tushanshu | 003; [handset] just concerned

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003; [handset] just concerned

[Some days after waking up and exploring the new Keeliai, Ryou decides to ask something that's been bothering him.]

Does anybody know where Bakura-san went? I tried calling him a few times, but he hasn't answered, and I haven't seen him since we woke up. Yin-chan's really far away too, I can't communicate with her at all. Is it the same for the other turtle children?

...I know she's okay, but... N-nevermind. [She must think he abandoned her. He felt awful.] That's all, I guess.

[It really doesn't sound like that's all, but he doesn't seem to want to say anything else. If Yin-chan was beyond his power to contact, he could at least ease some of his worries and figure out where the other Bakura went, and why he had the Ring.]

Thank you. [He ends the feed.]

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Ah, I suppose he didn't find you.

[Silence for a moment. Then an exhalation.]

Will you meet me somewhere? I have a message better passed on in person.

[And, oh, the other matter. Raine's voice turns wistful.]

It seems to be the same for all the children, yes.

What do you mean he didn't find me...? [Raine's vagueness only seemed to worry him more. He didn't want to wait to meet in person for answers, but at the same time he was worried what those answers might bring.]

Raine... Why can't you tell me over the radio?

[The question about the children seems almost forgotten amongst everything else. He knew Yin was safe, so even if he missed her there was at least that. Even if the uncertainty of it all, and the guilt was eating him up. He just wanted answers.]

I met him in the Dreaming; he implied he'd been looking for you.

[Another pause, considering the merits of explaining over the radio. In the end Raine shakes her head, though she's aware Ryou won't see it.]

It seems a personal thing, that's all. I can tell you this way, but face-to-face would be preferable.

[Turning over the message in her mind, now, she's starting to connect something she didn't before, and there's an odd sinking feeling to it. Very quietly:] And there's something... no. Never mind. Do you mind?

["A personal thing"... He felt a little sick, suddenly. Raine wouldn't say something like that if she didn't mean it, and she hardly seemed like the type to exaggerate.]

I see. [Something must have happened with Bakura. But why would he go out of his way to look for him?]

Do I mind...meeting up? [It wasn't clear to him if she was referring to that, or whatever she'd been thinking of before.] No, I don't mind.

[Something has absolutely happened with Bakura.]

Thank you.

[He did interpret her right. Also, this gives Raine the chance to check up on him, which while not her primary objective is a close second.]

If the Hotel works for you, I can be there shortly.

[Ryou doesn't want to deal with any more bad news. Or, shouldn't this be good news? He doesn't even know anymore, his feelings are all mixed when it comes to Bakura.]

Okay, I'll head there now. Bye.

[Hanging up, he heads to the Hotel and waits near the entrance for Raine.]

[Raine meets him there without much delay, draws him aside a little way to give them something like privacy even in the common area.]

It's good to see you again, Ryou.

[...is it even possible to break this gently? Raine considers trying for a second or two before simply cutting straight to the chase.]

Bakura's gone home. He'd wanted to find you, I believe, to let you know it would be safe for you to go back as well.

[There's definitely more to it than that, but she wants to see how Ryou takes that first.]

You too, Raine... [He mumbles in reply to the greeting, far too anxious to say anything else.

When she actually breaks it to him, his eyes grow wide and his face pales. There was no cutting corners, no softening the blow. Ryou's mixed-feelings of worry were confirmed all at once.]

...H-he left? [Malicant was defeated, and he played his role. Korra left. Yin-chan left after likely thinking he abandoned her. Now Bakura was gone... What did he stay for? Why was he still here? Was it for his friends? But he had friends back home...he had a life back home. What did he have here, now that the things that grounded him the most were gone?]

He did.

[Raine is a little sorry she didn't soften it, but she doesn't really see how she would have. The end result is the same, at any rate. She considers what Bakura said, that Ryou's always putting his own life to the side for others, and sighs very quietly, looking away for a moment.]

He said... let me see. That you'd be safe; that he wouldn't be there any longer.

[The more she thinks about it, the more that particular bit bothers her. At length:] There was something strange about the way he put it, but I can't put a finger on it. Are you all right?

What...what is that supposed to mean? [Ryou muttered, ignoring Raine's question entirely as he tried to make sense of what she was telling him.]

Where's he going? I don't understand... [Was Bakura leaving, even back home? It was hard to wrap his mind around all of this, and he had so many questions he wanted to ask... About everything.]

[Bluntly:] I don't know. For whatever reason, he seemed to be sure he wouldn't return. I should have questioned it more.

[But she does hesitate, recognizing that all this is little comfort. Makes an effort to gentle her tone.] I'm sorry, Ryou.

[She's considered it a bit, isn't going to tell Ryou exactly what Bakura said about him, save that message. The rest feels like a breach of confidence, somehow, and despite that she may never see Bakura again... well. Still she adds, very quietly:] He... honestly did seem concerned. As much as he ever is.

