✟ 01

[exorcizing]

[Alice hadn't been in Balamb for too long, only long enough to gather her bearings and learn exactly what had occurred. She was given a dorm room, and a class list, and even a uniform--one, mind you, that she didn't much care for--then was sent on her way. She eventually found herself in the cafeteria, it was early morning so there weren't too

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[exorcizing]

[ Alice takes a moment to pull her eyes away from her bible, even though she immediately recognized his presence the moment he stopped at her table. A strange feeling of relief and confusion washed over her, quickly followed by a quick blast of joy. It had been months for her. If only she knew how long it had been for him.

She looks up, pulling hands away from the bible and clasping them in front of her before smiling. He looked different, felt a little different, but he was Yuri. Even confused, she couldn't stop the smile on her face. She had missed him. ]

Hello, Yuri.

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Mm. [ She nods, her smile still strong despite feeling selfish for being happy he was here. It was something she couldn't help. ] Have you been here long?

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[ She quickly shakes her head, letting him know that she's had no problems here thus far. People were strange here, a little cool, but nothing she wasn't used to. Nothing she couldn't get used to. She finally gestures to the seat across from her. ]

Of course, Yuri. [ Yuri had a tough exterior, but he was a gentleman at times. She closes her bible, and folds her hands across the table. She wasn't certain what she wanted to say, or how she wanted to say it, and maybe she was more than happy letting silence fill the space between them. She was just happy to be in his company again. ]

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[ She finds herself nodding in agreement before she even repeats his words. He found the words to say it before she did, and she can't help but let out a breathy, quiet laugh. ] I missed you, too.

[ And how she did. Saying those words didn't seem like enough, didn't seem to properly convey her feelings, but that was all right. Everything was all right now that Yuri was here. ] I didn't think I'd--[ She lets herself trail off, not wanting to sully their reunion with her fears and worries. ]

You've been doing well?

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[ She takes a moment to respond, thinking on his words. They felt weighted, and she wasn't too certain why. She lets out a breath of air, moving her hands off the table to place them in her lap. ] If that's what you consider well enough, Yuri, then I suppose it is.

[ She leans into the table slightly, perhaps just to be a little closer to him, and offers him a smile. ] It's been too long, hasn't it?

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I... [ She squeezes her hands together, looking down at them. When she finally glances back up, there is a look of determination on her face. ] We never stopped looking for you, Yuri. I knew we'd meet again!

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[ That's... not quite the response she'd been expecting. ]

After what happened in China... [ She trails off. Did he hit his head somewhere? Oh no! What if he forgot what happened? Alice nibbles her lower lip nervously. ] You do remember, right?

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Only six months, but... [ Her voice trembles as an odd fear weighs down her heart. The possibility that they were from different times was there, and Alice should have guessed when she first saw him, the differences in his appearance, in his soul... Her shoulders sink. ]

How long?