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

[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.]

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

[ He leaves it at that and says his pleasantries before he hangs up and grabs a jacket. ]

[ At the house, he doesn't think anything of the sight, thinking maybe she just likes her privacy. Touma knocks and waits, hands in his pockets. He swears his right arm is tingling, but that has to be all in his head, so he fidgets periodically. ]

[heartmaestro]

[Oh, if only he could tell. Because when she opens the door and gives her customary bow and hello

the house is filled with paper.

Nigh-literally. There are paper clippings on almost every visible surface of the living room behind her. Some in foot-high stacks, some just piled in bunches...and there's also a piece caught in between her hair bobble and hair.]

Please excuse the mess. I've kept the bicycle inside so it would not be dirtied by the snow and salt.

[punch_illusions_get_harem]

It's fine, it can't be—[ Staring, Touma eats his words. ]—that bad.

...

[ Now he suddenly feels as if crossing the threshold might not be such a good idea, but if she lets him, he'll enter. ] You look like you've been, uh, busy.