It's a long time before Melou actually follows the sign. He hangs around in the ballroom for a while, sipping at a drink and not talking to anyone, curious about what's going but not wanting to admit to himself that he's interested. Eventually the curiosity grows too big, and he follows the sign. When he finds the memory room he hovers around its entrance, curious but too apprehensive to go in. He expects it's probably going to be something stupid, anyway. But, once again, the curiosity becomes too much for him, and after a quick glance around to make sure nobody's watching, he steps over the threshold
( ... )
"Melou?" Hisoka is standing behind him. He doesn't really need to ask what is the matter, since nearly everybody he has seen so far has been in tears. Visits from those we love or have loved. But he asks anyway. "Who did you see?"
"I came here, too," says Hisoka. "Strange place, in fact, a kind place, to show us what we so want to see." He doesn't mind if Melou isn't coherent. He's not entirely coherent himself.
"But there was-" Melou says, then breaks off again. He gives up on trying to steady himself against the wall and sits down heavily, with his knees drawn up against his chest. "What was that?"
He still doesn't understand what's going on. He's not always very quick on the uptake. Especially when he's this upset.
If Melou permits, Hisoka pats his shoulder, somewhat gingerly, but sincerely. He gives a brief sigh, these issues being unsettling for himself as well. "What's real? Whoever you saw isn't here now. But who is to say they weren't with you in spirit? Too many strange things have happened to me in my life for me to say that can't have been. I don't know how you feel about it."
Melou's silent for a moment, considering whether or not he should tell Hisoka or try to evade the question."My brother," he says, managing to keep his voice completely flat and devoid of emotion.
"Did you get to talk with him?" asks Hisoka. The flat voice he recognizes as a dodge, since Melou was sobbing like a child a minute ago. (Or like a brother wrenched away from his brother's arms...)
"A little," Melou replies, still in the same flat tone. He doesn't really want to talk about it. And there's not that much to talk about, anyway, since most of the interaction probably consisted of him clinging to his little brother and crying.
Hisoka nods, respecting his desire not to discuss the matter. Most people do care deeply about somebody, and it seems King Melou's brother is that one for Melou.
[It doesn't look like this is the occasion on which Melou will find out that the histories say his brother is dead. Maybe another time? Seems like he suspects this anyway? And okay if we FTB on this thread?]
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He still doesn't understand what's going on. He's not always very quick on the uptake. Especially when he's this upset.
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He's not sure how he feels about this.
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Particularly since he might not even be alive.
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[It doesn't look like this is the occasion on which Melou will find out that the histories say his brother is dead. Maybe another time? Seems like he suspects this anyway? And okay if we FTB on this thread?]
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and ftb!
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