Voice

[wellsuited]

I need a couple of people to go monster hunting with me. Capturing, not killing.

Cowards and slowpokes need not apply.

[The end. For once there's very little entertainment value to be found in her words.]

Comments

Private/ Voice

[earned_my_eyes]

Elena.

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

Sasuke...

[A pause and a deep breath.]

I'm sorry about your brother's disappearance.

Private/ Voice

[earned_my_eyes]

[He ignores her condolenses; words have little weight with him, even if the sentiment behind them is kind.]

You were friends, weren't you? You and him?

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

[It takes her a few moments to answer that one.]

Yeah. I...I really liked him.

Private/ Voice

[earned_my_eyes]

[He sighs softly, contemplating his next words.]

He would want me to look out for you, then.

[Which isn't an offer as much as something he's going to do whether you like it or not, Elena.]

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

He would?

[There's a little lift to her voice. If anyone should know, it would be his brother. But that lift just makes the crash all the more painful.]

Thanks, but there's no need. See, I'm a Turk. And we're conditioned to be able to withstand any number of physical or mental tortures.

[She was doing okay there. Until her voice cracked.]

Private/ Voice

[earned_my_eyes]

[Try to shake him off, huh?]

Doesn't matter.

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

[An odd feeling. Normally it's the other way around with her.]

Well...

[A pause. And then...]

Are you gonna make me breakfast too?

Private/ Voice (I would use another icon but Im replying from gmail)

[earned_my_eyes]

[...did you just...

[...ask what he thinks you asked?]

...what?!

Private/ Voice (that's okay, i can imagine his expression)

[wellsuited]

Well...you said you were gonna look out for me. And he made me breakfast.

[There's a connection, if only in Elena's head.]

Once. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was the first time...

You know what? I think I'd rather keep it that way.

Private/ Voice (XD I'm sure you can)

[earned_my_eyes]

[There's a longer silence this time. The Forge shutting off. The Forge turning back on. Silence again.]

I--

[Another silence.]

Whatever relationship you two had will not be repeated through me, you do realize this. I will not be-- doing that.

[Because yes, he thinks you're implying that you slept with his brother and expect him to do the same. Sometimes, he can be a little dense.]

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

[There's a sharp gasp at his words, and then Elena starts to speak quickly, to the point of interrupting.]

Don't you ever think that you can replace him.

In fact, just keep your distance. I have things to do.

Private/ Voice

[earned_my_eyes]

[His voice is quiet, reflective. He believes you, Elena, couldn't agree with you more.]

I know.

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

[Wow, way to disarm her. She's quiet for a moment too, cooling down.]

Anyway, it's not what you think. Your brother was considerate of me in ways that...no one here could ever be again.

I miss him already. It hurts.

Private/ Voice

[earned_my_eyes]

[Yes, he can be good for that at times. And while he could lend a helping hand, could commiserate in the misery, he wasn't about to do it in front of her or anyone else.]

I'm going to be spending time at the library, seeing if I can find anything that might bring him back here. If we can't get out, then maybe... [He trailed off.]

Private/ Voice

[wellsuited]

[A little something returns to her voice...a little emotion mixed with a lot of energy, the usual Elena.]

You believe it too, right? That maybe this isn't all random, that maybe there's an answer somewhere!