[video/action]

[scalethetower]

[In the hustle and bustle of the changed city, Naoki hasn't missed that there is one person in particular he has yet to see. And he's puzzled at first, but not immediately concerned. Perhaps she's with Axel, or Roxas? Though, as day by day moves on, the worry drives him to open up the communicator and attempt to contact her

Comments

[Video]

[loyalraven]

[Gilbert has a tendency to keep an ear out on his communicator for familiar voices, Naoki's in particular being one that catches his attention immediately. The words though, they have a cold weight sinking low in his stomach and he reaches to turn on his video feed as quickly as he can.]

Naoki...

[He knows how much Xion means to him, after all. And that's why the next words are spoken without even waiting for a response, quiet but serious.] Where are you?

[Video]

[scalethetower]

[Naoki's eyes lift a little as he hears that voice, bringing fingers through his hair slowly.] I--I'm at the ShinRa place. Her... [Room. It's so clean. And empty. He can't sense lingering emotions, like he'd normally be able to.] ...her coat's gone.

[He still looks lost. Uncertain. His eyes stay fixed on Gilbert, as though to ask 'what do I do?']

[Video]

[loyalraven]

[Gilbert's heart physically aches when he sees that look on Naoki's face. He knows that feeling all too well, after all -- though the one difference is that Gilbert knows with near certainty that he'll see his master again. For Naoki and Xion, it's another matter. He nods though at the words.]

I'll be right there.

[And he means it. He doesn't bother grabbing anything but his communicator, mostly to keep talking as he walks. He's in such a rush that he even takes the nearest terminals to get there -- even if he resents those things beyond belief for nearly killing his husband when they first arrived. Now is not the time for grudges.]

[Video] -- [action]

[scalethetower]

[Naoki draws a breath, as though to tell him 'I'll be okay' and 'don't rush' but--he wants Gilbert here and close and soon. He swallows hard, trying to regain more of his composure, and merely nods.

By the time Gilbert gets to the terminal outside of the ShinRa apartments, Naoki will have already made his way down and out through the front doors. He--can't stay in that room. His letter is gripped tight in one hand, the one for Gilbert in his other.]

[Video]

[watching_seven]

[It's Naata that brings this to his attention, and Maciel looks down at the watch, disbelief crossing his face.]

Xion... What? W-when..?

[Video]

[scalethetower]

I--I don't know. [His voice is low and faint.] I just came by today, and...

[Video]

[watching_seven]

[He hadn't expected that. Or maybe he should have? After that last conversation he'd had with her...but then...

Maciel shakes his head.]

....I see.

[Video]

[scalethetower]

[Naoki wets his lips, uncertainly eyeing him.]

You're...Maciel. [He remembers him. From the wedding.] Sha...shall I bring by the letter she left for you?