[ open ] you wake up, this is not a dream

[sortileges]

Who: sortileges & you!
When: IC: 08/16 - 08/17 / OOC: 08/02 - 08/03
Where: Multiple places (ViViD, in town etc)
What: The Worst Time to come back from a canon update... aka event stuff + return stuff
Rating/Warning: None, will change if anything comes up!

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( ViViD: The worst train ride home, ever | IC: 08/16 )

[ If it weren't for the fact that coming back meant that there was a mix of memories in his head trying to sort themselves into place he might have noticed the warning signs sooner. The signs for Low Energy Levels that kept flashing up were mostly ignored as he just stands in the middle of nothing, hand against his head with his eyes shut tight because it's been a long while, so much has happened and it's weird to figure out that yes, everything is real.

Even this place where he had to get used to technology and a new way of life. His hair is shorter, he's older (though only a little more in age, but in wisdom and life much much more) as too much has happened.

It's a good, long ten or so minutes before he pays attention to the setting. The command prompt and so called "safe mode" mean very little to him so he presumes it's just part of the setting for ViViD this time. At least he knows enough about coming back after one of these trips to know where he probably is, otherwise this would have been even more disorientating. ]

...Hello?

[ Well, it's ViViD but usually there's someone hanging around. Instead it just... feels silent. Like there's nothing else there.

That is, of course, when the signs for low energy levels start going a bit crazier when he starts to walk--his throat starts to feel tight.

And he can't find the exit. ]

Of course the exit wouldn't be that easy to see here, because nothing could ever be easy.

[ Are you someone who was glitched here, or were you stupid brave enough to log in? Too bad, they aren't getting out of this unscathed apparently... ]

( 01: Energy Levels 93% | IC: 08/17 Morning )

[ He'd spent enough time staring at the change on his wrist to know that it probably shouldn't be there, but considering he didn't understand the majority of what was on the ViViD level the day before anyway he just brushes it off for now. He just assumes he should ask someone like Hiro who actually understands the technology here. Of course, that's until he's ran into the problem of Shigeru melting half the flat, his bed trying to eat him and a number of other things technology related.

Is this the real life or is it just fantasy-- it's hard to tell anymore. But. There are people he needs to see knowing that he's probably been missing for days now.

He makes sure he's dressed properly before he grabs his card and key and runs out the door. It's possible you'll catch him at the door if you've noticed he's back by now, if not, he's calling on doors or going to people's places of work or where he assumes they might be by now to check how they are.

By the time he gets there though, his wrist is probably glowing with 76% Weird. But he does force a smile and pretend like nothing has happened to some people. ]

Hello! Didn't expect to see you here. [ Nevermind????? That he came??????? to you??????? ]

( 02: Glitching 100 years into the future | IC: 08/17 Late Afternoon )

[ While the network might say he's back, if you haven't ran into him during the morning, there are some major differences now. For one thing, he doesn't really look like his younger self at all, nor is he acting quite as polite as he might normally be.

A poor alien might walk in front of him and he yells out: Are y'r eyes in the back of your head?! Watch where you're going! along with a sneer. One thing is for sure though... he seems to be enjoying himself??????

The next time though it might be you doing something that doesn't quite pass his idea of acting well, whether it's you pushing in front of him in a queue, accidentally walking in front of him, or just being there and him wanting to be a pain in the butt. Whatever you're doing might give him reason to decide to call you out on it.

What a rude old man. ]

Comments

[sortileges]

[ Finally his hand moves to touch the edge of her face, and he peers up at her as if studying her all over again. ]

I was a little disappointed you weren't happier to see me, actually. But I did the same before, didn't I? It was probably scary for you too.

[ Where did this matureness come from.......... ah ]

[psycholawgy]

[ she blinks a couple of times as what is happening sinks in. then she just looks at him, feeling guilty now. but he isn't wrong though. she thought she was losing him then. is this what he's feeling now too? ]

Sorry. [ and in a softer, gentler tone: ] I'm still scared now.

[sortileges]

[ Well he didn't mean to really make her feel guilty, just to see why he was affected. Why he was struggling to be okay again especially after that morning. His thumb slides up to graze her lip now. ]

It's okay to be scared, but tell me why. This morning... I thought you'd given up.

[psycholawgy]

[ her lips part slightly and she exhales through there. she doesn't stop staring at him though, as if she's fascinated by the sight. ]

I. [ this is hard. being vulnerable. being weak? is that it? ] I didn't want you to go away. But now... I just don't want to be left behind.

[ it's why she looks away, bobbing her head a bit so her bangs fall on her face. this is embarrassing. ]

[sortileges]

[ His thumb almost dips in a little before it pulls away to move up to brush her bangs aside. ]

We can fight to stop that from happening. [ He gives her a tiny smile. ] I mean, if it comes to it. I'm taking you home, if I can.

[ wow????????? ]

[psycholawgy]

[ she takes a deep breath. what he said gives her hope. and really, she'd believe anything he says at this point. she's probably foolish in that way, but it's what her heart's decided to do.

it's why she smiles genuinely for the first time in days. lord help her. ]

You promise?

[ a promise will only make things more complicated but it will make her feel safe about everything. he's kept his promise about coming back, so this should be okay to ask of him, right? ]

[sortileges]

[ It probably is, but look... he's more confident now. He has more power, is the Last Dragonlord and has a lot going for him. It's nice to just see her smile again now, which is why he gives her a rather dumb one in return. ]

Promise. [ There's a beat then as his hand moves away from her face. ] Now don't you owe me something?

