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[This mall is really starting to get on his nerves.

Sousei huffs as he stomps his way through it (at least he's wearing boots, so the shattered glass and gross wet slush combination doesn't cause him any trouble). He didn't want to get stuck in here, but there's so much happening, and

honestly

if he's

entirely frank--

He's lost.

Lost in the mall, and everything is staring to look the same, and Sousei doesn't even bother to draw his sword; he lifts it, shifts, and slams the sheath into the elf that had been trying to sneak up on him and jump him. He connects neatly with a pressure point, and the creature is down for the count.

And Sousei pauses.

Where was the exit again.........]

And stay down!!

[In the distance, Leia's got her own elfy problems to deal with. Though she'd been outnumbered, her staff, combined with her artes, are great at keeping them all at a distance while she takes them down. Not that it makes things any easier, of course--fighting alone still leaves her quite out of breath--but at least she can get by.

Swinging her staff like a baseball bat, the last of the elves pursuing her (so far) goes flying into the wall with a nasty thud.

She sighs and nearly collapses, but steadies herself as she meanders in Sousei's direction.]

Jeez... I don't know how much more of that I have in me.

[But no, she can't think like that! She shakes her head, continuously glancing behind her--because seriously, they've been down for the count before and got right back up.

Then, of course, she nearly walks right into Sousei.]

[... Oh.

He reaches out immediately, steadying her as she bumps into him. Yes, hello.]

...Rolando.

[A quick glance over her does reveal that she looks tired, though--he arches an eyebrow.]

How long have you been out here?

[Leia jumps, nearly whacking herself (or possibly him) with her staff--but she brightens pretty quickly when she sees who it is. Somehow, she kind of feels safer with someone like him around.]

Oh, hi, Mr. Sousei! [She responds a lot more cheerfully than she'd intended, which slowly saps her energy even more. Not that she regrets it, but she does immediately dial it down from there.] I... haven't really been keeping track.

[In other words, longer than she'd care to admit.]

What about you?

[Yeah, he ducks a little, please watch where you're swinging that thing...!!

But he slowly tilts his head then, arching an eyebrow. Obviously, that's kind of concerning.]

... Then it is time you left and found proper shelter to rest.

[You're overdoing it, Leia......]

[He didn't answer her question... though his assessment isn't wrong, and probably deserves consideration. The idea of recharging her mana, and having some snacks, real food--admittedly very alluring.]

You don't have to worry about me.

[Though his words are more matter-of-fact than anything else.]

But... if you're looking for shelter too, we could go together. I think people are forming groups and building bonfires.

I'm not looking for shelter. [Oh.... the words sound unfriendly, but his tone isn't. He's just stating a fact, so she's entirely aware of the situation.

A nod, simple.]

But we can go together until there is a place you can rest. I am out here merely to assist where I can before I return.

[to his warm and cozy household.]

[Sousei's a very matter-of-fact person, Leia's come to find, and that's how she takes it. She's reassured, even, at his offer, and of course, she's gladly going to take it.

She just can't help but worry a bit herself.]

Won't that be difficult in this storm?

[Would it be...? Yeah, probably. But even so, he just turns and starts to walk, offering up after a moment--]

I'm not concerned. There are reasons I have to return to my apartment, and so I will.

[Leia follows closely behind before matching his pace. She'll study his expression for a quiet moment--the first quiet moment she's had in a while--and of course, her curiosity leads her to speculate about what those reasons might be.

How should she ask...?]

You sound pretty concerned to me.

[About said apartment--or more likely, someone in it?]

[Stop calling him out on these things!! He pauses for a moment, arching an eyebrow at that.

... ... ...]

However, I will see you to safety before I continue on my way.

[Did he just ignore her observation yes he did.]

[He's so subtle. But that's also pretty sweet, so for the time being at least, Leia will let it go. She's hit the nail on the proverbial head anyway.]

I really appreciate it.

[...]

If you get into trouble, don't forget about the gels I gave you.

I won't get into trouble.

[Wow, someone sure is confident--though a moment later, he adds simply:]

But I won't forget.

[Ah...

For now, though, he'll start walking.]

Would you prefer to return to your home, or to a place with more people?

