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[viscontree]

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network username: julius

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[viscontree]

Just over a year. I thought that...I'd never get the chance to see you again. [He was by himself for a long, long time. Julius isn't sure if what he's seeing is real. Nevertheless, he questions it further as well.]

Are you well?

[p66]

[ Over a year.

The implications take a few seconds to fold themselves together in her mind. He has been here for over a year, without anyone to take care of him. She knows more than anyone else how he needs support to live - he still seems to be in one piece, and she doesn't believe that the people here are heartless; but it still doesn't change the fact that his eyes look more haunted than ever.

A lot can change in a year, timelines or no. ]

I'm fine. What about you? We should go sit down somewhere so we can talk better.

[ This she says while casting a glance around. No one is looking at them, but she can't be sure. ]

[viscontree]

Let's go back to my room. It's not far from here. [He doesn't directly answer her question just yet. Julius isn't ready for it. Still, he guides her down the halls and into his quarters - where he was before.

Once they're at his place he opens it for her. It's mostly clean with a lot of plants. Some things don't change even after time has passed.]

[p66]

[ He's avoiding the question - a bad habit of his, some might say; but she's familiar enough to not press him. He'll say what he wants to say when the time comes. Plus, it's by no means something to speak about in public.

So she follows him without a word, keeping half a pace behind him as always. While they walk, she keeps her eyes out for anything of interest she might see in Oska. ]

[viscontree]

[He doesn't speak until he shuts the door.]

To tell you the truth, I am uncertain of many things. My feelings are one of them.

[Reika's brought up a good question and it deserves to be answered. Julius has always kept his emotions locked away. Now that she asks, he's not sure what to say. At least he can be honest about his uncertainty. ]

[p66]

[ The one good thing that comes out of this is that at least he's speaking to her. She's had too many instances of him not telling her anything and her finding out only when it's too late. ]

There's nothing wrong with that.

[ But if he's uncertain, so is she. What can she say? ]

Have you made friends?

[viscontree]

A few. [He looks down, ashamed of himself. Julius thinks he should be working harder to make more solid friendships. Opening up to people is still difficult as ever. Reika's asking him so many questions.

It makes him think it's really her and not some kind of illusion.]

Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye. I met her when I came to this place and we've been friends since.

And yourself, have you spoken to anyone other than me yet?

[p66]

[ That's about over a year. It's good to hear that he has support; he would have been in much worse shape otherwise. ]

That's really nice. I hope she's been a good friend. [ Her voice is soft, encouraging. She has to be given how fragile he looks now. ] I've spoken to a few staff, but not anyone in our team. I was intending to, but I saw your name in the registry first.

[ Of course she made the metaphorical beeline. He's too important, more so because of what he's gone through. ]

[viscontree]

Good thing you did that. Anything can happen around here.

Be on your guard.

[They're in Oska, it's safe for now. You can never be too careful. Julius knows how things can quickly spiral into disaster. He trusts Reika to take care of herself. She is his successor after all. Reika doesn't need a babysitter. ]

[p66]

[ He's changing the topic. ]

I will. [ Now, back to the topic: ] So... how many missions have you been on?

[ She's heard the gist of what the team went through, but she's not so sure on his personal experience. ]

[viscontree]

Five in total. They all lasted a few months each. [They were all difficult. His last transfer went for six months. That one's going to be hard to explain. Julius frowns visibly.]

I kept fighting. I believed that I'd be able to see you again someday. Now that day has come.

[p66]

[ Those are words that sound too familiar - words that he probably said when they finally rescued him from the Helix Tree. So even here, he still held on to that hope that he would meet his friends again.

Maybe it's a good thing she's turned up here after all. Just like before, she has to look out for him. He doesn't look okay. ]

I'm not going to go anywhere from now on. So I'll keep you company, okay?

[viscontree]

Thank you. [She's already looking after him and she just got her. He can show her a little gratitude.]

I have always yearned to be reunited with you and Blood. We are a team.

