Fake 26 [Action/Voice]

[personafalsify]

[ One of the first things Kohan thinks, when he opens his eyes to find that he's back in House 39, is that it really couldn't have been that much effort to drop him three more feet to the left. Admittedly, the wood floor is still a vast improvement over the cold stone of the cell from the past few weeks, but the couch is three feet to the left. They couldn't have just dropped him on the couch?

It takes him several minutes to gather the energy to move. As far as he can tell, they didn't leave him with any lingering experiments. Not that he can tell. He's just exhausted. Kohan lost track of time while they were experimenting on him, but it's been a while. There's probably been people who were worried about him. And while Ven is likely to come across him sitting here, still gathering the energy to move up to the couch, a certain someone else isn't likely to wander through his house any time soon.

Good thing his journal is nearby. ]

Hey. [ He doesn't do a good job of hiding the exhaustion in his voice. ] I know it's been a while, but... I'm back. Still in one piece... as far as I can tell.

They don't always give you weird side effects after kidnapping, right? Because when you don't think anything's wrong, but it is... that's usually pretty bad, isn't it.

Comments

[risingwinds]

[Don't think Ven didn't notice the sound of someone landing on the floor. After several weeks without his Replica buddy, Ven was starting to fret. Even now, he's not entirely sure if it's him or some New Feather, so he comes barreling into the room to investigate.

And when he sees Kohan there, his eyes nearly fly right out of their sockets.]

Kohan! You're really back!

[Yup, he's just gonna... dash right over to him. Please don't mind his enthusiasm.]

[personafalsify]

[ Enthusiasm might be something he needs right now. Kohan manages a small smile as he starts pushing himself up from the floor, but it's clearly a bit forced.

Ug gravity why so persistent. ]

Yeah, I am. They... really put me through the wringer. [ UPRIGHT this is a victory. He gives a heavy sigh and sort of scoots sideways until he can lean against the couch. ]

Feels like I've been away forever.

[risingwinds]

[Ven's hand shoots outward at first... and then Kohan makes it onto the couch in one piece. Ah well, he'll just have to keep a careful eye on him while he recoups.]

Man, when don't they? I'm just sorry you had to put up with 'em for so long.

[personafalsify]

Yeah.

Actually... would you mind getting me something from the kitchen? You don't... have to cook, or anything. I don't think they gave me any food recently. [ He's not going to dwell on how long "recently" might actually be. Between how long everything felt and how inconsistent the schedule seemed to be, it could be anywhere from a few hours to a few days. ]

[risingwinds]

What? They didn't even feed you?

[Ven's jaw drops. Were the Malnosso seriously that cruel?

...On second thought, he'd buy that. So, with a frown on his face, he turns to the kitchen.]

I'll see what I can whip up for you. I dunno how you feel about cookies, but there oughta at least be stuff for sandwiches.

[personafalsify]

Well, they did, but... not much, I guess.

[ Ven, cookies do not a satisfying meal make. ]

Sandwiches are fine. Thanks.

[risingwinds]

Hey, no problem. I wouldn't wanna let you starve!

[Just give him a minute or two to mosey into the kitchen and...

Okay, the ultimate dilemma is what to put on the sandwich. While Ven already has the peanut butter and jelly out for his own purposes, he idly wonders if Kohan even wants something sweet. After a few seconds of mulling things over, he instead opts to pull out some roast beef and cheese. Hopefully he won't mind!

Whether he does or doesn't, Ven soon returns with a sandwich in tow.]

[personafalsify]

Thanks.

[ Hunger is the best spice, so Kohan takes the sandwich without complaint. Despite his exhaustion, he goes through the sandwich pretty quickly. Hunger is more important okay. ]

How long have I been away for, anyway?

[risingwinds]

[...Dang, Kohan, are you secretly a vacuum? That's some impressive eating.]

It's been about a month now. Definitely a few weeks! I've... kinda been tallying the days. Just to be safe and all.

[Cue some sheepish laughter. Yes, your bro is a dweeb.]

[personafalsify]

[ That's... kind of touching, in a very dorky way. Kohan gives a good-natured laugh, even as he rolls his eyes. ]

Felt like forever. Guess I'm just glad it wasn't, right?

