ceded | [week five - wednesday]

[ Her roommate is missing.

Her second roommate is missing.

Given what happened to her first, you can imagine her feelings when Natalie, with no prior warning, doesn't come back that night.

It's Wednesday, so there's no guarantee it's a kill, but worry still claws at her insides as she makes her way out of the hotel after a thorough search. Maybe she should get someone to come with her, but again, theoretically there shouldn't be any danger in going out on a Wednesday night.

Then again, Sei shouldn't have died today. The universe works in mysterious ways.

It takes her a while to search the stores, given that she just has to hobble between them. The place she isn't expecting to actually find something is the Saloon, a place she never ever goes because what's the point?

The point, apparently, is finding Natalie and Jason passed out on the floor, and also soaking wet??

At the very least, Xion manages not to fall on her face in her haste to get to them, but she will drop to the floor anyway and slightly jostle her broken leg. Oh well. ]

Jason! Natalie!

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[She listens closely to everything they say, and while she doesn't understand it, she finds that she feels the same way. What a strange feeling, to have people this earnestly telling her they care about her with no caveats or baggage attached. She stays still for another moment, but after that, she moves fairly quickly.

She twists her fingers through Jason's for a moment as she feels him squeeze her hand, but then pulls back so she can tap words out on his palm, gentle. I love both of you too. I do. She takes in a few gasping breaths to steady herself as Xion reaches out to dry her eyes, feeling ridiculous and ashamed and warm despite the first two items. She blinks a few times to stop herself from crying. She listens to everything she says, and thinks about her and Jason's words.]

I'm sorry... [But this time she continues after a thick swallow.] For, um, for worrying you. Both of you. T-Thank you.

[She loves them both so much it makes her heart ache a little. What a frightening feeling.]

[It's evidence, of course. Proof of the fact that, perhaps no matter what Natalie might believe, she is loved and cared for by both of them. She is their friend, first and foremost, and no matter what this place may force her to do — that will never change. It's an immutable truth. That's all there is to it.

Xion's choice of words do get him to cock an eyebrow, however. "What I am" could refer to many, many things. Some of those things are fine. Others are not. But he won't ask about it now... or later. It's not his place to ask, he thinks. Not really. So, instead, he focuses on the words Natalie taps on his palm. Strings the sentences together to understand her reply, as a small sensation of warmth spreads through his chest.

There's a small and tiny burst of happiness here, in the middle of this horrifying situation they've found themselves in. It doesn't make up for everything that has happened in the last five weeks. It certainly doesn't make up for Natalie's missing arm and Xion's injured leg, that's for sure. But he still feels a hint of happiness at seeing his two friends like this, supporting each other and being there for one another.

Mimicking Xion's gesture, he glances at her as if to reaffirm what's already been stated. Shaking his head at Natalie, it's easy to guess what he's saying "no" to. There's no reason for Natalie to apologize, and as friends... they would worry about her anyway. That's just how it is. So continue to be you, Natalie Goodman. They're here for her.

... Though, they should also consider getting towels for all three of them. But that can wait for a little bit.]

[week five - wednesday]

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comes back to this days later whispering i can't believe you two