discedo | [ Voice ] How puzzling

Two men walk in opposite directions...Ah, no, no that won't do. Perhaps I should do something with numbers? Oh, but...I'm no good with numbers, am I...[ She sighs. She'd been trying to do some puzzles, to take her mind off of things, but...well, it wasn't working. ]

Drat, I've no good ideas at all!

[ There's some shuffling, and a long period of silence until she picks up her communicator, failing to notice she had already turned on accidentally. ]

Hm...well, the last week has been quite strange. Magic powers and all that? Definitely peculiar. it seems like it would have been interesting, in a way. [ A laugh. ] Though I imagine it did more ill than it did good. I would be lying if I said I was glad I missed out, though...

[ ... ]

Ah, but that wasn't what I wanted to talk about. Actually, I'm having a problem of sorts. You see, I'm trying to come up with a puzzle--as a way to pass the time--but I'm all out of good ideas! It's simply dreadful! So, I was wondering...does anyone know how to find one's inspiration again? Really, I would appreciate the help.

Oh, and....has anyone seen Clive? I haven't seen him around, and it's a bit...well...[ Unnerving. Not that she'd say as much. ]

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Just being by yourself? [ He's silent for a moment or two, certainly having volumes he could say on the subject. ]

You have people here. Clive cares about you, and Sora lives here too. You are not alone.

...It could change any moment, you know.

Ah. I know...

But do not waste this time. Enjoy having them.

Mm...

[ She just nods quietly. ]

... [ Wordlessly he reaches out, taking her hand and picking up the pace a little. ]

[ She'll squeeze his hand tightly, a silent way of asking him to keep hold. He might disappear too, if she lets go. ]

[ Or he might disappear if he majorly pisses off one of his roommates; that's up in the air. Sasuke lowers his gaze subtly to their hands for a moment.

There's something about it that's a comfort... What a stupid thing to think. ]

[ She will be ticked at both of them, if that happens.

After a period of walking around, and silence she speaks up. Mostly to fill the void. ]

The weather...it's still rather cold, isn't it? I'm hoping it passes soon, not that I don't mind the snow.

... I do not see snow much. I don't hate it. [ Which is Sasuke code for "I kind of like it". ]

Are you too cold now? [ He gestures to his own jacket. ]

Really? Ah, we should build a snowman sometime, then.

[ There's a small smile at that thought, before she shakes her head. ]

No, not really. Besides, I couldn't take your jacket in this weather, especially when mine is doing a well enough job.

[ A snowman? That certainly isn't something he's done before...

However, at least it seems like she's feeling a little better and has regained some of her spirits, if only momentarily... That's all that Sasuke wanted. ]

I am not cold. [ If only he had his chip out. A little fire nature chakra might go a long way. ] ... Are you scared of being alone, or people leaving?

[ She has to think about this a moment. ]

...Both, in their own ways. Though losing people is more frightening a prospect, and significantly so.

Mm. Maybe.

Having memories of them does not help you?

I...don't remember much. It's been so long since I've seen them, I only remember the ends.

"Them"?

[ A pause.

A long, long pause. ]

My parents.

I thought so. [ It's not a dismissive tone. Just... a statement, nothing attached. ]

Do not let those memories go.

That's a lot easier said than done.

I know.

I wish I could.

Remember everything, I mean.

You might remember... but not let yourself know that you do. [ He's been down that road himself before. ]

How do you mean?

If something is hard, you make yourself forget.

[ She thinks on all the things she couldn't remember. The times when things were still good, when her father wasn't consumed by the village he built. When he wasn't bedridden and tired, telling her to stay up in the tower until someone came to get her. Like it would only be a few days instead of ten years.

Why? Why would she make herself forget the good things? The particular way he would smile or the way he would laugh. Or her mother--why couldn't she remember her? Why was the only thing that kept her from forgetting her face Dahlia.

It didn't make sense. ]

But what if...you don't want to forget?

[ He looks back to her, turning a little and lifting his free hand only to brush away the light dusting of snow stubbornly clinging to her hair. ]

Hn... That is also hard, remembering good things. To tell yourself it didn't happen, losing something or someone didn't happen. Something has to remind you.

[ Voice ] How puzzling

[action] ... by pretending to be Flora

[action] Yes. Best course of action, clearly

[action] Asuma you so silly

[action] [ceiling face]

[action] oh god

[action] slkdfjlk I almost did it again /WEEPS

[action] COME TO ME ASUMA

[action] WOW NO

[action] eee Flora!

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[action] forgive his total randomness

[action] but it's so lovely

[action] i can only hope

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[action] Why hello there random Y

[action] I wasn't going to respond until I'd mentioned it to you but you got it first!