[21][written/action]

[silversnowfall]

[first of all, there are several inconsequential doodles. This should be concerning because Nephry just doesn't doodle. Next there are several sentences that are so well crossed out they are unreadable. An ink spot where the pen rested too long on the page. A few more doodles.]

I...think I should go for a walk. I will take my journal with me just in case, however.

[and for those out and about, Nephry can be found standing on the bridge between houses 32 and 33 and Community Housing 5. It is quite the long walk, and it will continue in a short while if she's not interrupted. She will answer written or voiced messages too, of course. ...The doodling is kind of a giveaway that something is wrong here]

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[silversnowfall]

[she just stands still there for a while. She is still trembling, now with the effort of trying not to move, too. Even though she can't let herself be comforted this way...there's still comfort in it]

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[He senses her relax a little, so he keeps his arms around her, tightening the embrace.]

[silversnowfall]

It isn't something that's easy to explain.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[Because of their proximity to each other, Peony can feel how clammy her skin is, amidst the trembling. He frowns, holding her at arms length.]

Nephry, ...perhaps I should take you home. You aren't feeling well.

[silversnowfall]

...Perhaps that would be best. My apologies, Your Majesty.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[He takes her journal from the edge of the bridge and gently steers her in the direction of their house.]

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.

[silversnowfall]

This...is unusual. You know I don't do this.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

These are unusual circumstances.

[silversnowfall]

Yes. ...I... [walking and talking, like walking and thinking, is somewhat easier to manage] I miss my home.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[At that, he resolutely looks straight ahead, though he doesn't stop walking.]

I would be surprised if you didn't.

[silversnowfall]

I'm sure everyone here...feels that way. It's childish of me to be so affected by it.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

Everyone reacts differently.

[pause]

Keterburg [and your husband] is fine, Nephry. You needn't worry too much.

[silversnowfall]

...Please understand...that my current state isn't your fault, Peony. [because in this moment they are much more like friends instead of emperor and subject] ...I wish you weren't so cruel to Saphir, but there's nothing I can do to change your mind. I suppose I...preferred the days when we were all closer.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[He ignores the first part, but the use of "Peony" doesn't escape him.]

I regard Saphir as a friend. If I truly wanted to be cruel to him... [you don't want to know.]

Drifting apart was inevitable. Time, different goals...but now, it's possible to get back what we once had. If Jade and Saphir are willing.

[silversnowfall]

Jade and Saphir will never reconcile with each other.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

And that, in turn, is why Saphir will never reconcile with me. Not that he ever liked me.

[silversnowfall]

[there's a lot more she could say. But she's very tired and concentrating on walking and being alert makes more sense. ...She finds it odd that just that one small conversation was enough to quiet her thoughts, though]

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[Peony stays silent the rest of the way. His somberness disappears when they reach the house, and he jogs to the entrance to get ahead of Nephry. He opens the door with a swift bow.]

After you.

[silversnowfall]

Thank you. [she even manages a tired smile]

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[He actually walks back to Nephry's side as she makes her way to the door. Peony's not a derp, I swear.]

[silversnowfall]

[when she gets inside she takes her journal from him and sets it down somewhere in the living room]

I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you, Your Majesty.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[He gives her a puzzled look.]

What are you talking about?

[silversnowfall]

While I was angry.

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[He waves a hand as if to brush the matter away.]

Saphir's your friend, too. It's understandable that you would try to defend him.

[silversnowfall]

I wouldn't have wanted him to do it to you, either.