video:

[grigio]

[Julie's been trying to help get things back in some semblance of order around here, but there's a lot to do and frankly it felt a little overwhelming at times. So she didn't really do a lot to check in with friends which finally caught up to her and she felt bad. Today, she's at her console which is flickering and wavering and screeching on occasion. She's recording from her suite and the video on her end fickers from her with her head ducked down, pen in hand as she writes something on a piece of paper to the very shadowy image of...something...moving on screen. At one point, the feed blinks out entirely and when it comes back on, she's holding up a piece of paper. Her note is short.]

Everyone I know, please check in.

[Whether or not it actually is seen, she's not sure. She holds that note up for a good minute just to be sure before letting setting the paper down and waiting nervously. All she wants is to know where her friends are so she can talk to them.]

Comments

[fliesonfour]

[Always ready, always waiting, my dear.

He nearly wobbled at the impact of such a hug; not exactly the done way of things in his day; but it is easy enough to clasp her in return, to hold on to this lifeline, to summon something greater than horror and closer to care.

His voice still betrays him, the quake to its undertone, but he is quite literally grounded for the moment; with thanks.]

Dear girl! Such relief to see you well...

[grigio]

[He really is okay and right there. Thank God. Her arms stay around him, holding him for the same reason he's holding her; to stay grounded and to feel something other than worry.]]

Hello, gorgeous.

[God, it felt nice to have him in her arms, ridiculous as that probably sounded. Her forehead rests against his shoulder, her eyes remaining closed for a minute. She's not going to bring up what's been happening on the turtle. Julie wants to ignore that for a little bit. When she finally does look up at Joly, she's trying to smile. That shake in his voice hasn't gone unnoticed, good sir.]

Come inside for a bit?

[fliesonfour]

Would you believe I have never said no to that question-?

[A weak attempt at a joke, far less witty than usual, and forgetting perhaps that current company was a lady, and not Bossuet of one of his more ill-mannered bar-maid friends. He had had his hands in blood today, and the last time that had been the case, he'd ended up--

Well. Here.

Which was a nicer way of thinking about it than 'quite verifiably dead.'

He seemed alive now though, and she, so he tried to soothe himself with that irrefutable knowledge.]

Lead the way, my dear...

[Agreed, pulling back only to take in a breath and hold out an arm for her; a play at being the better gentleman that he knew that he was, for a girl who rather, in his estimation, deserved such.]

[grigio]

Not for a second.

[She's smiling slightly, teasing him some. She's slowly relaxing, feeling better now that she's seen him and actually got to hold him for a bit. He was alive as far as she was concerned. And that's what mattered at this point. Her arm loops through his and she leads him to her suite.

It was noisy outside with people hustling around on errands and whatever else, so she was glad to get to her suite and shut the door behind them.

Leaning her back against it with a small sigh, she studies Theo for a moment, now showing her concern. It's just them, so it's easier for her to be honest about how she's feeling.]

How are you? Really.

[fliesonfour]

[The quiet re-animated him. He breathed, for what felt like the first time since the walk- though that must not ne strictly true- and measured his pulse by the suddenly audible sounds of the blood rushing, rhythmic, in his own head.

Glancing to her, he pursed his lip with echoed concern, then squinted when he could not focus upon it. It was a doctor's call to be worried, and worried about others, chiefly. But even in this case, where he certainly cared beyond the normal amounts, he could not quite bring himself so far past the images the explosions and the blood had brough forth as to be fully in the moment with her.]

Ah? What did you say, cherie, once more? A question. You asked something? FOrgive my inattention! One's ears ring. I hope they haven't popped, quite frankly; now there's a messy business...

[Rambled, fingers finding and tugging idly against the edge of h is jacket, all bare nerves.

That was how he was. Really.]

[grigio]

[Julie's attention is on him, now that it's quiet and they're in her suite. She watches him, listens to what he says, and understands entirely. It's why her hands reach out and cover his for a moment, fingers lacing with his to hold them still and why she steps closer, pulling his arms around her before wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Julie sort of gets the feeling they need to distract themselves from what happened, pretend it wasn't happening just for a bit. And she doesn't want to say anything at the moment. Sometimes words weren't enough to reassure someone, especially when all parties involved need reassurance.

She stands on her tiptoes, resting her forehead against his for a second before tilting her head slightly in a very quick kiss. It's just to say she understood how he felt. And that she'd missed him.]