pullmeoutalive | Two worlds, one family--

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Two worlds, one family--

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

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[ It's all right. If he won't run, she will, not really stopping so much as slowing to allow a few apologies to escape for bumped arms and shoulders. She can only imagine how many questions he's trying to work his way through-- she has her fair share of questions herself. How is he here? Alive? What kind of miracle could have... no, she could ponder this later.

For now, that was most certainly Leon trying to make it to her, and the instant she can manage it, Otome's reaching out and wrapping her arms around him to bring him against her. ]

You're really here--

[ Solid. Warm. Alive.

If her voice breaks, that's fine. ]

[He stiffens a little in her embrace, but he doesn't try to pull away, and he doesn't run--for a long moment, all he can do is stand there as she wraps her arms around him and then...

Slowly but surely, even as her voice breaks, he relaxes in her hold. He doesn't bring his arms up to return the hug (now that would be strange for him, and nobody is dying right now, and the world isn't ending, so that's not happening), but he does relax and accept the hug that she's giving him, eyes sliding half-shut as he does so.

And slowly, he breathes out a shaky breath.

He's not alone here, and automatically that makes everything much less frightening; he hadn't known what to do before, but now...now, he'll be able to figure it out.]

... I don't understand. [It's admitted quietly, shakily.] Where... am I? Is this your-- your world?

[He's still trying to figure this out, but... trying to figure out how he's alive is all too daunting, so he'll focus on one of the less intense questions.]

[ Otome doesn't answer at first, focusing on the immediate present. He really is tangible... no glitching, and she can feel his breath against her neck. When he relaxes, she breathes out a silent sigh, squeezing him ever-so-carefully in a subtle I'm glad you're here gesture before she slowly loosens her arms. He can lean back and break her grip whenever he'd like. ]

Yes. [ Her world, she thinks, whichever version this is now, but the very last reset. ] You're on Earth-- in Osaka, Japan, to be specific.

[ How, she still doesn't know. But at least he's where he's safe. ]

[It will take him a moment to do that, really. For now, he's reveling in the sense of being able to have that tangible touch again. He was sure that for a moment there, he went back to that cave, and the water and the depths, and--

A shudder runs through him, but there's the sunshine on his face and the warmth of Otome's arms around him, so the feeling doesn't last. He's warm here, and he's breathing. That's more than can be said for anything else.]

I...see.

[He doesn't entirely understand, but he's not going to exactly argue it.

... And then he realizes their positions, and he does pull back (gently), breaking the hug and clearing his throat awkwardly.]

Then... I've been brought here this time, instead of-- [... well, they both know what it's instead of, but he's still just...stunned.]

... It seems as though this world's offered to give you a second chance.

[ She still wonders about that, why this world, if her attachment to this boy, her quietly firm love for him had made any sort of difference. The memories of Administrative Authority are vague, at best, and she remembers still possessing it when she'd said goodbye to him, the desperate wish for him to somehow be saved never quite escaping her lips--

Would that explain why he's here? ]

Although I know this isn't the most ideal. I'll do everything in my power to help you.

[ Hopefully he realizes he's not alone here. But she also won't let him forget it. ]

[A second chance.

Leon's still not sure that that's something he deserves. His death was something he'd brought upon himself, something that he'd deserved for the terrible things he did, so to think that now he'd get yet another chance to breathe again, to live another life...

It feels like cheating.

But there's a smile on Otome's face, and he's not going to argue it now, not like this.]

You-- don't have to do something like that.

[But rather than his usual defiance, he sounds unsure.]

It is not as though I cannot handle myself. [Although here... in a totally alien place? He's absolutely lost.]

Maybe it's not, but it's not so easy to find lodging here without a significant amount of money, and your outfit might lead to more questions than you'd like. For starters.

I'd have just as much trouble in your world, too.

[ And besides, she cares too much to let Leon fend for himself in a world he's not familiar with, but he likely already knows that. ]

[... She's right, of course. He has no idea what he's doing here. He doesn't know how to fix this problem, or what to do about it--

... But the urge to go with Otome is too real. He can't shake it, not when everything around him is so alien, and... all he wants is that familiarity.

Besides which... it's good to see her again.]

That... much is true. [It hurts his pride to admit it, but he's learned recently that some things are more important than pride.] If you are certain about this, then-- [... He sighs softly, glancing away.] --for now, I suppose I can go with you.

Of course I'm certain, [ she cuts in, firmly, before he's even finished the tail end of his sentence. ] I hardly ever get company these days, though, so we'll have to swing by the grocery store to pick up a few things. Is that all right?

[ Shopping for another person... meals with another person... she's going to have to tidy up the guest room because someone will be in it, and Otome feels the peculiar urge to cry-- but no, this is a good thing. This way, she'll know Leon's cared for, until he's ready to move on.

... She doesn't really want to dwell on that, either. ]

[The suddenness that this is settled in surprises him; he's a little flummoxed, and all he can do in response to that is blink,nodding slowly.

Ah...]

Yes, that's fine.

