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[shareoursky]

[Kairi is curled up on a couch in her apartment, looking snug and warm in a big, comfy blanket as she buries herself in a book. It's only a few moments, though, before she glances out a nearby window at the rain and chews lightly at the corner of her mouth, looking suddenly very sad. She stays like that for a while, until she has to duck her head

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[firebranded]

... [a little gently, just for her]

Why the long face?

[shareoursky]

... [she knows better than to bluff around Axel, so she just sits up and idly rubs at an eye.]

So many people have left. I.. I started losing track at some point, and.. [her voice just trails off into quietness as she looks down at her lap.]

[firebranded]

[he sits beside her, resting an arm on one raised knee]

So that's how it is, huh? You miss them?

...heh, yeah. Of course you would.

[shareoursky]

[after a moment, she just lightly leans against him because -- because. she needs him a bit, right now.]

.. yeah. [she smiles a little] I wonder if they're okay back home. I hope so. Sometimes it -- gets hard. [her smile turns a bit strained.] I'd wait a million years, of course, but- sometimes waiting just isn't enough, but there's.. no other way. Not this time, anyway.

[firebranded]

[let's her, easily supporting her light weight]

You're...pretty right about that. Not much else to do besides hang out and bother the locals. [grins a little, resting a hand on her head, winking to show that he's joking] You'll go home, too, someday. Then you can throw a big party and tell them all about your adventures.

[shareoursky]

.. do you often harass the locals, Axel? [she looks up at him with a slightly crooked smile, laughing lightly when he winks.] ... maybe. That might be nice. Though.. [pauses as she tries to think of how to phrase what she wants to say. she's actually quiet for a moment, struggling with the words.] .. I'd want you to be there too.

[firebranded]

Oh, sometimes~

[her words make him pause, though, and after a long moment he closes his eyes and shakes his head] You know what would happen to me if I left here, Kairi.

[shareoursky]

You're horrible. [this is the most lighthearted swat ever, and she quickly goes quiet and kind of still, leaning against him a little more, tucking her head against his chest. Her voice is oddly tight when she speaks.]

I know. That's why I think- sometimes- I'd like to stay.