post/Open Action

[The CEREVice broadcast is brief, and anyone who knows her will forgive that, she hopes.]

Minako Aino has returned to the Nexus Code. I will be unavailable to meet my social obligations for the next twenty four hours. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you need me for something desperately, I will be at home.

[After that, the message ends. Rei will NOT be answering her CEREVice at all, but visitors are welcome.]

6/21-6/23, Action around Cerealia

[After that 24 hours was over, Rei was again visible within the colony. She avoided any of Minako's haunts, places that might remind her of her partner, and instead stuck to places that were more her space. The trouble was that she had an abomination of a robot following her around, and while Rei bore this indignantly silently, she was clearly put out by the machine. A frown, an uncomfortably straight back, and occasional furious glances at the CERES Headquarters were telling pointers to her discomfort.

Each and every day Rei began with a trip to the gym for a strenuous workout, specifically the sections dedicated to kendo and martial arts. Her wooden shinai slapped against a practice dummy, or her robot's clumsily attempted blocks as she forced a spar. There was little pity in her voice the machine, devoid of a soul as it was, and if it was going to be “familiarizing” itself with her then it should get used to this side of her. The martial arts section of the gym would similarly be filled by the sounds of fists slapping against a punching bag, or the indignant squawks of a robotic Rei hitting the mat hard.

Once noon arrived, and Rei'd worn her knuckles almost to the point of bloodying them, she departed and made straight for the park to meditate. Disturb her at your own risk as she sits out beneath one of the safer trees under Phobos and Deimos's watchful gaze.

And after somewhere between three and six hours of meditation, Rei simply disappeared from the city. But friends that know where to look...or just people who frequently look up or hang out on rooftops. She and her servantbot both are darting from rooftop to rooftop in a head to head parkour style race. Long legs carry her easily, a path she'd run a thousand times. Calling out to her is the best bet, though stepping in her way will get her to stop as well and earn an annoyed glare. Yes, she's pushing herself, and yes she's doing something dangerous, but focus. Getting her mind off of it. That's what's got to happen, and she knows it.]

Wildcard

[As always, wildcard me bro!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's a small release of air from his lungs as he relaxes his shoulders upon hearing her answer and he shifts to settle beside her. He keeps the backpack between his feet, staring at it for a moment before hesitantly tilting a little sideways to lean into her. He wants to hug her, but he isn't sure she wants to be touched at the moment. So instead, he does the next best thing and continues to stare ahead of them.]

...I brought tea. It's the package kind but it's still warm. It's peppermint though, I don't know if you'd like it. [There's a short pause.] You figure out how to disable the notifications on your CereVice yet?

[When he leans against her, she leans back, honestly grateful for the contact. She will not say no, of course, to a hug. They're something she's gotten accustomed to, and something that helps, in a way. She won't ask, but if he does, she will be grateful. The tea, though...]

Peppermint would help. My stomach is...not...well. [And she risks a rueful glance across the room towards the kitchen cabinet. It's shut tight and there's a trashcan shoved in the way.]

...and no. I don't know know how. And it won't stop.

[It'll come soon enough. That prick of affection is spiking quite high the longer he sits there but he wants to get a better sense of what he's handling first. There's an understanding nod before he shifts to unzip his backpack and pull out a large thermos.]

I sort of thought so. [When Tadashi had died, and when Ruby had disappeared for that brief period of time, he hadn't felt much like eating either.] Let me grab a cup and then I can show you how to shut them off for a little while. It's easier to focus when you don't have things distracting you, you know?

[It's easier to grieve and reflect and be alone when other people can't bother you. When you can choose who you speak to.]

[Rei nods slowly, looking back towards the cabinet with something like a scowl. Technology is not her friend, it never has been, but she tolerates it here because it’s so pervasive. The CEREVice right now, though, is the subject of quite a great deal of her ire.]

Cups are bottom shelf, on the left. The…CEREVice is in the one with all the stuff in the way.

[Obviously.]

[Luckily for him it doesn't take long to bounce back up and make his way through her apartment to collect the items necessary. He doesn't touch anything that doesn't need to be touched, taking care to leave her space undisturbed while he grabs a cup and the CereVice. He's bringing both items back and he's already messing with the device with one hand when he settles next to her again. He puts the cup down, using the now free hand to uncap the thermos.]

