030 - When you're weary of nights out on the town / Look for me, I'll be around

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Misaki's not looking as beat up as she did at the beginning of the week, though she's definitely worn and hasn't slept much.

She has her flashlight switched off. It's sitting on top of her father's piano. A little ways away, Ammy's 'light-roads' mark the way between the kitchen and the forest; where the piano is is completely in darkness.

Misaki currently has her eyes closed and is playing Liszt's Consolation No. 3, humming it under her breath as she does.]

...hope you're all right, Dad.

Comments

[mercwamouth]

[Wanders in from the lit road. Stops to listen and then speaks]

You really worried me before. Feel special? You better.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Tenses but doesn't open her eyes. As long as she doesn't open her eyes, she's okay. AND GUESS WHO'S GOING TO BE REALLY FRIGGING DEFENSIVE FOR A WHILE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO SAW HER THAT HELPLESS. The fact that she doesn't even remember most of it doesn't help.]

It was your choice to worry. I'm fine.

[mercwamouth]

[Smiles]

You do seem fine. At least if your piano skills are any indication. It's very refreshing, especially after hearing nothing but grinding noises for so long.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Still with her eyes closed] It's Liszt. He's-- [comforting] I like him.

[mercwamouth]

...

Listen, I know you probably don't want to talk about it, and frankly neither do I. Not just because I'm not really one to worry or take care of others, but because I can guess how you probably feel.

Just... We got really lucky that this darkness thing happened and that Mu was around or I might not be listening to Liszt right now.

But look... I don't know much about the girl you're trying to catch. He's probably done some serious things and probably deserves a lot worse than what you went through this week, and you probably went through hell.

...But people I like and care about seem to have this habit of getting themselves in mortal peril while I can't do anything but watch, and it's a little cosmic joke that's gotten old real fast.

...So while I hope you get a chance to catch this chick you're after, I don't want you to risk too much to get that chance, like you did before you came here.

I know we've only known each other a short time, but I mean, with all this darkness and everything that's happened recently, it could just as easily be a year as it could be a week since we've met.

I just... don't want you to get yourself killed again.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Just... staring. Because even Hei hasn't vocalized concern for her like this. DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ABOUT IT.]

[mercwamouth]

[...OK, not a good reaction]

...Right, yeah, shouldn't have said anything, I know. Damn... Now it's all awkward. What I wouldn't give for some kind of plot-related distraction right about now.

[Just in the nick of time]

...That'll work.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

I--what? [And then suddenly, stars! Deeeeep inhale of surprise, and her expression lights up.]

[mercwamouth]

Wow, that was fascinating and totally good timing. Gee, I wonder if I can shift now too?

[Shift in shift out]

WellwhatdoyouknowIcanthat'sawesomeseeyoulaterMisaki!Bamf!

[Shifts out again, this time not shifting back in]

[contract_star]

[Glowing and following the sound of the piano, since it can't be anyone else.]

...Misaki. You're alright. [Please ignore the utter relief flooding his voice.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Pauses, and opens her eyes to stare at him because he's GLOWING and she knows what that does now.] Hei, why are you--don't--I have a flashlight.

[contract_star]

What? No, no, it's alright now. The light doesn't bother me anymore.

[Small smile.] I'm glad you're alright, though.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

It... [Blink] Really?

[contract_star]

Really. It hasn't since--well...I don't know if you remember it...

[He sits down beside her, looking rather...well, awkward.] Misaki, you...you really had me worried. But...you kept your promise.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Noooot looking at him. :| Her voice is almost sharp.] I don't remember a lot, to be frank.

[And then awkwardness moves in where sharpness was.] My promise?

[contract_star]

You stopped breathing. And your heart... [Frowns a bit.] I was hallucinating, but then...I just wasn't. [Long pause.] I guess I...managed to save you this time.

You promised that you'd come back. [Takes her hand and squeezes it, not really looking at her.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She's pretty much gone cold inside. Her fingers are still on the keys; when he takes her hand she pretty much doesn't move.] My heart what.

[contract_star]

It almost stopped.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Deeep breath. She reaches up instinctively to check her pulse.]

[contract_star]

It's alright. You're alright. [Pulls her into a tight hug.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Only barely resistant. Because. Wut. HEI IS HUGGING HER. Kissing, okay, that's one thing. But the hugs? Wut?] Of-- [she clears her throat and manages to sound irritated] Of course I am.

[contract_star]

[He's had a bad week ): He releases her quickly when he feels how tense she is.]

Sorry...

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Pffff guilt. Whether she likes it or not, he saved her life. So she takes his hand.]

...thanks.

[contract_star]

[Squeezes her hand and smiles at her--really smiles.]

I'm glad you're back.