open; goodbye to you

[menaretrash]

Who: Ann Takamaki + YOU! (and a few closed prompts probably)
What: Learning that her friends are no longer within the Void and coming to terms with it.
Where: Various locations.
When: This is a catch all; so, throughout the month of March.
Content Warnings: None yet! Will be updated if necessary.

Comments

First few days of the month;

[menaretrash]

[ At first, it's not entirely apparent that everyone is gone. It's not really unusual for Ann not to see her friends for a few days at a time; despite their closeness, thick as thieves and the such, they do have their own lives and hanging out on a daily basis just isn't in the proverbial cards. But she hasn't heard their voices over the ley lines, and when she went to check up on Akechi and Ren, they weren't home. Neither were Yoshizawa or Haru.

She's searched, of course, to no avail. Her time is spent wandering; mostly, right now. Hanging outside the apartments, Kichijoji... and no luck.

When she's not in those places, she's at Heavenly Leblanc, sitting at her usual booth, staring towards the door as if expecting her friends to just walk through, laughing and telling her about some grand adventure that they had the audacity to go on without her. That's probably all it is, right? ]

[abeautifulgame]

[if only]

[Damien, at this point, is not so naïve. this isn't the first time, lately, that he's lost -- it's just his fucking luck that that trend would continue. first Melinoë, the first person he's loved since his ex-fucking-wife, then Akechi, his surrogate son, then Ren, one of the few people to actually see him]

[of course. of course]

[he says nothing, then, when he slides into the booth across from her. he just pushes a bottle of wine and a glass over the table towards her, Tifa's underaged drinking rules be damned. he imagines she's grieving, too]

[menaretrash]

[ She's really hoping this is some fluke. That they'll all show up again, just like Ren and Akechi had before. It hasn't been that long, after all. It could happen, a small part of her wants to think and desperately believe. The more logical part of her brain has her thinking otherwise; this feels different. It was only Ren and Akechi the last time. The addition of Haru and Yoshizawa this time around have made her feel more than a little anxious, and as a slightly flighty person as is, it's another reason she's been on the move nearly non stop save for the few hours she reserves for naps.

The more cynical part of her whispers terrible things, they left you, or they found a way home and didn't want you to come. She knows, of course, that isn't the case. They'd never do that, especially Ren and Haru. But the thought is there, surfaces every now and then and spikes her anxiety with things like frustration and misplaced anger.

She's so out of it she almost doesn't notice Damien at first. Not until there's a wine glass and a bottle of the good stuff slid towards her, and she blinks, quickly looking up and over at him and offering him a small, tired, sad smile.

He's noticed, too, then. ]

Thanks, Damien-san. Pretty quiet around here, huh?

[abeautifulgame]

[he flashes her a smile in return, though it's a brief thing, just as tired. it doesn't reach his eyes]

Give it a few days. I'm sure that boy will be back in here, trying to drink himself to death. [Blue, he means. last time Ren and Akechi went missing, Blue was drunk behind the counter. he ignored him, then. he might join him, this time]

[menaretrash]

Ah... I hope he'll be okay. I guess we'll have to keep an eye on him.

[ Because, honestly, the last thing they need is alcohol poisoning becoming a thing here, okay. Also, she's learned from accidental experience that hang overs are not a fun situation to be in. ]

...It's not just the boys this time, you know. [ Since she knows that Damien's noticed, too. She's not sure how well he knows -- knew Haru or Yoshizawa, or if he'd even met them, but. ] The two girls from our world aren't here anymore, either. I went to check on them but...

[ She glances off to the side and chews on her lower lip for a few seconds. ]

...I haven't given up hope just yet, and I'm not going to stop looking. But I don't... think they're coming back this time. It feels different.

