silversnowfall

[69]

[It was almost a relief, to hear about so many people going home recently, even as more were due to arrive.

It was too sad to mention, knowing that one of those people was Professor Nebilim. That she wasn't really returning to anything. Just to the completion of a sad tale of a boy who thought he should be able to do everything.

And now Nephry is lonely. She has been, off and on, for a while; she feels it especially strongly today. At first she tried cleaning the kitchen but now she's sitting there, chin against her hands, staring at the table. With almost half of the house away or out of commission...things are quiet.

In the silence, she turns to her journal for a while.]

What do you believe happens...when you die?

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I'm not sure if help is what I wanted.

...No, not really.

There was something you wanted, or else you wouldn't have made the inquiry.

I wanted to hear what people had to say.

... I see.

They've said a lot.

Not all of it has been comforting. But that's the way different beliefs are.

...I didn't get to ask, earlier. Are you all right? Your friend is also gone.

... me?

... It'll take some getting used to. But that's how it usually is, when someone goes ...

So. About as well as I am, then.

...!

I suppose there's... hardly any use in feigning otherwise.

Is there anything you need?

I... don't know.

If there is, please let me know. Even if it's just...someone to share with.

... it's as much as I offered to you yesterday, isn't it? Perhaps we should meet up, some time.

[After all, it doesn't really feel as if they've really resolved things from a few months ago, either. And she does clearly remember Natalia's words...

... it was a little strange, wasn't it? But she should put forth the effort.]

Perhaps we should. I'll do my best not to dance around the subject if you will.

[An audible, small smile.

~~DYING to know what Natalia's words were.~~]

... that sounds like a fair compromise.

Today must have been very busy for you. Some other time? Or...?

I'm sure I can make the time, whenever you're available.

I don't do much that runs on a schedule, so it's really all right. What would you like to do?

If you did want to ... meet up today, I'm available myself.

That would be just fine with me. Where would you like to go?

We can meet by the flower shop, if you'd like. I don't have any real preference otherwise. [The Bakery isn't exactly an option, anymore.]

Ah- Oh. Hold on.

[Muffled voices in conversation, for a while.]

...I'm afraid I'll have to postpone this. Emperor Peony is abducting me for dinner.

Oh? It's no trouble. The offer will still be there when you're ready, after all.

[She's gone for quite a while, actually, because no dinner with the Emperor can ever be a simple affair. When she does get back to her journal, she isn't sure if Raine will even be there to answer.]

Would tomorrow morning be all right, instead?

[She's not going to sit there all night and wait for her to come back, obviously. But she does do a routine check of her pings, so it won't take her too long to get back to the other woman.]

That sounds good to me.

Let's have breakfast, then. You are welcome to come here, or we can make plans for somewhere else.

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