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[viscontree]

[video/audio/text/action]
network username: julius

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[viscontree]

No, I really should check on my plants. You may rest for as long as you wish.

[Julius won't be bored. It was nice of her to be concerned. He's still worried about her though. It'll be easy to keep an eye on her while she's asleep. That's no trouble to him.]

[p66]

[ All's well then. ]

Okay. Thanks again.

[ Feeling rather strange, she takes off her uniform jacket and folds it neatly beside the pillow. His bed smells grassy, but there's the distinct tang of blood lingering in the sheets. She has to wonder if he's still injured even now; but given his movements it doesn't seem so.

Even if she has her eyes closed, it takes a while for her to actually doze off. Much of her hearing is trained on him and what he could be doing. ]

[viscontree]

[He's pouring some water onto the plants and digging up soil. It takes some time, but Reika can clearly hear him. Every so often he'll turn around to check if Reika's actually asleep and resting well.]

[p66]

[ He sounds to be mostly doing harmless things, so she lets herself drift off at last. She sleeps quietly, without making as much as a single sound or movement.

It's supposed to be a short nap, so she'll rouse herself after a while. Has he finished gardening? ]

[viscontree]

[Eventually yes. He's reading a thick novel by the bed now. It's so peaceful and reminds him of their days in Blood. This is the happiest Julius has been in months. Reika's getting enough rest and that's all he can hope for. ]

[p66]

[ Reika quietly eases herself up into a sitting position. The faint smell of blood is still there and it reminds her of how much she still needs to check on him. ]

Ah, good afternoon... How do you feel?

[ Is he hurt anywhere? ]

[viscontree]

You're awake. I'm fine.

This may be a strange question, but what is the last thing you remember? Time lines differ here and space is inconsistent. I must confirm what you know.

[It's bugging him a little.]

[p66]

[ It's a question she's also given thought to,but didn't have the time to bring up. ]

A few weeks after we rescued you from the Helix Tree. I was on the way to check up on you after a mission, and then I ended up here.

[ He had said something curry but they didn't get to the gathering in the end. ]

[viscontree]

That's more or less what I remember too. We're in luck.

That time...when you rescued me it feels like yesterday. [It might have been a year for him but the memories are so fresh. They never left. He frowns almost instinctively.]

[p66]

[ Those are memories very difficult to forget. The battle against Rachel, rescuing him and then averting the apocalypse by a hair's breadth. He had been fighting all alone for six months, and then he had to do the same thing for a whole damn year.

It's no surprise that he's so shaken. ]

... I'm just glad you're safe.

[ She takes a step closer, one hand on his shoulder, her voice softer than before. She doesn't use her formal tone much when she's with him. ]

[viscontree]

I'm glad you're safe too. It's just that I...never told anyone my concerns. [Reika's the only person who knows he's like this. It's a shame.]

Now I have to pay the consequences for it. I promise that I'll do my best to speak.

[p66]

I'll always be here to listen. You don't have to rush to tell me everything. Take it one step at a time at the pace you're comfortable with.

[ Distressing him by going too fast would only achieve the opposite effect.

She removes her hand, still smiling. ]

Is there anything in particular you'd like to do now?

[viscontree]

I'll do just that.

We should double check everything before we need to head out. Are you in need of any basic supplies?

[He wants to cover everything while they're here.]

[p66]

[ She is in need of something, actually. ]

I do. A replacement weapon aside, I'd like to get a journal I could write in.

[ He should know about her journaling habits. ]

[viscontree]

That can easily be done. Give me one moment please.

[Julius pulls out one of his empty books and hands it to her. There are lines where she can write and multiple pages.]

Will this work?

[p66]

It's perfect. Thank you, Julius.

[ Now she can write her thoughts down and plan her next move better. ]

Other than this, I'm set.

[viscontree]

Alright then. You'll be fine from now on.

Do you want to tour this place for a little while? I can take you around. [He remembers her wanting to see Oska more. Julius suggested she sleep first and now that she has...they can go around.]

[p66]

Yes, please. I saw there was a greenhouse, too.

[ She's expecting him to spend a notable amount of time there. ]

[viscontree]

Let's go then. We'll take the hallway to the right.

[He does spend time there yeah. It's where he goes to relax. Before they leave he makes sure that he locks the door.

Don't worry, he's got the key. ]

[p66]

[ It's quite the old-fashioned key, which has her raise an eyebrow at its efficiency. For safety, she tests the door handle after he locks it. It works, at least.

While they walk, she's mostly quiet; keeping an eye out for anything noteworthy. ]

[viscontree]

[Other people pass by them, and there's more facilities out there. Julius skips by all of it and heads straight for the garden.]

We're here. It's nice, isn't it?

[Suddenly he seems more enthusiastic. Maybe it's because he's in a place where he can relax.]

[p66]

[ It is to be expected, after all. Greenery has a generally soothing effect on him, which she appreciates. ]

It is. I could sit here and read all day...

[ Idly she walks close and reaches out to touch one of the trees. Luckily, it doesn't whack her in the face. ]

[viscontree]

That plant has been around for as long as I can remember. [A different plant flies past Reika and floats over the soil. Julius slowly shakes his head.]

Don't mind that one.

[p66]

[ Why is she not surprised he knows almost every single plant... ]

It... floats?

[ Now that's a curiosity. She walks closer, hesitant in case it decides to lash out. ]

[viscontree]

Indeed, it does. I haven't figured out exactly why they behave in this particular manner.

They seem mostly harmless. [Some of them aren't really, but the floating ones won't kill her.]