[He'd only met the man once, had still been holding his judgment on what he thought of him, but it was - and is - obvious how much he meant to Odette. Considering he was her betrothed, that's only natural, of course.]
[Phoenix is waiting for her when she arrives. He takes a moment to look at her, taking in her condition. She's been crying, obviously, distraught by this turn of events. But she's trying to be brave and steady, probably as much for herself as anyone else.
His expression softens, and he moves to touch her arm.]
We'll find him. Or we'll know for certain that he isn't here.
[It takes her a moment more than usual to get to the top deck. She spent a bit of time trying to compose herself so she could actually be helpful. Besides, she didn't want Phoenix to see her like this.
She steps out onto the deck and makes her way to Phoenix when she spots him. When he touches her arm, she pats his hand gently.]
[But deck three doesn't hold any answers, or the next deck, or the one after that. But still they went on, investigating where they could. The most likely places got the most attention - the forest, the library, the deck that Derek's room was on - but in the end...
Nothing. Nothing. Deck twenty, and nothing. Phoenix closes his eyes and exhales softly. Then he looks at Odette. This is the end of the search. How will she react?]
[Somehow, she knows. With every deck they search, every room, she knows deep down that he isn't there. There is no trace of him; he might as well never been there at all. They reach the final deck and with it their search is over.
And no Derek.
Odette looks down at her hands and clasps them together in front of her. There are no tears, only a heavy heart. She looks up at Phoenix and manages a weak smile.]
Thank you for helping me, Phoenix. I know he's all right. Derek is a strong man. He'll be fine. I just have to believe that.
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He's gone, Phoenix. He's gone.
[Sob.]
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[He'd only met the man once, had still been holding his judgment on what he thought of him, but it was - and is - obvious how much he meant to Odette. Considering he was her betrothed, that's only natural, of course.]
Is there anything I can do?
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[She hopes. She tries to calm herself down, at least enough so she could speak to Phoenix properly.]
I just need a little time.
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And I would do more if I thought it would be any help.
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I want to go with you. Just so I can see for myself.
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His expression softens, and he moves to touch her arm.]
We'll find him. Or we'll know for certain that he isn't here.
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She steps out onto the deck and makes her way to Phoenix when she spots him. When he touches her arm, she pats his hand gently.]
I know. Thank you.
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I was already on this deck when you first called, and I searched it while I waited. Let's head down to the next deck.
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I've checked the medical bay already. His bed was...made like he was never there at all.
[She wills herself not to cry.]
So we can go straight to deck three.
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Nothing. Nothing. Deck twenty, and nothing. Phoenix closes his eyes and exhales softly. Then he looks at Odette. This is the end of the search. How will she react?]
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And no Derek.
Odette looks down at her hands and clasps them together in front of her. There are no tears, only a heavy heart. She looks up at Phoenix and manages a weak smile.]
Thank you for helping me, Phoenix. I know he's all right. Derek is a strong man. He'll be fine. I just have to believe that.
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