Canon Update & Catch-All

[overworker]

Who: Towa Herschel and YOU
When: January 4th, and throughout the month
Where: Mirror House, Aefenglom and Dorchacht
What: Towa's canon update takes place and she tries her best to move forward following.
Warnings: Major spoilers from Trail of Cold Steel 3 up to and including the ending especially for the first prompt, but they may come up in the latter two as well. Mentions of death and generally dark themes of betrayal, political unrest, and supernatural disaster.

I. Mirror House

[Towa had not returned to the Mirror House in quite some time, but for some reason, today she felt she simply had to go. All other plans were put off that morning so that she could return not only to the house, but to the specific mirror that she knows is her own.

Hesitantly, her fingers grace the surface of the mirror.

Months pass in her mind, but in reality, it only takes a few minutes for the mirror to impart the knowledge to her in vivid detail. Her eyes widen, a far-away glazed look in them. And when it all sinks in, the strength in her legs gives way and she drops to the floor before the mirror.

A pained wail comes out of her mouth; tears staining her cheeks. For a few moments she truly allows herself to feel the full impact of her sorrows. Of course-- she allows herself this under the impression that there's no one to see her break. But it's not as though she has the proper presence of mind to be entirely sure that that's truly the case.]

II. Aefenglom

[If it weren't for the puffy look in her eyes, one might not think anything was different than normal. She goes to a local cafe to eat-- but at one point, accidentally drops her cup; trying to pick up the pieces and cutting her hand in the process.

Or you may find her missing her step off of a curb, or tripping for not stepping high enough.

Whatever scene you find her in, it's clear that her mind is elsewhere and she's allowing it to get the better of her.]

Oh-- I'm so sorry, I can't believe I'm so clumsy...

[She's fine. Or probably will be.]

III. Dorchacht

[With the heavy weight on her mind of everything happening, Towa's ultimate goal is to stay busy. Stay strong. If not for herself, then for the sake of the others who would rely on her. That's the best thing she can do for herself right now. Not let them down.

One thing she wanted to do was verify the changes in Dorchacht. While she was skeptical that so much could have happened in such a short time when they'd struggled to make even the smallest of impacts, she would like to believe the good news. It would be nice if there was something good to celebrate.

There are others who've likely had the same idea. Seeing a face that she might recognize as one of Aefenglom's mirrorbound, she smiles weakly in greeting.]

I guess I'm not the only one who wanted to see how things were going.

IV. Wildcard

[Anything else, discussed or otherwise!]

Comments

[overworker]

[Although she was the one who said it first, she's a little relieved when Natsuru admits that she was feeling that way a little bit herself.

She's glad to hear that Natsuru still has Monika to keep her company. After Rean left Aefenglom, Towa learned what it really feels like to be completely separated from the person you love. She'd never want that for Natsuru. It really seems like Monika has been really good for her.]

Well you're always welcome here. I know I can't compare to Monika, but as a friend I'm always here for you too.

[Towa leads her bond into the sitting area, where the two of them can sit and talk for a little bit.]

Please make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's familiar enough with visiting that she's almost already moving to sit the second Towa invites her to. But not a second before. She's far too polite not to act the part of a proper guest.

She seems unsure of what to say for a moment. Her impulse is to protest Towa saying she can't compare to Monika. They're both very important to her! But it's true that there are different levels between her girlfriend and a friend, even one she feels as close to as Towa. Heck, she still blushes a little now just thinking of Monika being her girlfriend. It makes sense Towa would say something like that. So she'll let it slide for now, but she hopes Towa hasn't somehow missed just how important she is to her and how much she cares about her happiness...

She's lost inside her own head for a moment, until the offer brings her back into the moment.]

Ah... you don't have to-...

[She almost defaults to her usual awkward uncertainty, but relaxes and softens as she realizes how silly it is to act that way with her friend.]

Um, yeah. Thank you. Anything you have is fine.

[overworker]

[Need to or not, Towa's already naturally gravitating to prepare two glasses for the two of them. There's some fresh ice tea sitting in the fridge from earlier with orange slices soaking in it. That's what Towa brings back, pouring a glass for each of them.]

Here you go. I hope you like it. Normally I drink more hot tea, however, there's something really nice about ice tea made with fresh fruit.

[And citrus tends to be good for focus, something she often needs with everything she sticks her head into. But as soon as she's done serving, she sits down next to her friend and tries to relax a bit.]

[thirdbeauty]

[Once the formalities are done with, Natsuru visibly seems to settle down. Towa being nearby generally calms her nerves and makes her feel more at ease. Now that she's not wrapped up in what's proper for a guest to do when visiting, she can just relax in sharing the space with Towa for now.

She makes a small hum of agreement about the iced tea, takes a small sip, and automatically scoots in just a teeny bit to be closer to her Bonded.]

It's nice...

[A short pause, and she looks to the other girl curiously. Should she ask? Maybe not in an obvious way, but as an ordinary formality, it would be okay...]

How... have you been? It seems there's always a lot of things happening...

[overworker]

Yes... well...

[Towa would like to say she's been fine. What has been bothering her isn't actually something that's wrong with Aefenglom or the many things going on surrounding it at the moment. But saying that would be a complete lie-- and her friend deserves better than that.]

I suppose I've been going through some things on my own. Nothing to do with the city or anything. It's... from back home.

[thirdbeauty]

[She'd hoped for Towa to say she's fine. She would have believed Towa's words over her own feelings, Bond or no Bond. But with every moment they're together, she gets more and more certain of that sense she'd had that something is... off.]

Back home?

[She looks to the other girl questioningly. She hasn't had any kind of experience with or news from her own home since arriving here, but she's vaguely heard such things are possible. What could have happened, though?]

[overworker]

Yes... to put it lightly, things are going in a very dark direction.

[She doesn't want to lie to Natsuru. The details may not be necessary, but there are some things that she can say that-- will at least explain her distance.]

And I've worried about that a lot. However... that's not the only thing that hurts. I lost two very dear friends in that time... in two very different ways. I've been trying to deal with that loss the best way I can on my own, but... I should have known it would show. Especially for those I'm bonded to.

[thirdbeauty]

O-Oh...

[So that's what that feeling was. Or at least... the reason behind that sense she had, that she should make sure Towa was okay. But something like this... how could she help?

She sits there silently for a moment. Almost reflexively, her hand finds and gently grips Towa's. Paradoxically, it feels like she's offering reassurance while also seeking comfort at the same time. Maybe it's because of their Bond, or it could just be the normal kind of confusing feelings Natsuru tends to have. She's honestly not sure.]

I... I'm sorry. I... well, I thought something felt wrong, but I didn't think...

[overworker]

No... there's no need to be sorry.

[Feeling Natsuru's hand gripping hers, she can feel that warmth-- a quiet reassurance that tells her it's alright. It hurts and it's okay to hurt. So after a long moment, she slowly opens up.]

I knew there were so many people I could have gone to, but I wasn't even sure I wanted to talk about it. Betrayal... on it's own... isn't something I can't handle. But to hear that one of my best friends died... I didn't really want to face it at all.

[...]

I'll never be able to go home and see Angie again. And I don't know where George is now or... if he'd even talk to me if I could find him.