[Koi waited by the elevator, still a bit shocked about the fact that he'd been gone so long. It worried him, really... how much pain had he caused his 'children'?]
[Kagerou first walked, then ran. If she tarried, he might disappear again, before she'd so much as got to hug him. While she knew Koi hadn't been her actual father, he'd been so close to one that it hardly mattered. She tumbled out of the elevator, looked around, and, spotting him, suddenly slowed down. Her steps were soft and cautious as she came closer. He looked just the same. Back here, and remembering them all.]
Hello. I...
[The rest tangled in her throat. She sprang forward and flew to hug Koi, as tightly as she only could.]
[Koi notices her hesitation and gives her a soft smile, letting her take her time. He knows he's been gone a long time and it must have hurt the people that cared about him a great deal.
He holds her closely as soon as Kagerou hugs him, and gently strokes her hair back from her face.]
[He smiles at the splash of color at her cheeks, so proud to see how much she'd grown just in these few... months, was it? Glancing at her lingering fingers, he covers her hand with his own.]
I'm sorry for what happened. I should have been more careful.
There's so many new people all of a sudden. It's... [A part of her doesn't want to mar the reunion with her concerns, but maybe it's better that Koi hears of the changes in the Sphere sooner rather than later.]
We haven't had very many arrivals for a long time. Something's changing, about the Sphere.
"Just appeared"? [That takes her aback. In her rush to get to Koi, she abandoned the rest of the spate of new entries. So these people aren't showing up in the Hatchery...]
I hope so. There... Two people died, just recently, and I have to think one if not both were because they found out too much. And there's been a lot of odd things going on. The Wilderness is changing back and forth, and some time ago all of us had a memory, just out of the blue, everyone at once.
[She pauses, drawing breath, and smiles sheepishly.] I'm sorry. I'm babbling. Yes, I still do that. Maybe you've heard about this from Simon already?
Oh, oh my.
Is it really you?
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I'll be on my way. Anyway.
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Maybe I'll believe this in a bit. When I see you.
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Hello. I...
[The rest tangled in her throat. She sprang forward and flew to hug Koi, as tightly as she only could.]
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He holds her closely as soon as Kagerou hugs him, and gently strokes her hair back from her face.]
Lovely as ever, Kagerou. I'm so happy to see you.
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So... so am I. Toushi told me what happened, and then when you didn't return...
But I'm fine now. No one could help it. I'm just glad to see you again.
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I'm sorry for what happened. I should have been more careful.
...but it is so good to be back.
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We haven't had very many arrivals for a long time. Something's changing, about the Sphere.
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I didn't hatch out of a cocoon, this time. I just... appeared. It's quite different, and from what I have heard, that's not all. Is everyone safe?
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I hope so. There... Two people died, just recently, and I have to think one if not both were because they found out too much. And there's been a lot of odd things going on. The Wilderness is changing back and forth, and some time ago all of us had a memory, just out of the blue, everyone at once.
[She pauses, drawing breath, and smiles sheepishly.] I'm sorry. I'm babbling. Yes, I still do that. Maybe you've heard about this from Simon already?
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[But he gives her a supportive smile, nodding slightly. He doesn't mind the babbling; it's part of who she is, and he enjoys it.]
I've heard a little bit, yes. It seems like the Sphere is changing.
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