[ Rude, tbh... as he taps his own mouth with his finger. This is not the way to ask a young lady for a kiss..................... ]

[psycholawgy]

[ yeah considering he's a grandpa now, she sure is a young lady, that's for sure.

but she doesn't hesitate to touch him now. she lets go of his hand so both of hers can reach for his shirt as she twists and moves closer. the kiss she gives him isn't a long one, but it's filled with love nonetheless. when her grip tightens on his shirt, she swears she can feel the energy at her fingertips, as if she's kissing him for the first time.

it will still take some time for things to go back to normal, but at least she's easing into the idea now.

when she pulls away, she has to fight herself from making a dumb face. ]

Welcome back.

i'm sorry

[sortileges]

[ just over a year doesn't make him a grandpa?!?! rude...

Still, it's weird for him to have this now, even if he's trying to make sure she isn't questioning anything. Really, his heart never left, but it's gotten muddled up with other things now and it's difficult to not think of a certain someone else when her mouth first presses against his. It's hard to not cry when she grips on, when she lingers just a little.

It's why when she pulls away he ends up having to rub his wrist against his cheek to smush away the small tear that did roll there. Ah...

Yeah, time is just. Important, at first. ]

Thank you. [ Well, it isn't like she can work anything out from this. It'll be okay. ]

Ah...

[psycholawgy]

[ she ends up wondering what he's crying about, because it's not like he's ever cried over a kiss before. (she knows so little...) but she doesn't ask. if he wants to, he'll tell her. but that doesn't mean this won't bother her. that doesn't mean she won't be concerned by this.

instead of saying anything, she runs her thumb below his eye just in case the skin is still wet. ]

Better?

sweats

[sortileges]

[ Thankfully she doesn't ask, but even if she did he'd just say he's just glad to be back. To be fair, he's had a fucking lot to deal with. His eyes flutter when her thumb rubs the skin, and slowly he tilts his head to kiss her skin. ]

Better.

[psycholawgy]

[ her hand just lingers there, cupping his cheek for a few good moments before she brings it down. he doesn't seem all that happy, and given what he's been through, it's fine... it's understandable. now she just wants to make him happy. to hear that pleasant sound his heart makes. ]

If you were gone for so long, that means I missed your birthday, right?

[sortileges]

[ Not happy, but content and relieved okay. He blinks up at her when she asks that question though, eyebrow raising. ]

You must have, but it isn't like I celebrated it anyway.

[ His birthday doesn't matter compared to Arthur's though anyway??? ]

[psycholawgy]

[ it totally matters, okay!! :( ]

Do you want to celebrate it?

[ because she does... it doesn't have to be a grand party. in fact, she wouldn't mind if it was just the two of them celebrating by eating a slice of cake. ]

[sortileges]

[ Well, to her it does... ]

Did you have something in mind?

[ He definitely doesn't want anything big after everything, in fact he's content enough like this which is partly why he reaches for her arm to hint that she should move closer and just curl up with him now aka please stop staying so far away?????? ]

[psycholawgy]

[ why wouldn't it!! ]

Well, you'll have to have some cake. And it'll have a candle, then you have to make a wish before you blow it. And that's when you open your presents.

[ but ah... she gets it, at least, which is why she moves closer until her forehead could rest on his chest. ]

[sortileges]

[ Well... true but :( ]

I have my only wish already. [ Ah... sappy, but it's true. In this world he has her and that's More Than Enough. ] But I wouldn't mind some cake to go with it.

[ This isn't a hint to eat it off her though, I promise...... this is a Universal rated plurk. He pulls her in when she finally rests on him though, holding her steady as he lets out a soft but long breath. ]

[psycholawgy]

[ this is when she would normally hit him, right? but she doesn't. instead, she just moves even closer, hands moving to his chest to grip on there as she more or less burrows herself into him. ]

What kind of cake do you want? I'll make it.

[ ... she's never baked a cake before, you'll die. ]

[sortileges]

[ Well, not always but... this is nicer. She probably can't see, but there's a tiny smile on his face. ]

Any is fine if it's from you.

[ Yeah he'll die ]

[psycholawgy]

Okay.

[ she smiles then too, and her shoulders shake a bit as she laughs softly. ]

Tomorrow.

[ rip in pieces merlin ]

[sortileges]

[ At least this time he'll die happy... in her arms........ ]

Maybe when the oven stops trying to kill people. Did... [ He pauses briefly, moves a hand through her hair. ] Did you want to stay up here tonight?

[psycholawgy]

[ ah... yes that's good. ]

Maybe... [ that's a yes. ] I brought extra blankets.

[sortileges]

[ sweats ]

I might need to run to the store to get something in a bit though. [ He lets out a tiny laugh. ] If they're even working properly.

[psycholawgy]

Some places are still open.

[ even with things going down, she means. not because it's gotten a bit late. heck, even the cosplay cafe is still doing business. ]

What are you going to buy?

[ maybe she has what he needs and it's just downstairs. ]

[sortileges]

[ He hums quietly when she says they're still open, though he had gone out earlier after their first talk. He knew a little. ]

Chocolate. Ice cream. Something sweet, anyway.

[ Because for him it's been a while and it's needed at times like these okok ]