I'm putting it on a sort of "do not disturb" mode. You'll still get all of your messages and stuff but you won't hear or see all of the notifications right away. Not 'til you're ready. I found it on accident. [Setting the device down he moves to also pour her a cup of tea, tentatively holding it out to her.]

[She only looks up enough to accept the tea, holding it in both hands to keep from shaking and sloshing. She's never quite felt this...bleak...before, even here. It's down to just two, and who knows how long Usagi will be around? It's something Rei's already somewhat dreading, her fear of being cut off from the others. She doesn't have any reason to believe it beyond self-doubt, but sometimes that's enough.]

Thank you. I'm hopelessly inept with it. Even when I...am at my best.

[She smiles ruefully, and takes a sip of the tea, nodding approval.]

You didn't have to come.

It's not everybody's strong point. I don't mind. [He shrugs, settling comfortably and keeping his gaze on her.] There's a lot of things I don't have to do but I do anyway. And I know that if I'd asked you to you would have done the same thing for me, but I know you would never ask for yourself. So...I just did it.

[It feels like they have that sense of dread hanging overhead. He doesn't like it at all.] ...even when Tadashi was gone, I had Baymax. [At home, he means.] Sometimes even just having someone else to focus on for a little bit, even if they're kinda annoying, is a good thing.

I would have.

[She certainly would have done this much, if not more. She does have Usagi, too, but...yeah. Usagi is hurting too, enough so that she'd left for a while to go shopping or something. Rei's not entirely sure, but for once she's not all that worried.]

You're right though. Just...having someone there, it helps. I don't know, I've never really had friends that weren't senshi before. This is...new ground.

[There's a nod of agreement as his feet swing a little, just barely above the floor from his seat. Somehow he got that impression.]

Yeah, I--it's just that you're one of the only people I know here that gets that part of it. The friends I had after that were all his friends and at first I didn't really want to talk to them either since it would just remind me of him. I didn't have anybody else. [He'd shut out Cass, too.] But it got better having them around, especially when they just let me do my own thing and went along with the plan to become heroes.

...I know this probably isn't what you wanna hear, but at least the altar's destroyed and they can't be used for it.

[Somehow, deep down, Rei realizes that's probably why they get along so well. They have had that experience, similar enough, Tadashi and her mother along with a prickly enough personality that they keep people away.]

That's...it's an awful thing, isn't it? Knowing you're alone? I always had Phobos and Deimos, but at the time I didn't know they were anything but crows that liked when I fed them. Everything changed when Usagi followed me home from school for some reason. I still don't entirely know how or why any of that happened, but it's...better with friends. Just someone who can sit with me.

[A swallow.]

Illidan saved her a lot of anguish. Me...her, Ami. I need to thank him for that.

After being here and meeting people and after making friends with everybody at the nerd lab? I think I can safely say I don't really want to do these things alone anymore. [Even if he had. Even if he had isolated himself when Tadashi died in Cerealia and when Ruby and Yu and Yang all disappeared, but people didn't let him stay alone for long. It's something he's learned.] I didn't know Usagi actually followed you home. That's a little...[Weird? It's weird, but Usagi's Usagi.] Guess it doesn't matter since you have more friends here, too.

[He nods in understanding.] Thank him when you're ready. It's probably more important to take today to recharge. [There's another pause and he tilts his head curiously.] ...Rei? Do you think maybe back in your world you can be in a relationship with her again?

[That...that gets Rei to straighten up a little bit, because it's something she's thought about. And it's something she doesn't quite have an answer for.]

I'm...not sure. I think...so. Our feelings haven't changed, I knew that when she came here, but the circumstances of Cerealia and home are different. She's...well...she's our leader. And we have a duty to perform. Even in peacetime. I hope so, but I don't know. Even if Usagi-chan says we can.

All of those kinda just sound like excuses. [Have a blunt teenage boy, Rei. Sorry about him.] I know our jobs are important and everything and that there's a lot riding on what we do, especially you guys as the senshi, but I don't see why you can't try if you both feel the same way.

[He rolls his eyes to the ceiling then.] I'm gonna do everything I can to find a way to stay with Ruby when we leave. I think you've got it a little easier than I do to stay with Minako. [There's a fleeting grin to show he's mostly teasing her but also proving a point. Once everyone's safe, once everyone can go home...there will be time for them. He's still a child that way; he still believes it could be that simple in that case. You want something bad enough, you can have it if you try.]

