-5- [accidental voice] backdated to the middle of the night

[adreamminealone]

[It's the middle of the night, barely a day after everyone's powers came back to normal. Everything should be okay now.

Everything...

The silence of this night has been suddenly interrupted by a soft, barely audible sound. A sound of someone crying.

Everything should be okay now, so why is he crying? What happened?]

...W-why...

[his voice is

Comments

[alma_karma]

... Ruca?

[adreamminealone]

Huh?

[oh, that thing had to turn on again. He quickly takes it and tries to sound as if nothing is happening.

Except that never works for him, since he is so bad at both lying and acting.]

A-Alma... i-it's okay... I'm okay.

[lies.]

[alma_karma]

[Oh, Alma is well aware of your lies, sir. He may be bleary from waking up, but he knoooooows.]

Did you have another bad dream?

[adreamminealone]

Y-yeah. Just... another bad dream... [he says that as if he wished those words would be true.]

[alma_karma]

D'you want me to come over?

[adreamminealone]

No... it's fine. I'll be okay, really, so don't worry.

[alma_karma]

You don't sound okay.

[adreamminealone]

[...]

I'm... sorry.

[alma_karma]

[Blinkblink.]

... What're you sorry for?

[adreamminealone]

I'm sorry... but there is nothing anyone can do to help me.

[...]

And I'm sorry I woke you up...

[alma_karma]

I'm sure that's not true. [He pouts a bit.] Don't be sorry.

[adreamminealone]

No... it is true...

[alma_karma]

[He pouts a bit.]

Someone can always help if you let them.

[adreamminealone]

I would agree with you, but... this is different. Even I can't do anything about it... not for now, that is.

[he smiles a little.]

I'll be okay in a while... But thank you for your concern, Alma. I really appreciate it.

[alma_karma]

[Alma will understand one day... but that day is not today. He still looks confused, but he nods.]

... You're welcome.