Two Rose Petals Fall - [Action | Written]

[its_rose_damnit]

[It's close to noon in house one today, and Dist is taking note of the rather odd silence that's lingering through his new home. For the few days he's been living here, holing himself in his room for various reasons, Dist has had to adjust to the clamor and noise of footsteps passing by his door and Anise's familiar humming and singing. Today, however, those things were not present.

Curiously, he sets about to see why, and taps lightly on her door before pushing it open when she did not answer. She wasn't inside but her room was fairly messy. Messier than a normal child her age would keep it. Dist stands in the doorway for a moment longer, then sighs, rubs the space between his eyes, and shuts the door softly. He's still not sure how to feel about this place, and the things that go on. What was the purpose of the experimentation, anyway?

Whatever, it's not like he and the girl were on exceptional terms anyway. Dist has other, more pressing matters to attend to. He's been putting off seeing the Professor with his own eyes for long enough. Truth of the matter is, he was scared. Scared to meet with her, to go there and have it be a lie, or a dream, or...or somehow seeing that monstrous replica again. The mere thought of that made him shudder, but enough was enough. There was always the hope that, just maybe, she really was alive. Dist had to cling to that hope. He had to.

So, after retreating to his room once more, he opens his journal, sighs, and begins to write, very carefully.]

Professor,

Is it all right if I stop by? I would have come sooner, but I was distracted by certain things. I'm still coping with the knowledge of just what this place is, and everything else here. I hope you can understand. I'm wholly looking forward to seeing you again.


Dist the Ro - Saphir

[And because Dist doesn't understand how these journals work just yet, he leaves it open and goes to make himself a strong cup of coffee or tea or whatever. He just needed something to calm his nerves.]

Comments

Written

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Hey, Dist.

Written

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Dist returns to his room and blinks when he sees the response. It wasn't Gelda, but...oh, what was her name now--Winry! Did she need something?]

Yes? Is something the matter?

Written

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

You just made a public entry, signing it with your other name.

Written

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Aw, shit. Dist knew he should have tinkered with this damn book first. He groans to himself and rubs his face. Even if it was just his first name. He wasn't comfortable with other people calling him by it. Other than those from his childhood.]

It's fine. [No, it's not. He's going to scribble it out in a second to the point of illegibility.] This was meant for Professor Nebilim, so it was easier to use my first name. She knows me by that name.

Written

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to make sure you were aware. I know you're not particularly comfortable with that name.

Actually, there's a way to filter things like this in the journal. So next time you want to direct it to just one person no one else will see it.

Written

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

Correct. You have my gratitude, Winry.

[A pause. He hadn't known of this, obviously. Amazing...these books were truly amazing. He wanted to know how they worked.] Is that so? That's extremely useful. Do you know how to do it? Could you tell me how? I'd really rather not make another, more serious mistake. You understand, I'm sure.

Written

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Of course I could. The best filter I could tell you how to make would only be so strong though. They're not my forte.

[Voice]

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[Peony himself took a peek at Anise's room earlier, and is thinking about whether to announce her kidnapping to the public or not. Her friends deserve to know.]

You're visiting the Professor?

[Voice]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Dist had been back in his room with his cup of tea when he heard Peony's voice, and blinked. ...That lazy idiot. They lived in the same house, couldn't they just talk face to f--...On second thought, no. Dist preferred it this way.

Quietly--] That was my intention, yes.

[Voice]

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

[:| He's not laz- ...okay, he is.]

I'm sure you're excited to see her.

[Voice]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[He'll facepalm later. For now, there's a definite lack of Dist's usual excitement as he pauses before he talks.]

...I still have my doubts.

[Voice]

[enrappigtured.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. I've seen her several times since I was taken here. She's still as charming and kind a woman as we remember.

[Voice]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Oh, it's a shame you can't see the teensy, tiny hint of a smile on his face, Peony. Dist is recalling a few fond memories.]

If Jade were here, it'd be perfect...

[silversnowfall]

[Noon? Well, having noted Anise's disappearance already, Nephry will have taken it upon herself to make lunch, which includes tea. When Dist comes into the kitchen she turns to see who it is]

Oh, Saphir. [a tired smile] How are you?