[abeautifulgame]

[Damien hums -- right now, he could give a fuck about Blue]

[doubly so when she mentions the girls having gone home, too. he didn't know Haru, but -- ] Yoshizawa's gone? [ -- there goes his best hope of having his leg fixed. well, he supposes, now, that desperate times call for desperate measures. he has something in mind on that front, but he'd been sitting on it, trying to perfect it] Shame. [a beat] Sweet girl.

[that was totally his only interest, yep]

[menaretrash]

Yoshizawa-san is also gone, yes. Along with our other friend, Haru... everyone except for me seems to have disappeared. I'm feeling a little betrayed right now, honestly.

[ Not really. Mostly. She's got mixed feelings about it even though she knows Ren wouldn't willingly leave her here. ]

Admittedly, I didn't really know Yoshizawa-san that well. We got to work together a few times at home... we went to the same school briefly, too. But she was a very sweet girl. Is? She is. She's not here, not... dead.

[ She hopes. She's almost positive, at least. The last time, Ren and Akechi had gone home, so that's where she'd like to think they all went back to. ]

[metachrosis]

You look lost.

[Ann seems to have been wandering around quite a bit, actually. Espio has mostly just left her to it while he attempts to transform a Kichijoji shop into a suitable living space, but eventually he feels he should try to say something - she looks almost as though she’s looking for something... or someone. He might not know her very well, but he thinks he might have a vague idea what could be wrong.

Unstable realities are not to be trusted, after all, and boy does Espio have a lot of experience dealing with them.]

Dare I ask what’s up?

[menaretrash]

Hm?

[ Ann's been so focused on the task at hand, that she's hardly noticed anyone or anything else in her path. She has no idea how many times she's passed poor Espio at this point, but when he finally speaks up it snaps her out of her thoughts and she pauses, literally mid-step, attention turning entirely onto him now. ]

Oh, Espio-san! Hello! Sorry... ah, it's not me whose lost, actually. It's... my friends. I can't find them anywhere, and I think that they're gone.

[ She glances off to the side, shifting a little bit. ]

Gone-gone, I mean. I've looked everywhere.

[metachrosis]

[Well, that confirms his suspicion, at least. A slight grimace crosses his face for a moment - oh, does he know that feeling.]

You’ve been wandering forever. They’re not going to magically reappear, you know. Well...

[A small shrug, because even that’s not exactly accurate.]

They might, but not when you expect it, and definitely not when you’re looking for ‘em. Take a break.

[menaretrash]

I know... I just wanted to make sure, I guess.

[ Checking every nook and cranny, all that good shit. She glances off to the side, because she knows what Espio means. And likely, they're not going to be back any time soon this time around. ]

Yeah. Last time, it took two weeks, and when they came back they weren't from the same timeline as me. That was only Ren and Akechi-kun that time, though... now, all four of them are gone. I don't think they're gonna come back this time. And... that's okay, because hopefully they're at home where they're needed. A break does sound nice, though.

[metachrosis]

What can I say, except welcome to life in unstable realities! Great, isn’t it, not knowing if the people here today’ll be here tomorrow... just gotta suck it up.

[He waves a hand vaugely - he doesn’t want to think about it..]

I’d offer a distraction, but right now all I’m doing is clearing out one of these units. You can help if you want, but you’re probably better off going for a run or something.

[menaretrash]

...Right.

[ Neither does she. The world she'd come from was apparently part of some strange, unstable reality bullshit too, and she'd disappeared from existence there ONCE. That's enough for her, thanks. ]

I can help you, if you want. Running's not really my thing, anyways... [ It was Ryuji's, but he's not here right now, thank God. He'd probably be more pissed off and manic than she is. ] What do you plan on doing here? Moving in?

Closed to Seto

[menaretrash]

[ Okay, it's been long enough now to establish that yes, her friends are gone and they are not coming back. She's already voiced this to Seto, at least, that she'd assumed the worst, and she hasn't reported back to him in at least a week. She hasn't even really been home in that length of time, instead opting to search far and wide. There's no trace of them, or that they even still existed within this realm, and so now it's time to face reality.

