1st -:- video

[shotgun_sister]

[Hello Nesreca, say hello to your newest arrival who's sort of already been here before. Confusing? Yeah, she's confused too.]

[But she's taking it in stride, having already been informed of the way this place works and sorely hoping she's made it back to the same time and place. Because otherwise, she's going to be very annoyed at being dragged

Comments

[video]

[and_above_all]

[With a cry, Kiriko drops his PDA in when he hears her voice, sees her face. His eyes almost well up with tears with how happy he is - Yuri's back! Like a starved animal baited by meat he leaps for his PDA, fumbling with it nervously before switching to video.

And despite the fact that he still refers to her as his little sister, with their new six-year difference he can't help but exasperatedly call her:]

Oneesan!!

[video]

[shotgun_sister]

Kiriko!

[And she can't stop the childish grin that's forming, because she had wholly convinced herself that her last adventure here was nothing but an elaborate dream. Here she knows he's alive and she doesn't feel so alone.]

I have no idea what happened before, but I'm back now!

Re: [video]

[and_above_all]

[His speech becomes a little breathy as he bounds down the apartment stairs, all the way from the eighth floor to the lobby in a matter of moments.]

I missed you!

[He almost says 'we have so much to talk about!', but holds his tongue for now. Yes, he has a thousand questions to ask Yuri, but this is more important. He laughs jokingly.]

Geez, where did you go?! You really had me going!

Re: [video]

[shotgun_sister]

I missed you too!

[What a loaded phrase that is, considering she's talking to an outdated version of her brother she's been pining after since he came back so different. She starts off in the direction of the apartment building in order to meet him.]

I didn't do it on purpose! I would have left a note or something!

Re: [video]

[and_above_all]

[In the time it took her to record her message, he's already waiting outside like an anxious child on his first day of school.]

I know, I know you would...

[A bit of a blush rushes to his cheeks, it's strange to be talking to this older woman as if he's known her all his life. He has, in a way, but..

Still trying to be friendly, he asks completely innocently:]

How was everyone? Mom, Dad...

Re: [video]

[shotgun_sister]

[Just as fast as that smile came, it's gone as she stops dead in her tracks. Of course he would ask that. Damn it.]

I...

[-shit shit shit! What is she supposed to tell him?!]

There... are some things we need to talk about...

Re: [video]

[and_above_all]

[His smile is also wiped from his face. Despite not knowing what he's done, he feels awful for making Yuri look so upset...]

Eh? O-Oh... Okay...

[He instantly fears the worst, and is probably right to. He shyly lowers his head and waits by the doors quietly.]

[video] ---> [action]

[shotgun_sister]

[She hates to have to tell him these things, and take away what little happiness he might have, yet at the same time he has a right to know.]

I'll be there in a minute.

[It doesn't take her long to get to the apartment building and to push past the front doors.]

Re: [video] ---> [action]

[and_above_all]

[Kiriko races towards the door before she's entirely through it, and greets her with a friendly but cautious half-hug. It's not quite the same as the tacklehug from before, but it still means a lot to be able to hug her again.]

Oneesan...

[He smiles slightly, and then it fades.]

Should we... should we go to my room?

[action]

[shotgun_sister]

[She's trying to think of the best way to break the news when he catches her in the doorway. Her focus is broken when he hugs her, and she clings back for a half moment.]

[She smiles back, but it’s faint and forced.]

Yeah, that would probably be a good idea.

Re: [action]

[and_above_all]

[Kiriko nods carefully and takes his sister by the hand, slowly leading her up to his room as though she's never been there before. Though holding her hand is entirely unnecessary, Kiriko does not let go until they are up the stairs, as though if he did she would disappear behind his back again.]

[Once in 806, Kiriko pulls up a chair for her and, being careful to never turn his back to her, takes a seat in front of Yuri.]

.....So...

...I guess I'll ask again. How is everyone? Honestly.

Re: [action]

[shotgun_sister]

[Yuri lets him lead her, even though she remembers the way from the last time she was here, just because it's the easiest thing to do at the moment.]

[She takes the proffered seat, and refuses to meet his eyes.]

You're not going to like the answer.

[Hell, she doesn't like the answer. She takes a deep breath to steady herself before continuing.]

They're dead, Kiriko. Mom, dad, and even you.

Re: [action] 1/2

[and_above_all]

[The news knocks all wind from Kiriko's lungs and he finds himself unable to breathe or speak. His cool blue eyes seem to lose their life, and he looks down silently, without a word.]

Re: [action] 2/2

[and_above_all]

[When he does breathe again, it shakes with sorrow, and he isn't quite sure what news disturbs him the most. His mother... his immortal father... and himself, all dead? It didn't make sense...

Just when he had thought he wouldn't die in the war... when he thought he just might have a chance at surviving...

Now he tries to speak, but his voice is squeaky and so unlike his usual calm facade.]

...W-When? How?

Re: [action] 2/2

[shotgun_sister]

[It 's like ripping off a band-aid; It had to be done quick. She could have draw it out, left little hints that there was no one left, but that wouldn't have been fair.]

[His reaction is expected.]

Mom was after you came home. Dad was a few years ago. You... You left. You're gone.

[It's easier than she thought to stay distant and deadpan.]

Re: [action] 2/2

[and_above_all]

[His gaze remains locked on the floor, and he digs his fingernails into the fabric of his knees. That soon?]

Mom...

[He shakes his head slowly, determined that Yuri must be wrong about at least one thing. After all...]

But, Yuri... Dad... Dad's...

[He covers his face with his hands, sighing deeply.]

He can't...