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Dist notes her and nods politely. He can see just how exhausted she looks and he, too, looks less than chipper himself.]

Mm...well enough, I suppose. May I? [He gestures to the teapot, browsing through the cupboards for a cup.]

[silversnowfall]

Of course. [she picks up the teapot to pour it for him, as soon as he holds out a cup] If you have the time, you're welcome to join me for lunch.

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

Thank you. [Dist blows on the steaming liquid to cool it before taking a testing sip from his cup. Mmm, good stuff - just what he needed.] Well, I promised the Professor I would visit her today, and I don't want to keep her waiting... Perhaps something quick? I hope you understand, Nephry.

[silversnowfall]

[in her eyes for a moment is the memory of Jade and Saphir's complete devotion to Professor Nebilim.]

Please, don't let me interfere with anything.

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[And it's not yet completely gone from the man you're speaking to, Nephry. Dist watches her for a moment and feels a little guilty. He really did want to spend time with her for a little bit, but he's also been waiting decades to somehow see the Professor again. He couldn't pass up this opportunity, even if it was some kind of trick.]

...I shouldn't be too long. I'll surely return before dinner preparations are made.

[Written]

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[She's a bit amused by how formal this request is, but decides not to comment on it.]

That's perfectly all right, Saphir. If you'd like to stop by, I'll be waiting. I've already told you my house number, correct?

[Written]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Dist pauses from his long sip of tea once words appear on his journal, staring at them in wonderment. It takes him a moment to really read them over - his interest has been piqued - but when he does, he grabs his pen hastily. It's still so odd to just think she really was here, and alive. After the whole events at Mt. Roneal, he had given up on ever seeing her again.]

I believe so, but could you please repeat? I seem to have forgotten. My apologies, Professor.

[Written]

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[She knows about the events at Mt. Roneal; Jade informed her about these events a while ago and she even discussed them with Dist the last time he was here. Even so, Luceti is a very sporadic place and the Dist speaking to her right now might not even have passed that point in time yet. As such, she's smart enough not to bring up the topic of the replica until she's gotten a bit more 'reacquainted' with him.]

It's number twenty seven. Should I be expecting you soon?

[Written | Action]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'll leave right away. It hopefully shouldn't take too long to get there. See you soon, Professor.

[And, true to his word, Dist closes his journal and gets ready, making himself look remotely presentable. He's still weary about this, but everyone he talked to says that she really, truly is here, so... Maybe he has nothing to worry about. Maybe she really is alive. Those people succeeded where he could not, and she was back. She was alive. Dist closes his eyes to stop the wave of emotion and breathes hard, exiting the house quickly.

He arrives roughly forty minutes later - her house was pretty far and Dist didn't know the layout of Luceti well enough - and stares at the house. Was he really ready? What if this was just some crazy dream? What if there was something wrong with her? What if, what if... Dist approached the house slowly, and knocked on the door once, feeling his heart beat hard and fast inside his chest, pressing a hand over it, where he had been hit before arriving to this place.

Please be real, Professor.]

[Action] Curse you and your perfect tl;dr!

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[Lucky for Dist, Regal's attending the bakery this afternoon. Imagine what would've happened if he'd answered the door. No, it's best to just ease him into things one step at a time and introduce him to Gelda's housemate some other day. Regal can be pretty intimidating without meaning to and the fact that Dist's precious Professor has a boyfriend will probably come as a bit of a shock.

A few moments pass in silence before the door is opened, and standing in the hallway is none other than Gelda herself. She gives him a welcoming smile, hoping to make this moment as least awkward as possible.]

Good afternoon, Saphir.

[Action] /cough. I do it too much. orz

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Dist fidgets nervously in those few moments that pass. He was incredibly anxious, and nervous. When the door finally opens, Dist holds his breath...and exhales sharply, if a little shaky. There she was. Really, truly, wholly there! After so long... She was there!! Just like he remembered her.

Dist felt his breath catch in his throat and his hands shook. What should he do? After all these years, he was at a loss. Say something, you idiot!]

Pro-Professor... [Don't cry, don't cry.] I--G-Good afternoon.