dictated, or action for anyone in town

[mors]

Aw, you aren't going to stay?

[There's a particularly flirty-sounding voice coming in on the journals today. A few people might even recognize it, though it sounds much more casual than it used to.]

We were just getting to know each other, though! Are you sure you won't stay for another coffee? My treat, of course.

[Whoever that guy is flirting with giggles shyly, saying something about how maybe one more drink couldn't hurt. You can practically hear the grin in the voice of the boy.]

Wonderful! One caramel latte, coming right up. You'll like it almost as much as I like you.

[There's more giggling in response to the horrible flirting, and some cheerful humming in the background, just as the loud, obnoxious sound of a milk steamer starts up. There might even be a few hot drops of milk falling onto the journal pages and seeping through to the other side, though Ryoji hasn't noticed it at all yet. A few minutes go by and the noises die down, and Ryoji sets the cup down for the girl. She tries to give him money, but he waves her away with a grin.]

No no, I told you I'd treat you! What kind of gentleman would I be if I went back on my word?

[The girl thanks him, and takes the drink. She walks away after that, apparently, because Ryoji sighs wistfully.]

What a cute girl... I hope she has another one.

[There appears to be a new barista in the local coffee shop, and he's flirting with just about anyone that walks through the door. Feel free to run into him either on his way back home, or while he's on the clock; there'll probably be free coffee in it for you if you catch him at work, though.]

[And then, around midnight...]

[ Zelman ]
You need to come back from the Dead Zone right now! I can't find you anywhere and I could always find you before.

I don't like not being able to tell where you are, even if you need to be out there, so come back so I can see you and then you can leave again if you need to.
[/filter]

[An hour or so later.]

[ Zelman ]
Why aren't you answering me? I know you're out there...

[He has to be out there. Right?]

I'm sorry I've been gone as long as I have. I didn't want to leave...

Just come back and call for me. I'll be there right away.
[/filter]

[ Zelman Clock ]
Are the filters not working properly? Are they not going through?
[/filter]

[Ten minutes. His voice is growing more concerned with every message left, just a little bit more upset.]

[ Zelman ]
Is this because I left? Are you not replying to me because you're upset with me? If I had a say in the matter I never would have left without you--

Please speak with me.
[/filter]

[Five minutes. His voice is sharp now, though it shakes slightly; angry and afraid, rolled into the voice of a young man who's trying so hard not to sound like a little boy.]

[ Zelman ]
You can't do this. This is my jurisdiction and my place and I never said you could leave, so you need to come back this second. Do you understand, Zelman? You're mine.






Just because I left first doesn't mean you get to leave.
[/filter]

Comments

[amiable]

I don't understand what's happening, but I'm glad too. You got taller than me again.

[mors]

[He laughs, just a little.]

I was taller than you before if I wanted to be, remember? I can still be smaller than you, too.

[amiable]

Can you change now?

[mors]

Of course I can. [He says it matter of factly, without really thinking about it. Though after he does, he pauses slightly. ...and oh, right, hugs aren't supposed to last this long, are they? Whoops. Five minutes back with those memories, and he was already forgetting important human things. He pulls away, though he stays crouched awkwardly on the ground.] I should be able to, at least... I haven't really tried.

[amiable]

[ She eyes him up and down; the way he moves and talks is... different. Not vastly different from what she remembers, but enough to indicate there's been a change. Maybe he moves more comfortably and naturally? Like a human... ]

This is too weird. I don't remember seeing you in the town before. I mean... I was asleep for a while, but coming for sure I would have noticed...

[mors]

[His disguise has gotten considerably better in that regard. Still not perfect - someone like Zelman would be able to see through him in a second - but it's better than it used to be, at least as far as this form goes. No more walking into low-hanging branches.]

I'm not sure how long I've been here... this is the first time you've actually seen me here, right?

...What do you mean, you were asleep?

[amiable]

Yeah. [ A pause. ] I uh, went home for a bit!

[mors]

[...what.

Wait. Why did Uru go to sleep and he didn't?! Castle what are you even doing, this stuff doesn't make sense.]

For how long?

[amiable]

I was asleep for maybe two weeks here? [ She rubs her chin. ] But I'm okay!

[mors]

...But people aren't supposed to sleep that long! [THAT IS WORRYING... though wait.] Did you hit your head?

[amiable]

I don't... remember?

[mors]

...You're okay though, right?

[amiable]

Yeah! I have a hard head. [ She raps it gently. ] See?

[mors]

[...gkdjhakjh oh no

he stares for a moment, before he bursts into a brief little fit of laughter.

He hadn't realized how much he missed you Uru. :'D ]

[amiable]

[ Stares at!! ]

Eh? Pharos? Ryoji?

[mors]

[Heheh... he straightens up after a moment, and grins at her.]

Nothing... I just missed you. And I told you Pharos was fine, didn't I? I had that name much longer than I ever did "Ryoji".

[amiable]

[ She finally stands up straight, beaming. ]

I missed you, too. It took a while for all the memories to come back... but now I remember the ones with you properly.

[mors]

Most guys would probably be insulted if they were forgotten by a cute girl.

[BEAMING. Totally innocent, yup.]

It probably can't be helped though... the Castle does as it wishes to, even with the memories of others.

[amiable]

[ WOW DID HE TOTALLY JUST SAY THAT. ]

Yeah but... it's not fair to toy with you like that, especially.

[mors]

[HE DID but not to worry. He wouldn't actually hit on Uru...]

I can't say I enjoy it a great deal, no... [Frooown. He doesn't like the idea that the Castle is actually capable of fucking with him.] It isn't fair to you though, either.

[amiable]

Going home wasn't bad at all. [ She smiles fondly. ] I'm really glad... I was able to. My memories will be fine, too.

[mors]

...Did you have a good time back there? [It was a nice smile... a good one, so maybe she was okay in her world.]

How long was it for you?

[amiable]

Yeah, it was incredible... [ Even if she's starting to miss everyone so much. Shindou...

She offers hand out to Pharos. Just like old times. ]

Three years!

[mors]

[He only pauses long enough to be reminded of how familiar the gesture is before he reaches up to take her hand and pull himself up.]

That's a long time to be away, isn't it? [He wouldn't have really been able to appreciate that before he spent two and a half years here. Before he spent a month as a human being. You're never really given enough time, even once you actually have it.]

I don't think you've really changed though.

[amiable]

[ Look how fast she glows at that comment. ]

I-I'm different! Aren't I? [ Totally mistaking his comment for a "you haven't grown at all" one. ]