[Video]

[welcome_home]

From: Nanshe
Date: October 5th

[ She'd known something was wrong the moment she'd woken up this morning, that empty feeling that told her she was missing a connection. Homura. Heart clenching, she'd launched herself out of her own temple, where she'd slept over after her party the day before, and headed for Souji's. There's momentary confusion, because her temple seems to have moved somehow in the course of the night, but she knows the layout of the heavens well enough from the sky to figure out where she is after a moment.

Only the place where Souji's temple should be was now just an empty plot and no matter how she searched, she couldn't find a place where it could have moved to. She's been here long enough now that she knows what this means, even if it takes her a while to admit it to herself and give up looking.

Which is why it's some time before she shows up on the network, her eyes very red from having been crying for a while. ]

S-souji-oniichan's temple isn't here anymore and I can't... I can't feel Homura. I don't think either one of them are here anymore. I thought... I thought you should know.

[ And she closes down the video feed before she bursts into tears once more. It might be a while before she responds to anyone. ]

Comments

[Action]

[skygaze]

[Suou remains quiet after Nanako ends the Network call. He stands a few feet behind her unsure of what to do especially when she bursts into tears after ending the feed.

There's nothing he can say that can cheer her up or fix that Souji and Homura have vanished. After a message like that, more of her friends are probably going to be arriving to care for her. She isn't alone. But that doesn't make up for those she's loss either. Suou knows she needs to cry and he can only be as a support for her.

As shinki and friend. He wishes he could do more.

Narrowing his eyes a bit at himself, Suou moves closer before he kneels down next to her. Reaching out, he gently places his hand atop her head.]

[welcome_home]

[ At the warmth of his hand, Nanako turns, flinging herself at him as she buries her face against his stomach, hiding her tears as her shoulders shake with them, letting herself cry against him for a moment. Fingers curl in the fabric of his shirt, clinging to him tightly. ]

[skygaze]

[The fling catches him more off guard then it should but he manages not to topple over this time. He blinks slowly, feeling her cling to him and seeing her shoulders shake.]

Nanako...

[He frowns, looking down at her unsure what to do. What could he do? He didn't know how to bring Souji or Homura back. His eyes soften as he wraps his arms around her and hugs her. He's careful not to hurt her but it is a strong hug.]

Sorry.

[welcome_home]

[ She just clings to him, crying for a few moments, although it's quiet, muffled against his shirt as he hugs her.

After a few moments, she sniffs again and nods. ]

Me, too. I didn't mean to...

[skygaze]

[Suou just remains still. It's only after a few minutes that he shifts so he can sit down and lt her sit in his lap if she wants. He doesn't try to pull apart from her, he'd rather Nanako just do what she feels is best. If crying and holding onto his shirt gives her any kind of comfort he's fine with that.]

...I don't know this place that well but I've heard of people leaving before. You have no control over that.

[welcome_home]

[ When he sits down, she does curl up into his lap, fingers still curled in his shirt, although she sniffs and tries to rub the rest of the tears away from her eyes. ]

I know. People have gone away before. But Souji-oniichan and Homura... They were here before me. I've never been here without them. And I... [ There was something else, but she bit it off before she confessed it, looking down and fidgetting in her lap. ]

[skygaze]

They could return...though I have heard it's not often that happens.

[Suou is still limited on the information he has on this place. In contrast to Nanako's usual bubbly and friendly nature, he is by no means a social butterfly. He's fine keeping close to the temple and limiting his interactions with others.]

You're not alone here and I doubt Souji wouldn't want you dwelling on it too long either.

[welcome_home]

I know. Sometimes it does. Noct and Prompto came back, for a little bit. But... [ There's so many others who hadn't. ] No. He wouldn't want me to be sad. I just miss him already. And Homura, too.

[skygaze]

If there is any way to bring them back to you...

[He'd do it. In a heartbeat. It's just, he doesn't know how. He keeps her close, one hand raising to place atop her head fondly.]

I'm sorry I can't be more help to you, Nanako.

[welcome_home]

It's okay. [ She shakes her head, rubbing her eyes again. ] Maybe they'll be safer and happier, wherever they went. [ It was bad to wish for people to come here, after all. Right? ] You help. You're still here with me.