#gempathic 01

In an attempt at escape, Sayo finds herself sitting alone in a coffee shop. It’s not glamorous by any means, but it’s better than spending time cooped up in her room.

This place has also become lonely for her. She can’t find a single shred of beauty in her daily life.

That’s why, when she hears a young man playing an instrument and singing, she perks up. It reminds her of Jessica, who always wanted to create music.

But unlike Jessica, this person isn’t trapped. His voice is free, and nobody tries to stop him.

“Excuse me,” She walks over to him when he finishes his song, hands folded politely in front of her. “What song was that, just now? It was very beautiful.”

She clears her throat, trying to overcome her own shyness.

“Oh yeesh, what kind of fresh nightmare is this place?”  Eda was quite grateful she’d managed to swipe a new pair of sunglasses off some poor pedestrian, because the Sun was absolutely merciless around here.  She stood before a sandy shoreline, citizens of the city scattered about- some splashing about among the waves that crashed ashore, others simply laying around and enjoying...being baked alive, she could only guess.  Maybe it was just the deathly pallor of her skin that made it feel that much worse for her, but she still felt like subjecting oneself to this kind of heat and all the bright light felt like one big exercise in self-torment.  Maybe they were more equipped to handle places like the Boiling Isles than she gave them credit for...

Maybe she’s had an encounter that left her a bit shaken. She’s trying not to think about it. She’s catching a break in the ruins of a dark alleyway—Jasper, hiding! She’s trying not to think about it. Her hands have gone strangely numb, her form occasionally glitching out around the edges. She’s trying...

She can’t not think about it. Her gem is cracked; she can see it! Wherever she goes, whatever she does, from the moment of her creation, her gem has always rested within her line of sight.

Ahead, she sees the orange glow of a fire. Not a destructive blaze, but a controlled one. There must be humans here, resorting to their old ways now that the power has been knocked out.

It would be none of her business, but then a familiar figure appears, backlit by the survivors’ campfire. She’d recognize that boy anywhere. As if it hasn’t been only a few short years since she found out he existed. In some way, she’s always known him...

She freezes. The last time they spoke, he’d clearly told her not to follow him. But it’s not as if she’s here by choice, and these are especially dangerous times. And as for the damaged state she’s in... there’s no reason to be self-conscious. He’s seen worse.

It’s not as if she has any dignity left to protect.

“MY DIAMOND!”

Instantly energized, Jasper rushes to stand at Steven’s side, though keeping a respectful distance. What is this feeling she has? Concern? Relief? Dread? It doesn’t matter now. She has something outside herself to focus on.

“You’re here, too? You’re not having any trouble, are you?”

[shiroki was a man of habit, that much is certain. same route, same shops, same... activities. and it was getting to be a bit much, to be honest. he felt like he was driving himself into a rut that would devour him if he weren't careful, a rut he desperately wanted to avoid.]

[it wasn't much of a change, for it was the same type of shop he always frequented, but a bit of a change of scenery was in order, even if the contents of said scenery was still familiar. l'il donut was just different enough to change his routine, and he was glad for it, stepping into the unfamiliar shop full of familiar smells.]

[as expected, this place had a focus on, well... donuts. and though shiroki was no stranger to sweet foods, usually preferring them, he often didn't allow himself to order them out of some sort of misaligned desire for masculinity. but today he figured... eh, fuck it. if he's shaking things up this much, might as well let himself order what he wants.]

[...that is, if he could decide. that was always the hardest part with going to a new place - new menus, new flavors, new... everything. couldn't hurt to ask about it all, right?]

[he trotted up to the counter, gaze more trained on the menu than the curly haired kid behind the register, a curious look on his face as he regarded his options.]

so i've never been here before.