[Video]

[whatwas]

[The feed begins early in the morning, just before dawn. It's impossible to say who's recording, because all it captures is the sunrise. And it's beautiful; the colors are vivid, the day is cold and it makes everything that much sharper.

The sun climbs over the horizon at last and there's a flurry of dust across the screen. The PCD turns off when the feed times out.]


[OFFLINE: a note to Raven]

Hey, Spatzi.

I need to speak to the Higher Ups. Hold it together while I'm gone, ja?

[It's not signed because, well, she'll know who it was from.

There's also a note to Alphonse, saying simply, 'Sorry. Watch after Negi'. The few herbs Johannes left that Horst recognizes are mixed into sachets for Killua, Kotarou, and Negi. It encourages dreamless sleep.

If your name is Tyki, you get a key to Horst's bar and a note: 'Help yourself.']

Comments

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

I know. I don't either.

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

W-What... what was wrong? What- I-I know he missed Johannes b-but...

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

I think... he was just doing what he thought was right.

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

H-How could killing himself e-ever be right?

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

Listen, Alice, everything Horst does is for a reason. He would never do anything to hurt you, or anyone else he cares about. You believe that, right?

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

[She gives a small whimper but nods.]

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

Okay. I want you to go get your things ready. I'm gonna come get you and Raven. You can stay with us until he comes back.

[Video] 1/2

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

A-Alright.

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

C-Cloud... i-is it my fault for not seeing it? I-I should have been able to stop it sh-shouldn't I?

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

No, Alice. No, it's... it's not your fault. Above everything, I want you to know that, okay?

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

But I sh-should have seen that something was upsetting him!

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

But there was nothing there to see.

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

T-There had to have been something t-though. T-This couldn't have come f-from nowhere.

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

[He's pretty damn sure he knows where it came from, but he can't tell her that.]

We'll talk to him when he gets back, okay?

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

[She hiccups and nods.]

W-What if he doesn't remember us?

[Video]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

He will.

[He has to.]

I'm almost there. You gonna come let me in?

[Video]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

[She nods.]

O-Of course. I-It's you. [And you're like her big brother. You ARE her big brother and Mr. Fluffy.]

[Video - > Offline]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

Good girl.

[And a couple of minutes later he's knocking softly on the door.]

[Offline]

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

[It takes her a couple moments to get out of Raven's grasp but she opens the door and instantly hugging Cloud.]

[Offline]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't even hesitate once the door is open, leaning down and picking her up easily, wrapping his arms around her tightly. It was something he normally wouldn't do, but he had a feeling she needed it at the moment.]

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[Raven stands up from the armchair she was sitting in. Her head is bowed. She swiftly wipes her tears. And she stays there, looking at them from a far.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

Cloud, I... Let me take care of her. [She needs someone to act strong with, and Alice is that person. If she doesn't have that, the pain will drive her crazy.]

Or let me stay with you both. Until he comes back.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

There's room for both of you. [It's a big house, and he and Zack were currently the only one's in it. Two more people couldn't hurt.]

Stay there. I'll come get both of you.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She's not there. But she's heading over to Horst's place as they speak, so she just nods.]

Thank you.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[mirroredecho.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, Raven.