第二十一 錯覚; 「accidental voice」

[promisedlotus]

[The feed starts with the broken sound of glass, of something hitting the wall. Pretty much exactly what Tyki just did earlier on the network. The next thing anyone hears is heavy, ragged breathing (not in a creepy way, thankyouverymuch Allen :|), then rustling as the owner moves to try and look for their PDA.]

Sprout. Watch Alma for me. [There's

Comments

[AUDIO]

[tothelastbreath]

[Allen's reply is prompt and to the point, not quite business-like, but definitely reserved in words and in tone.]

Should I come up to fetch him? [ beat ] And don't break anything else, it's not going to stop her but it may hurt you both.

[Not to mention you'll soon have trouble finding things to break.]

[AUDIO]

[promisedlotus]

I'll send him down. I just- [pause] I need to get the hell away from here.

[AUDIO]

[tothelastbreath]

...I'll wait for him in the stairwell. [ beat ] And Kanda, remember they aren't real.

[AUDIO]

[promisedlotus]

...Yeah.

[AUDIO]

[tothelastbreath]

[The sound of footsteps signals Allen's on his way. He'll be waiting one landing away and will bundle Alma off to his room as soon as possible. Whatever's gotten Kanda so worked up -- and Allen has a few guesses that probably aren't that far off the mark -- he figures Kanda won't want to run into anyone on his way down.]

Don't go too far in case she has something else planned. I don't think you'll keep seeing them as long as you're outside.

[AUDIO]

[promisedlotus]

[Kanda's responses come out a little more mechanical as he gathers some things to take with him - enough to last him a couple days or so. He just. needs air, needs a clearer head, needs away from this bullshit.

Even if he knows Libitina's reach extends into Credinta, it's where he plans on going.]

I know. I won't.

[AUDIO]

[tothelastbreath]

[Allen will take his word for it, because everyone deserves someplace to start over. He doesn't remind Kanda to contact them for help if he needs it either ― he knows he will.]

Alright. [ The faint echo accompanying his reply says he's in the stairwell already. ] I'm here if Alma's ready.

[AUDIO]

[promisedlotus]

I'll let him know. [Somewhere in that or after would be a 'thanks,' but. It's Kanda, things like that go unspoken.]

-> [ACTION]

[alma_karma]

[Alma comes tupping down the stairs a few minutes later, looking somewhat disheartened.]

[ACTION]

[tothelastbreath]

[Allen's there a landing away, and he offers a hand to Alma when the boy's within reach.]

Do you have everything you need with you?

[He gets the feeling they'll be rooming together for a few days.]

[ACTION]

[alma_karma]

[Alma reaches up and takes Allen's hand with a quiet nod, shifting the small bundle under his opposite arm.]

I think so.

[ACTION]

[tothelastbreath]

[Starts leading the way back down.]

Good, it'll be just like a sleepover. [ giving Alma's hand a squeeze ] He'll be back before you know it.

[ACTION]

[alma_karma]

[Following~]

... I wish he wouldn't do that.

[ACTION]

[tothelastbreath]

[...

He glances down at Alma, back up the stairs which Kanda may be heading down at any moment, then quickly ushers Alma the rest of the way to his room. There with the door shut, he drops into a crouch, arms crossed loosely over his knees as he looks up at Alma.]

Do what, exactly?

[ACTION]

[alma_karma]

[Alma drops his bundle by the door, looking a bit awkward and frowning at the floor.]

Run away from me.

[ACTION]

[tothelastbreath]

[Allen can't say he didn't see this coming, what with all the running away Kanda's been doing. He knows Kanda will try to get better at it after their last dispute, but...

It's been so long.]

[ doesn't try to catch Alma's eye, but he does reach for one of the boy's hands again ] He doesn't mean any harm, Alma. He's just trying not to worry you―[ a quick, rueful smile to say, 'I know it's not working, but still!' ]―and he's... Never been very good at it.