Friday night: Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet

[firm_detective]

As they approach the door of their room, Misa clings to L. There's something odd in his expression.

[Thread is private to firm_detective and misamisal; continues from here. Translation: As loyal as she began, so she remains.]

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[misamisal]

::seeing the door ahead, Misa hurries and opens the door with her key, holding the door for him::
I'm sorry if it smells like cleaning solution. I started my cleaning in here.

::Their two cups of hot cocoa are still sitting on the table. She notices them and her eyes widen. Blushing slightly, she sort of avoids his gase with a bit of a sheepish smile::
I, uh...I couldn't get rid of them before.

[firm_detective]

*He follows her into the room, pausing on the threshold to look at it before he enters. I remembered it like this, but it seems -- smaller, darker.*

No, it smells fine.

*When he sees the cups, he concentrates on them, then turns his gaze back to her.*

That's right. We had been drinking cocoa, hadn't we?

You left my book, too -- Gibbon.

*He ambles to the seating area, where he takes a moment to choose between the two chairs and the sofa, finally taking the same seat he had been in when he disappeared. Before he speaks, he lets out a tiny sigh.*

To begin with, Misa, I think I want to get you a different camera. We should remove the pictures from this one and destroy it.

*His tone is businesslike.*

[misamisal]

:::she's a bit surprised at his tone, but she closes and locks the door, then takes her place next to him, but not too close, since he seems a bit shy at the moment. She flinches at the idea of destroy her camera and all the pictures on it::

Can I keep the pictures I took back home? And the ones that don't have anyone from here in it?

[firm_detective]

You can keep the memory card, and you can put the pictures on my laptop here, if you haven't already. I will open them for you anytime you like.

*His tone softens.*

It is only that each of us have been pulled away from the mansion while we used this camera, or just afterward -- I do not think we can risk it.

*He faces straight ahead, now, instead of turning his face to look at her, and drops his gaze to the floor on the other side of the coffee table.*

[misamisal]

::she smiles and nods::
Thank you. Of course. I think it's a good idea, too. It does seem too strange to be a coincidence. I don't want something like this to happen again, so I'm willing to take any precaution.

::after a small pause, her expression turns worried::
L...what happened in your world? How is everyone? You don't have to talk about it now if you don't feel comfortable doing so.

[firm_detective]

*He crosses his arms in front of his chest, then raises one of his hands to his face, where he rubs at his forehead.*

It isn't that. It is -- I -- I missed you, Misa, I missed you too much.

I will tell you everything, only -- I do not know where to start. With the story, with you, or with being here again, and there is no way to know how long I will be here this time.

[misamisal]

::Sadly, she lowers her head, arms wrapping around herself::
I know. I'm so worried...but, most of all, I just want you to be safe and happy.

Would you like something to eat? Some tea, perhaps?

[firm_detective]

Maybe in a few minutes. Please, sit here with me.

*He reaches out the hand that isn't touching his face, caresses her upper arm with the tip of his index finger.*

I am happy to see you.

*This is not accompanied by a smile, or any other outward indication of happiness. There's an awkward pause, and he continues,*

I've been in Switzerland.

[misamisal]

I'm happy to see you, too.

::a small smile plays on her lips::
Really? How was it?

[firm_detective]

It was dull -- a bank fraud case, and not a particularly interesting one, though it was lucrative.

I have created an identity for you -- it is in a safe there. Family name Watanabe, personal name Nori.

*Now he looks at her, dark eyes wide and flat.*

The entire time I was setting it up, I thought I was fooling myself.

[misamisal]

::she eyes are large and full of love. She notes the personal name with gratitude::

It must have been difficult. Still, thank you for doing that. I'm very greatful.

::she pauses a moment, looking a bit sad, keeping her gaze away from him, cheeks burning pink with shame but having to ask the question to know for sure::
You still want me, then? While you were gone, I was afraid that when you came back, you might not want me anymore.

[firm_detective]

I -- please look at me, Misa.

*A few breaths, while he considers how to phrase what he means to say. His gaze doesn't leave her face.*

Yes. It would be easier if I knew where to start with you, though. I spent so many months unable to be sure of how I should feel, or what I should do, or when I should give up hoping and try to move on. It wasn't the sort of thing I could control. There was no plan I could make that would have had a reasonable chance of bringing us back together.

[misamisal]

::turning to look at him, she listens to his voice still with those large eyes::

I know. It's impossible to make a plan in this sort of situation. It's very ennerving.
But...
::gently, she lays her hand over his::
We're together again now. I would suggest starting the binding rituals so this doesn't happen again, but...I'm not sure anymore if that would ensure that we stay together. Mail is still missing, and Mel told me the link was being stretched. I'm worried.

[firm_detective]

It is a risk to take, except --

* -- he pushes aside the impulse to move his hand from under hers -- he wants it there, but has grown unaccustomed to being touched -- *

-- I think it will be a while before we feel close enough again for it to work.

[misamisal]

::She thought this was the problem. Gently, she pats his hand but pulls her's back to rest in her lap::

I understand. Let's give it some time. Everything will be alright.

[firm_detective]

I thought I knew, but I was wrong, Misa. There was a consistent stream of thought in my head: wondering how much time was passing here, how you were managing in my absence, whether or not you had been sent home too, and so on and on. I nearly went out of my mind -- even Matsuda noticed. Even so, I was able to accomplish things.

*His tone softens, becomes a touch more tender.*

I would like to go back to how it was before I left.