013 ☯ Alma [VIDEO]

[alma_karma]

[The feed is turned accidentally by a squeeze of small fingers, and a slowly bobbing view of the apartment building is visible. Alma trudges through the light rain, taking refuge in the partial protection the building provides. What can be seen of the boy (mostly his legs) is covered in mud, as if he fell somewhere along the way.

After a few minutes

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[OFFLINE FOREVER]

[tothelastbreath]

[So did Alma actually vanish for a few days, or was he automatoning his way along? Either way, bitty in the rain = big DNW, so here's Allen coming out of his room.]

Alma?

[alma_karma]

[Alma startles a bit, blinking up at Allen with a confused expression.]

... Allen? I'm not sure what happened.

[tothelastbreath]

―That makes two of us! What were you doing outside? [ peering at his muddy legs, worried ] Did you fall?

[alma_karma]

I woke up out here. I don't remember coming outside, though...

[He looks down at himself, rubbing distractedly at one of his knees.] Yeah.

[tothelastbreath]

[...Yeah, that can't be normal.]

Do you know how long it's been? What's the last date you remember?

[Bends over to examine that knee, unmindful of the dirt and mud.]

[alma_karma]

[There's a bit of blood mixed in with the mud, but any cut or scrape that might've been there is long gone.]

Umm... July... [Give him a moment. It's hard to keep track of dates here.]

Twenty-seventh?

[tothelastbreath]

[He expected as much, so he doesn't comment on it, just offers Alma a hand up. Let's get you indoors before you catch a cold.]

Twenty-seventh? But that's six days ago!

[alma_karma]

[Alma takes that hand up, but his jaw drops when Allen mentions the date.]

Six days?!

[tothelastbreath]

[Helps him up, bent over at the waist so they're almost on eye level and look, Allen's equally slack-jawed. What even. He hasn't noticed your name disappearing, and Kanda hasn't mentioned anything.]

It's the 2nd of August today. Are you sure you didn't get it wrong?

[alma_karma]

Maybe... but it can't be August yet!

[tothelastbreath]

[Turns his PDA around to show Alma today's date.]

Afraid we're two days into it.

[What the hell. Have other people been disappearing too?]

[alma_karma]

[Alma tightens his grip on Allen's hand with a frown.]

But then... how come I don't remember?

[tothelastbreath]

[Returns the pressure, and uses that grip to start gently steering Alma out of the rain.]

[ worried, but keeping his expression and voice level: ] I don't know. Libitina might've taken you― But you're feeling alright? Nothing different?

[alma_karma]

[Alma follows without a fight.]

I don't think so. Just kinda cold.

[tothelastbreath]

[This, coupled with recent irregularities ― an event that lasted two weeks, none at all last month ― has Allen on edge, but it doesn't show beyond a quick clench of his jaw.]

That's good. Maybe you were sent home for a bit? [ an encouraging smile ] People don't always remember their time here when they come back, so I suppose it isn't too strange for it to happen the other way 'round.

[...He's aware this logic is flawed, but in his experience, people tend to rest easier when provided with a 'because'. And there isn't much they can do in this case besides rolling with whatever Libitina threw at them.]

[alma_karma]

I don't remember going home...

[Not really sure he'd want to. The last time he went home didn't end very well.]

... I don't like this.