Subject: split screen tv ft. hera 227 views

[niklas]

He settles against the wall as a hand instinctively reaches into his coat pocket. There's nothing there. This isn't the real world, so there are no cellphones. There is only that knock-off form of telepathy that came with the game. A specialized form of speech.

He thinks about her ... avatar in this game. A younger version of who she is outside, in the real world. He wants to laugh of how fitting the name she choose.

Kyrie.

Váli won't call her by her username. He doesn't want her to forget the real world.

[kyrie]

she knows it can't be anyone else. there's no one but one person in the whole world who calls her by that name, in that fleeting, brief manner that she can't help but turn her head and attention along with the fading syllables of the word.

she remains a distinct presence behind the door, and doesn't say anything else.

[niklas]

He sighs, hearing no reply. Váli is sure she received his message. He'd gathered information before playing, twisting the hands of those around to get it. This was her, he knew it.

However ...

It isn't like her to be quiet. She was always vibrant with energy in his eyes. Yes, felting as it was in the later years, but his eyes are biased and the game had changed her.

I want to talk.

He makes the effort to continue. He wants her to know that he is determined to get through to her. It isn't normal to need to follow her this far.

[kyrie]

she fiddles with her fingers, running her fingers over her neatly manicured nails. she exhales through her nose, steeling herself for the words that came. it doesn't sound like him.

the nik she knows isn't like this.

we're talking now.

[niklas]

It's strange, the feeling of relief, when she finally answers his call. While it wasn't "real," it had been a long time since he heard her voice. The game did well to send it to him.

I finally joined.

She knows this already. He knows she already knows this, but he also knows that she won't leave this game simply because that is what he wants.

But I didn't bring them.

[kyrie]

why?

he's chased after her to this world, a world he swore to never enter -- but what for?

he left them? he left them alone?

how could he?

nik ...

her lower lip disappears under her teeth. she fiddles with her fingers some more, before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. bastard, bastard, bastard.

[niklas]

His jaw sets slightly as he hears the inflection in her tone. Accusing.

This is a game, Kyrie.

He goes for the typical excuse.

There is no playing during school days.

[kyrie]

she doesn't stand for excuses.

you should be at work, in an office.

[/size]

[niklas]

So should you.

He has plenty of "sick days" to spend.

[kyrie]

i quit, remember?