Rin shivers at the unpleasant stuff, but what has to be done has to be done. He lifts his side of the cradle and assists Itami in moving Shiawase. "Now, let's just hope she doesn't wake up.... that'd be awkward as all heck."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=129#1281 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 1/21/2021 at 9:10 AM Rin shivers at the unpleasant stuff, but what has to be done has to be done. He lifts his side of the cradle and assists Itami in moving Shiawase. "Now, let's just hope she doesn't wake up.... that'd be awkward as all heck."

Itami laughs a little. Yeah, it really would be. But I don't think we need to worry about that. She seems pretty sound. He sighs. Couldn't be any worse than. . .actually, you don't need to know about that. . .

Itami falls silent, which is rare, especially when he has nothing stopping him from babbling. He seems a bit lost in thought.

- - - - - - - - - -

"That makes no sense. Wouldn't that mean the same for us both, then? My death does not impact that of the others," Hitari says.

All of me knows when a part ends, comes the reply. You do not. Find solace in your blindness to that.

Rin blinks, surprised by Hitari's silence. He continues to help in the transportation of Shiawase, trying not to fixate on the quietness of the scene.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=129#1283 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 1/21/2021 at 9:32 AM Rin blinks, surprised by Hitari's silence. He continues to help in the transportation of Shiawase, trying not to fixate on the quietness of the scene.

Zandaka, just show up already, Itami thinks bitterly. Some arcane balance would be nice about now. There's no reason for you to be sitting by to watch.

You hear Itami sigh quietly to himself as the walking continues - in the distance, you can finally make out open air beyond the trees.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Find solace in that I don't know when I die. I'm trying my best," Hitari says dryly. "We won't die at the same time, so the one that 'falls' first will simply be suppressed."

Two souls are never meant to inhabit the same vessel, so yes - that could very well happen. Or, perhaps, one of your deaths will split the other. We will see.

"I think we're getting closer?" Rin says unsurely. "The forest seems to end around there." He tilts his head towards the edge of the trees.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=129#1285 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 1/21/2021 at 10:51 AM "I think we're getting closer?" Rin says unsurely. "The forest seems to end around there." He tilts his head towards the edge of the trees.

Itami glances forward and is pleasantly surprised. Oh. That felt shorter than I thought it would, yet there it is. He speeds up a little. That's good.

- - - - - - - - - -

"So insanity," Hitari mutters. "Another recurring topic that is strangely relevant to me."

My cipher, you are like a river that cycles through itself. Some stages are still passed, yet others are revisited endlessly.

"Fun," he replies as he stands up. "Well, it's been far too long. We need to keep going. Once I get beyond the house, we shouldn't run into anything."

. . .yes, certainly. Nothing will be encountered.

". . .why do you say that like - " Hitari glances out to the trees. "Okay, maybe I'll just go up again. . ."

In a matter of seconds, he's in the treetops again.

Rin quickens to match Itami's pace, glad the awkward journey is mostly over and wanting to finish the job as fast as he can.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=129#1287 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 1/21/2021 at 5:30 PM Rin quickens to match Itami's pace, glad the awkward journey is mostly over and wanting to finish the job as fast as he can.

Oh, thank whatever higher being watches, Itami says, not bothering to hide his relief as you two pass outside the trees. Finally.

The house looks just how you left it. Itami guides the cradle to the front wall and gently sets it down. Well, now. . .I don't know what we do. I really thought she would've woken by now.

He glances around the corner, where the strange crystal and its void from earlier still ominously linger. At least that hasn't changed at all. That's probably a good sign.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Oh, you've got to be - " Hitari swears under his breath. "Now how am I supposed to go beyond the house. . .?"

Patience is a virtue.

"You can say that to the end of days, but we all know you knew they were coming," Hitari hisses. "Why didn't you say anything?"

I assumed you wanted your rest to go uninterrupted. Besides, why do you fear them seeing you again? Has loneliness, your namesake, turned you against relations?

"Sure, let's say that."

"I guess we just..... wait," Rin shrugs. He shivers at the ominous presence of the void, but Itami is right in that at least it hadn't grown. Felix departs from Rin's shoulder and flies up to perch on the roof.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=129#1289 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 1/22/2021 at 8:04 AM "I guess we just..... wait," Rin shrugs. He shivers at the ominous presence of the void, but Itami is right in that at least it hadn't grown. Felix departs from Rin's shoulder and flies up to perch on the roof.

Yeah. Feel free to just. . .I don't know, do whatever, I suppose. The house is open if you want to go in there, don't forget, Itami says as he sits down. I'll just sit out here and say something if she wakes up.

- - - - - - - - - -

"I can't even risk moving, with that owl there. . ." Hitari mutters. "It'd see me. . .soon as I. . .do practically anything -"

Then do nothing. You are patient.

"Chaos, yours is. I am not," he replies, shifting a little. "My, you're both a bit dull."

Chaos is silent for a moment. Certainly not dull, but surprised. May I ask how?

"Maybe I'll tell you one day, before your world crumbles to cosmic dust."