[ It takes Zaveid a long time to work up the will to message her. It hurts, and the idea of it is a struggle, and she shouldn't have to be here to deal with it. She should have come here when it was good, when they were all happy and messing around... Not to this.
[Lailah sounds so relieved to hear his voice right now. She has to fight back tears from the sheer force of the emotion. At least one of them has managed to escape, and the fire seraph can only hope the same can be said for Dezel.]
Are you alright? Is Dezel with you? I heard from Allen that he's here.
Yeah, we're together. I guess you know what's going on, right?
[ While he hadn't responded to it he had seen her post on the network. She knows about Sorey, and there's no point in trying to deny it. All he can do is gather his strength and be the one that stands tall, for the both of them. ]
No, but seriously, he doesn't know what to say. He's struggling-- evident enough from the long, awkward silence on his end of the line, filled only with the occasional static and noises of the ship.]
[Lailah sounds extremely relieved to hear from him. Though, at the same time, she's not sure how it's possible that he's here. Perhaps there's something to death being impermanent in this place. Or maybe the Atroma truly don't care about letting the dead rest.
Does that mean Rose could...?]
I'm glad you're alright. [At least, in the sense that he isn't a dragon.]
Better than you and Zaveid, I imagine. [He doesn't comment on why, exactly, he is alive. He doesn't know. He doesn't want to get into what he thinks about it; Sorey makes up a large part of that, and Sorey is...]
-- You need to break the pact. The residual malevolence in the Fleet is cake compared to what's on that planet.
I might be better off than Zaveid at this point. Sorey isn't aware of my presence.
[Lailah pauses and sighs softly.]
I'm aware. Sorey's malevolence has been coming through our connection, and, more than that, he still retains all the powers of a Shepherd. On the other hand, we also need it if we wish to pinpoint his exact location, not to mention monitor his malevolence. Either way, the pact will be severed.
[Her tone is firm and resolved in that last statement. Lailah won't let anything stop her from doing that.]
[For a second he thinks those flowers are one of her weird fortune-telling paper games again, but he can see the intricate design as he comes in closer and he leans back against the door, watching her work. It's nice; her fingers move without hesitation, creating folds and lines from curves and edges, and then she just tugs on a corner and it's suddenly something new.
When she's finished he speaks up.] A friend told me about a new sweet I think you might like. It's called mochi.
[When Lailah's done, she cups the finished lotus flower in her hands and looks up at Sorey. The fire seraph tilts her head in interest.]
Oh, really? I've never heard of that one before. I'd be interested in trying it, and maybe getting a recipe, too.
[She's genuinely excited by the idea of trying out this 'mochi.' However, they both know that's not what Sorey's here for. For now, though, she's content to make small talk until he's ready...or needs a gentle nudge.]
[It takes Lailah a second and she can't help giggling a little. Wow. How smooth, Zaveid.
Still...she gives it some serious thought. Is the timing right? She mulls it over for a few minutes. Duty isn't taking up her attention, and her grief over Rose has subsided for the moment. So...perhaps it's a good time now, as things are calm and peaceful.]
[Sometimes, it's nice to catch an older seraph off-guard. It keeps things interesting.]
The adventure area sounds like a good place for the two of us to enjoy the experience.
[Annnd maybe minimize the chances of running into someone they know. She thinks it'll be better if it's just the two of them, not worrying about anyone interrupting their date.]
When would you like to do that? I have a flexible schedule.
[Oh, okay, it's a Zaveid matter. She relaxes a bit, but she doesn't give him anything less than her undivided attention.]
If there's one thing that becomes more difficult as seraphim age, it's changing bad habits. I might not be able to entirely fault Zaveid for his, given his experiences in life, but I know that it's no less frustrating.
[Lailah sighs softly. Not even she's got the whole story, either.]
Would you like to talk about what's happened? It may help, though I'm not sure how helpful I'll be with that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice.
No one deserves this. ]
Jeez. You could've said 'hey', you know.
voice.
[Lailah sounds so relieved to hear his voice right now. She has to fight back tears from the sheer force of the emotion. At least one of them has managed to escape, and the fire seraph can only hope the same can be said for Dezel.]