Edited (an icon would help) 2016-04-19 01:16 (UTC)

[Rei takes a deep, deep breath and gives him a bit of a look. He...really struck something of a nerve with that, but it's a good point. That's probably why it hurt.]

Hiro, things aren't always so simple. We're going to talk about it, but at the core we're soldiers, not superheroes. If it can jeopardize our mission, then it's something we have to weigh carefully. Would I like to be with her? Yes. God in Heaven, I want to hold her in my arms every night until the sun burns out...but is there a risk that it could cause a problem? Possibly. It's just something we have to take into consideration.

But I think it will be possible. I cannot say, proof positive, that it will happen but I do have enough faith in my companions to believe that we'll make it work. But I won't discount the possibility of it not.

[He feels a little bit guilty when she breathes in and he cows slightly until he realizes that...it's not a wholly negative response. It's factual, just as he's always believed Rei to be.]

I know. I know. I've kinda put some thought into stuff like that, too. [Weiss had brought up that he may be a determent to Ruby on any given mission. He sort of understands.] Maybe doing it your way makes more sense to be able to look at it from both angles.

[He's still mildly idealistic.] Just promise me you'll try. That's all I ask. Not just for her but for yourself. Even if it doesn't work at least you tried it.

[Rei's look softens just a little bit, curious about what he's planning, and amused by the question. He's not the only idealist, but he's also not a soldier. That's part of the difference between their careers, though it runs deeper than that.]

I will try, and I'll even beg for the chance, if she'll have me. Believe me that I don't intend to give up easily. Especially not when my heart is on the line.

[Now it's her turn to ask a question.]

What do you intend to do about Ruby-chan?

[Sometimes grief can change people. He knows that first-hand so hearing Rei's reassurance is enough to render another grin.] If it's any consolation I doubt you'll have to beg that hard. I've seen the way she looks at you sometimes.

[It's funny what he's noticed now that he's looking for those things. The mention of Ruby is enough for him to laugh slightly before he shakes his head.] I...well. We're gonna find a way to get to each other's worlds so we can still see each other when we leave. She's determined to figure it out, too. [There's a light frown.] Some really bad stuff happened to her when she left and got upgraded or went home or whatever you wanna call it. I want to prevent that from ever happening again if I can. And...I don't know. I just know I'm never going to meet anyone else like her in my life so I'll do whatever it takes to keep her with me.

[Rei's slow to nod, meeting his eyes and mirroring his frown.] I saw the aftereffects. I don't know what happened exactly, but I did my best to do something for her, and Yang-san.

[There's a thoughtful pause.]

When this is all over...I know we've talked about contact. There are some things though, that are plausible. Ways maybe we...the Senshi and I...could assist in other worlds. It's come up in discussion with the inner court before. This may be an impetus for it.

Thanks. [He smiles lightly.] They're both gonna need people to help them for a little while, even if Yang doesn't want it.

[It's not his place to talk about what happened, but he's worried all the same.] But you really think that's possible? You guys are all about being senshi for the solar system more or less and you've been to the different planets. How do you think that could work for non-senshi?

Well, things are always darkest before the dawn, never forget that.

[She nods and reaches out, squeezing his hand.] The Outer Senshi are the guardians of the Solar System. But we, the Inner Court...we're more free and able to act of our own accord. Provided the queen agrees, and in peace-time I imagine she'd practically insist that we did some good.

Traveling between the worlds is plausible, so we shouldn't we do some good? We are, after all, meant to be the guardians of light and justice.

I know...that's something I don't think I forget even if I tried.

[And that's it. He allows her to hold his hand and he tips over to lean further into her side. It's clear they both need it, and he's finding it's easier to express affection lately. It's Rei. It's fine.]

That's also true, too. The only hurdle we gotta get past is making sure we remember all of this when we get out of here. That's the big thing I'm working on right now. They're ours. We deserve to keep them.

[Contact is helpful, even if it's not always acknowledged readily. Rei's so private most of the time, so reserved, but this is a heavy topic...it's been a heavy day.]

We do. We absolutely do. But that begs the question...how? What are you working on?

Something that might backfire really bad. [He can be honest about that much at least.] I never told you what I talked to the Flamines about, did I?

You didn't directly, no. And I didn't tell you the whole of my conversation either.

What of it?

...I might be making some deals. With multiple people. [He's trying to remember if he actually explicitly told her that part, but he'll leave it at that for now.]

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