(ley line)

[anciently]

[ Perhaps the light, female voice is familiar to those who hear it, recognizable as belonging to Aerith, or perhaps it's a stranger that you suddenly have chatting in your mind. Either way: ]

Hi there, everyone! I won't take too much of your time.

How many people have gone home from here and come back, and...how many have just...gone?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[ Those even a little familiar with the flower girl might note the uncharacteristic curtness to the message, clipped in tone and lower in energy than her usual... ]

Comments

[anciently]

Sure thing. [ She's pretty sure she recognizes the voice, and even if not, she's not too worried about stranger danger in this place. ] Where can we talk?

[ Honestly, Aerith would prefer to speak face-to-face, too, but this just seemed like an easier way to get a mass message out. If anyone involved has more information, then she'd rather meet up with them to hear what they have to say... ]

[abeautifulgame]

[Damien is less worried about stranger danger and more -- well, until he can figure out how to target his messages to specific people, he's probably not going to use the ley lines for more than this. having half the Void be privy to a private conversation is not his idea of a good time]

[he might, however, use it to listen, to see if anyone is stupid to give up their secrets like that]

[but anyway] There's the Meralut. I'm on the first floor. Room 109.

--> action

[anciently]

Oh! Forgot you were so close. I'll be there soon, okay?

[ And, true to her word, there's a knock on the door before long. ]

Hello in there! It's Aerith!

[abeautifulgame]

Door's open!

[he'd get up and let her in, but well, that would involve getting up, and he really doesn't feel like it. even beyond his usual issues with his leg, he's just -- exhausted, mentally and emotionally and physically, all. there's a bit of a shadow around him as a result, too, his tiredness literally weighing him down, but he's ignoring it]

[just let yourself in, Aerith, and don't comment on his exhausted he looks, sitting on a spinny chair by the desk]

[anciently]

[ At his invitation, she'll let herself in, stepping just inside and shutting the door behind her with a small snap. ]

Hey! Thanks for having me over. [ Naturally, she now wanders a bit, arms behind her back as she takes in the sight of the room, noting any and all details that make it different from her own. ] Nice place you've got here.

[ When she's finished her assessment, she stops to face him, arms lowered to her sides. Yes, she notices the weariness in his face, but assumes that, if he wants to talk about the cause, he'll bring it up. And she probably won't bug him about it. ]

Having an OK day so far?

[abeautifulgame]

[there's a loveseat he's had someone drag up from the beach for him, and a little coffee table, both meant as sort of a makeshift living room in this small a space. it makes things a little cramped, as a result, but damn it, he wanted a sitting area. otherwise, most of the action seems centered around the desk, a second monitor stolen from the front lobby on it, a handful of post-it notes stuck on that. they seem to be mostly full of nonsense, though -- unless, of course, Aerith knows how to read raw code]

[but at any rate, Damien hums in response]

Well enough.

[no. everything is terrible]

[rather than say that (though, they may get there, all things considered), however, he gestures to the couch, instead] Make yourself at home.

[anciently]

'Kay. Thanks. [ And she'll do so without delay, settling herself down, letting her gaze drift again around the room. No, she doesn't understand the code, but it's...weirdly comforting to see all the same. If people are still using their heads and working on things here, then maybe that's another small step toward figuring out all the mysteries of this place.

There's a pause. Aerith folds her hands in her lap, boots rising so just the tips of her toes touch the ground, and then lowering again. ]

I wish we got some warning. [ The brunette says abruptly, in a rare moment of complaint. ] When people are just gonna...

[ Vanish. And potentially never return. ]

It's only fair. [ Life isn't fair. ] Or...polite?

[abeautifulgame]

Would that make it better? To be able to say goodbye?

[he's not sure it would have, for him. he wouldn't have accepted that. he would have spent however long he had, trying to figure out a way to keep them here, keep Melinoë here. and maybe that's selfish of him, but well, he's a selfish man]