[He can handle grocery shopping, he just wasn't expecting this to turn so domestic so fast.

A beat. People are still...staring...and while that's not unusual for him, he does have to think back to Otome's words and:]

You mentioned that my clothing is strange here. Should I get rid of it?

[Not... all of his clothing obviously. he means more the cloak and armor.]

[ ... Yes, please don't strip. ]

If you'd like to detach what you can, you'll probably be able to cut down on the stares. We can pick up a few changes of clothing for you too.

[ Since, you know. She has nothing in her closet fit for a teenage boy. ]

[Honestly, despite his flashy appearance, it isn't actually difficult for him to take care of that; he detaches his cape simply, folding it under his arm, and then removes the armor and tunic in a few quick movements. With all of that tucked under his arm, he does look a bit better with regards to typical teenager-hood, even if his purple shirt and white pants and blue boots combo is still a little overly bright and colorful.

At the very least, it probably won't attract any stares.]

... Very well then. Let's go.

[DOWN TO BUSINESS-- okay, no, he's still a little thrown, but he's hoping things will make more sense if he goes along with this, or at least he'll be able to deal with it better.]

Mm! Let's see, we should be pretty close...

[ Do we want a shopping montage, WE MAY GET A SHOPPING MONTAGE before she ushers him home. ]

[SHOPPING MONTAGE

Leon being confused by supermarkets, Otome dragging him away from the ice cream aisle, Leon bristling at guys who think Otome is a hottie at the market etc etc etc.

ONWARDS TO HOME.]

[ Leon pls, don't bristle, she's fine. ]

And here we are!

[ By now, she's acquired about three different outfits for Leon, a quick stop made on the way back, and as she gets the door open, she beckons him inside.

It's not... terribly lived-in, honestly. Sure, the furniture all matches and it's clean, but there's no sign of a mess, not even a rumpled blanket on the couch or dishes on the counter. Otome may not spend all that much time at home.

All the same, she's cheerily sticking perishable things in the fridge and pointing to a room down the hall. ]

You can stay in that room for now, if you'd like. I just washed the sheets.

[Leon can't quite help himself... he pokes around curiously, more thoughtful than anything. Living with Otome is a strange thought, but not a bad one; this place seems plenty livable, except--]

... It is very clean.

[That's his first observation, before he wanders down the hall to see his temporary (???) room. But he's onto you, Otome... this apartment doesn't look lived in at all.]

Dust and germs breed sickness, and I'd prefer if no one got sick just from visiting me! [ This said from the kitchen, so he may not hear all of that, but she'll grant him a choice to explore. It's not a very big room, but it's also very well-maintained, and there's a window to get some fresh air and sunlight and a bookshelf with a ton of textbooks. ]

[Textbooks!!! He's temporarily distracted from the conversation by going over to peer at said textbooks. He runs a finger along the spine of one of them, curious--before he catches himself, shaking his head and returning to the living room area.

He can look at them later.]

Do you often get visitors?

[He's asking in part for himself--he's not sure how well he'll deal with random visitors, though he acknowledges that this is Otome's home to do with as she pleases.

But also.... it seems far too put together and clean for that.]

Not that often, no. [ She'll admit it. ]

I usually go to see my aunt and uncle and Koharu, or I'm out with the others. Fumi will come over and crash if I can tell she hasn't been getting enough sleep, but that's rare these days. There's... [ a pause, and she sighs a little. ]

There's not much of a reason for people to come see me here.

[That's.... kind of sad. Leon considers that for a moment, but he's honestly not in a position to judge someone for their loneliness.

Instead, he's quiet, before nodding.]

I see. It was just a question. [Don't read too far into it.

A pause, and... well, that was kind of a whirlwind, but--]

...And now what? I... admittedly am not sure what I should be doing here. [Presumably trying to get home, but the idea doesn't really appeal, all things considered.]

That's up to you, Leon. [ Finishing with the groceries, she walks back around the counter. ]

I can help if you want to research ways of returning to your world, but I can't say I like the idea of sending you to...

[ Well. To his death. ]

Or you can stay here. Or any other option.

[... He's quiet for a moment in response to that, before he does offer up tentatively:]

It was my own actions that led to that situation. The fact that I died was the natural conclusion to what I did. It may be the only "right" option.

[But it's not said particularly certainly. He doesn't...really want to be dead now, even if he does think he deserved it.]

When you died, in your world... it means that the Leon there is gone forever, doesn't it?

If you don't return, what part of that actually changes? You'd still be gone.

Here, however, you're alive. It might mean that you won't be able to return to your world, if that's what you choose, but that's the same as if you'd died.

[She's not...wrong. The problem is still his own guilt, as it always has been. Dying had been a way for him to atone, and... he ducks his head, hair falling into his face.]

... It doesn't seem fair.

[after everything he did to Stahn and the others, he doesn't really deserve a second chance like this.]

... [ Gently: ] Fair to who? As far as I know, your friends wouldn't have wanted you to die. And I certainly don't.

If you're regretting, then maybe there's something you can do for this world, or for your friends, by living now.

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