{DAY 45 ⚡ unfiltered call}

[guardup]

Hope? Hope, it's Lightning- listen, I don't what happened, but I remember everything now. You were right about Cocoon. We... completed our Focus after all. Fang and Vanille-

(She pauses; hesitates.)

... Everything okay on your end? By the looks of things, I've been gone for a while.

Comments

[caladcholg]

[She's unsure if she should respond, but after a few moments.]

He's safe.

[guardup]

(She takes a moment before answering, the sincerity in her voice very focused.)

Thank you.

[caladcholg]

[Well, this certainly throws off Clare.]

... You're welcome.

[guardup]

You've been with him for a while. Protected him.

If you ever need something from me, just let me know. I owe you at least that.

[yeah_steelguard]

...Lightning?

[Oh man, he's missed her, strangely enough.]

Lightning! Hope's...Hope's safe.

[guardup]

- Snow?

(That gets her to snap out of it some and gather coherency.)

Are you with him?

[yeah_steelguard]

Not right now, but he's my neighbor.

[guardup]

(Good. That meant they could talk, one on one.)

And just how long have you been here?

[escapedpandora]

Light!

[Hold on, he's going to be extra careful not to drop his phone in the water, so there might be some fumbling noises.]

Light, you're back-- I tried to look for you, but I couldn't get really far in the blizzard and then Jaime and Elaine were outside and they really needed to be taken to the hospital, and Snow showed up and people were saying that there were a lot more people who disappeared, but then all the snow melted and it just flooded everywhere and even more people showed up, and--

[Ignore all of that, the important thing is the undertone of relief. He's really, really glad you're back.]

[guardup]

(Is that a... chuckle on her end?)

Hey, it's okay. I'm alright. Sounds like you are, too.

(A beat.)

Sorry for the scare. I still don't know what happened. I got assigned to a new house- took me a while to find it.

Think this place has gotten bigger than before.

[escapedpandora]

It's okay, I just--

[Okay, there's that breath.]

I'm really glad you're back.

[guardup]

For better or worse.

(She adds a dash of sarcasm on that one, but she's smiling.)

How's the brand?