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[painlessfighter]

[VIDEO. Natsuo can be seen lounging on his couch in his townhome (see icon). He yawns, stretches, rests his hands behind his head...]

Lame. If I actually lived here, I wouldn't just be some kid in town. I would be much better than that.

Hey, was that supposed to scare us or something? Even the zombies were scarier than that, and they weren't even scary.

[... He does narrow his eyes a bit at that thought, and his ear twitches... but he shakes his head and banishes those sorts of thoughts.]

Where is everyone? Are we closer to going home yet?

Comments

[fortune_sought]

Oh, yes. Would you mind stirring it? Just now and then, while I set the table. [and she heads briskly into the kitchen to get him some water and to do that. she's not quite ready to bring up the real reason she wanted to see him yet]

[painlessfighter]

Okay.

[And he goes over to start stirring! He's tempted to use the spoon to try some while she's not looking, but there really is something strange going on with her right now, so he's not going to risk it. Heck, he's even keeping quiet, just watching her when he's not stirring the stew.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie comes over with a glass of water, which she sets on the counter next to him] Natsuo... [she pauses, trying to think of how to say this. and then she just goes ahead asks:] What did happen with that creature? Tell me the truth.

[painlessfighter]

[He blinks at her... and in order to cover a wince, he makes a wrinkly-nosed face like he's annoyed just thinking about it, as he automatically brings a hand to rub at the ear that used to have a huge chunk taken off of it.]

I think it bit me! Boo. [He sighs.] But it's all better now. Grown back and everything. That's what happened.

[Hey, it's all the truth. Just with some details left out.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie stays where she is, and her expression tightens] I heard that more than that happened if one of those creatures bit you. [she gives him an expectant look]

[painlessfighter]

But it didn't! Because I didn't let it happen! Meru helped me.

[fortune_sought]

[she raises an eyebrow] Helped you how?

[painlessfighter]

[Good God. If this were anyone else - if this were anyone else either here or back home, he would just answer the question. Honestly. Say exactly what happened, and if they get it, great! If they don't and get all offended, even better because that would be entertaining for him!

But this is Sophie. And there's a dynamic here that Natsuo is absolutely clueless about since he's never had anything like it before, and so it blindsides him, but he can't... bring himself... to say anything.

So he huffs! He crosses his arms, looks at the floor and lets his left ear twitch a bit.]

Boo. You're gonna get mad.

[fortune_sought]

[she stares at him for a moment before bursting out:] Oh, you absolute idiot!

[and then she steps forward and hugs him tightly]

[painlessfighter]

Ah-!!

[Give him a second, he's a little stunned that she's... hugging him! After a few seconds, though he's still a little wide-eyed and confused, he does put his arms around her in return.

But the insult is something he can latch onto, so he does so. And though he pouts, he's at least... relieved, somehow, for some reason... though heck if he knows why.]

Boo! I'm not an idiot!

[fortune_sought]

You're a colossal idiot! [she holds him a moment more before she pulls away, revealing that her eyes are wet] Just...never do anything like that again!

[she turns quickly away to hide her face and goes to set the table]

[painlessfighter]

[He makes a show of sighing.] I won't. okay? So... so you should stop fussing.

[Firm nod! And he turns to stir the stew again.]

[fortune_sought]

As long as you don't!

[and she focuses her attention on setting the table for them]

[painlessfighter]

[He watches her, takes a sip of his water... shakes his head.]

Ne, Sophie? Are you really okay?

[Because he's pretty sure the whole zombie thing isn't the only thing on her mind.]

[fortune_sought]

[she stops again, silent for a moment. she wants to lie to him, but after demanding the truth from him, she can't. not to mention he's someone she trusts. finally, she shakes her head, clenching a fist in anger. when she speaks, her voice is thick, her tone frustrated]

No. But there's little we can do.

[painlessfighter]

[He shakes his head.] Not right now. But when we find the person behind this, we’re going to make them pay. And then we’re going to go home, and everything will be better.

[fortune_sought]

[she nods, her expression dark] Yes. Of course we are. But... [she falters] To do that, we have to remember our homes.

[painlessfighter]

And we do now. It was bad that it happened, but we’re better now.

[fortune_sought]

[tightly, she asks:] And what's to say it won't again?

[painlessfighter]

Why would they do the same thing twice? That's boring and stupid, and we'd see it coming.

[Of course, that's got a very "Duhhh~" tone behind it.]

[fortune_sought]

[she can't help a faint smile at that tone. she moves to rejoin him] The stew should be just about done.

But... [she sighs, her worry--and her hopeless feelings--obvious in her expression] I don't see how knowing in advance would help us. We couldn't exactly stop it, could we? And Natsuo, did you... [she pauses, considering how to ask this] Have you spoken to the person who answers Nathan's CAT?

[painlessfighter]

Okay. [He gives her a nod, then tries to peeeeeer into the pot while he answers her questions:]

No. But I still don't think they'll do it again. Have they done anything twice yet? And what person? On the CAT? No, I didn't know we could talk to someone else! Who is it?

[fortune_sought]

[she takes the spoon and pulls out a bit to test. she smacks her lips and turns off the fire] Yes, that should do.

[thoughtfully] Well...it isn't the first time they've changed our memories, though they were very different circumstances. But I suppose most people in town weren't here yet the first time.

I've no idea. This person only speaks to us through text. But... [she pauses, feeling slightly ashamed to say this. she mentally chides herself, though, because she knows there's no reason to feel that way--but she still does] Natsuo, that person told me that would happen before it did. In fact...I believe some of what happened was because of our conversation.

[painlessfighter]

Yay! [He moves to stand out of her way, taking his glass of water with him. He's seen what happens when Youji tries to pester Soubi when Soubi's dealing with soup - namely Youji ends up covered in it, after which yelling ensues. While it's greatly amusing to watch, he has no desire to suffer the same fate. ♥]

But you said they were different circumstances. So it still isn't doing the same thing twice.

Huh? ... So... what did you say? [It's not at all accusatory. It's actually just 100% curiosity.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie brings the pot over the table, where she already has a potholder set] Have a seat.

And hasn't it occurred to you that they could do something similar that's not quite the same?

[Sophie sighs, sitting down at the table and dishing up a bowl for Natsuo] The other person said that we were already home and just hadn't realised it yet. So I said, naturally, that my home is with my husband and son. [she stops, taking a moment to swallow the lump in her throat. she sets the bowl down in front of him, but she keeps her eyes on it. she can't bring herself to look at him] Natsuo, it made me believe I had a husband and family here.