Appointments Post

[soreplaceable]

"Is there something I can help you with?"


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Action; Evening of November 12th

[fabrecation]

[It was only a few minutes ago that Luke received the written message, yet it made him pull on his coat and shoes and head outside right away.

"Can you meet me outside of community housing 2?"

It wasn't really the message itself that worried him, but the way it was written. He could tell it came from Ion, yet the handwriting was messy and shaky. It was pretty clear that Ion was upset about something, and he came to Luke to help him with it. And Luke wasn't the type of person to leave a friend.

So, just moments after receiving the message, Luke opens the door to the entrance of his building and steps outside. It was still sunset, nearing evening... What happened, anyway?]

Ion?

[distressedude]

[Luke will have to look down if he wants to see Ion when he opens the door. Though the message only came a few minutes ago, Ion's been sitting there far longer, back against the wall and knees hugged to his chest.]

[He looks up when he hears Luke's voice, but then just as quickly looks back down. When he speaks, his voice is brimming with false cheer.]

Hello, Luke. I... hope I'm not interrupting anything, asking to see you so suddenly like this. [He's shivering. It's hard to tell if it's from the cold or something else. At this point, probably a little of both.]

I would have knocked, but I've been sitting like this for so long... [A weak laugh.] Could... could you help me stand?

[fabrecation]

[False cheer or not, Ion's posture, words and behavior is worrying Luke all the more.]

Ion...?

[He bends briefly to take both of Ion's hands before he straightens and pulls him up, taking a step back to further aid this. Jeez, he was cold. How long had he been out here?]

Why didn't you call me sooner? - Nevermind, let's just get you inside.

[And with no room for protest, Luke lets go of his hands to place his own on Ion's shoulder instead, and guides him inside. It should already be warmer in the housing building.]

[distressedude]

[At least an hour, though that's not counting the amount of time he spent wandering the village since earlier this afternoon. He was dressed for the weather, yes, but he had certainly not been prepared for staying out so long.]

[He's easily pulled to his feet and walks with Luke into the apartment, but he might be a bit unsteady until they actually make it inside. His legs were just asleep, after all. By the time he speaks up, that false cheer has all but vanished, and his eyes are still fixed on the ground.]

Can we talk in your room?

[fabrecation]

Sure. [Once they make it to his apartment, Luke takes a brief glance around before he brings Ion to his room. Just making sure that Asch isn't nearby. He doesn't think Asch would mind, but... Better safe than sorry right now.

Just a moment later, Luke sits Ion down on his bed while he himself finds a chair nearby, the one he'd usually sit to write in. He brings it near the bed, then sits and clasps his own hands as he leans in slightly.]

Did something happen?

[distressedude]

[Not even once he's sitting down does Ion look up, keeping his hands neatly in his lap and, at least for now, his coat on. Even though they were inside, he was still shivering a bit.]

[He nods, but doesn't say anything yet. He's trying so hard to keep himself together right now, but he knows the moment he speaks that it's just going to become that much harder.]

[With a fleeting glance up at Luke, he replies in a soft voice.]

I told Anise how I feel about her today. [He hunches his shoulders and looks more pointedly as the ground.] It... didn't go well.

[fabrecation]

[After a moment, Luke reaches to pull the blankets up as much over Ion as he can. That might help a little...

It's as he's pulling his hand back that Ion starts to explain, and as a result, his hand hovers in the air for a few seconds before he pulls it back fully, and lets it rest in his lap.]

... Oh. [He frowns and purses his lips as he leans over a little, trying to look at Ion's face.] Did she... say anything, or...?

[distressedude]

...I think it surprised her. She must have had no idea that I felt that way... and the look on her face when I told her was...

[His hands tighten into fists as he grips the edge of his coat. By his posture and the way he's sitting, it almost looks as though he were trying to occupy as little space as possible, as if he wanted to just curl up and disappear. And maybe a part of him did want to disappear right now. It would make things easier.]

[He wraps his arms around his chest, gripping his coat tightly.] It was... a mistake. I shouldn't have... I...

[He turns and glances up at Luke. He's sad, he's hurt, but more than that, he's confused. Ion had only barely understood his own feelings before; this wasn't something he knew how to deal with. He couldn't handle it.]

...I didn't think it would hurt this much.

