Report 055 - [Accidental Voice]

[arrayed_back]

[At first, the post is quiet, the sounds of Adstring at night evident on the feed, but as one listens longer, heavy breathing can be distinguished, as if from a distance, intermixed with some moaning and a shuffling of feet.  Next, a louder sound of metal sliding on metal, followed by a click, is heard, and anyone who knows firearms will

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[mere_shopkeeper]

[Hello Riza, guess who's walking towards you. Here's a hint, the clicking of getas.]

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[mere_shopkeeper]

I don't have to, no.

[He sets the body down in one of the rooms and uncovers her face a little, careful to keep the forehead covered. Stepping back out and placing a kidou barrier around the room, he burns the gloves on his hands and gently guides Riza over to the sink to make sure that all the blood is washed off her.]

But I want to.

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[arrayed_back]

[She watches, still protective of the body, but lets Urahara move her. It takes a moment for his intention to sink in, but then she slowly responds, mechanically washing her hands.]

You're too kind.

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[mere_shopkeeper]

[A hum as he holds out a dry towel for her before going to go make tea.]

It is the very least I can do.

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[arrayed_back]

[She takes it and slowly dries her hands, her eyes automatically falling upon her wedding ring. It...looks clean enough, but she should probably take it off just to make sure.

...But no. She's not ready for that. Instead she just rubs at the edges, making sure it's good enough for now.

She makes her way toward the table and sits down, occasionally glancing back toward the hall where Luca's room is now.]

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[mere_shopkeeper]

[Urahara doesn't miss the hesitation at the ring, but he has the tack not to comment and to pretend that he didn't. Instead, he just quietly sets a cup of tea in front of her.

He could say all manners of words meant to comfort, but he refrains. In the end, they're all empty.]

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[arrayed_back]

...Thank you.

[Riza brings the cup to her lips for a sip. The words are not only for the tea.]

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[mere_shopkeeper]

[Another gentle smile.]

You're welcome.

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[arrayed_back]

[And they fall into silence, at least on Riza's end. She's bad at small talk on a good day, but after everything that's happened this month, she really isn't feeling it at all. She gazes into the liquid in the cup, almost as if staring long enough would help everything right itself.]

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[mere_shopkeeper]

[Urahara doesn't say anything, instead just sat there, providing his silent company as he nursed his cup of tea. He doesn't talk, but his silence isn't one that seeks to stem words, but rather one that makes room for others to talk if they need a listening ear.]

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[arrayed_back]

[She takes another sip, still not looking at Urahara. Then slowly, quietly, she breaks the silence.]

...He...told you to look after me, didn't he?

[It's the first time she's mentioned Roy since he left.]

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[mere_shopkeeper]

He did, but I'm not doing so just because of him.

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[arrayed_back]

...I see.

[She falls silent again.

...And then looks up, hoping to match his gaze.]

Why?

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[mere_shopkeeper]

Because he isn't the only one I consider a friend.

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[arrayed_back]

[She watches him for a moment, almost trying to judge if he's just saying that to be nice or if he's telling the truth.

And then she looks away and takes a sip of her tea, saying again:]

You're too kind.

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[mere_shopkeeper]

It is what one does for a friend.

[He smiles slightly.]

Or at the very least, an acquaintance one is concerned about, if you would prefer that instead?