[73][voice]

[silversnowfall]

[This is a hard thing to start. "I regret to inform you" sounds too stiff and formal; "Sorry to say" too informal and flippant. Just jumping in feels cold. But what, then?]

Susanne fon Fabre has gone home. [This one hits her particularly hard, and she has to stop a moment and resettle her voice.] I'm sorry.

[Asch and Luke]

You are welcome to come and see if she has left anything for you. I felt it would be remiss of me to go through her things, if any remain.

Comments

[Locked 100%]

[fabrecation]

[Mother...

Of course, the message breaks his heart and makes him slightly short of breath. But he inhales deeply, then exhales, eyes shut as he replays the message in his head.

Susanne fon Fabre has gone home.

It's better. It's better that way. She's out of this hellish place. She can go home to Auldrant, where she belongs, and not have to worry about the Malnosso doing awful things, or drafts, or her sons being kidnapped, or the medicine that's always hard to get.

It's better, it's better. That doesn't stop Luke from clenching his fists and feeling his shoulders tense and be unable to reply for a few minutes, lest his voice tremble.

It's better, but he already misses her so much.

Finally, though, he does respond, and though it doesn't tremble, his voice does still sound thick.]

I'll be over soon.

[Locked 100%]

[silversnowfall]

Take your time.

[Better and easier don't usually go together.]

[action]

[fabrecation]

[It does take longer than usual for Luke to get there, if only because of the fact that he had to pull himself together. But soon enough, he knocks on the door before sticking his hands in his jacket pockets and looking away.

He wonders if Asch would see this... and what he'd do. Nngh...]

[action]

[silversnowfall]

[The door opens, Nephry standing there with what she hopes is a consoling smile.]

Please come in.

[action]

[fabrecation]

[There's some misery on Luke's face, though he tries to force it away by giving a smile of his own. It's... pretty forced as a result, but it's something.]

Hey. [And he steps inside, already looking around and noticing a particular absence.] Uh... do you know if Asch heard?

[action]

[silversnowfall]

I sent the message to him as well, but he hasn't responded yet. ...I know it's hard. For both of you.

[The smile is gone. In its place she puts a hand on Luke's shoulder.]