046 [Action (For Draftees)/Voice (Later)]

[vulcanblazer]

[Action]

[The date is the first of March.  Adell is out in the field fighting as usual.  But there's something very different about how he's acting.  Normally, Adell's attacks are big on flair, and he moves through the battlefield with an odd sort of grace.  Not today.  Today his movements are highly deliberate.  His attacks are calculated and

Comments

[heavenslament]

[Toward nightfall is when Terra finally decides they need to have a talk, a real one. They've been busy all day, too busy for much in the way of a conversation, and she hasn't been able to be there for all of it. Still, his behavior has been noticed and she's too worried to let it go.]

...Adell?

[vulcanblazer]

[He turns his head when he hears his name called by Terra. It had been a very long day. And it still wasn't over yet. By now he sounds tired, but somewhat still distracted.]

Yeah? What is it?

[heavenslament]

[She catches up to Adell, looking him over.]

How are you doing?

[She can guess, but if he needs to vent more than just in combat...well, now's the time.]

[vulcanblazer]

[...]

...I'd be lying if I said I was completely fine right now.

[heavenslament]

[Terra nods. She isn't going to start that 'at least she will come back in a week' spiel, because...who knows for sure? Besides, that doesn't invalidate his feelings now.]

I didn't think you would be, after something like that. Losing a friend is never easy, no matter what the circumstances.

...is there anything I can do to help?

[vulcanblazer]

[...It was after everything was finally said and done. He had told everyone what needed to be said. He figured by now it'd only be a little while before he got warped back to his quarters. ...A thought he relished.

...But as if the weight of everything that happened today suddenly hit again, he sags his shoulders and his voice grows wearier.]

...Just. Stay here with me.

[heavenslament]

Of course I will.

[And she steps in closer, slipping her arms around him. There's not much else she can do, but at least she can be there for him.]

[vulcanblazer]

[When she wraps her arms around him, he quickly returns the embrace. Rather hard. He sniffs back some tears that are forming in his eyes.]

Dammit... just... damn it all.

[heavenslament]

[Terra doesn't complain about the tight embrace, holding onto him for however long he needs.]

It's not fair....

[vulcanblazer]

[Another sniff and Adell eases up on the embrace a bit, but still holds her.]

I never want to have to do that again...

[heavenslament]

[Terra sighs and nods, understanding that feeling well.]

I'm sorry you had to, Adell.

[vulcanblazer]

They didn't take it well. I figured they wouldn't.

...I'd completely forgotten Kohaku was even here, and I ran into her and had to deliver that news to her. I couldn't very well hide it from her, it'd be as bad as lying about it.

[heavenslament]

...no, it wouldn't be right. It's better that she heard it from you instead of someone else, too.

[vulcanblazer]

...Never thought I'd have to deliver that kind of news to an angel.

...Not sure which was worse, telling her, telling Remilia and Flandre, or telling Meiling.

[heavenslament]

[Terra shakes her head.]

It's always hard.

...I'll help you look after those who are here, Adell. You won't lose anyone else.

[Somehow.]

[vulcanblazer]

[There's another light squeeze in this hug.]

...Thank you, Terra. For everything. I dunno what I'd do without you right now.