[p66]

[ More lines she's heard from him after his return from being a tree. This is more than just slightly unsettling, though she tries to not let it show. ]

Indeed we are. Even if it's just the two of us now, we'll be stronger together.

[ Though now she casts a look around his room - casual, or as casual as she can make it. It's regimental, as to be expected of him. ]

You have green in your room too. It's really nice.

[viscontree]

Many of these plants were given to me as gifts. I did my best to look after them. [So she took notice of his green too. It keeps him busy when there's not much going on in Oska. Julius looks away awkwardly.]

Would you like to eat some sweets? I have extra from our festivities. I know you're fond of food.

[p66]

[ That part of him hasn't changed, at least - and it's something she appreciates. One year has passed after all and she wouldn't be so sure on how to act if he differed too much. Interacting with him requires a certain amount of finesse that takes time to cultivate. ]

Sure, if it's not inconvenient.

[ She needs time to think of what to say. A short break from serious conversation might be helpful. ]

[viscontree]

Of course not, help yourself.

[He pulls out a box of assorted cookies and holiday treats for her. Julius is so happy Reika's here to eat his food. It might have gone to waste. For now he stays silent, allowing Reika to eat as she pleases.]

[p66]

[ Most of the food is untouched; it's been some time since Christmas and it's impossible that he's been saving it for her, so she can only conclude that he probably didn't feel like eating. Still, she takes a piece and nibbles on it thoughtfully, though the action is slow on intention to buy herself more time. ]

They're really good. Thank you.

[ Quiet time spent with one another had been something she had taken for granted, but it must have seemed almost impossible for him. And yet, she still doesn't know what to say.

Her eyes fall into his frame once again and she has to make an effort not to stare. ]

You've let your hair grow.

[ He looks nice with longer hair, but she has to wonder why he hasn't cut it. ]

[viscontree]

You're welcome.

[It's true, Julius hasn't been eating any of it. He did think of giving it away before it spoiled, but he was never one to eat unhealthy foods. His expression stiffens when Reika speaks.]

I haven't had time to cut it shorter. So you noticed that too. Nothing ever slips your keen eye.

Sharp as ever I see.

[Reika's always observant. She's still the same as how he remembers her. ]

[p66]

[ In her defense, it's only been hours since she saw his past self. The differences would be noticeable even if she didn't make the effort to look. ]

I think you'd look nice with long hair. Though if you prefer shorter hair, I can cut it for you.

[ She's cut her own and a lot of other people's hair; since they have some downtime now it wouldn't hurt to ask. ]

[viscontree]

You'd do that for me? I appreciate the offer. It's quite alright however.

[As long as it stays out of his way he doesn't care. Reika's generous to offer assistance. Maybe later he'll take her up on that sometime in the future. ]

When I keep it tied up, the length is not a concern for me.

[p66]

Anytime.

[ Whatever works for him, she'll respect it. Though judging by that length, it's probably as long as it was when he was still the Singularity. A sobering thought if anything, but she was sober in the first place.

Her mind keeps going back to his mental state right now, but there isn't enough observation for her to make any sort of judgment. So she resorts to sitting in silence and consuming her biscuit, gaze not quite falling on him so she doesn't appear as if she's staring. ]

[viscontree]

You must be tired. [When Julius first arrived he was pretty worn out. He imagines that Reika must be going through a lot right now trying to adjust. It wouldn't be fair to give her a hard time right away. ]

Feel free to rest here. [Slowly he begins to pour Reika a glass of water. ]

finally you bust out the yaois

[p66]

[ He's being very kind, which reminds her a little of her early days in Blood. So much has changed since then. ]

Thank you. [ Yet, all the topics she can think of are related to work. ] Do you have your Arc with you? Mine was taken and kept by the staff here. Is there any way to acquire another sword?

the yaois cannot be contained

[viscontree]

My arc is sealed away. I kept it hidden under wraps.

[He hasn't used his god arc in a long time. Maybe it's better that way. Reika can understand why he chose to wrap it up. There's always risk using it. ]

You can acquire weapons during our field missions. It comes with a small price.