BALANCE INBOX

[mylawn]

[video ● voice ● text ● action]

Comments

text;

[seasaltkeys]

[Back during the interlude, sometime before the current mission, 76 receives a small note from Roxas. It's written, and a lot of words are scratched out (strikethroughs). Not because he's trying to redact information, but more like he's trying to figure out how to phrase it and second guesses himself.]

Back in the lab...I didn't really get a chance to explain what was going on.

It was i'm I didn't really know what was happening. I meant it when I said I've been in there before though.

The guy on the stained glass...his name is Sora. He's me? who I'm supposed to be? We're connected, and it's kind of complicated. I don't know who the other two were when it changed though.

I guess I just wanted to explain. And say sorry. And thanks.

I guess if you have more questions, you can ask

-Roxas<./font>

Re: text;

[mylawn]

You don’t need to apologize to me.

[76 is perhaps impressed at Roxas explaining himself in such detail, but it's not needed. On some level, he realizes this is a confession of sorts, though he isn't entirely sure what for.]

It's been bothering you, huh?

text;

[seasaltkeys]

A little bit, yeah.

[He knows that he's a bit weird in the context of everything, though some of the stuff in the room made him realize that it might be a bit bigger than he thinks. Which kind of scares him.]

[mylawn]

Why? We all have people back home.

[Or had, as it were.]

[seasaltkeys]

Yeah. But...I never actually met Sora. I'm connected to him, but I've only seen him once.

[And he was asleep and then the Hunger came and it was a bad time.]

[mylawn]

What's the story, then?

[Clearly Roxas wants to tell it, and 76 is happy to indulge him.]

{ voice; once they return from lyrabar }

[mccreehaw]

Dunno how it happened, but I found some old photos down in Lyrabar from the good ol' days. Y'know that Halloween Reinhardt broke the table? Figured you could have a couple, if you wanted.

[mylawn]

Do we really want to think about how they got a hold of something like that?

[Jack received something from the merchant as well--and it's just as uncomfortable to think about.]

I wouldn't mind taking a look.

[mccreehaw]

I tried asking, but of course the guy disappeared into the crowd before I could get an answer. [ A sigh. ] Starting to think our heads are just open books for anybody that wants to see.

[ And that's not great for those who want to keep stuff buried. ]

Mind if I drop by, then?

[mylawn]

Yeah, sounds like what happened to me.

[He doesn’t elaborate on what he has—not yet. Better to show McCree, if that’s where this meeting goes.]

I’m in my quarters. Come by whenever you like.

[mccreehaw]

[ He figures he can ask in more detail once he sees Jack in person, so he replies with an "okay," and signs off.

And it's not like McCree has a busy schedule, plus Jack is only a couple doors down, so he heads straight over and raps on the door, a small stack of photographs held between a metal finger and thumb. ]

[mylawn]

[He expects McCree in short order, and puts away what he's doing to answer the door as soon as he hears the knock. The door slides open, and Jack is standing there leaning against the frame. His gaze drops to the pictures McCree has in his hand.]

Nothing too embarrassing, I hope.

{ voice } during lunar interlude 6

[mccreehaw]

Hey. I found something interesting. Wanna meet up so I can show you?

[mylawn]

Sure, I've got time. What is it?

[mccreehaw]

I was doing some snooping in Leon's office and he just so happened to leave the key in the door to the restricted section. So, naturally I had to take a gander.

[ He's walking as he's talking and explaining the situation. ]

Found a book inside with drawings that started moving. It's what I wanna show you. I filmed it.

[mylawn]

[A walk and talk! Love it. Jack stays where he is, figuring that McCree will come to him.]

I'm in the dojo. I take it this isn't something you want to discuss over the bracers.

[mccreehaw]

It's not something that I think needs top security, but I figured you would want to look over the video in person. You know, in case Leon tattles on me to Zarves and she erases it before you can look at it.

[mylawn]

Getting into trouble, huh?

25th

[hxppythxughts]

[A messily-wrapped box, with 76's...well, title written directly on the colorful paper. There's a handmade card on top, decorated with stickers and doodles of wintry images like snow, gingerbread men, etc. It's not properly signed, but the signature isn't necessary. On one side of the interior:]

Tall green trees in lights twinkling bright,
Sparkling strands of tinsel and snow pure white,
The smell of hot cocoa and apple cider too,
A very merry Candlenights, from Sayori to you!
[And then on the other side:]

Hi there! We don't know each other very well, but I'm trying to spread as much Candlenights cheer as possible and I think everyone deserves a gift! I know it's not very exciting but I figure everyone can use something warm right now.

[Inside the box is a pair of socks and matching gloves.]

25th.

[protegge]

[Happy Candlenights! 76 receives: some really fucking nice whiskey. Like stupid nice. Stay warm, Gramps.]

present!

[feytality]

[ 76 will receive a handdrawn picture of him, gabriel and ana (done from memory so she did her best), an ornament of him in dragoon armor, high quality gauntlets with dragons engraved and also the word 'hero' in draconic, and a card from maya wishing him happy candlenights! it's filled with doodles in him in various poses: him and nanu, him and mccree, him teaching the feys to fight (they're in punchy poses), him drinking hot cocoa on a dragon's head, him taking mccree and maya on a motorcycle ride, him punching the hunger (human version) in the face, etc. the card thanks him for all that he's done for her and mia, details how strong and kind and amazing she thinks he is, and how lucky she is to have him, how she feels safe with him looking out for her, and how happy she is that they met. the card wishes him happiness and safety, and then ends with the word 'reclaimerwatch' and little doodles of his visor around it. ]

[ there's also a bear-shaped 'happiness' omamori, blessed by both mia and maya. ]

late crimbo

[mylawn]

[Jack hadn't expected anything for Candlenights, much less the elaborate gift that Maya left at his quarters. It's admirable, how she can still be so full of generosity and optimism, even at a time like this. He can't say he has anything in return, but it feels wrong to let her leave this for him without so much as a thank you. He takes a few days to process the gifts, then makes his way to her quarters to speak to her about it properly.]

Maya?

[Knock knock, open the door.]

It's me.

[feytality]

[ knock knock it's knuckles. ]

[ just kidding, it's jack. it doesn't take her long to answer the door, though she's now sporting a sweet ass scarf he may recognize (as he was part of the crimes team mia assembled to prepare this gift), and she grins widely when she sees him. ]

Mr. Jack! I wasn't expecting you. Did you come to watch the Steel Samurai?

[ that's clearly it. ]

[mylawn]

[It’s Jack! He practically fills the doorway and looks entirely awkward, like he’s not really sure how to go about starting this conversation, but she starts it for him, so that’s okay.]

What’s Steel Samurai?

[A show, obviously. Probably he’s just signed up to watch some of it, but that’s okay. He could probably stand to relax.]

I came to thank you for the gifts.

[feytality]

[ jack awkwardly looms in the doorway ]

It's the best TV show ever invented and you definitely have to watch it!

[ he absolutely just signed himself up to watch it by saying the forbidden words. he's doomed. ]

Awww, you liked them that much?