hippocarnival | Aefenglom

Asahi, hi! [He sounds better, at least, but maybe he's just really excited to hear from a friend.]

Yeah, I'm doing better. They let me out of the hospital... I was lucky none of the fires reached my apartment.

[ Honestly, just hearing him sound better at all is already a relief. Asahi can't even imagine how long people will have to deal with the effects of that kidnapping, after all. ]

I'm glad to hear it.

[ She grows a little quiet a moment later. Awkwardly so. What do you even say about that situation? At least she was able to focus on his state when he saw him right after, but now.. ]

But I'm also.. um. I'm sorry that happened to you.

... I'm sorry it happened, too. [To all of them.] But--it's over now. So we just keep going forward, and we're going to recover from it.

[Just keep focusing on the brighter future ahead. It's left so many of them feeling defeated, Yuya's really trying to be the strong one this time.]

Is there anything I can do for you, maybe?

[ Because while his attitude is admirable, there's no way he can really be dealing with it that easily, right? Sure, Yuya always seems optimistic and all, but Asahi just wants to make sure he isn't trying to deal with it all by himself. That wouldn't be right. ]

Um... [He has to consider, mostly because he doesn't know entirely what he needs himself.]

I think I should buy more food. It'd be easier to carry with two people.

[ Thank god, something to latch onto for a moment. Maybe she'll feel less awkward and useless if she's helping him out. ]

Oh, I can do that. [ Carrying is easy! ] Should I come over right now? I have some time.

Yeah, that'd be great. My apartment is [Insert address here don't @ me]. I'll wait for you!

[He's already going stir crazy, and he needs to pack more protein into his diet so he's going to take the help when it's offered.]

[ Honestly, it takes ridiculously little time before Asahi is already at his apartment. You'd assume that she would have had to run over to make it there that quickly, and.. well. She did. She really obviously did, because she's standing at his door completely out of breath. Even as she's trying to downplay it as she greets him, there's no way it isn't obvious. ]

Hey! Here.. [ wheeze ] I am!

[He doesn't expect her quite that quickly, and he's still finishing buttoning up his coat when she runs up.] Uh, hi!

[Did she sprint here...] Thanks for helping so quickly.

N.. No problem.

[ She definitely sprinted all the way here. She might have gotten some Looks from people as a random harpy just.. sped by.. without considering maybe flying and making it easier on herself..

She still hasn't even caught her breath yet. ]

Are you ready to go?

[Asahi needs some flying lessons, doesn't she.]

Yeah. [He bundles tightly in his coat, checking to make sure the door is locked before he steps forward, ready to walk side by side down the hall and back outside.] Are you staying around the haven?

[ More like some common sense lessons, since she can fly, it's just that she totally forgot to do so since she was in such an emotional rush to get over.. She doesn't always make the best decisions once she starts freaking out. ]

Oh.. Yeah, I am. [ At least she slowly seems to be calming down now. But as they start walking she's mostly definitely keeping an eye both on Yuya and their surroundings. Things should be safe for now, but she's still ready to jump anything at the slightest sign of danger. ]

I usually live by myself, but there's someone staying over at my place recently.

Not too far, then. [Okay that's still a broad area but it's limited to one-fourth of the city and is still within its walls.] Is it the person you were talking about bonding with before?

[ She nods. ]

We bonded just the other day. Although he's mostly been staying over at my place since the person he was staying with before disappeared. [ Asahi tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she looks over at him. ] I couldn't just leave him all by himself like that, you know? It felt bad just thinking about it.

Did you? That's good! [He was apprehensive at first too, but it really does help.] That's really nice of you... what's his name? I don't think I asked.

It's Momiji, Momiji Sohma. He's a puca.

[ Asahi figures that's probably the most recognizable thing about him, since those rabbit ears are so noticable. .. And cute. But mostly noticable. ]

Do you maybe know him? He's super friendly. Kind of like you, but to an extreme.

[To an extreme... yeah, Yuya could see that.] Oh, Momiji! Yeah, I know him.

[He rubs the back of his neck.] Uh, his cousin and I were bonded but... he seems to be gone now.

[He's already reached out to Momiji about that, just for the confirmation.]

Oh! [ That definitely makes her look surprised. She only knew Momiji's cousin a little, but she obviously does know Momiji himself well. And she knew his cousin was gone.. just not that said cousin happened to be bonded with Yuya of all people. It feels like a strange coincidence.

After quietly taking in that surprise for a moment, her facial expression instead turns concerned. ]

Then.. do you still have any other bonds left? Will you be okay?

[Yuya nods.] There's another monster, Noctis, I'm still bonded to. So exploding isn't going to be a problem!

[He knows Momiji's a monster, too, but it's a little less urgent on the monster end to hook up with a witch as long as they have something grounding them.]

[ Notics, huh? Asahi mulls over the name in her head for a moment, but she's pretty sure it doesn't sound familiar. Well, regardless.. ]

That's good to hear. [ Although he could have left out that last part, she'll only fuss more over him at the very thought of him exploding! ] Although..

[ Asahi suddenly speaks slower, almost seeming a bit hesitant or bashful. ] If anything does ever happen and you need help with that kind of thing, I guess you.. could ask me too..

[It's worth fussing, he waited 3 months for his first bond despite knowing that.

Yuya blinks, briefly surprised by the offer. But he quickly recovers with smiles.] Yeah? I'll remember that. But it's the same for you--if you ever need a witch bond, I'd do it for you.

[ See, the logical thing here would be to not be too surprised by getting the same offer in return as you yourself just offered. It's called mutual kindness and friendship! Totally normal.

Except of course to Asahi most totally normal things are never normal.. ]

H.. Huh?! What are you saying?!

... That I'd bond with you? [That wasn't weird, right? She offered first--] If you wanted me to, I mean!

Y.. You would? With me?!

[ Girl, you literally offered him the same thing only a minute ago, slow down. But apparently Asahi's brain is weird enough that she wouldn't consider anyone offering the same kindness in return. ]

That's just--! I.. I don't know! I don't think I'm the most fun person to bond with!

But you offered first! I'd be bonded with you whoever it's for. [Oh, but he doesn't want her to think she should rescind that.] It's not about fun, but I like talking to you! I--think of you like a friend?

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