#ca abyss

     shslsyoko

The gold, yes; that was their priority. Lion had slung a sheet around one of the remaining bars and tucked it carefully away inside a backpack. It was terribly heavy. They moved as lightly as possible, but it still weighed heavily upon them: not even one tenth of what weighted on the island, maybe not even one one-hundredth. Their step was pained and heavy.

A girl with braids came careening out of the front door of the building in front of them.

It wasn’t that she crashed into Lion, or pushed them over. But the shock, and their attempt to avoid her trajectory, were enough to upset the delicate balance of the gold on their back, and that person fell.

Lion sat up and said weakly, “Excuse me,” but then they took another look. The girl looked upset. Had something distressed her? It must have, right? “Are you alright? Is there, ...something I can help you with?”

     ideallys

Doubtless Rui--LOAD--must have known what it was like. In fact, it would have made the most sense to have mentioned this last time; but they hadn’t, though they couldn’t remember why. Presumably, it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. And if it did? Rui knew enough of the truth already. An explanation would hardly hurt, would it? Or at least, an excuse?

There was no need, really, to present themselves this way here and now. It was hardly urgent. But it was pleasant. And didn’t they deserve that much? 

Lion had gotten up early, as if trying to avoid the inevitable explanation. The effort (if it, indeed, was one) was unsuccessful, however. Rui was already in the kitchen when that person entered--and, quickly, they bowed.