Sakaki canât manage to snap Yukinari out from whatever glazes over his eyes, but Raiden snagging both of them snaps him out of it. Sakaki doesnât spare him the, âdonât touch meâ look if only for the fact that they were in incredibly imminent danger. Theyâd have been fine if the noises werenât coming closer. Sakaki is the first back to the car, turning it on and clicking the headlights before Yukinariâs pulled back inside.
The old manâs crazy, they all knew that. The look on his face isnât though. Itâs horror wrapped in the idea that he might have done something. Dr. Ohkido doesnât elaborate on what that something could have been and Sakaki dries his sleeves against the car heater while he pulls back on the road.
Heâs not heading back to the city tonight. He has a funny feeling itâs not going to be in the same state they left it in. They drive away, and are the only persons on the road that night. Yukinari doesnât say a word, but thereâs something in him that resolved to do⌠something.Â
Itâs a long drive to Pallet and Sakaki goes through two more of the candy sticks before thereâs nothing else to keep him occupied. The little townâs on a seaside hill, so itâs never spared from rainy season. The rain pours down and the townâs still here, which⌠takes the tension out of even Sakakiâs shoulders.Â
He doesnât go into the house when he stops the car at Yanmeiâs house, but lets everyone else out while he takes an actual cigarette out of his case and stows under Yanmeiâs awning. He keeps the car running and deals with the tension in his own way.Â
Yanmei is a quiet woman, and she doesnât say much when they all show up at her door looking half drowned. She opens her door and corrals them all into a warm house with the television on one end of the kitchen running through weather instead of the news. Yukinari returns to his senses and stays by his daughter to mitigate her nerves in Yanmeiâs kitchen.Â
The kids are kind of asleep on her carpet floor. Kind of, because Red doesnât seem to sleep much but heâs comfortably lying on very unconscious Green, and a very unconscious Leaf, and watching the weather. Itâs late.Â
At the first sign of noise, Red stands and quietly hides himself behind the couch, poking his head out to watch everyone for enough time for him to get a little gumption, and slowly walk to the rest of the group.
âAre you all alright?â Yanmei asks quietly to the group. Red reaches for her leg and holds onto it.
âMom- can we go upstairs?â
( @oukidoâ then @profsalixwillowâ )
    To see quiet little Pallet unharmed fills both Yuri and Raiden with relief. Yuri is still trembling, one hand with an iron grip still on Salixâs hand. Heâs sweet, she thinks. She appreciates his attempts at comfort, and even offers him a shaky smile. All the while, she leans heavily against her husband, not caring that itâs making her good clothes damp. Theyâre far away now, there is no more thudding in the distance, and the sky isnât on fire.
    Yanmei is a welcome sight. A quiet, pretty woman who exudes an aura of calm. Her house is warm. Yuri is still a little frazzled, though the presence of her father close to her seems to calm her nerves a bit, but Raiden manages a smile. It doesnât reach his eyes, but itâs genuine enough.
    It does grow a tad when he sees the children. Green is perfectly safe, passed out on the floor with his friends. He hopes Daisy is safe, too. He might call her friendâs mother to make sure everything is okay, even at this hour.
    Red approaches. Heâs such a tiny thing, quiet just like his mother, but definitely sweet. Raiden is glad Green is friends with him.
    Speaking of which, the lack of weight on top of him manages to stir Green from his sleep, if only for a few moments. He lifts his head, blinking his big brown eyes blearily, his fluffy hair a wild mess around his head. Upon seeing his parents, he doesnât even react. Just plops back down, rolls over on top of Leaf, and passes back out.
    âItâsââ Raiden pauses, eyes flickering down to Red, then returning to Yanmei. He leans in towards her, lowering his voice. âFirebombs, in Saffron. Right after we left.â
    Itâs probably being covered on the news by now, but heâs not going to subject the kids to that. They donât need to know, not now. Too young. And Red is already asking his mother if they can move upstairs, anyway.
    Yuri lightly touches Salix and Yukinariâs arms and nods towards the kitchen table, a quiet suggestion to sit down even if theyâre buzzing with nervous energy. She glances towards the front door; Sakaki is still outside. Despite what may be going on between him and her husband, she still considers him as something of a friend, and hopes he is okay.
( @profsalixwillowââ, then @drohkidoâ )
He watches the red sky fade from view in the rear view mirror. Heâs glad Spark is with Yua tonight. She lives in Pewter so they both should be safe. It doesnât stop him worrying though. Yua would be worried sick.Â
He makes sure to give Yuriâs hand a firm squeeze, humming a lullaby he had learnt softly under his breath as he smiles at her gently. A nervous habit, it was a form of comfort, even if he couldnât pinpoint exactly where heâd learnt it.
When they bundle into Yanmeiâs Salix hovers at the door a little longer. After a moment, he sticks his head back out. âSakaki, you should come inside... when youâre finished. Youâll catch your death.âÂ
He ducks back in, not phased by the fact his clothes are sticking mildly uncomfortably to him. His eyes fall on the kids and his heart aches. Heâll have to go straight to Yuaâs tomorrow to see Spark. It was too late now to wake him, but she might be awake still.Â
As Yuri motions for them to sit, he stays stood for a moment, trying to gently call Yanmeiâs attention.Â
âMiss Yanmei, may I just use your telephone? I need to call Yua. Sheâll be worried I was hurt, she knew I was going to Saffron tonight.âÂ
Yanmei nods and Salix bows in thanks, before excusing himself. He gives a small wave to Red as he passes. Heâs so tiny. He quickly calls Yuaâs number and she answers after a single ring. She must have had the phone in her hand.
âSalix, oh thank the gods-âÂ
âIâm okay Yua. We managed to leave just in time.âÂ
âTheyâre saying itâs firebombs, the whole city is on fire. Are you sure youâre okay?âÂ
âA little shook up, but no oneâs hurt. Is Spark awake?âÂ
âNo, do you want me to wake him?âÂ
âNo! No, just... Iâll come around tomorrow to see him. Thank you for tonight. Iâll make it up to you.âÂ
âYou owe me, Salix Willow. You gave me a fright.âÂ
He laughs softly, but itâs drained. Heâs exhausted now the immediate danger has passed. âGoodnight, Yua.âÂ
âGoodnight, Sal. Please stay safe.âÂ
He hangs up and collapses in the chair at the dinner table. After a moment, he calls out pikachu, scooping the confused rodent up to hug him tightly, his face buried in the mouseâs fur. Pikachu coos softly, patting the aideâs hand, careful not to shock him. âPii. Pika.âÂ
( @drohkido then @oukido )