live_ringer | ☆020- And the nameless names on the misspelled graves grow tall.

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☆020- And the nameless names on the misspelled graves grow tall.

Lockon, also known as Aim, is gone.

[Unless there is something in the following comments that needs to be addressed, don't expect a response.]

((ooc: This entry is going up on March 19^th. Below will be threads for quicklogs with the people that were told in person on the 18^th.))

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[He too, had braced himself. He wasn't even sure what for--whatever reaction would come.

The amount of calm she kept was almost eerie. And the offer of tea was, somehow, not expected at all. Blinking he sort of just... let himself sink down into the nearest seat.]

...Yeah.

[He rubbed one gloved hand over his face. It had been his intention to ride the wave of determination and strange adrenaline that came with the situation to get through this as quickly and stoically as possible. If he settled down, stopped pushing forward, he would lose his momentum...

Eh, momentum be damned]

Thanks.

Edited 2011-03-19 08:05 (UTC)

[She went over to fetch another cup and the teapot, quickly pouring him some and bringing it over to him with methodical efficiency. Her hands were steady as she handed it to him.]

Do you take milk and sugar?

[Poor Lyle, he looked exhausted.

It was better to focus on him, make sure he was alright, find out all the facts about Neil-

Riza swallowed and tried not to think about Neil. If she was going to go to pieces, it wasn't going to be in front of his brother who already had his own burdens to shoulder without making him witness to hers.]

[As he slipped the gun bag off and set it on the floor Lyle noted what an uneasy thing it was, watching her bustle about with the tea and see to him in the midst of all this. Still, he could guess it was a method of coping, something to focus on, so he didn't say anything.]

Yeah, thanks.

[Once the cup was in his hands he took a sip then... stared at it. Now what? It seemed too abrupt to just bring up the note and the gun Neil had left her.]

So, is there anything--[He could say? Do? Inform her of? ]--anywhere you want to start?

Edited 2011-03-19 18:46 (UTC)

[She sat beside him, taking up her own teacup, but didn't make an attempt to drink it. She stared into the cup, her brows knit together in a slight frown. Hayate gingerly put his head on her knee and received no response. Finally, she spoke softly.]

... did you- when did it happen?

Last night. One moment we were talking and the next... [He lifted one hand to indicate the "nothing" meant to finish that sentence, then shook his head. He wasn't really making eye contact.}

[She took a deep breath and let her shoulders fall slightly. The tea sat untouched in her hands.]

He just vanished.

[It seemed mind boggling, that he would just disappear, just like that. So strange and so final.]

And his journal-?

[Lyle nods as she finishes his sentence. To say it was surreal would be an understatement, not the least because it also happened in his dream.]

Journal's right here.

[He dug into a pocket of his coat and produced the journal, handing it to her.]

You can keep it if you like. There's, a note, too.

[He gestured toward the rifle bag between them where an envelope stuck out of one of the outside pockets.]

Are you sure you don't want to keep it yourself?

[Nevertheless, she took the journal from him, skimming her fingers over the worn leather binding, and rested it on her lap. She felt strangely numb; it had only been a matter of weeks since Vimes had pressed the significance of the forgotten journals on her. To think that Neil's now numbered amongst them...]

[She swallowed and glanced over at the note; wanting to read it but not wanting to do so in front of Lyle. She had no idea what was inside it, but she could imagine. Neil had his dorky, sentimental side.]

I'm so sorry, Lyle.

It's fine. I've kept one of his notebooks. This should go to someone else.

[He might have felt bad about not offering a peek at that, but it was all matters from home. Not to mention, there was one tidbit he was certain Target would not be happy to see.

Her comment elicited a sigh.] You and me both.

[His fingers tightened around his teacup. Once more the subject of what to do now flitted across his mind, and he sipped his tea to buy time to contemplate the options. It wasn't like with Krile, whom he felt comfortable hugging while they both worked through the grief. Here there was an invisible wall of 'dealing with it' and Lyle wondered if it was best to stay for a bit or leave so she could let it tumble down if she needed. He had caught the look she gave the note--Lyle doubted it was anything that could be read with company around.

That decided it, really. Setting the teacup down he rose to his feet, but didn't walk forward. Instead, he rested one hand on her shoulder.]

If there's anything else--[Well, he didn't know what to offer, but he was sure she could fill in the blanks if need be.]

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☆020- And the nameless names on the misspelled graves grow tall.

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