pullmeoutalive | Two worlds, one family--

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!kia,
.rp post

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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[Judas won't argue as he takes a seat, at least--he just sighs, crossing his arms. She's not going to like this at all...]

That is a complicated question to answer. Do you want the technical span of time, or how long I, personally, experienced?

You... personally.

[ AND WHY THE MASK? ]

[Sorry about the mask, mom.]

... A handful of months then, most likely, all told. [It's hard to be entirely sure when timeline hopping is involved, but that seems closest to right.]

Months?!

[ ... Yeah, she's not happy. ]

What happened?? You're sure you weren't hurt, or attacked? If you're in any danger at all--

[ She doesn't have demons anymore, but she could still bring the pain. ]

I'm not. [A beat, and he amends--] Any longer.

[Mom is so fierce.]

It is... I am afraid, a rather long and convoluted story, but I am fine now. [He's way dead again.]

... I see. [ Bringing a mug of tea over, she pauses to set it on the low table in front of him, frowning. ]

It sounds like you've been through a lot. Did you end up returning to your world?

...Yes, in a way.

[He'll reach out and take the tea, and--well, now he's significantly more candid about the whole thing, so:]

As you know, I was dead back home, and that is where I returned. But it seemed as though I still had some part to play, if incidentally, so I was unfortunately revived.

[He's not unhappy he's alive right now with Otome, but he wasn't happy to be revived by Elraine, that's for sure.]

...She had demands for me, apparently.

Demands...

[ Otome takes a seat beside him, and folds her hands together neatly in her lap. There's a lot here she doesn't understand, but better to hear the basics first. ]

Were they-- well, no, I suppose they wouldn't be called demands if they were reasonable.

[... He just shakes his head, crossing his arms a little more tightly, hands clenching into fists.

It's through careful effort that he's able to keep his breathing and his tone steady.]

... They were not reasonable. And I refused.

I do not know if she was incapable of reversing what she had done in bringing me back to life or simply thought I would later change my mind, but she left me alive then.

[So in a way, he did return home.]

And the mask?

[ ... Leon, really, please explain the skeleton mask. Otome can't hug him like this. ]

[He blinks.]

Ah.

[And, remarkably calmly and simply:]

I was known as a traitor as Leon Magnus, naturally. I could not wander the world as myself with that in mind.

... But here, you're not a traitor. You're my family, and I couldn't be happier to have you back.

[ She can understand his reasons, although this method seems a little... odd, but he's got nothing to hide here. Not with her. ]

...Well. Naturally...that is true.

[He hesitates a moment later, uncertain--and then he reaches with both hands and pulls off the mask, setting it aside gently. The last time he'd been unmasked, it had been by Elraine.

Now...

... Well, he feels a little naked, but Otome will see the same eyes and the same hair (if cut a little shorter and parted the other way now) and the same face.

He hasn't aged a day.]

[ He really hasn't. Not physically, but there's something about him that seems... older. He's had more experiences, possibly experienced more grief and pain, and lived in a world that didn't know the truth about him.

Otome's already blinking back tears when she reaches for him, to draw him into a hug. ]

I'm so sorry... I couldn't be there for any of it.

[ Some parent. ]

[And finally, he doesn't pull away. He's grown a lot, after all, even if not in age. Otome's hug feels like coming home, like warmth and safety, and he doesn't have it in him to pull away from that.]

I would not have wished that upon you for anything. Don't be sorry.

[He just shakes his head against her shoulder.]

I succeeded. There is nothing to worry about.

There was no doubt in my mind about that. [ Firmly, as firm as she holds him and just... soaks in the fact that he's here, and he's changed, but he's still safe and solid here with her. ]

But I wasn't sure if I'd see you again... and there's not much I can do from a world away.

[ Except panic. ]

... I know.

I apologize.

[He says that easily now, shaking his head lightly.]

I had firmly thought my role there was done,but... [Well, who could've thought he'd be revived from the dead?]

Someone had other plans. [ It's fine. Really, it is. She can keep him close, sifting her fingers through his hair, and breathe a little easier. ]

... Thank you for coming back, Leon.

[Alright, look, it's not like he doesn't want to take the credit, but--]

It wasn't exactly my choice.

[HE JUST KICKED THE BUCKET AGAIN...]

... But I like to believe that I was simply returning to where I belonged now, with my role completed.

Where you belonged...

[ It's still strange to think about. She had never known Leon Magnus existed until she'd been brought to an alien colony, and then she'd fought to give him another chance. Having him here at all... ]

I'm so glad... I was finally able to give you a home.

...Thank you, Otome.

[He bows his head at that, until his forehead is almost resting on her shoulder.]

For that... I am truly grateful.

I'm just as grateful. [ lowering her own head a little to touch against his. ] It's not really a home when you're by yourself, after all.

[ Leon was an irreplaceable part of her family. If he ever disappeared for longer than a night... she's not sure what she would have done. ]

[Like this... it's nice. It's warm, and it really does feel like he's home, and he doesn't want to move or pull away.

Not when he can be close to one of the only people who still matters, just like this.]

I apologize for scaring you, and... I promise. Regardless of what happens, I will always return home.

[To here.]

And I promise, regardless... I'll always be waiting to welcome you back.

[ At any hour, no matter what. She'll be there for him. ]

[He's quiet in response for a long moment, overwhelmed. It's... a big promise, and he knows it.

So all he can really do is whisper--]

Thank you.

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