video;

[iguanasolution]

So, I'm not... [A sigh as he runs a hand through his hair.]

I had never had to do any of these before, but it's like- people do deserve it, one of these. Right? Even if their names are said on the radio when they leave it feels impersonal. But at the same time it feels like I'm mourning them? Which I am not. I really don't want to do that since it's not like they died, they really didn't. [Frank's the one that did, because he happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time- even if he did have the best of companies with him to make sure he didn't harm anyone.]

They just went back home. And while that's not really a relief in some cases sometimes it is in this one now that we know we somehow manage to survive after everything goes to- well. And sometimes we just have to be glad they are there to fight their battles, even if... even if they will be missed.

[A pause.]

Percy Jackson and Leo Valdez are both gone.

Any promise, offer or favor they owed consider it mine. I obviously can't do a lot of the things Leo did when it comes to machines or things Percy did with sealife and water, and I wish I could do something about that. [He wishes he hadn't been the one to stay, not when Leo and Percy were the actually useful ones.]

But I will still do my best.

[Private to Milyn]

I haven't checked on you, sorry. I've been kind of busy in the clinic since I came back and. Well, I never liked coming up with excuses: I just thought I would finally check on you.

So.

What's up?

Comments

video;

[iguanasolution]

I don't know. Maybe? I think- I do need a distraction and Bianca wouldn't like me overworking myself at the clinic.

video;

[werethatgood]

Got it.

Wanna, hmm. Want to see if we can hire a cart or something and get to the famed beaches at the shell's edge that people who've been around for a while - read, since the summer - always talk about?

video;

[iguanasolution]

Sure. [He's pretty sure he'd have said sure to anything- as long as it didn't involve the fire sector, anyway.]

I... can get a cart and then pick you up?

video;

[werethatgood]

[ ... well, good thing that one didn't occur to her? ]

I'll be here.

[ And, just in case she hasn't mentioned her, she gives her suite number in Metal. Distraction is a go! ]

action;

[iguanasolution]

See you in an hour or so, then.

[Guess who's picking you up more or less an hour later, Cassie? Get in loser we're going shopping.

Except not really, there's just a cart outside and an awkward kid knocking on her door.] Cassie?

permaaction;

[werethatgood]

[ Cassie calls a 'bye, I'm going now!' at her dad, and opens the door. Her smile is a little less bright than usual, but she is clearly happy to see him, bouncing on the balls of her feet for a moment as she hesitates whether to give him a hug - and settles for a hand squeeze, for now. ]

Hey, Frank. Thanks for passing by.

[ She adjust the strap of her backpack. ]

I've got water and some snacks. Just in case.

[ It's only fair to organize things jointly, right? ]

[iguanasolution]

[The hand squeeze is good, he isn't in the best state of mind for hugs right now. He would probably cling and that would have been... embarrassing.]

No, thank you for this. [A shy grin] I really needed the distraction. ... But I didn't think of getting anything for this trip? Sorry.

[werethatgood]

[ She understands clinging and is fluent in embarrassing. So, maybe later. ]

Um, hello. You got our transport! That's very much not nothing!

[ Hahaha no, Frank, you don't get to make yourself feeling worse right now. Not allowed. ]

[ She cants her head a little, looking up. ]

I wonder if it'll be windy enough out there for kites. They've gotta have kites, right?

[iguanasolution]

[He grins at her. He sees what you did there, Cassie, and he appreciates it.]

I did, yeah. And I can also get us some kites once we get there? It's getting a bit hotter lately but I think it's still windy enough to try. [And it'd be a nice distraction.]

[werethatgood]

Yeah? That sounds good. And there's usually some wind at beaches, right? Because of the water and air pressure and stuff like that?

[ Distractions are good, and, well, she also meant it. But no feeling useless and not good enough, that's not allowed. ]