tenth synthesis

[piealchemist]

[Rorona didn't think much of her letter, or the reply, until she opened a few of the boxes. Upon finding what looked to be pieces of the homunculus 'Hom' that assisted Rorona back at the workshop back home, she realized that maybe it had been a bad idea to ask to see Homhom again. Rorona definitely wasn't opening anymore of the boxes, that's for

Comments

[justiceinamask]

... Rorona, it's alright. I'm sure Homhom's safe.

[There was... really not much Flay can do, and that fact was more frustrating than almost any other. He could easily have just let her sort through this by herself, but they were stuck in this together, and he was supposed to be her 'father,' according to the photographs and whatnot. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he set the boxes aside with the other.]

It's probably some stupid prank, set up by someone who hates the season. [That didn't explain how they even knew what Hom looked like, but...] I'll look into it, okay? When I find out what's happened, I'll personally make it right. Whoever decided to do this... there's no doubt in my mind that they're an enemy of justice, at the very least, and they must be punished for their transgressions.

[At least he sounded like he knew what he was doing... Flay had a knack for faking certainty, or so he thought.]

[piealchemist]

Really? So... Homhom's okay, right?

[justiceinamask]

Yeah. I'm sure of it. Homhom's probably at home, keeping everything in order for the day you return.

[... Okay, maybe this 'dad' thing isn't so bad...]

[piealchemist]

[At least he's not, like... Anna's "dad" or something. Or Pamela's.]

Y-Yeah... you're right! Homhom's taking care of the workshop for me, like she's been doing...!

[justiceinamask]

[That's probably true, though he might know better what to do in that case. Also she should probably hope he doesn't get some affinity of assigning more nicknames to people...]

Right. So don't fret about it - she wouldn't appreciate that, would she?

[Does he care that she was a Homunculus? Of course not. Vayne's a living Mana and -- well okay, Mana have personalities, but that's not the point. He's not about to assume something doesn't have feelings or a personality.]

[piealchemist]

[If he does, he can just join Rorona in that habit of nicknaming people.

Hey, Hong Kong in another game calls her "Rotoro", even.]

No, she wouldn't.

[justiceinamask]

[That sounds... special. He'll probably end up calling her like

'Little Roro' or something ridiculous like that. Or Number Three...]

Exactly! Keep your chin up, it'll all be alright.

[What now, though...]

... Say, would it help you feel better if we went for a walk? Something to help clear your mind, I mean...

[piealchemist]

[pfffft.]

A-ah... um... I guess it'd be better than staying inside. [At least she got some... normal gifts. Like the winter boots from Ciel and the teddy bear from Taiwan]

[justiceinamask]

The fresh air will do you good, too.

[This totally has nothing to do with the fact that he feels trapped in the house, by the way. Totally. Also he's probably not going to grab a coat, because... he's never gotten sick that way before, or anything, so he won't think anything of it.]

[piealchemist]

[Because he's indestructible except for certain occasions, of course. He might not grab a coat, but Rorona will. And remark on his lack of one.]

Um... you're not going to put on a coat?

[justiceinamask]

[Of course. It helps that he's usually wearing that silly uniform. He'll just look a little confused.]

A coat? I shouldn't need one, should I? It's not that cold out there. I mean, my uniform's less covering than this stuff [He tugs at the fairly unforgiving fabric of his clothes.] so I should be fine.

[If, and only if, she insists, he might relent to grab one.]

[piealchemist]

But... maybe you should, just in case?

[justiceinamask]

[He eyes the coat with some measure of disgust; it's well-padded, but the clothes he's wearing are restrictive enough as it is...]

Just in case, huh? Hm...

[After a few moments, he sighs and grabs the coat. After all, making her fret more won't help. He'll just. Carry it over his shoulder. Yeah, that'll work. Then he can put it on if he gets cold.]

[piealchemist]

[Oh, of course. It'll totally work. And Rorona heads out the door ahead of him.]

Back in Arland, the annual festival is usually around this time. But then my last evaluation was also pretty recently, too.

[justiceinamask]

Huh, really? I can't remember having a whole lot of snow at the academy, but then... it was a floating area, so maybe it was too high. It's been a little while since I graduated, myself. What do they do in Arland for the festival?

[He'll follow behind her easily enough, four fingers wrapped around the collar of his coat so he can carry it over one shoulder.]

[piealchemist]

There's dancing and music by performers, and there's lots of food, too. It goes on for about a week, and, um... there's a competition each year, that changes. Last year, it was a fighting tournament.

[Nnnnnot talking about the cabbage picking one the year before. Cabbage Girl is an unwelcome nickname]