[07 → voice]

[marked_songbird]

[a slow exhale. when she speaks, her voice isn't as steady as she'd like but it's something]

Has anyone seen Minato Arisato around lately? He's a teenage boy, slim, with dark hair that usually covers one eye, and ----

[she stops, swallows] I don't even remember the last time I saw him. I've been so busy, that I just...

[there's guilt there

Comments

[voice]

[couragetodare]

It's... Oruha, right? [Quietly.]

Haven't seen 'im. Do you know where he usually hangs out at?

[voice]

[marked_songbird]

Yes, I'm Oruha. You're Naruto, right? I saw your post about offering self-defense lessons. [she sounds like she's trying to smile] That was very kind of you.

He --- usually hangs around me. [a weak laugh] He's supposed to be living with me in my apartment in exchange of keeping an eye on me, but he hasn't been home for... days now, maybe a couple of weeks.

I thought it might have something to do with his other jobs, but with everything going on...

[voice]

[couragetodare]

Yeah, that's me! It's not- wait, you interested? [Odd pause.] I mean, would you like to learn some?

He was keepin' an eye on you, you said. What'd you mean? Do you know what other jobs he had? Where they were?

[And because it's obvious and he's blunt that way.]

You sound sad, Oruha.

[voice]

[marked_songbird]

It wouldn't hurt, and it sounds interesting, but I don't know if I'm cut out for that sort of thing.

[a quiet laugh] He offered to be my bodyguard. He helped out at Terrence's cafe, too, where I sing. He had some odd jobs around, but I'm not too sure what they were.

[and because she likes being honest :c]

Because he's my friend, and he's gone, and I should have watched out for him, the way he did for me.

[audio]

[cop_for_one_day]

No... sorry.

[A silence like he might say something, then the Forge click off instead.]

[audio]

[marked_songbird]

It's all right, Leon. Thank you.

[a slight pause.]

How have you been?

[audio]

[cop_for_one_day]

[a heavy sigh]

Getting along. You?

[audio]

[marked_songbird]

Just a little tired, I suppose, but I'm holding up well, considering everything.

I'm glad to hear you're okay.

[supercilious]

Maybe he's been lucky enough to go home.

[voice]

[marked_songbird]

[a weak laugh]

That's what I'm hoping, really.

I don't know. Perhaps I just... worry too much.

[voice]

[supercilious]

I'm doing extra patrols this week. I shall keep an eye out for him.

[voice]

[marked_songbird]

...I'd appreciate that, Arthur. [her voice is very sincere and grateful] Thank you.

If there's anything I can do for you in return, please tell me.

[voice]

[dollchains]

[It's the nice woman that talked to her about the carnival a while ago. But she doesn't sound cheerful now -- no, even though the end of her message sounds calm, Namine can hear that she sounds sad.] I'm sorry... I haven't seen anyone like that.

[voice]

[marked_songbird]

Ah, it's Namine, isn't it? It's all right. Thank you for answering.

[voice]

[dollchains]

Mmhmm. Um... Oruha, right? [It's a guess, but she feels mildly confident. After all, there are only so many people on the network.] That's all right. You just sounded... really worried, that's all.

[voice]

[marked_songbird]

Yes, that's me.

Ah. [a sheepish laugh] I just worry a lot, I suppose. I'm sorry.

How about you? How have you been?

[Voice]

[sucker_punches]

Someone else is missing?

... This is becoming worrying.

[Voice]

[marked_songbird]

Yes, especially with all the murders.

Though I'm trying to keep optimistic and believe that they're all okay and have just gone home.