eight ❚ voice.

[howaverage]

[ There's a little sigh, and the sound of the flickering of a lighter. There's something burning softly and then an exhale. ] It's strange how you really only notice how long it has been when you look at the calendar. [ Em's voice is rather mellow, even sad - nostalgic, in a sense.Home does feel distant in some days more than others, doesn't it?

Comments

[mutationisgreat]

I find myself missing my home as well. Very greatly so. The emptiness of the Temple here does not help. I am accustomed to it bustling with activity.

[howaverage]

It's not the quietude I mind. It's the - how to say? - lack of people I miss.

[mutationisgreat]

People from home. Yes, I miss those as well.

[howaverage]

I think we all do.

[restlessdevil]

Oh, someone else I haven't met yet. Hello. I'm Zenobia.

Sorry to hear you're feeling melancholy.

[howaverage]

Emilia. [ This French lady here, she's not exactly the social type, so excuse her that she doesn't sound nowhere near excited. ]

[restlessdevil]

[Zenobia is up the to the challenge of making conversation!] So, hey, what's this 'Seventh Heaven' you mentioned?

[howaverage]

It's a bar that belongs to a friend, but she is no longer here, so I'm taking care of it.

[voice]

[mnementomori]

One hundred and fifty-three days...

It is a really long time.

Are you okay, Emilia?

[voice]

[howaverage]

[ An eyebrow quirks. ] You've been counting the days, have you? [ She was never too good with mathematics, but she's doing it in her head anyway - approximately numbers, at least. ] That's about five months, isn't it?

[ A sigh; she's rubbing her forehead. ]

Yes, I'm okay. Just a little nostalgic. [ And a little older, but hey. ]

[voice]

[mnementomori]

Yeah...I write in a journal almost every day. It's...habit.

You miss home?

What...are the people you want to see like?

[voice]

[howaverage]

That's a good habit to have in this place, now that you mention it. [ A pause. ] I may do that. [ She does mean it. ]

Yes, of course. I miss my friends, my family, my dog... They're my people, for better or worse. [ A sigh. ] Don't you miss home?

[voice]

[no_hometown]

This is Sephiroth. I wished to report that my search for Tifa, though extensive, produced no results, and I believe she must have returned home.

[She pauses before continuing.] I can relate to your feeling. My separation from my friends is wearing.

[voice]

[howaverage]

Yes, I gathered that. [ She's a little out of it. Besides, she has her feet set down on Earth, she wasn't harbouring a big amount of hope regarding ]

Mmm. Have you been here long?

[voice]

[no_hometown]

After so long an absence, it is the logical conclusion to reach, I agree, but I felt I should report to you, as I promised that I would search thoroughly.

I have been here more than two months. And yourself?

[voice]

[howaverage]

That's lovely of you, I appreciate the effort.

About three months, give or take.

ACTION if that is okay sob

[thinkbrave]

( Hey. So Em.

Ellie didn't really sleep at all last night, was rattling around in the kitchen instead, and it shows a little in the tired way she leans against the doorframe. There's something in her hand, although she's keeping that out of the room for the moment as she watches.

And clears her throat. Fair warning that she's here, and all that. )

You okay?

no ew get out

[howaverage]

[ When Ellie walks in, Em is shaking the vine off of her (those things always seem to cling a little to her sweater). She throws it almost gently to the floor and then looks at the tired teenager. She did think she had heard some faint rattling the previous night, but she didn't pay much attention to it. ]

Hm? [ A little distracted. She rubs her eyes and then forces a smile. ] Yes, I'm fine. [ Meh. Could be better. Could not be turning twenty-eight in crazyland. ] You look tired.

D:

[thinkbrave]

( Just a little shrug. ) Didn't sleep much. ( Or at all, really. Maybe an hour or so, altogether.

So she had this plan, this plan that involved making something and bringing it over, which is a lot like they used to do back in school - all the girls would try and make something for each other's birthdays, and then all the boys would scavenge. She isn't in high school now, though, and Em isn't family and now she feels a bit awkward, so she'll glance over at the plate in her hand.

Oh, well. A little shrug, and she ambles over, not bothering to hide the plate. Or the coconut chocolate lamington monstrosity on said plate. But she'll be stopping a little before Em, and frowning at it, like the thing has done something to displease her. ) I dunno if I remembered the date wrong, but you said you birthday was coming up.

So. Yeah.

[howaverage]

You should sleep more, you know? You have a terrible sleeping schedule and I'm about to stop making you lunch at three in the afternoon.

[ Em crushes the remains of the cigarette against the ashtray before turning to she watch Ellie walk over to her. There's a little confused frown on Em's face but also a smile when she looks absolutely meek in showing the little gâteau. ]

Did you do that? [ Quietly impressed. She laughs a little and then puts a hand on the back of Ellie's head and tugs her closer to kiss her forehead. ] Thank you. [ A pause. She really is genuinely touched by that simple gesture. She's not exactly happy about the whole situation of being stuck here, but that did help in making her feel a whole lot better. ] Oh, thank you, Ellie. You're lovely. And you did get the date right.

[ She wants to squeeze that kid into such a huge hug, but resists so that the lamington isn't squashed between the two. ] It looks wonderful.