The last time this happened, it'd only been temporary and it had only been Ren and Akechi. She'd been a complete and utter mess; and it was embarrassing, especially to cry in front of Seto like that. It's something that she's vowed not to do again, which is why she's kept to herself in her search the last week or so. Now, she's just feeling tired and numb, but at least she's not crying anymore. She's just ready to... move on.

It's how she finds herself back in front of Seto's apartment door, knocking several times. ] Seto? It's me.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[As it so happened, Ann managed to find a time when Seto was actually home since she hadn't been the only one searching all of this wasteland for someone. He'd known that the disappearance of her loser-friends had troubled her deeply, but her subsequent absence had bothered him more. Sure, he genuinely had liked maybe... one or... two of her friends? Er, make that one? Maybe? Cough, but he wasn't all that torn up about the idea that they returned home. There was still some question as to what many of them would be returning to since their world wasn't exactly a prime vacation destination, and it had been wrapped in it's own turmoil which threatened the thieves mortality. Still. Priorities.

So when he heard her voice on the other side of the door, there was a slight delay, before he yanked it open testing it's hinges. He wanted to scold her, the words burning to be expelled from his lips but seeing her there he just knit his eyebrows tightly and silently pulled her into a crushing embrace.

With one hand to her waist, and the other to the back of her neck he pulled her in close resting his head on top of hers. He quietly but tersely uttered a single word]

.. Idiot.

[menaretrash]

[ When Ann Takamaki doesn't want to be found, she makes sure she isn't found. Many, many months of Phantom Thievery have taught her all sorts of skills, and this happens to be one of them for better or for worse. This is a mission that she'd ensued on alone for a reason, after all -- besides, it wasn't worth dragging poor Seto into more than he already was. And she wasn't about to smother him with her ridiculous overly emotional outbursts a second time, he'd been through that once before, and honestly she really wasn't sure if this was going to be another thing where they left and came back again.

At first, she's not sure he's home, but then the door flies open and she's almost certain he's about to snap at her, and really, she can't blame him. An entire week without a check in was probably not the best move to make, and really, she'd be pissed off too if the roles were reversed.

She sucks in a breath, clearly about to just stand there and take what she deserves, but something delightfully unexpected happens -- instead of getting snapped at, she's suddenly pulled into a tight embrace. She may not be boo-hooing over the sudden disappearance of her closest friends, but she's still ridiculously sad. But Seto is the one person here who brings her true happiness whether he realizes it or not, he's the light at the end of what feels like an endless tunnel, and being back in his arms feels like home.

She wraps her arms back around him and nestles her face into the crook of his neck, closing her eyes and allowing herself to finally relax. For the first time in a week, she's happy, and the sting she still feels eases up. While she may not quite be properly ready to verbalize just how strongly she feels for him just yet, it's obvious that she absolutely adores him. She hopes it's obvious, at least.

And while he doesn't say it just yet, either, she already knows that he feels the same way. It's why she just nestles closer, her fingers lightly digging into the material of his coat because friends or no friends she's right where she both wants and needs to be. ]

I'm sorry, I should have come back sooner to check in. I missed you.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Never had the young affluent ceo missed his surveillance satellite technology more than when his girlfriend became the next missing person. Kaiba wasn't sure if her suspicions about her friends departure had relieved some of his anxiety or simply piled onto it later. Likely the latter. Sure, it wouldn't have been the first time Amamiya and Akechi had spontaneously taken off but it was peculiar for the girls to join them. If everyone from their sector was being targeted for removal then it could have only been a matter of time before Ann followed.

What fueled his mixed emotions was the fact that hadn't he told her before that she didn't need to hide her emotions from him? He might not like them or be well versed but he hated the idea of being left out of the loop. Not that he reveled in the idea of traversing the countryside looking for those jerks but he might have if given the chance. Maybe. As it turned out he had to scour the world for someone anyway in a perpetual game of cat and mouse.

