☀ 02-017 ☀

[celestial_okami]

[Ammy stands on the wreckage of the Crucible, smoke wafting about her from three of her cherry bombs going off at once. Colorful squares of paper are caught in the wind, but Ammy just stares at the unblemished metal. She's been standing there for some time, trying every technique she had including her own claws, but nothing's put so much as a

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[celestial_okami]

Just one moment....

[Planting her feet, Ammy seems to be steeling herself for something, her whole body tensing before her tail seems to flicker. Ink splatters the hull around her feet, and for a moment the sky almost seems whole, only for the gaping darkness to return, the ink sucked away.

She stares, watching as her efforts are so easily dashed. Bowing her head, she turns and leaps off the ship, landing next to him. Righting herself, she plucks a square of colored paper from her hair.]

I had hoped, but a part of me knew it would not be so easy. I wonder if I could have sealed it if I had been at full strength...

[canniballistic]

[He watches patiently, in turn, shocked for a moment when it looks like such a simple act could have saved them so much trouble. It hurts a little to swallow that hope, when the black hole reappears, a permanent fixture in the sky.

Stepping back so as not to accidentally hamper her landing, he spares a glance for the bright flash of color in her hand before looking back at their deteriorating surroundings.]

But you gave it a try, Ammy. That's all we can do, right now, is keep trying.

In any case, that might have been the easy part - the path back isn't looking any friendlier.

[celestial_okami]

[She grumbles, bumping her forehead against his shoulder to vent a little frustration. Ammy's not used to her techniques just not working. Distracting herself, she lifts his hand, inspecting his fingers.]

So it looks like the trees here have more of a bite after all. I do not think I will get used to your hair being short. [Giving the beach a quick glance, she huffs.] It shouldn't be a problem if we are careful and watch our step.

[At least she hopes not.]

[canniballistic]

[His frown deepens a little, but he doesn't bother resisting inspection. It doesn't look so bad when there isn't any blood on the bandaging, at least.]

Oh, my hair will grow back. Although I suppose it'll be a few years, if it ever gets that long, again.

[A nod, and he pushes his glasses up again.] Let's watch our step, then. Our odds must get worse, the longer we stay.

[celestial_okami]

Maybe your hair will grow fast? [She rubs her cheek against his injured hand before releasing it in favor of running her fingers through his hair. After scratching his scalp a little, her hand falls.]

Are you still sure you wish to stay, Abel?

[canniballistic]

I don't think it ever has before. [The scratching feels nice, but makes for a rather flustered Abel. He straightens his frayed hair out a bit afterward, trying to smooth it back into place.]

To stay here, on the planet, you mean? Of course. I don't want everything to end, here, but if it has to - I just wouldn't be able to go on living in someone else's place, at the expense of another life.

Besides, there are too many people here I don't want to leave behind.

[celestial_okami]

So you don't know? [She cocks her head, smiling a little. It doesn't last, though, and she looks away.]

I hope that the pilot will return. Freedom was so close for the others, and I am not sure what that note was supposed to mean. [She shakes her head.] Ahhh, why must things be so complicated here?

[canniballistic]

I don't know! I'd never had it cut. [He mirrors that smile, and his own lasts a little longer.]

But things are complicated everywhere, Ammy. I just hope that they'll figure it out in time. How many days did we have, the last time it appeared? Was it three? The hole could have been there a long time before we saw it, though.

[celestial_okami]

Eh, really?

I think so. I was so tired I hardly remember. It seems like such a long time ago. Ah, it's been longer for me than for the others, I nearly forgot...

Things seemed so much simpler in Nippon, though.

((ooc: how did I not get the alert for this? ;; ^ ;;))

[canniballistic]

Well, how else do you think it got to be the way it was? [He chuckles, though his expression regains a little of that apprehension.]

That's right - you remember leaving for some time, don't you? I wonder what will happen, this time, if we end up going through that again?

...Eh, not that we should really waste any time thinking on it. Let's get out of here, all right? I still want to look at that other ship.

[[ooc: the internet is cruel. ♥]]

[celestial_okami]

Ah~! You got me. [Claps her hand over her face, looking a little sheepish.]

I do not know, I wonder if I will see Nippon again. I wasn't finished cleansing the Celestial Plains, but if time stands still in Nippon while I am here then things should be all right.

Mm! [She nods, then looks a little annoyed. Ammy caught herself before she could ask him if he wanted a ride. She doesn't think she could carry anyone like this. Rubbing her face with her sleeve, she starts walking, her hand drifting to unconsciously rub her shoulder. The ache was back again, a chill that seeped into a hand that wasn't there anymore.]

((ooc: *sits in the fail!corner and weeps*))

[canniballistic]

That's a strange idea, but you're not the first person who's suggested it. Do you really think it's possible that time won't have passed without us? Or, rather, that we'll be returned to the very moment we left? I might roll off that couch and hit my head, still?

[Abel keeps a slow, cautious pace, taking note of that irritation. He's thinking, instead, that perhaps he should offer her a lift back to the marginal safety farther inland.]

Is it bothering you again, Ammy? It's dangerous to get too distracted, right now.

[celestial_okami]

I cannot say how it will happen for anyone else, but I know that when I was returned to Nippon, things were exactly as I'd left them. Issun had not even noticed my absence, and he rides with me. If anyone would notice my sudden disappearance, it would be him. Ahh~, I hope not! Try sitting up instead of rolling?

It is. [Her ears fold back against her hair as she looks back at him.] Sometimes it burns, as if the hot metal is still pressed against my skin, but mostly it is just cold. Like my whole arm is buried in ice. I know it is not there, and the pain is not real, but I can still feel my hand. It is unsettling.

[canniballistic]

That's true; I suppose you're too important for the world to leave behind. [Another slight smile, not really meeting his eyes.] For the rest of us, the answer could be different.

That feeling could be with you for a long time, like a phantom sensation. Just try to keep your mind on where your feet are, instead. If I have to carry you, you probably won't be happy with me.

[celestial_okami]

[Frowning a little, she pauses to watch him.] Why do you always say things in such a way that makes you and the others sound worthless. Without my people, I would not be able to survive.

You think so? [That's an unpleasant thought, but distractions she can do.] I would not mind it if you carried me, but aren't I heavy? Issun always says so....

[canniballistic]

Ah, if that's how it sounds, that's not how I mean it. You have to admit there's a difference between us, though. The sun will still rise if I disappear, won't it?

[He chuckles weakly, attempting to dispel some of that tension - mostly his own.] In case you hadn't noticed, there's something of a profound size discrepancy between myself and Mister Issun!