// 013. [video]

[sonvisage]

[Those of you who know her well may recognise the view. It's the home of the elderly blind man who lives below her flat, the one who employs her and from time to time. The rooms are in shambles. Broken glass litters the floor, and the wall behind him is torn open. Claw marks line the interior, flaps of printed wallpaper fluttering in the wreckage

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[ voice ]

[lumenrelegandus]

[as well-meaning as it was, and no matter that the same hope had been in Lupin's mind, in the midst of the tumult at the Clinic, when the forge pings he leaps to counteract Ukitake's message. Because he knows- Oh, Io, how many times can you withstand-]

It wasn't him. You spared him.

We'll find each other when this is-

[someone bumps into him and the forge fizzles off]

[ voice ]

[sonvisage]

[I would have spared him if I'd been there sooner. I didn't---

I should have known.

How many times? Perhaps not even this many.

Her voice is full of undisguised panic:]

Remus?

[ voice ]

[lumenrelegandus]

[the panic in her voice breaks any calm in his]

Come to the Clinic… Io… please… it's safer… we can help each other

[ voice ]

[sonvisage]

[Do not scare her like that! Of course, now that she knows that the feed wasn't cut due to death or dismemberment, she's a little irritated at herself.]

I don't---

[A growl and a gasp and a slice and a thud. A fear ragged whisper of stunned gratitude just off-Forge.]

I don't need any help.

[...]

It's not safe anywhere.

[ voice ]

[lumenrelegandus]

[he opens his mouth to answer, and is drowned by sounds of yet a new commotion behind him. He shuts his eyes. The pain in them is something neither he nor she can afford at this moment. Says,]

I'm here if you need… I'm here.

[and with an effort turns off the forge, as he turns to go back to his duties.]