From November 15th onwards

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[This first message is written in her clearest, most formal handwriting. She's done a few drafts outside of her journal already before penning this.]

Ion, are you okay? Please come back soon. We're all really worried.

5 minutes later...

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[A quick scribble.] Why aren't you writing back? Ion, please!

Another five minutes...

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

Ion, come on! Please! I'm really sorry miss you so much really worried!

[distressedude]

[When Ion saw her first message, his heart sank. He wanted to reply. Just a quick message that he was all right... that would be okay, right? He could handle that.]

[But when he pressed a pen to the page, the second reply came up.]

[By the time he convinced himself this was just proof that he needed to reply, the third reply came up.]

[He had to put the journal down. And he couldn't bring himself to look at it again until an hour had passed...]

10 minutes this time

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

You're probably busy or something, right? Just write me back when you can! ♥

[Despite the fact it's just writing, you can still probably sense the false cheeriness dripping from the words.]

10 more minutes...

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

You're still not back yet?!

5 minutes again also it's IN VOICE YAY

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

Ion! Are you in trouble?! Come on! Answer me!

20 minutes, back to writing

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

I'm probably annoying you, am I? I'm really sorry. I'll stop.

[And then there'll be nothing for the rest of the day because she stuffed the journal under the mattress and went to the library to try distract herself.]

[distressedude]

[Just when Ion didn't think this could possibly hurt any more, fate turns around and slaps him in the face. No, maybe it's guilt doing the slapping. He thought he'd been doing better... he thought he'd be able to handle this. Why? Why does he have to feel this way!?]

[When Anise checks her journal tonight, she'll find a reply. The handwriting is unmistakably Ion's, though it's written rather stiffly. The camera, however, has been covered.]

Anise.
I'm so sorry.

[Something is written here but crossed out beyond readability.]

Please don't worry about me.
I promise I'll come back soon.
I [More illegible scribbles.]

I'm sorry.

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[The reply comes late at night.]

Ion!

[There's only one word as Anise struggles to think of what to write, and the message is sent during her inactivity.]

20 minutes later

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[Anise had left the journal to plan out her reply on another sheet of paper, which is the only reason that the message Ion is getting isn't a mass of scribbles and strikeouts.]

I'm the one who should be sorry. Please come back soon. We all miss you.

Morning of November 16th

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

You're still not back... I'm just I wish

Just stay safe, okay?

Afternoon

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

You haven't wri

You're fine, right? Don't put yourself in any danger I'm not there to protect

My writing's such a mess...Just be careful please.

[distressedude]

[After his talk with Nephry last night, Ion knew he'd have to make a decision today. Though he knows he shouldn't stay away for so long and he really didn't want to avoid Anise... he still doesn't know if he can go back yet. He doesn't know if he could handle it...]

[But he knows he can't just let things stay like this. Which is why, almost immediately after her afternoon message (he slept in okay), there's a written reply. Without the camera being covered this time. He's smiling, but it's not entirely sincere.]

Hello Anise.

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[Anise had been about to put her journal away when the message appears. She replies immediately, the rush causing her writing to be large and untidy.]

Ion! Are you okay?

[distressedude]

I'm all right, Anise.
I'm sorry for worrying you these past few days.

[His smile falters a bit, but he takes a calming breath before continuing.]

I just [...] needed some time away. To think.
I realize I could have gone about doing so in a better way, but I suppose I wasn't really thinking at the time.

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[Anise is smiling too, relief and joy clearly visible in her expression. However, at Ion's words, her smile fades a bit. She writes quickly and tries not to cross out anything. She's had it with being all wary and cautious. She shouldn't have to feel that way around Ion. She's going to do what Nephry advised. She's going to do what she thinks is right, and hopefully that will be enough to start mending their relationship.]

No, it's fine, I'm just glad you're safe. I just missed you a lot, that's all. But take more time if you need to! I'll always be waiting. ♥

[distressedude]

[There's so many things he wants to say. "I want to come home" or "I miss you too". He just can't think of a way to start those sentences that won't end with "but...".]

[It just hurts too much. He's not at a point where he can be okay with things. Not yet, but... he's getting there.]

Thank you, Anise.
I promise I'll try to come home soon.

[Obviously he'll know he's ready when he can write to her without having to fix himself every other word. Sob.]