Let's face it, Kaiba was also angered to have a weakness of his own revealed as he yanked her into his arms. He might not have said as much, but clearly she had become an important figure in his life. How dare her make him experience feelings that he didn't have to. Things like abandonment, loneliness, and loss. Still he never managed to formulate his ire into words that didn't make him sound pathetic and clingy so this is what she got. Her response to the gesture at least let's him know that she is still just as devoted to him- even if her stupid friends temporarily redirected her attentions elsewhere. As soon as tracking devices exist, this gurl is getting one...]

I thought you might have joined them Takamaki. [Trying not to let his voice falter in any way. LOOK- he missed you too, but he's not weak. He would have been fine. Alone. Again. Probably. Not at all. With the threat of illness lingering about in the void he probably should figure out to be a little more open... but...he did say what was bothering him just without gushing. Should be enough.]

[menaretrash]

[ Ann knows he would have begrudgingly joined her if she'd asked him to, he's good about that. But the fact of the matter is that she really didn't want to shove that baggage on him again. Unfortunately, she'd done it anyways, just a different set of worries and emotions. She hadn't really taken into account that he'd think she'd gone missing too, of course, especially when his logic is correct -- if certain individuals were being targeted, it could have been her, too.

At least he's also right about something else -- her devotion to him is entirely unwavering, and will remain that way for the foreseeable future he's stuck with her whether he likes it or not. She already feels loads better just being back at his side; as much as she loves and adores her friends, what she feels for Seto is on an entirely different level, and that is something that she's entirely able to recognize, even if she's not about to just blurt it out yet. ]

No. I just... wanted to be sure they were actually gone. I went as far as I could through Mementos, too, but they're just gone. [ She doesn't sound very upset, at least. Mostly, she just sounds like it's something that she's accepted at this point, and for the most part, she has. It's a lot easier to accept things when she's so comfortable in his arms. ] You're not gonna get rid of me that easily.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Whether either of them realized it or not they'd apparently shared luggage now, which was exceptionally hard for Seto since Ann had a bad habit about caring about other people. Like that is a terrible quality, and a phenomenon unique unto her. Logic or no, she somehow defeated the odds and remained here.

At least she seemed to be in a better state of mind now, then when this had all started. One of them should be. His grip eased up a bit as if he was sure now that she wouldn't phase out from under his fingers at a moments notice.] ... [Good riddance. Eh- he couldn't say that.] I get that much. [Sorry or something?] Not a trace, huh? [Say something comforting... something... comforting...] I don't think there were any false assumptions that I was that fond of them, but for your sake.... you know. [#nailedit. With that he tried to slip free from the hug to lean against the door frame, studying her for any collateral damage from her efforts]

Good.

Mid Month; Mementos

[menaretrash]

[ Ann may have accepted the fact that all of her friends have [hopefully] gone home, but that doesn't really mean that she's entirely over it. It's why she's in Mementos right now, exploring; looking for clues. Because if her friends are anywhere in this place? Anywhere at all? It would definitely be here. Especially Ren. She's already checked this place once, but now she's just feeling irritated, and there's no one to really vent her frustrations to because everyone who would understand is GONE and they are the source and so she's opted to take it out on this stupid place.

Akechi's sword has done quite the number on the walls, she's realizing -- he'd mentioned something about doing damage, and how he'd heard screams. She wants nothing more than to take her whip, poised at her left hip as per usual when she travels around, and beat the ever loving shit out of these walls right now. Make it scream and wail just like she wants to right now but won't. She doesn't know what the long term effects would be, and while she gives exactly zero fucks about herself, she does care about the well being of the rest of the unfortunate souls stuck in this place.

This doesn't mean that she isn't on high alert, of course; whenever she wanders Mementos she automatically goes into Phantom Thief mode. So the second she hears a noise from behind her, she's on it, whirling around to face whomever it may be, and the look on her face clearly reads she's not here to fuck around. ] Show yourself.

