15S R6 IC Contact

[mermaidkin]

[The greetings on the other end of the phone line by time of day.]

5 AM to 11 AM: Good morning, Stranger!
11 AM to 12 PM: Good day, Stranger!
12 PM to 5 PM: Good afternoon, Stranger!
5 PM to 11 PM: Good evening, Stranger!
11 PM to 5 AM: A little late, isn't it, Stranger?

[And then:] What can I do you for?

Comments

Week 4, Wednesday Morning

[carryabigstick]

[It's week four and Estelle is finally almost feeling back to normal by the time Wednesday morning comes around. Which means it's time to clear up one final piece of business.

KNOCK KNOCK DUDE.]

Hey! Special delivery!

[...yes.]

[mermaidkin]

[Hiyori opens the door, already dressed, smiling wryly.]

So you really do have knocking in Zemuria.

[carryabigstick]

Of course we do-- why wouldn't we?

[Listen. She can still go back and kick the door in if you want.]

...sorry, sorry. That's... I mean, I got into a fight with you on the first day too so I guess you don't have much reason to expect much.

[Estelle pulls out the photograph the others identified at the meeting as belonging to Hiyori.]

I wanted to apologize for that anyway. I... get it now. And I wanted to return this to you.

[mermaidkin]

[Hiyori casts a glance deeper into the apartment, where maybe Estelle can't see, at the indelible glitter.

Then back. You know what. Estelle is being nice. She doesn't need to know.]

I mean, you didn't even know who I was. It's not like it doesn't make sense.

[Hiyori takes the photograph delicately between his fingertips, squints at the little faces, and cracks a laugh.]

...ah, yeah, Ikuya wasn't even in this one. But I guess it still technically marks my achievement... Thanks very much.

[carryabigstick]

Yeah well... that wasn't exactly my most shining moment.

[At least she knows well enough that she should have kept her cool and tried to work out the situation without. You know. Violence.

Well at least he reacted well.]

That's right. So be careful and make sure you don't lose it again, 'kay?

[mermaidkin]

...do you still think it's that simple?

[He holds the photo to his chest, cleanly but not warmly, and looks up into the corner.]

I didn't mean to lose it or any of the other things when I first got kidnapped, you know...?