Rebel 1 [Action / Voice]

[not_meatbuns]

[Around sundown, somewhere out in the forest, one Litchi Faye-Ling is waking up in a bath tub.

The first thing she notices is that the Boundary is much more quiet than it was the last she knew. The strain is still there, and everything hurts, but the buzz of memories is quieter. At least, it is until she cracks one eye open and sees that she's in a tub. In the middle of a forest. Then the wave of memories from clashing timelines and realities is a roar, and it's all she can do to curl into a ball and wait for it to stop.]

N-no... please, not now...

[This isn't Kagutsuchi. This place, she's been here before, and nearly every time it's had something to do with a tub, and--

--Luceti. This is Luceti. She thinks. Or something along those lines. People were always appearing in tubs... or at least in her tub... although she woke up in one once too, didn't she? No, that can't be...

It isn't until Lao Jiu crawls back up onto her head that the roar starts to die down. And then the memories start to unfold a little less chaotically, and she peers over the edge of the tub to see the inevitable journal, lying open on the ground. She gives a weak laugh.]

My goodness, this is all so familiar... Hello? Is anyone-- [Luceti Valley. Mu. Raining trees. She stammers to a stop for a moment before trying again.] --Is anyone there? I think...

[This is the headache of the century. Litchi stops again, leaning her forehead against the cool side of the tub until the Boundary quiets down again. That doesn't seem right. It wasn't this loud before, was it? ...Wait, it was, wasn't it...]

I think I may need some help. This is... Luceti, yes...? I'm afraid I woke up in the forest and I... seem to be missing a few things. [Her usual clothes. Memories. Mantenbou. A ring. Although the last one she has an itching suspicion was both very important and has a very low chance of being here.

And there's one other thing...]

Also, could anyone tell me if Tsubaki Yayoi or Kazuma Kval are still here? It would be a tremendous help.

Comments

[not_meatbuns]

Thank you. [That eagerness in his tone is making her smile more than she would have expected.]

It... really is wonderful to be back, Kazuma. It's always good to be home, isn't it?

[moezama]

[That smile is going to fade the moment she sees his condition.]

...Yes. You can really consider this place home...? [Guess who isn't aware of things for Litchi back home]

[not_meatbuns]

Luceti has been "home" for me for... well, quite some time before this. [Sorry, Kazuma, not bringing up Dying of Boundary Erosion just yet. This is a happy occasion.]

It's rare that someone feels that way, I'll admit.

[moezama]

[He can come up with several reasons why from that alone, but he won't ask about it. Not now.]

I suppose I can see how it could be. [Luceti isn't all that bad, besides the experiments the place was rather peaceful.]

When should I expect to see you? Soon?

[not_meatbuns]

Yes, I'll be there as soon as I can. I just need to pick up a few things on the way back, that's all.

[Clothes. ;_; She needs clothes that are not New Feather dresses.]

[moezama]

All right. Then I'll see you at the house.

[Gives him some time to tidy a few things up in the house too. The place wasn't exactly messy, but no one's really maintained the tidiness as much as when Litchi was here previously]

[not_meatbuns]

[Once she's back in town with Goroh - and once she's had a chance to find her own clothes in the clothes shop - she'll be along, knocking lightly on the door before opening it just a crack. It's home, and the nostalgia is already powerful, but she doesn't want to just barge on in with new housemates.]

Kazuma...? I'm home.

[moezama]

Ah, Miss Litchi. [Kazuma was leaving his room when he heard the door knocking and a moment later sees her face peeking through the door. This month's cycle sure brought many familiar faces. This one though, he could happily smile about without doubt.]

Welcome back. The others are out right now, but you'll see them soon. [Although Kazuma normally had a sickly appearance, he probably looked paler than usual and maybe lost a little bit of weight. Nothing near dangerous levels just yet.]

[not_meatbuns]

[Still, that paleness and thinness has set off her Motherly Instincts. Frowning, she lets herself in the rest of the way and immediately starts over to him. And she's zeroing in with surgical precision already.]

Kazuma, how long has it been since you had a good balanced meal?

[moezama]

Uh- [...for some reason he should have seen that coming, but it still catches him off guard]

I...well... [Welp, nothing he says will help his situation. Lying would only make it worse. With everything that's been going on, it's a miracle he's eating anything.]

[not_meatbuns]

[The indignant mother instinct would probably carry on even more were the circumstances any different. But Litchi is too glad to see him to keep on about how he needs to take better care of himself. At least not yet. Shaking her head, she gives him a small smile.]

I suppose it doesn't really matter now, does it? I'll make you and the others dinner tonight, alright? Just please promise me you'll eat as much as you can.

[moezama]

Ah...right. I'm sorry. [You do not know what has been going on, Litchi. He can barely get enough sleep the last few weeks, because of certain people and a certain dream that continuously haunts him. Not to mention keeping a secret about being in contact with Terumi from everyone.]

Your old room is still vacant. [Even now he's trying not fall asleep on his feet]

[not_meatbuns]

[Don't tell her about Terumi or she will flip her lid, boy.]

It's okay. I just want to be sure you're healthy.

[Yeah, she's spotting that tiredness. And hypocritical as it is, she gently puts a hand on his shoulder.]

Why don't you get some rest while I get dinner ready? I can always settle in later, there's no need to worry about me.

[moezama]

...[It hasn't fully sunk in how much he missed Litchi until she rested her hand on his shoulder and expressed her kindness towards him. He missed this.]

Are you sure you don't want me to help with dinner...? You just came back after all.

[not_meatbuns]

[She shakes her head.]

I'm sure. It's probably good for me to get out and about to readjust to life here anyhow, hm? I'll be just fine.

[Plus it gives her some time to get the Boundary back under control. It seems like the more she starts to feel worked up, the more her lungs start to burn. She'll definitely need a moment to gather her wits.]

[moezama]

Well...all right. [If he was honest, he didn't really want to fall back to sleep right now]

I'll...I'll be in my room then. [He was about to head off, when he remembered something] Oh, were you informed about Miss Tsubaki...?

[not_meatbuns]

[Her smile turns a little pained, but she nods.]

Yes. Nami told me. It's... well, it's unfortunate, but I suppose I can only hope she'll be back soon.

[Even though she only saw her not too long ago back in Kagutsuchi. But she'd really prefer not to think about that.]

[moezama]

[A nod...it sure seems like the situation here is usually better than back home for them. Of course now he remembers his talk with Noel and Terumi now...did Litchi knew as well?]

...There was something else I wanted to talk to you about, but it can wait.

[not_meatbuns]

[She gives him a small, concerned frown.]

Are you sure? If it's anything important, please don't hold back.

[moezama]

[...Did you know, about me being a vessel...?]

No it's...it's fine. It can wait really. [He just gives her a reassuring smile] I'll talk about it at a later time, after you've readjusted and settled here.

[not_meatbuns]

Alright, if you're sure. [Not entirely certain she's assuaged, she just gives him a smile in return and gives him another soft pat to the shoulder.]

Go ahead and get some rest, then. I'll come get you once everything's ready.