025 [Action, Backdated to May 25th]

[vulcanblazer]

[Adell woke with a start into a world full of vibrant color.  Everything in his room was as it should be... as he remembered it.  The world was bright and full of vitality and life.  He could hear the birds chirping outside his window, the sounds of people milling about outside, and even someone in his own apartment.  Pushing himself up out of his

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[littlestdevil]

[Koakuma had been trying to help Terra look for Adell before the discovery that had basically turned what life she's had here so far straight up onto its head, so when she had to get out of her apartment to try not to think about the latter of the aforementioned events, she quickly noticed him going toward the bar.

In part due to her failed attempts to find him and in part due to the loneliness slowly working its way into her mind, she decides to follow him. Koa is making no effort at all to not be noticed, so it's entirely possible that Adell will catch a glimpse of the little devil tailing him.]

[vulcanblazer]

[It'll take awhile before he looks back. For awhile, he looks deep in thought, until he gets a restless feeling of being followed. He'll look back over his shoulder, and catches glimpse of Koa's bright red hair, the black bat wings giving some contrast to it.

...Oh, Koakuma. If Patchy was gone... then that means she's probably feeling down too. He'll turn around fully and motion for her to come closer.]

Hello, Koakuma.

[littlestdevil]

[She readily complies, picking up her pace just enough to catch up. When she reaches him, it may be easy to see that she looks-to put it as simply as possible-lost; Patchouli's disappearance has taken an understandably-heavy toll on her.]

Adell, I-I... [She isn't even sure what she wants to say.]

[vulcanblazer]

[Her expression isn't lost on him. That uncertainty and worry... it's plain as day. ...Words escape him right now as well, though. So he'll manage the best he can. He sounds pretty upset himself, but her company is... actually welcome.]

I'm sorry, Koakuma. [A brief pause.]...Walk with me?

[littlestdevil]

[Again, wordless compliance. There is at least some small amount of relief to be found in being near someone else who Patchouli had trusted, though. She will at least try to talk, now finding the words for one of the things she wanted to say.]

I...I was trying to look for you.

[vulcanblazer]

You were? ...I guess I did kind of up and disappear for a few days. What for, if you don't mind my asking?

[littlestdevil]

Miss Terra was...starting to worry about you, Adell. [One of the headwings gives an involuntary twitch.] I offered to help with her search, since we were in separate parts of the village.

[vulcanblazer]

[...That'll make him smile a little bit. Terra worried for his safety wasn't something he was proud of, but it showed she cared. ...And by extension, Koakuma offering to help...]

Thanks. That means a lot to me that you were willing to help look. ...I'm sorry if I worried you at all.

[littlestdevil]

Please don't worry about it, but I...was a little worried... [...but at the same time, she suspects that Adell can take care of himself, easily.]

A-and anyone who's a friend of... [Koakuma kind of trails off here, but does she really need to finish this sentence?]

[vulcanblazer]

[...He stops walking as she says that. He hesitates for a moment or so... but then gently pulls her into a comforting hug. It's a little more openly affectionate than he's used to being, but right now it just sounds like she needs it. He definitely gets what she's trying to say. Hopefully this will signal that he feels the same.]

[littlestdevil]

[She was not really expecting this, tensing up for just a brief moment when it happens, then relaxing when she starts to figure out his intent.

It's about a minute or so before she speaks again, nearly repeating what she had told Kohaku:]

I...think Miss Patchouli would want me to...help her friends however I can, in her absence. I-if you need anything...tell me. [This coming from her, when she'll need a little help getting back on her feet herself?]

[vulcanblazer]

[Adell will let her go a moment or so after she speaks, but he'll smile to her as best as he can.]

The same goes double for you. You're a friend of hers as well so... do not hesitate to ask for anything. Even if it's just if you want company now and then. You're not alone here.

So, as a friend... let me offer you the same. If you need something, I'll help however I can.

[littlestdevil]

[Her immediate reaction to the phrase "you're not alone" is another somewhat-worried look as she remembers that Patchouli being gone means she is currently living alone here. She has already decided she doesn't want to be alone, but hasn't yet figured out how she's going to tackle this problem.]

I-I know.

[vulcanblazer]

[A little bit more of Adell's normal vitality creeps back into his voice. He's unaware of the thought he might've stirred up in her, but...]

Good. And I'm going to hold you to that, you know. [...Another short pause. Though he may be unaware of what he stirred up, he still knows that it's a rough time for her. So... what better time than now to ask?] ...Is there anything I can do for you right now?

[littlestdevil]

[Since it's already on her mind and he's asking...she might as well bring it up.]

Well...I...I'm not thrilled with the idea of living alone...and don't know if I'll want to remain at the room we had been staying in... [That second thing may be understandable; the apartment itself might just serve as an unpleasant reminder of sorts now.]

[vulcanblazer]

So you're thinking about moving and you want a roommate, huh? ...I'd offer you a place with me, but our apartment's full. ...I could still ask Mom and Flonne, if you don't mind sharing a room with Flonne, at least. And if they're not up for it, I think there's a free apartment on our floor in our building. It's not quite the same, but at least you'll be right there and you can come over whenever you feel like it.

...And if that doesn't sound good, I'll ask around to some of my friends. One of them might be willing to have you too. Any of those sound good?