This isn't... [...fair? Bakura had every right to go home if he wanted to. He had every right to leave. But Ryou still felt hurt, as he whined and wipes his eyes with the back of his hand.]

He left me...w-with all these unanswered questions, and... We were starting to get along too! Now he says he won't be around back home either? But that doesn't make any sense! I...I don't understand.

[Ryou shakes his head, his voice cracking. Yin thinks he abandoned her, Korra went home, and now Bakura had disappeared leaving him feeling empty. Like an opportunity missed.] I...I-I don't understand... Why did I stay here?

For your friends, I suspect. [Only cheating a little off what Bakura said; Raine was already pretty sure he was that kind of person.] For Yin, and for the ties you've made here.

[Raine finds herself at a loss for what else to tell him, unfortunately. She looks away again, and her shoulders slump, just a little, in a soundless sigh. Then she reaches out, pulls Ryou into a hug, gentle but firm.]

I don't know that it will ever make sense. Losing people rarely does.

I'm sorry.

[That's about all she's got. She knows it's not enough, really.]

[Ryou's kneejerk reaction to Raine's hug was to pull away, but he managed to smother that urge. If he did that, he might lose one of the few people left who considered him a friend. Things were bad enough, having passed up the chance to go home only for half the people he stayed behind for to be gone.]

...Yeah. [He doesn't know what to say, and he doesn't want to say anything stupid or hurtful.] I'm just feeling homesick, suddenly.

[Not suddenly, just...with less distractions now, it just seems to be all he can think on.] Everything's changed here.

[She steps back in a moment, giving him space again. The important emotions have been conveyed, she hopes.]

No one would blame you for being homesick, especially now. So many things have changed, and we're all struggling to find our footing again. Have you been adjusting all right?

[None of them are really alone, even in the strange new Keeliai, and she wants to make sure that's remembered.]

[Ryou breathes a small sigh, the shock of Bakura's disappearance sinking back into the chill of depression. It seemed like it was just one bombardment after another in this place. He just wanted a little time to breath.]

I guess... All my stuff's gone, and I can't get back into my apartment. Korra wanted me to take care of the dojo for her too, but then all this happened...

[What he wouldn't give to see Yin again.]

[It's a mess, no two ways about that. Too much to be handled all at once.]

Most have found themselves in much the same position, I think. Do you have enough to live, for now?

[He should, hopefully. She's pretty sure Anton's been trying to look after them all, as well -- she hasn't spoken to him as much lately, without the constant touchstone of Ryder between them. Probably Ryou has other people looking out for him, but Raine does like him and she did promise.]

And have you been to the dojo, since?

[It might not be hopeless.]

Yeah, I'm staying at the Hotel and doing some work there in the meantime.

[At least it's nice, and not so far removed from his apartment back home to be jarring. He just hated being thrust back into this state of unease like when he'd first arrived.]

As for the dojo, I have to admit I...haven't really looked yet. My key's gone missing, and I'm worried the Kedan might have broken in while everyone was asleep.

[Not in imminent danger is good. Raine nods, understanding. That's one less thing to worry about, at least.]

There is that risk, yes. I know the Welcome Centre suffered a fair amount of damage, at least. [She'd be surprised if the dojo is wholly unmolested, honestly.] Do you intend to try to look after the dojo in any case?

I do. [Ryou still looked weary, but there was a hint of determination in there as well.] Korra asked me to, and I promised I would.

[Even if it was going to be difficult, that was enough reason for him.] But if even the Welcome Centre was ransacked, I'm really worried what might have happened to the dojo...

Edited 2014-12-31 07:10 (UTC)

...yes. There's a good chance something may have happened to it.

Do you want me to go with you, when you go? [She offers it more neutrally than anything else, trying to hide exactly how concerned she is for Ryou and his safety. He doesn't really fight, that she knows of, and while the kedan haven't been outright hostile so far, just chilly, there's always the possibility.]

[...He doesn't blame her for confirming it, but it just seems to solidify all his fears.]

I don't want to bother you, but if you don't mind... I think I'd like the company. [He's sure he can defend himself, although he hasn't actually tested out his summoning powers since he woke up. Bakura had compared it to a muscle, so surely that muscle is weaker by now.]

Of course. I don't mind. [She wouldn't have offered if she did.]

Just let me know when you intend to go. [Assuming that Ryou won't want to go today, in the wake of the emotional blow. Though it's not like she has anything pressing demanding her attention today, either.]

I will. [He nodded a bit, still feeling pretty drained from the news.]

Thank you, Raine. [Tired or not, he'll smile to show he really meant it.]

[A brief inclination of her head in return.]

You're welcome. In the mean time, take care, Ryou. I'll see you later.

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