backdated to the 13th

[heloise]

[ Strange how it is when she tries to make amends that she ends up cutting all ties. It is inevitable anyway, or so she tells herself, at least then it isn't entirely her fault. (Maybe it is)

The mansion feels too far away all of a sudden, then she remembers she had come with a steed before and left it at the stable in her rush and now, halfway through the city, she can't imagine having to walk back or carry on. She barely manages to stop herself from crying into her palms when she remembers the tar, and feels even more frustrated by it. Why did she even come at all?

She remembers the phone only after sobbing like a mess there in the middle of the road for god knows how long. Wiping her hands on her skirt to try and clean them as best as she can, she fishes it out of her pocket to dial the only number she has. She doesn't know when she should start speaking or what if he doesn't hear? ]

Comments

[ofhope]

[ Joshua isn't too surprised to hear Mai's phone ring. Since the earthquake there had been a lot more checking in, and Lucrezia seemed very much in love with the idea of using the phone since getting it, especially since a filter could take too long if someone didn't open their journal for awhile.

Maybe this is the time he took too long to check, but he could rival her easily when it comes to getting distracted and losing track of time. Especially when napping, which is what he'd been doing, so his voice still has a tired slur to it as he answers. ]

Hello?

[heloise]

[ It takes getting used to, and she still holds the phone at an awkward angle, unsure if it would capture her voice the same way the journals would. Hopefully. Anyway the only sound he's getting is her sobs and the half-formed words. Where to even start when she isn't even sure what just happened? Is it really over?

Eventually she takes a deep breath and calms herself enough to say, between the sniveling: ]

I left my horse...

[ofhope]

[ The sound of her sobs are enough to jog him from his daze, considering the last time he'd heard her cry, her arm had just been crushed. ]

Are you hurt?

[heloise]

[ This feels as terrible as having her arms crushed... But she does try to cover her mouth and settle down. ]

No. Yes. There is no hurry, I just-- I left my horse.

[ofhope]

[ No and yes? Well, now that he's more awake it's easier for him to hear the distress in her voice, her breaths, even her erratic heartbeat. This is an emotional response. ]

Where are you?

[heloise]

In the city... [ She takes time to look about and find a marker. ]

Near the shop where you bought your tie. The golden one.

[ofhope]

[ Wow, he does not remember where that is. Except...it isn't too far from the church, right? It should only take him a few extra seconds to figure it out once he's in the area.

Joshua hangs up and leaves immediately, not even bothering to put on his tie or duster first. It will take him less than a minute to fly to the area mentioned, dropping to the ground nearby when he spots her. ]

[heloise]

[ She looks like a mess alright, with tar along her arms and skirt and a smudge on her cheek when she forgot and tried to wipe her tears away.

Who knows if the townspeople are walking along and keeping their children away from her for crying in public or for looking that way, but she rushes to him as soon as she sees him, though careful enough not to touch him with her dirty hands yet. ]

[ofhope]

[ The townspeople are probably used to people looking much worse off today, but Joshua knows for a fact she didn't look like that when leaving that morning. The crying is also new, and given recent events, it could be caused by anything.

Not worried about her 'noise', as he feels good today, Joshua reaches out to wipe at her cheeks and take her hand. ]

Brown or Auditore?

[heloise]

[ She hesitates when he takes her hand, because it's all sticky too and she isn't even sure if it will wash away. It's a laugh really, that even Joshua can guess too easily. It only has her bursting into tears again, squeezing his hand and stepping closer to rest her cheek against him. ]

Enough. It is unfair of me. No more of this, this is the last time.

[ofhope]

[ He recognizes it as tar as soon as it touches him, but the most that does is confuse him. Why tar? ]

The last time? For who?

[heloise]

[ She takes her time to let it out, shifting her hand in his to link their fingers. He doesn't seem to mind the tar. But she isn't sure if she should say who. What would he do? Then again, she did say no more. ]

Stephanie.

[ofhope]

[ It's not a surprise, as it had been one of his guesses. ]

Because of the strangeness going on at the castle, or me again?

[heloise]

[ She shakes her head against him, breathing slowly so she can compose herself. ]

It was always because of me, and her.

[ofhope]

[ Stroking her hair with his free hand, Joshua stares over her head while she answers. She's more distressed than she should be over someone who isn't family. He wonders if even she realizes how soft she is. ]

You already knew not to trust. What changed today?

[heloise]

[ Stephanie reminded her of a time when she isn't so guarded, Joshua does too, and maybe what she has always wanted was a chance to be lighter, brighter again. The feeling and not the person. ]

I tried, but she loves me no longer. I should have known.

[ofhope]

Why should you have? Is that why you're like this...? What did she do to you?

[heloise]

She did nothing.

[ Which is why she's like this. She was trying to clap with one hand and it doesn't work. She pulls back eventually, her sobs quieter at least though her eyes are still red. ]

Will you take me home?

[ofhope]

[ Nodding, he lets go of her hand so that he can reach down to sweep her up into his arms with an easy flourish. He cares as little as usual what the townspeople think today.

Unless otherwise requested, Joshua will start off at a simple walk. Some people just hate the idea of flight or too much speed. ]

[heloise]

[ She lets him, turning her head so she doesn't have to see where they are going. She is content this way anyway, this is already home as far as she's concerned. This is safe. ]

Am I noisy?

[ofhope]

[ Joshua shakes his head while glancing down to her. ]

Did you leave anything at the school?

[heloise]

[ That reminds her, and she turns to watch him a moment, as if that would jog her memory. ]

I was going to bring books from the castle. Maybe later, in the afternoon.

[ofhope]

After a bubble bath?

[ Seriously, what is with all the tar? ]

[heloise]

[ She manages a smile at that at least, huffing in amusement. ]

She was covered with it. [ Whatever this thing is. ] I hope it will wash off.

[ofhope]

[ Joshua does another quick survey of the sticky tar, trying to recollect what he'd seen and heard so far from the journal. It's hard, though, he cares so little what happens to most of those people. ]

It seems almost everyone is, except for us. Since this didn't come from our skin, I don't see why it won't wash off. It's Miss Stephanie Brown's problem, not ours.