Are you alright? Is Dezel with you? I heard from Allen that he's here.
[Somehow.]
voice.
[ While he hadn't responded to it he had seen her post on the network. She knows about Sorey, and there's no point in trying to deny it. All he can do is gather his strength and be the one that stands tall, for the both of them. ]
We're nowhere near it, so stop worrying.
voice.
["Stop worrying," he says, when four people she cherishes are off on some planet being forced to purify two of their number.]
You know I won't until all of you are back safely.
[Lailah sighs softly, and she's glad that Zaveid can't see her looking sick. It's going to be a hard few days in a myriad of ways.]
Zaveid...are you in a position to tell me what happened?
[Her words are gentle and kind, but she won't risk the lives of the wind seraphim if they need to be on the move rather than answer that question.]
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No, but seriously, he doesn't know what to say. He's struggling-- evident enough from the long, awkward silence on his end of the line, filled only with the occasional static and noises of the ship.]
... Lailah.
voice.
[Lailah sounds extremely relieved to hear from him. Though, at the same time, she's not sure how it's possible that he's here. Perhaps there's something to death being impermanent in this place. Or maybe the Atroma truly don't care about letting the dead rest.
Does that mean Rose could...?]
I'm glad you're alright. [At least, in the sense that he isn't a dragon.]
voice.
-- You need to break the pact. The residual malevolence in the Fleet is cake compared to what's on that planet.
voice.
[Lailah pauses and sighs softly.]
I'm aware. Sorey's malevolence has been coming through our connection, and, more than that, he still retains all the powers of a Shepherd. On the other hand, we also need it if we wish to pinpoint his exact location, not to mention monitor his malevolence. Either way, the pact will be severed.
[Her tone is firm and resolved in that last statement. Lailah won't let anything stop her from doing that.]
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...I've decided.
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Of course, Sorey. I'm currently in my room, and my door is always unlocked for you. Just let yourself in when you get here.
[Lailah will be on her bed, finishing up a paper lotus flower she's been making. Two more of them are sitting next to her.]
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When she's finished he speaks up.] A friend told me about a new sweet I think you might like. It's called mochi.
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Oh, really? I've never heard of that one before. I'd be interested in trying it, and maybe getting a recipe, too.
[She's genuinely excited by the idea of trying out this 'mochi.' However, they both know that's not what Sorey's here for. For now, though, she's content to make small talk until he's ready...or needs a gentle nudge.]
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text; after the chat with mikleo
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[100% would, to be honest.]
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Still...she gives it some serious thought. Is the timing right? She mulls it over for a few minutes. Duty isn't taking up her attention, and her grief over Rose has subsided for the moment. So...perhaps it's a good time now, as things are calm and peaceful.]
I think so, yes. Did you have anything in mind?
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(He hadn't expected to get this far. What do you do when you get further than you'd ever imagined?
Panic.) ]
I heard there was a pretty cool adventure area? Or the museum, I guess... There might be some round stuff in there...
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The adventure area sounds like a good place for the two of us to enjoy the experience.
[Annnd maybe minimize the chances of running into someone they know. She thinks it'll be better if it's just the two of them, not worrying about anyone interrupting their date.]
When would you like to do that? I have a flexible schedule.
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I am gonna just-! I'm gonna be very upset about something for a minute, if you have the time and that's okay with you!
[Congrats Lailah, you are being treated to the very rare Vocally Frustrated Shepherd Sorey]
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Of course I have the time, Sorey, and you're more than welcome to vent with me.
[What's just happened? Who does she need to burn or scold for upsetting her son???]
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It's just- [And another sigh, dang,] It's Zaveid. I knew trying to connect with him again was going to be difficult, but, I don't know.
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If there's one thing that becomes more difficult as seraphim age, it's changing bad habits. I might not be able to entirely fault Zaveid for his, given his experiences in life, but I know that it's no less frustrating.
[Lailah sighs softly. Not even she's got the whole story, either.]
Would you like to talk about what's happened? It may help, though I'm not sure how helpful I'll be with that.
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