[Leia follows behind him, quietly for a time. She looks indecisive and thoughtful. It'd be easier to know the answer to that if she could actually get in touch with anybody...]

I don't really know...

[She pulls out her CereVice, in hopes that something might have changed--but other than text messages that she hasn't gotten any responses to, it's just a brick. Dead weight, until this weather passes.]

But there are a lot of people here, aren't there? [Sounds like she already knows the answer to that, at least.]

[A lot of people in the mall? Well, yes, he can't deny that one. But that's not exactly what he was thinking, mostly because--]

There are--but they are scattered. Thrillseekers, people intending to fight alone or with a small group, and the like. There aren't people intending to set up a small, safe area solely for defense here.

[Which makes sense, since this is basically right in the middle of enemy territory at the moment.]

You are already tired. It would not be wise for you to join a group like that.

[She'd been one of those people, and they both know it at this point. His words definitely strike a chord, but she's determined not to feel guilty about it. She knows her own limits...

If she doesn't, who else would?]

I'll be okay.

[...Probably. She intends to dial it down on the fighting, at least, when she can.]

If there are people who are trying to set up a safe spot, then I should find them. They probably don't have enough manpower.

...Or girl-power!

Yes, that's a sensible plan. [Also what he was hoping she would go for, really. A tired fighter is better off with a large group of people, assisting with the defense, than going out as a lone wolf and possibly getting into trouble.

Girl-power.

... .... .. .well, she's not wrong.]

If there is such a gathering of people, it won't be in this mall. There is nowhere to hide from the monsters here. Perhaps in one of the other buildings along the road. One that is easy to access, most likely.

[Quietly, Leia nods. As it stands now, it's pretty hard to tell where the roads begin and end, but... they'll manage. She just kind of hates the fact that he's right--because she knows there are plenty of people still fighting for their lives here.]

I found one unlocked on the way here. I... think I remember where it is.

[Maybe others like her and IV have found it, too.

She hopes so.]

[And, simply, he nods. At some point, after all, they have to all do what is best for their own survival, if only to not cause trouble for other people.

But he'll still accompany her there.]

Lead the way.

[Because there are other dangers out in the snow even now. (sousei has joined your party!)]

[At that, Leia glances around, opting to keep her guard up until they can find the exit. It's a lot easier to fight now with Sousei at her side, so elves really give them any trouble. They're more of a hindrance than anything else.

When they do reach the doors, she stops to stare for a moment. She can see that the blizzard hasn't let up any.]

... Ready?

[She turns to Sousei.]

Yes, of course.

[At least there's no hesitation to be found on this loser's end of things. He simply pushes open the doors and strides on out, so... coming, Leia?

Truly, these buzzkills are all the same.]

[The buzziest buzzkill to ever buzz, but then Leia wouldn't have it any other way. Probably. It wouldn't be the Sousei she's come to know.

She nods, albeit drawing in breath in anticipation.

Like pulling off a bandaid, right? Just get it over with. She draws her scarf tighter around her neck, and draws her jacket closed, arms wrapped around herself as she follows him out. The wind is still howling just as loudly as before, the snow relentless on her eyes.

......... brrrrrr.]

[Sousei has already taken a few strides into the snow, but now he is waiting, standing tall and unbothered in the blizzard--aside from the way that he has pulled up his scarf to cover his face a little bit more.

Even he gets cold, really.

He's about ready to go home and have some tea, if he really has any say in it--but he waits until she reaches him before he nods, an turns to continue.

Shouldn't Leia be leading, Sousei.......]

[She should be! And she hasn't forgotten. It's pretty difficult to talk or do much of anything but focus on the destination, but she seems grateful when she looks up at him after catching up.

She pulls ahead after that, taking deep breaths while trying not to suck in the snow.

Her throat feels so dry... Tea and soup sound amazing, but that'll be her reward at the end.

After a while, she points off to the row of buildings on their right.]

[And he follows, neatly and calmly (thank goodness he always wears boots, a single familiarity to his uniform from home) and when they finally find those buildings Leia was talking about, he just nods in response.

It's not worth trying to shout over the storm, but nonetheless his meaning is implied.

Carry on--he'll follow her in, at least, to make sure they're safe.]

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journaler - 2015-06-08 03:38 (UTC) - Expand

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