[bridge_princess]

It's just me, Ann.

[She slid out of the shadows of the hallway that she'd been slinking through. She officially hated coming down to this place, but sometimes you had to sleep, perchance to dream. When she was down here, she tried to keep entirely to herself, to just let her conflicted emotions tear at her in privacy, away from anyone.

Since her purification, however, there'd been ... a shift. Her jealousy wasn't welling up to insane levels. It was just... there. Like she could look at the way 'Panther' filled out that bodysuit she wore, and be jealous of her figure. But it didn't go beyond that momentary pang, that irritation that she didn't think she was pretty enough to pull it off. Her eyes didn't glow a fierce green and balls of energy didn't flow. Instead, there was just the weird empathic sensations she picked up and other power.

So... she hazarded a chance to show herself, walking towards her quietly.]

So... of course you know. You ok?

(OOC: Would you be ok with her Empathy working on Ann? Because she's "Purified," she can't use her jealousy powers at this time. But! She can give her a blessing, and who doesn't need a buff in Mementos?)

[menaretrash]

Parsee...

[ Immediately, Ann visibly relaxes, all tension in her shoulders dropping as she turns to completely face the other woman. Something's changed, and it's noticeable enough to get Ann's thoughts to shift away from Mementos and her friends for a little bit, at least. ]

I'm... I'm okay. They're better off. [ Mostly. She just wants to know what happened and she wants to blame Mementos, but right now, there's other things preoccupying. ]

...But what about you? I haven't seen you in a while.

[ ooc; go for it!! :D ]

[bridge_princess]

Oh yeah... uh... sorry about that. I was being really dumb about something, as per usual. Had to recover from coughing up flowers. My own fault.

[She walked in a little closer, looking a tiny bit embarrassed to mention it, but it shelved afterwards. Glancing at Ann, she couldn't help but smirk a little. A wink and she put her hands behind her back, leaning up.]

heh, you don't have to lie. You're probably coping. And you're definitely glad they're safe at home. But, you're not ok. It's ok to not be ok.

[menaretrash]

You're never dumb... w-wait, you got hit by that weird flower thing, too? How do you feel now?

[ That doesn't sound good. Really, Ann's been fortunate not to have gotten stuck hacking up flowers, too, considering all of her messy hangups. Still, the whole thing didn't sound or LOOK very fun, so she considers herself a very lucky lady. ]

I just... [ Glancing off to the side for a moment, she shifts a little in place. ] I guess I'm just trying to understand what happened. Why did this place send them home and leave me here? I mean, I'm glad to still be here. [ And she is, too, because... well. Seto. ] It's also the first time in years I've been on my own. At home, before I met Ren and the others, like... I had one friend, at least. My best friend, Shiho... and years later Ren and the others came into my life. So it's just very strange and feels like it's coming full circle. As... odd as that probably sounds.

[bridge_princess]

Trust me. I was being really dumb this time. Yeah, I got hit, and I held off weeks before I talked to her about it.

[She winced, rubbing a her shoulder, along where the collarbone almost showed in her outfit. It was still sore, but there was minimal to no scarring, so there was that. She already had enough of those.]

Still get chest pains now and again, but the roots are mostly gone. Serves me right. I... should've told her how I was feeling the moment I got back. Don't like being forced, though.

[She looked Ann over, considering everything. She was taking in Ann's emotiona state. On the plus side, she wasn't exactly hard to read in this. The situation was sort of easy to understand.]

I don't know. I don't like that Ren's gone, or Haru, or even Akechi. I wanted more time with them, and I'd only met Yoshizawa recently. I don't know why it pulled so many of you, too so much of your world, shoved it in here and then left you alone. It's not done with you, or me.... but why? This place doesn't even know how to say that. [Grunt] You'll probably get to leave, if you want to, eventually.

So, are you really back at square one? You've got people here too. I still don't see what you see in him, but Kaiba's pretty set on you.