[log] a couple of setbacks later [closed]

[bywolves]

Characters: Royce Melborn, Alfie Solomons, Tifa Lockhart, Emily Kaldwin
Location: Building 50 (bonus Building 44)
Date: night of Day 142 (plus, bonus Day 144)
Summary: Reunion log!
Warnings: Will update as necessary!

A standard two-story house with an attic. The first floor has a kitchen, living room, and dining room, while the second floor has two bedrooms and a bathroom. The entire house has been done up inside in Victorian style--it probably cost quite a lot of money, and no detail is spared. The color scheme is a bit dark, though, and it's difficult to see in here during the night. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY EIGHT, TRAVELLING EAST" and "ALPHONSE ELRIC, STEPH BROWN, MAMI TOMOE, FREYA CRESCENT, EDWARD ELRIC, DAY TWENTY-FOUR, TRAVELLING WEST" have been carved into the hallway wall. "ALPHONSE ELRIC, EDWARD ELRIC, GREED, DAY SEVENTY-FIVE, TRAVELLING SOUTH-WEST. DEAR FORMER RESIDENT, WE ARE FRIENDS, PLEASE DO NOT FEEL YOU NEED TO HIDE FROM US. CONTACT LELRIC." has been written on the wall. Written on the wall in blue ink is the following: "This is Building 80 on the composite map. Contact @CaptSteveRogers for details." Underneath is a pretty accurate map showing the house in relation to the south and west snow walls, the school and athletic shed, the funeral home, and buildings 34, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48, 49, 53, 57, 58, and 59. The snow wall is labeled "Snow wall." House 58 is labeled "Entrance to ice tunnels." The school is labeled "School. Food available in cafeteria; DO NOT STAY HERE OVERNIGHT." The athletic shed is labeled "Shed". The funeral home is labeled "UNSAFE; DO NOT STAY HERE OVERNIGHT." House 34 is labeled "Medical assistance; hot, clean water. Contact Dr. Epps @claytonator".

Comments

[bywolves]

Yes, but people like Kunsel.

[powersouls]

[She shrugs.]

They'd like you if you gave them a chance.

[bywolves]

[ Royce just stares at her. He's... he's pretty sure that's not true at all. ]

[powersouls]

Don't look at me that way! If you weren't so... prickly...

[bywolves]

Prickly? [ ?????? ]

[powersouls]

Prickly. You don't give people the benefit of the doubt.

[bywolves]

Because I end up dead if I do, Tifa. [ Sorry - sorry, he snaps that, he can't help it. ]

[powersouls]

[Oh. Right.]

Well... we like you.

[bywolves]

[ He still doesn't really know why it worked out that way. He doesn't answer, just sinks into the couch further. ]

[powersouls]

[That's a weird reaction, she thinks.]

What's wrong? You believe me, right?

[bywolves]

I do. I don't know anybody who admits it to me as much as you do.

[powersouls]

I guess sometimes I think you need it.

[bywolves]

I don't. [ He does. ]

[powersouls]

Hmm, well... maybe I just like to say it.

[So there!]

[bywolves]

As long as you know I think you're strange for it. [ But that's lightly said. He's not trying to be a dick, here. ]

[powersouls]

You think I'm strange for everything.

[No offense taken. She's smiling.]

I think you're strange, too, so we're even.

[bywolves]

[ +10 points, Tifa. He's not smiling but there's a hint of it there. Shh. He doesn't answer. Instead, he shifts, resting his foot against whatever part of her he can reach. Here. He can give her some touch. ]

[powersouls]

[Aw, Royce! She appreciates it, and she settles back against the couch, resting her hand on his ankle absently.]

Are you feeling any better?

[bywolves]

[ That's just enough that he can squirm away if he needs to. The touch is fine. ]

Yes. [ Enough that he can say so. He'd say yes even if he wasn't, though. ] You should sleep.

[powersouls]

Hmm.

[She doesn't want to go to sleep if he's going to have more nightmares, but she knows telling him that will get a terrible reaction.]

I don't think I'm tired yet.

[bywolves]

[ It's a very good thing that she doesn't say it - he'll absolutely have more nightmares, but that's okay. He doesn't need a lot of sleep.

There's a long pause, and then he tilts his head back to rest against the couch. He's thinking, and it's clear on his face that he's a little distant mentally, a little far away. ]

[powersouls]

[Tifa stays quiet for a moment, and then:]

What are you thinking about?

[bywolves]

[ It takes a little while longer for him to reply, but he does eventually. ]

The people here. [ Which is a lie. He was thinking of home. He was thinking of Gwen, of Hadrian, of how much he wishes he could be back. He'd take the damn ship over this place. ]

[powersouls]

Good things or bad things?

[bywolves]

Bad. [ He lets his head tilt back down to the side. ] Dealing with them is exhausting.