amber;

[sirpisspot]

[Arno has had an eventful few weeks. When others ventured out, Arno stayed put. Why? Well, for one, he wanted to see how the tree faired and keep a close eye on home base. Someone had to.

Other reason? Well, let's just say someone went under and Arno just couldn't bring himself to leave.

Call it reflex, or not. Arno couldn't find it in himself to abandon anyone he cared about. This made communication with him not "rare" per say, but he wasn't around much.

It was especially harder when Steven suddenly vanished. But he had a feeling on that one, that he was fine. But as a former roommate and...yeah, a friend, he felt like he had another duty to uphold.]

In case anyone hadn't noticed, Steven's gone. I think like others in the past, though, I'm certain the boy is fine.

Just wanted to say, I know he left quite a mark on a few people.

Comments

[sirpisspot]

Well he was different. He was probably the most positive young man but you couldn't underestimate either.

I had to admit, his charm was infectious.

[He smiled a little. Then frowned a bit once more at the mention of "escape".]

I'd like to think he made it out, he's a good, strong one. It's hard to doubt him.

[hairsay]

Sounds like he would have left some kind of message if he was trying.

...You said there were others who were gone. [Jolene chews on that word like she's a little nervous about it. Where she comes from, being 'gone's taken on an entirely different connotation--'gone out of their mind' more than 'disappeared'. She's been on pins and needles all week, waiting for something awful to drop...

For all she knows, this might be it, in bits and pieces.]

I... I'm guessing you don't know how or why, either, huh?

[She pauses, attempting respect.] That really sucks.

[sirpisspot]

There are mysterious, strange parts, mademoiselle. In my months here, I still can't explain them. Wish anyone luck who ever even tries.

[hairsay]

['Mademoiselle'? Jo's not sure she's ever been called that before. She bites her lip, attempting to keep civil during this conversation. Anyways, a snort right now through a broken nose would be more pain than it was worth.]

So you just take people disappearing... for granted?

Aren't you going to throw some kind of... I don't know, search, or wake, or going away party or something? This boy obviously meant a lot to you.

[sirpisspot]

[Arno wasn't quite sure he liked what this lady seemed to be heading her words. He kept a straight face, not in the mood to start arguing.

He tried searching, he tried his very best considering another friend was in her coma.]

I can't take for granted what I can't explain. I've searched all over for any trace at all. We can't pass the mist and we can't go to where he came from personally to see if he's there.

I simply have to trust the boy made it, because I know he's stronger than he looks. It keeps me sane.

[hairsay]

[She holds a hand up and ducks her bruised face, feeling the tension in that statement perhaps more than is actually there.]

Alright, alright, I guess maybe this isn't the right place to be asking. I didn't mean to barge in, I just... I don't know what the fuck is going on and people talking about other people just disappearing is freaking me out. I haven't been here long.

[That, admitted in a hesitant manner. Should she be admitting this? If there are less than a hundred people living in this tree and around it, she feels like maybe she'd better put her chips in. She's already tried living on the outside... she's seen what that gets her.]

[sirpisspot]

We were all confused, still are confused. The numbers here are increasing, so more and more people are getting confused.

[Shrug, what an odd woman. Her mannerisms were something he wasn't getting.]

The most we have done and can continue to do is search, and be aware of the tree and its surroundings. Simple, but its what we've done.

[hairsay]

How long have you been stuck here?

[Better to turn this into a question rather than draw on his--what was becoming quickly apparent--limited patience, especially in a time of grieving, or something like it.]

[sirpisspot]

Around three...or four months.

Long enough to be used to wings and not long enough still to be used to everything.

[hairsay]

[At this, the dark-haired woman's eyes bug out a little, but then it might just be the dark bruise across her bridge and unhappily purple bags under her eyes doing her an injustice.]

That's a whole fucking quarter of a year! You been here since... since... spring? Winter?

[Jo clasps a hand in front of her mouth, thinking hard. She hadn't expected this to be that long term of a thing. Through loosely spread fingers, she says,] that sucks. That really sucks.