04 | Voice

[as_you_command]

[ Guilford has been absent for some time. The man has no recollection of how -- or even precisely when -- he made it to the temple. Not even after he woke up and left.

On his way to the city proper, he makes his presence (and irritation) known. ]

This is Guilford. [ Said as if those who might still be around, if they are, need that introduction

Comments

[ ...action? /)_(\ ]

[unifying]

[ She's rushing.

Which is silly, considering she really hasn't any need to end up anywhere at any time. She feels like she should be rushing though, like she should be caring enough about something to need to be there.

Even if it's just her little apartment, to restock her poor, ravaged refrigerator.

It was all for a good cause, though. She made some people happy. (Regrettably, some people sick.) Perhaps she can do it again some day. ... After the others recover.

But in her rush, she neglects to watch where she's going, and as she half-twists to look over a particular architecture that she passes by on her way home from the store, she winds up crashing against another swiftly moving body, and down she goes...

along with all the bags in her arms. ]

--ah!

[as_you_command]

Gck--! [ There went all of his thoughts, his glasses and, most importantly, his balance. Quick reflexes are not enough to keep him from crashing down with her, but at least he is able to keep his hold on her with quick action so that it doesn't end up being a one-two combo of him falling and then her landing on him a second time.

He lets go as soon as their momentum ceases, as well as his shock. His brows crease; equal parts squinting at her face for details and scowling like a schoolteacher who just caught a student running blindly in the halls.

Blessedly, Guilford doesn't even say anything, yet. ]

[unifying]

[ That's okay, because Orihime does more than enough talking for the both of them. ]

Ahhhh I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going [ obviously ] I didn't mean to crash into you like that [ obviously ] Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did you hit your head QUICK how many fingers am I holding up?!

[as_you_command]

Of course you were not. [ That much is, as stated, obvious. ] Four. [ Clipped. ] I am not blind, nor do I have a concussion. If you will kindly remove yourself, I can properly search for my glasses.

[unifying]

[ sjlfdkjaldk o-oh right!

Hastily she scrambles off him, forgetting her fallen bags for the moment to hastily look around for his glasses as well.

She finds something glinting in the faint light and makes a quick grab for it, whipping around to hold it out to him. ]

Are these it?

[as_you_command]

[ He rises to his feet, dusting off his pants as she seeks out the glasses. ]

Yes. [ Guilford reaches his hand out for them, and then holds them in the light to check for damage. Mild scuffing to the thin metal frames, but thankfully the lenses are unharmed. He bends the nose-guard a bit to right it, then slips the pair onto his face.

Now he can get a better look at her, and also survey the rest of the scene. ] Are you unhurt? [ It was quite the tumble, after all. ]

[unifying]

--ah, me? [ Her hands fly over herself very briefly, but she responds with a rather enthusiastic - if not embarrassed - affirmative. ]

Y-Yes! Don't worry, I'm sturdier than I look~

[as_you_command]

[ Was that a flicker of amusement? Perhaps. ] Very well.

[ His finger comes up to adjust his glasses again. He really will have to fix those when he gets ho-- To his residence. ]

That could have been a serious collision, and ruined your supplies. [ Guilford glances down at the bags. ] You should be more aware of your surroundings.

[unifying]

[ She immediately feels abashed, and she quickly humbles herself, attempting to wave off some of his concern (?) with a tentative smile. ]

Y-Yes, I promise I will next time, I... [ She doesn't even think of her groceries just yet. ] You're okay, though, right? I didn't crush you or anything..?

[as_you_command]

[ He nearly scoffs. ] It would take more than that, I assure you. [ Idly, he rests a hand on a hip, which should have still been sore, but all his injuries were practically non-existent now after that "rest". It was about the only upside. ]

[ It's obvious she isn't in any hurry to pick up her items, so he crouches by the first bag and stands it upright, checks for any broken containers, and then begins to pack loose items in. No sense in being idle, or completely unhelpful. ]

[unifying]

[ Her gaze drops, following him, but it's a full two seconds before she realizes he's picking up her things. She squeaks, immediately dropping to her knees to try and beat him to it. ]

P-Please don't trouble yourself! This was all my fault! Don't worry about it - I'm sorry to have bothered you--!

[as_you_command]

I have more sense than to leave this scene as-is. [ So she's getting help whether she wants it or not. The faster this gets cleaned up, the swifter they can part ways, as far as he sees it. ] --though I wonder how many individuals you are supplying with all this.

[unifying]

[ Soon enough she's got both bags in her arms again, and she rises on shaky legs simply out of pure intimidation. She tries to smile it off, offer a little laugh to lighten the mood, but she gets the sneaking suspicion she's simply being In The Way. (A feeling she's all too familiar with.)

When he speaks again, it takes her a moment to realize she's the one being spoken to. ]

A-Ah... a few days ago, I made stew and pie for everyone... I wound up cleaning my entire kitchen out.

[as_you_command]

[ He gives her a curious look. ] "Everyone"? Fortunately I heard nothing of a food shortage, or else you might have left yourself without supplies of your own, from the sound of it. [ And then he might have scolded her for being careless. If people have such poor survival instincts here, they aren't very useful. ]

[unifying]

[ She shrugs. It does seem like a pretty foolish thing to do, especially considering she had tapped herself dry... but she remembers all the people she helped that day. Despite it all, she can't feel a single ounce of regret. ]

There.. was a big battle here, a few days ago. Many people were hurt. I thought it might help if they didn't have to worry about cooking for themselves for a while.

[as_you_command]

I am aware of the conflict, yes. [ A pause. ] I did not mean to dismiss your efforts. I am certain your help was appreciated, but we must be cautious. If that had been a long-term campaign, being left without any stock would have been a grave error. [ Dancing the line between commending her for her work, and being careless, all at once.

It's a skill. ]