Reverie Inbox

[fujimaru]

It's Ritsuka! I've either fallen asleep or couldn't find my phone in time, so leave a message.

[ text / action / etc]

Comments

[fujimaru]

[ Ritsuka herself is always willing to help, but she's less used to other people volunteering for her sake, and more her having to ask to what she gets. But those are just details, in the end. ]

Yeah, probably... I think I could use a break from excitement for a bit, though. Maybe the next task can be just arts and crafts or something.

[ She nudges Tsuruno, playful. ]

How good are you at origami?

[fanstheflames]

Absolutely flawless.

[ Well. She cracks a grin a second later. ]

I mean, they look like birds? A lot of the time!

[fujimaru]

[ She grins at that, an immediate fond amusement at the clarification. ]

Yeah, I know how that is. I used to be pretty good at making frogs, but it's been a while. So yeah, my vote's still for arts and crafts.

[fanstheflames]

Okay. [ equally fond. ]

Maybe if we both think it really hard, it'll just happen.

[fujimaru]

Just manifest it into being? I'm all for that.

...Or I guess, since that bingo game stole my idea for making truffles for everyone, we could just see if we could set up a craft table somewhere when we get back to that village...

[fanstheflames]

We'd have to probably get fun paper from the box, since I don't think there's a lot around... when the box is feeling up to it.

[fujimaru]

Yeah, after they've had a bit of a break... I think it'd be cute, though. Maybe some paint markers, if people want to make extra decorations.

[fanstheflames]

Yeah, definitely.

I'm looking forward to it. [ something safe and nice and creative and fun ]

[fujimaru]

[ A break would be nice! A break that won't become either another traumatic event or get interrupted by GUDAGUDA or anything along those lines. Ritsuka flops a little more against her side, humming. ]

Me too... I just wanna have a day or two to just breathe, you know?

[fanstheflames]

Usually we only get a day or two to breathe... so hopefully it's coming soon.

[ the exhaustion is real-- not in her tone, but how she feels, as she lets her cheek rest against Ritsuka's head. They're close enough in height, it's not hard. ]

[fujimaru]

A day can be enough, if you spend it right.

[ She relaxes a little at that, because this is nice. She does like contact, even if it usually takes extenuating circumstances for her to ask or accept. ]

I think we deserve it. A vacation, after everything else she's put us through.

[fanstheflames]

Yep. I think we should aim for two. But one is enough.

[ Especially when every day here has been Something. ]

... I don't like the idea of leaving the people in solitary here, though. I know they're fine, but...

[fujimaru]

[ There's a pause, and then she reaches to lace her fingers with Tsuruno's, giving her hand a careful squeeze. ]

It's never easy, leaving someone behind. Even if it's because you have to.

But... now we know specifically where Solitary even is. It's easier to get back to somewhere when you know that, instead of just trying to find it in the first place.

[fanstheflames]

[ Tsuruno's hand is warm, very much so, and after a moment, she squeezes back. There's a surge of something bittersweet. Not quite grief, but not quite resignation either. Maybe it's a bit of muted heartbreak, punched up a bit with determination. ]

... Yeah. I won't leave them in there.

[fujimaru]

[ She leans a little harder against Tsuruno's side; in contrast, she's steady, resolutely calm about the idea. There is sympathy for that grief, gently warm. ]

I don't think anyone wants to. So in this, no one's going to be alone in going in to help them.

[fanstheflames]

[ Sometimes your boyfriend gets chucked in there right when you think you can finally get a break. It's very rude.

Ritsuka will feel an answering brush of gratitude, though, soft as it is. ]

Then I'll start trying to figure out a way... there has to be something.

[fujimaru]

There's definitely a way.

[ That, she says with the utmost confidence, the sort that comes from having faced down far worse odds many, many times, and still somehow finding her way through. ]

I dunno what it is yet. None of us do. But there's definitely a way. Randy woke up, right? So we know it's possible.

[fanstheflames]

Yep, yep.

[ ... And she winces a little, because now she's even sounding tired, optimistic as she is. ]

Anyway... I should probably get going. Make sure you nap when you need it!

[fujimaru]

I should be the one telling you that. Don't think I won't sit on you to get you to stay still.

[ But she does twist enough to give Tsuruno a hug, tight. ]

Remember it's okay to take a break here too, okay? It's good for you to pace yourself.

[fanstheflames]

It's okay. I'm just going to make sure my teammates aren't curled on the ground outside or being traumatized, and then I'm going to go lie down. I can't help anyone if I don't take care of myself, I know!

[ she's learned.

But she also gives as good as she gets, so Ritsuka will also get a very firm and warm hug. ]

Thanks, though.