Thirty-Ninth Spool of Thread-[Voice/Action]

[so_shik]

[Filtered from Neku]

[Shiki has decided to take advantage of this situation with all of the new people.]

Since all of you people are here now, maybe you can help me. Birthday presents ideas for when you're stuck in a place that doesn't require money. Go.

[/Filter]

[Action]

[The doors to All Passions are wide open, and Shiki is bustling

Comments

[lovesadages]

[So Rhyme here has been wondering around the village for a while now, trying to look for a warm place to get away from the snow. She happens to pass by All Passions, peeking her head in to see if it's all right for her to stay in the store. She hasn't quite noticed Shiki yet.]

Ah, excuse me?

[so_shik]

[Shiki's only half-paying attention herself, so she barely glances at who just came in.] Yeah? [But then she turns to face her fully.] ...Rhyme!

[lovesadages]

[Rhyme gives a quiet gasp, blinking before giving Shiki a once over... or maybe this was Eri?

She's going to guess and hope she's right.]

... Shiki? [She shivered, stepping inside the store now.] Is that you?

[so_shik]

[Yeah she's going to abandon her position behind her counter and pretty much just zooms over to where Rhyme is. Man, it's been a while since she's seen you.]

Yeah, it's me. [Don't mind her putting her hands on Rhyme's shoulders just to make sure she's actually standing there.] Where did you just come from?

1/2

[lovesadages]

[Sighs in relief. Looks like her guess was correct.]

Thank goodness.

2/3

[lovesadages]

[Rhyme doesn't mind! She just gives Shiki what she hopes to be a reassuring smile.]

Done.

[lovesadages]

[However, her expression does become serious again at the older girl's question.]

Oh! Well, I was at home. Next thing I knew, I was wandering around here.

[A beat and then] This... isn't the UG again, is it?

[so_shik]

[...d'aww, Rhyme. It's kind of been a while, so there's a brief hug as well while Shiki's still discreetly checking she's real. She does back off though and shakes her head.]

No, this is something totally different than the UG. Luceti's in the RG...I think. For a while I wasn't actually sure, and sometimes it's still hard to tell, but it's usually better.

...so...you know we all made it out okay? [Mostly she's asking because Beat certainly didn't know.]

[lovesadages]

That's good to hear. At least we're not in the Reapers' Game again.

[She's real. Don't worry, Shiki. She returns the hug when Shiki gives it. It didn't seem like it was that long since Rhyme last seen her but it looks like it has been a while for Shiki.]

Ah, I do! Why do you ask?

[so_shik]

We better not be. But the Composer is here, too, but he's behaving himself at least.

[Rhyme is so understanding even when Shiki's being a freak. She grins a little bit at the question though.]

Just checking! I saw Beat earlier today and he thought we were still playing the game and didn't know we won. I'm not sure what to make of it other than he's not that far in time yet.

[lovesadages]

[She nods at that. Rhyme hasn't met Joshua in person herself. All she had to go by was what Beat, Neku and Shiki might have told her about him. That's really something though. The "all powerful" Composer stuck in Luceti with no way out.]

Oh! [Little sister senses tingling.] In that case, do you know where he went? I need to tell him I'm okay so that he wouldn't worry so much.

[so_shik]

[Shiki still isn't fond of Joshua, and they've been stuck here together for a really long time. Still, that's quite an impression, isn't it?]

I think he wandered further into town. Might have been trying to find Neku again. He knows, but...I think seeing you would really help him.

1/2

[lovesadages]

Oh dear.

[She heaves a sigh. Hooo boy. Beat on the loose is not exactly a good thing. Time to reel big brother in.

That is... if Rhyme could find him.]

I need to look for him but I don't want to get lost either..

[lovesadages]

[!!]

Ah! Do you mind if I asked if we could go look for him together? Two heads are better than one, after all.

[so_shik]

[She brightens up a bit at the suggestion. Hey, she doesn't want Rhyme getting lost any more than the girl does.] Of course I don't mind! Just give me a sec to lock up and we can go out and look together. I've really gotten to know the village in the last couple of years.

[lovesadages]

[Aww. You're the best, Shiki~ Rhyme's so happy and grateful right now. She's just hoping Beat hasn't gotten into too much trouble yet.]

Alright. Thank you Shiki!

Ah, I can help you lock up too if you want.