[risingwinds]

Man, I don't wanna think about spending forever with those creeps.

[He shudders, though the smile on his face suggests he's not too peeved.]

[personafalsify]

You'd probably... just get used to it, after a while.

[ Oops, that's thinking about it. Subject change go! ]

How've you been doing?

[risingwinds]

[He shrugs.]

Not too bad, I guess. It's just been kinda low-key for me. Sometimes I worry that I'm getting too comfortable and need to shake things up a little bit.

[Voice]

[distressedude]

[Ever since Kohan was kidnapped, Ion had been checking the journals daily to see if he'd come back, since he can hardly manage to patrol the village while in a wheelchair. And when Anise was taken too, "daily" turned in almost hourly -- perhaps even more so when people he knew started going home. But even so, when he hears Kohan's tired voice, his first thought isn't relief, but concern. Kohan's words don't even seem to register before he replies.]

Kohan! Are you hurt? Do you need someone to come find you?

[Voice]

[personafalsify]

[ "Hi" to you, too, Ion.

Kohan slowly shakes his head, then realizes the audio wouldn't pick that up. ]

No, I'm... mostly alright. They dropped me back at home. I'm just kind of tired, that's all.

[ "I've missed you."

He's not sure if he should say that. ]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

["Mostly"...]

[But at least he's home. Ion can hear in his voice how tired he must be... and for him to be gone for so long, who knows what he's been put through? And if they did something to him--]

[No, no. He shouldn't be thinking like that. He should try and stay positive for Kohan's sake! But knowing that and actually doing it were two different things -- at the very least, his smile is sincere.]

Thank goodness. I was so worried you... [A pause, and then he shakes his head.] I'm just glad you're all right.

[Voice]

[personafalsify]

... Sorry. I took a while, didn't I?

[ Not that it's his fault, but he still feels like he should be apologizing for it. ]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

...if anyone should be apologizing, it should be the Malnosso. [But that's just about the least likely possibility here, so let's just brush past that, yes.]

But don't worry about that. You should be resting right now. You sound exhausted...

[Though there is definitely a strong part of Ion that just wants to race over there as fast as he can to see him, wheelchair be damned.]

[Voice]

[personafalsify]

Yeah, I am. Ven's here, so... I'm alright. Not gonna starve or anything. [ He gives a laugh, but it's half-hearted and tired sounding. ]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

[He matches the laugh, though without sounding quite as tired as Kohan.] Well, perhaps when you're feeling more well-rested, I could come by and see you? If you don't mind, of course.

[Voice]

[personafalsify]

I don't mind at all. [ He even sounds just a little brighter at the idea of Ion coming over. ] Just... whenever you can manage is fine with me. It's probably going to take me a while to get back to a normal schedule, anyway.

[ Like for eating and sleeping, much less library or training... ]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

[Well, Kohan's not the only one who brightens up at that. He's really missed him all this time, after all.]

Oh, all right! I only just woke up a short while ago, so it might take me a little while to get ready and down there. [He's gotta pretty himself up for his boyfriendo ok ok.] So I suppose I'll see you then?

[Voice]

[personafalsify]

[ wat ]

Sure. Don't push yourself, okay? I mean it.

[ Because he knows you Ion and if there's one thing you're good at it's pushing yourself when it involves something you like. ]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

Shouldn't I be the one saying that? [Don't most people want to just sleep forever after a kidnapping?] But don't worry, I won't. I promise. [With as sincere a smile as he can muster!!]

[But okay, he's actually going to try and keep that promise. Kohan needed the time to rest anyway, right? Besides, it's not as though Ion can just bolt on out of the house these days. By the time he gets himself out of bed, washed up, and full from what little food he could manage to eat, it's been well over an hour. And by the time he makes it to house 39, it'll have been nearly two.]

[Now, the question is, just where is Kohan at after (presumably) Ven lets Ion inside?]

[Voice]

[personafalsify]

[ STILL SITTING ON THE COUCH it is annoying to move okay. ]

Hey. It's good to see you.

[ But seeing that Ion is still in his wheelchair takes a bit of the wind out of his sails. ]