[Action, forward-dated to this evening]

[knightofratatosk]

[Sunset finds Emil trudging back to the village after having spent the previous day and a half trying in vain to break the barrier in an attempt to get Richter and Tenebrae back. He's obviously exhausted, and his shoulders and upper arms are covered in bruises from where he slammed himself against the barrier once he realized hitting it with his sword wasn't going to work. Clearly he's not his usual cheerful self right now; in fact, he seems almost on the verge of tears.

Feel free to run into him as he heads back home.]

Comments

[knightofratatosk]

[And like an obedient puppy, Emil will follow, head down. Now that the adrenaline is wearing off, his shoulders are really starting to hurt, and he's realizing that bodyslamming the barrier probably wasn't a very good idea.

He's so absorbed in trying to keep from crying out of anger, frustration and pain that he very nearly stumbles over a rock in the process.]

[trueknight]

[THERE WAS THE SOUND OF HITTING SOMETHING A ROCK. HE MUST BE IN TROUBLE THERE.

Anyway, hearing that, Yuri stops and swings his arm out in front of Emil, so that if he should fall over, he'd hit Yuri's arm before he could.]

You're a bit of a klutz, aren't you?

[knightofratatosk]

I-I'm sorry...

[Good thing he managed to catch himself before he actually tripped! He's embarrassed enough as it is; falling over onto Yuri would not have helped with that.]

[trueknight]

[He waves that comment off with the same arm he swung out before resuming that "leading the way" stuff he was doing before.]

You've had a long day, so don't worry about it.

[knightofratatosk]

[He doesn't know if Yuri is aware of it yet, so he might as well just tell him outright.]

... they took Richter and Tenebrae.

[trueknight]

... I knew about Richter, but not Tenebrae. [Wasn't Tenebrae that ... cat-dog-thing? He can barely even remember him.] I guess that means your house is empty now, huh?

[knightofratatosk]

Y-yes.

[Now you see why he doesn't want to go back home. That's a pretty big house to be all alone in, especially when you're worried that you might be next.]

[trueknight]

I see.

[And they're just about there! Yuri stays quiet for a few moments before sighing.]

... We've got an extra room if you want to stay for a few days. I wouldn't suggest staying any longer than that, though -- It's going to be pretty hectic in that house either by the end of this week or the beginning of the next, and you're likely to get snapped at in the process.

[knightofratatosk]

[At this, he looks up, surprised.]

I couldn't... I mean, I don't want to get in the way or anything... I'll be all right on my own. I'm used to it.

[EMIL LIES LIKE A RUG.]

[trueknight]

Right, then I'll tell everyone you're staying for a little while.

[Emil, you cannot lie to the master of lies. Walking up to the front door and getting that open now.]

[knightofratatosk]

B-but I just said--

[trueknight]

[Door's open and being held open.]

I'm not gonna hold this door open forever, you know.

[knightofratatosk]

... thank you.

[Yeah, not gonna turn down that offer. But he'll probably offer to cook and clean and all sorts of things like that in exchange.]

[trueknight]

[It's just two days, Emil. You're not allowed to do any of that stuff :| Either way, that thanks is getting waved off too. Just go inside already, moeblob 8|]

[knightofratatosk]

[Going, going~ And oh hey, now that we're not out in public, he rubs at his eyes for a moment.]

[trueknight]

[He'll just close the door, looking over at Emil. Oh geez ... is he going to start crying or something?]

... Emil?

[knightofratatosk]

[He's trying very hard not to. IT'S NOT VERY EFFECTIVE.]

[trueknight]

[... Uh. What does he do now. He's dealt with crying KIDS before, but Emil is ... not exactly a kid. How long he's been alive doesn't count in this case. Although, he's starting to wonder if it's best that the guy just cry. It's a release, and he probably needs it.]

... Just sit down for now.

[Either way, he's going to start wandering past Emil now. After all, if he's going to start crying, he'll probably need some water to help calm him down.]

[knightofratatosk]

[He doesn't need a second invitation to sit down... right on the floor. Hope you don't mind, Yuri, but the couch is all the way over there and his legs are feeling pretty shaky.]

Why... why both of them... they'd never been kidnapped before, and now--!

[trueknight]

[Emil you missed the couch by like. A yard.

Anyway, he stops for a moment, but he ... really has nothing to say to that. He manages to force something out though, just so Emil knows Yuri's not ignoring him.]

There never seems to be a reason for when or why someone is taken. All you can do for now is be ready to help them when they return. [Damn, he almost feels disgusted with himself, having to admit to that.]

[knightofratatosk]

[Good thing he wasn't aiming for the couch, huh? The floor will do just fine for now.]

It's not fair... I hate being helpless like this! The Malnosso are hurting them and I can't do anything to stop it!

[trueknight]

[His tone's a bit stiff. He kinda wishes he were able to throw a fit like this when Judy was taken, but it's just not something he can bring himself to ever do.]

Beating yourself up over it isn't going to help them, either.

[knightofratatosk]

[Oh, he picks up on the tone right away. It's the same one Richter uses when he's annoyed.]

I know, but... I'm sorry.

[trueknight]

... [He wasn't looking for an apology, but at least Emil stopped :|; Anyway, heading into the kitchen now. There aren't any walls separating the living room and kitchen, so he's not exactly far off now. And he's back to his usual tone, as well.]

You hungry at all?

[knightofratatosk]

N-no, not really.

[Actually, he feels a little bit sick. Eating would probably not be a good idea right now, but some water might help. Or maybe juice.]

I am kind of thirsty, though.