dream ✪ 06

[notjust_risette]

Warnings: None.
Effects: (optional) A sense of normalcy before being hit hard with the feeling of loss and loneliness.

Comments

[rise_to_caesar]

[Akihiko may not always be the sharpest when it comes to girls but he can definitely tell that Rise's upset right now. Though from the way she turned the Dreamberry off at the end, he can only assume she's not in the mood to talk about it.

...But that isn't going to stop him.]

Hey, Rise... What's up?

[notjust_risette]

Hey.

[She can't help but smile just a little at seeing Akihiko concerned about her, but the feeling of everything else weighed her down. Might as well just tell him and get it over with.]

...Looks like he's gone again.

[rise_to_caesar]

[Based on how Rise's acting now and the dogs currently curled up with her, he can only assume who left.]

Sorry to hear it... You're not alone though, right?

[notjust_risette]

I am right now... Atoli came by a while ago, though.

[rise_to_caesar]

--Huh?

[Akihiko blinks, the realization that Rise's by herself suddenly hitting. Sure, she has the dogs but what about human companionship? What about someone to wish her goodnight, greet her in the morning and see her off to school? Akihiko recalls when he was living alone in Somarium and he recalls that feeling as being something unsettling and heavy. He hated being alone.]

So there isn't anybody living with you now?

[notjust_risette]

[She shakes her head. There was a point in time that she had lived on her own but it wasn't for too long. Abel had immediately offered her to move in with him and Harley and she didn't decline the offer. Now that they were both gone, it was going to take a while to get used to it all. At least it would if she chose to continue staying in the cottage. That thought hadn't exactly crossed her mind just yet.]

No. Harley left a while back, too. It's just me and the dogs right now.

[rise_to_caesar]

Well, I'll have to ask the other guys but... There's plenty of room here at the Dusk. You're free to come stay with us for a while, if you want to - and I bet Keibi wouldn't mind having some other dogs around.

[He offers her a bit of a reassuring smile. There really is a lot of room at Hotel Dusk right now - and somehow, Akihiko's felt that the building has just seemed emptier since Mitsuru and Minami left Somarium. To get some life on the girls' floor again would be nice.]

What do you say?

[notjust_risette]

[She can't help but smile back at the offer.

She remembers when he asked her the same thing the first time but circumstances had changed since then. Rise would much rather have the company of others then living on her own. And the cottage was too big for just her and the two dogs, after all.]

Do you think they'll be okay with it?

[rise_to_caesar]

[The smile on his face never fades, regarding Rise with a warm look.] I bet they'll be just fine with it. Minato's invited friends to stay here before and I've always said it was fine - I doubt he'll have any issues here.

I'll take a day off work and help you move in even, I'm due for a vacation day or two anyway.

[notjust_risette]

Well, only if you and everyone else are sure about it.

[She allows herself a small laugh.] It almost sounds like I'm going to make you work on you on your day-off. You work enough as is.

[rise_to_caesar]

Hey, don't you sweat it. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to have you.

And don't worry about putting me to work - I can handle whatever you want to throw at me.

[notjust_risette]

Oh? That almost sounds like a challenge, Akihiko-kun.

[rise_to_caesar]

Well... [He lightly clears his throat now] Maybe not literally throw but...

[notjust_risette]

[That only makes her giggle.] I know what you meant. Don't worry.

[There's a slight pause before she smiles at him. She was feeling a lot better now than she did a while ago.] Thank you, Akihiko-kun.

[rise_to_caesar]

Don't mention it, Rise. I--

[He pauses. I'd do anything for you is what almost escaped him but he holds back, clearing his throat a little.]

I'll come by whenever you're ready.

[notjust_risette]

[Even if she noticed the slight hesitation, she lets it slide.]

I'll call you when I'm all packed.