the ninety-fifth; and death i think is no parenthesis

[gunslinger]

[Acquaintances of Freya]

I've been taking the time to check all over, because...she really is the type to run off if she thought it was best, and nameplates can be removed by human hands. But I've looked everywhere I could think of, and someone reliable's confirmed that Freya's no longer in Paradisa. She left the same day the babies did.

[ So that was a very depressing night for Jr. thank goodness for Ino's bosom. ]

Sorry I don't have better news. [ Since he's pretty sure she went back to uh die...but he'll just keep that tidbit to himself. ]

[/Acquaintances of Freya]

[Allen Walker]

Hey man... We need to talk.

[/Allen Walker]

[Reno Browne]

Something unexpected happened. I know you probably won't respond to this, since you've gotten so good at the avoidance game, but Harper's here. I need to know if he's the same guy, and if that means you guys can just... Or is he an alternate version of himself?

I need to know. Could this happen to you? Or any of the people out there?

[/Reno Browne]

[Krasus]

Thanks for the help. Sorry it was such a dead-end.

[/Krasus]

Comments

Jr.

[save_the_souls]

[That's ominous]

Jr.? What is it?

Allen

[gunslinger]

[ Well he could have buttered you up with small talk and gotten you comfortable first... But then he'd feel like even more of a dick, dropping the bomb after that. ]

Something you should hear about. Don't freak out; it's not an emergency. But it's some news you should hear before the others do. Come by the house when you can, all right?

Jr.

[save_the_souls]

Um...of course.

I can be there in a few minutes.

[and he's moving to get on his way there!]

Allen

[gunslinger]

Don't pull a muscle or anything.

[ He's not in any hurry to make you cry again. B| ]

Jr.

[save_the_souls]

[a soft amused noise] I won't, don't worry.

[aaand about ten minutes later he's knocking on the door. He feels rude just coming in when the place is no longer his]

AYYY

[ino]

[and this little lady will be answering the door, unassuming]

--Oh, hey Allen.

HOUSE FILTER FOREVER

[save_the_souls]

Ah- oh! Hello Ino! [he smiles at his friend]

Is...Jr. here?

[ino]

Hey. How are you?

Yeah ... one second. [she'll step back to let him in the house, and call up the stairs] Jr--!

[gunslinger]

[ Jr.'ll be peeking his head around the corner to glance down the stairs, before he drapes his arms over the banister and waves a bit. Normally he keeps the visits out of his room and all, but...asking Ino to leave the living room would just make her suspicious.

He doubts this is any better, but there's hope. ]

Jeez, way to book it. Come on up, Allen.

[save_the_souls]

Ah, I'm fine. And you?

[He steps into the house and wave a bit to Jr as he approaches]

I didn't! I was at my flat and that's not too far away from here...{okay maybe he did a little]

[ino]

I'm good ...

[she'll just glance at jr. curiously when he invites allen up. because a) usually they don't go upstairs and b) .... kind of awkward when she's standing right there ...]

[gunslinger]

[ At Ino's look, Jr. just waves a hand dismissively like she's a stupid nosy girl. NOSY. ]

It's just guy talk. I won't steal him for too long, then maybe we can all watch a movie.

[ No they won't be watching a movie. But white lies are healthy or something. ]

[save_the_souls]

Ah...sorry Ino. We'll be down here soon!

[But he follows Jr up the stairs...this is concerning :| ]

Jr;

[queensconsort]

[Rather than penning a response, he dictates into the journal. It's a rare courtesy only afforded to those he trusts or when he's otherwise occupied. It's the former this time.]

I regret that my efforts did not bring the closure you wished for.

... You helped her as much as you could, given your short time together. There is comfort in that.

Krasus;

[gunslinger]

Closure isn't really something anyone can ever expect here... I don't even really know what she thought of it all. She lived such a depressing life... The best thing I could do was try to make her smile. It succeeded sometimes.

I wish that was comforting. It's not, though... Not for long. I don't think she had anything to return to. She just suffered and then...who knows.

Jr;

[queensconsort]

You were able to alleviate her suffering in some small way, and you gave her companionship she would not have had otherwise. She would have thought highly of you.

Her fate, however unfortunate, is not your responsibility. [a touch quieter] You must let go of it.

Krasus;

[gunslinger]

Guess I'm still not so good at that sort of thing.

[ Why do you think he has nightmares weeeh. ]

But it helps to stay busy. When it's not one thing, it's another. [ SOLVING OTHER PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS IS WHERE IT'S AT. ]

Jr;

[queensconsort]

[Oh, Jr... You're so stubborn. It's kind of endearing in a way; reminds him of Calen.]

You will have to face it eventually. [He knows the whole dragon secret thing came back and bit him in the ass. Living two lives is not the way to go, and neither is denying yourself the time to grieve. People explode.]

Krasus;

[gunslinger]

I have. I mean... As much as I can. It isn't the heaviest thing in my heart [ Not by a loooong shoooot ], I'm just going to make sure to remember her when I can, that's all.

Not that it wouldn't be nice to just get away and collect for awhile, but it's never the time. Feels like whenever I leave, someone nearly dies, actually dies, or the castle's attacked.

Got all the time in the world and it still feels like I have none at all. [ Right, right? ]

Jr;

[queensconsort]

[Krasus makes a quiet, thoughtful noise. He agrees with the sentiment. And he knows his time is sadly shortened, but he isn't about to let Jr. know that.]

All I can offer you is the opportunity to walk with me. Perhaps it will put both our minds at ease.... for a time.

Krasus;

[gunslinger]

[ HE COULD HANDLE IT but wow that would be depressing. Especially for Alexstrasza. B( ]

Where?

Jr;

[queensconsort]

[And that's why only one other person knows.]

The tree, if you will.

Krasus;

[gunslinger]

Later? I've still got more bad news to deliver to some people. Now that I got the ball rolling...

[ Said jokingly, alas, what else can he do? ]

Jr;

[queensconsort]

[Krasus doesn't laugh. Not a surprise.]

Very well. I am patient.

[And he has am obligation to take care of Alexstrasza's strange human brood, because that's his job.]

Krasus;

[gunslinger]

Seriously. What's your secret?