6th Broken Illusion [Backdated to Christmas Morning]

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Phone : Drone Filter ]
After all the tricks, does this place really expect me to open a box sitting innocently under the Christmas tree I didn't even help set up, just because it has my name on it?

[ There is a pause as he considers it. ] Right. I didn't think so.


((OOC: Action open to housemates and/or any guests for that morning, or anyone who would reasonably stop by 840 Hastings.))

Comments

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

A dress? That's it? Nothing with holes in it, or spiders, or boobytraps, or anything like that? [ Forever skeptical. ]

[heartmaestro]

Yes. Just a dress. It has a few rips in it, but those are from its own wear.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

And you're just... okay with receiving it like that? No questions asked?

[heartmaestro]

It seems just like any of the other things we receive in the mail after events.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Yeah, well... this time it seems really cruel to give it to us like they're special holiday gifts. It's different when it's just a simple letter in the mail, or a parcel.

[heartmaestro]

I don't think the town is that terrible. Even after the things it does...we do receive things back, no? They would not tempt us, especially at Christmas...would they?

1/2

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Annoyed. ] You don't think the town is terrible? There's something wrong with that statement, and I shouldn't have to point out what it was! Haven't you seen what it's capable of? Heard about it? Witnessed it or expe.. rienced...

2/2

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ The nice thing about not knowing a lot of people, in general, is that voices are really easy to pick out. ]

...oh. You're the girl from the other day. [ A day he'd like to not remember if he could help it, but too late! ]

[heartmaestro]

[There is an extremely long pause on her end.]

I have your bicycle.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Well shit. This isn't awkward
in
the
slightest. ]

...it's not actually mine. Heh.

[heartmaestro]

Oh. [Another pause from her.]

Thank your for lending it regardless.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

It's not like I had a lot of choices. We had to get you outta there, and fast. Not like we all could've fit.

oh hi

[heartmaestro]

[There's another small pause.]

Still. You or Arisawa-san could have taken the bike for yourself.

Let's hope I get notifs in GMAIL this time /kicks the entry

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

There's no way we would have abandoned you like that! Not ever, so don't even go thinking that we're those kinds of people. We—[ No. Pointing out the fact they died is probably a bad idea. ] We gave up a lot, but it worked out in the end.

:c

[heartmaestro]

I wouldn't have blamed you, you know.

But...I suppose there's not a real reason to think of alternate outcomes.

They work now :D

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

You could have, because anyone who would have turned away like that is selfish and a coward. [ And while he does plenty of the former, the latter is inexcusable. ]

Right. So don't let it bother you. [ He pauses. ] ...you really kept the bike?

/o/

[heartmaestro]

I did. It's in perfectly good condition, plus I was on the assumption that it was yours. I wanted to return it to you.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Well, it's true I don't have one of my own... I can't even remember what yard I took it from. [ He's a little conflicted. ] I guess I'll take it back if you don't need one.

[heartmaestro]

[Another pause.]

I do do most of my transportation either via walking or via car. So I suppose I don't.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Oh, you drive?

In that case, I'll come get it.

[heartmaestro]

Well, yes. I'm going to be 20 years old in the spring, so it's natural I've learned how to drive...

If you wish. I live at 728 Anderson lane.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

Oh? You seemed younger. [ Could have been the near total lack of words exchanged at that point. At least calling a woman "young" is never a bad thing... right? ]

Alright. I can be over in a little while. I'll just... figure out what's in this box first so I don't just leave it here. [ To explode or do whatever it might do if he ignores it. ]

[heartmaestro]

[She doesn't seem affected.] I've been told that, before.

[A small hum of acknowledgement.] Take your time. But I highly doubt it's anything less than simply something from your world that you've lost.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ Easy for her to say. There is a LOT that he has lost, and he has no idea about most of it. ] Nothing "simple" about getting anything back here.

[heartmaestro]

[Well, considering she just got back a 50-pound box of newspaper/book clippings she cut out during her social isolation period....]

I think I understand.

[There's a tiny gulp, almost a sound like she's going to cry. But when she speaks again, her voice is clear.] Be careful.

[And whenever Touma gets there, the porch light will be on, but all the blinds in the front of the house will be closed.]