chlorokyll | inbox (duocaeli)

O-Okay!

[ just as meryl manages to toss the rope, knives disappears from existence, and the rope leaves her hand to fly right toward vash — whether he manages to catch it in all this ruckus is on him.

because meryl is very confused herself now, and for a split second she can't help but stare at the vacated space under vash, a baffled yet surprised look on her face as she takes a half step back, before she turns to look around them. did he just... teleport or something else wild? she's still not used to this whole game world thing, seeing as she hasn't actually logged off it herself yet. ]

H-Hold on a second, where'd he go?!

[ she's searching their surroundings, spinning in place with urgency as the adrenaline from the situation hasn't died down at all for her — they're still very much in danger, in her mind. ]

[ Vash is working so hard to keep Nai in place, that his sudden absence nearly overbalances him. The rope, which would have been easy for him to catch in his previous position, instead sort of lands on his head and drapes over his shoulder. He's just there on all fours blinking for a moment before all of the tension leaves his body with one long exhale and he sits back on his heels. ]

It's okay, it's okay! [ Vash shuffles over to her a little awkwardly and holds out his hands, offering to take hers if it will help her calm down. ] He's gone for now, but we don't have long. Are you okay? You just got here, didn't you?

[ He really hopes that his microphone isn't picking up Nai's full volume yelling right outside his door. In the real world, Vash mutes his the mic so he can yell back: ] Have you had a snack in the last few hours, Nai? We talked about this!

[ Shifting one's attention between online and offline is something that takes a good deal of concentration, given how immersive it is to be online. It's not so different from how it feels to be within the dimension of another's Gate in that way.

So Knives is almost surprised to receive any response from Vash. It's only to ask him if he's eaten something. Knives scowls at that, because the last thing he's interested in doing right now is eating. He doesn't feel particularly hungry either, the full limitations of this world having not quite sunk in just yet. ]

That has nothing to do with this. Just what were you planning to do after you tied me up, brother?

[ Would he have turned him into the authorities?

Either way, his banging on the door continues, but in a more concentrated way, as if he's focusing it on the lock. ]

[ meanwhile, in the online world, meryl has no idea what's going on or what vash is experiencing. what a time. ]

Y-Yeah, I just— [ got here, but— ] W-Wait, what do you mean, we "don't have long"?! [ that sounds so ominous, vash. and considering she doesn't even know where knives has gone to, that only makes her more freaked out.

where is he and when is he coming back??

she takes vash's hands, but instead of using them for any sort of calming measure, she starts tugging on them. ]

Then— we need to get out of here, don't we?! Come on!

[ Vash nearly overbalances again, flailing a little bit as Meryl half-drags him. ] Meryl -- wait wait!

[ He finally tugs her back and sits back on his heels, holding her hands in his, though his own grip is plenty loose enough for her to shake him off easily. ]

Please, listen. I know it's confusing and disorienting, but this world isn't real. If you take a second to calm down, you'll remember. Just trust me. [ He hopes she'll remember, anyway. Vash glances over his shoulder, even in the game, at something unseen. He turns back to her with a tight smile. ] Everything is fine.

[ Everything is not fine. Vash mutes his mic again and yells: ] I don't know -- timeout? I didn't think that far ahead!

[ Wait he. Didn't actually mean to say that to Nai. ]

[ Even if Knives can't make out every word, he can tell that Vash is speaking with that girl, still. That he's trying to explain things and calm her down. His attention is divided and the fact that he isn't giving Knives every bit of said attention has him even more frustrated.

... Timeout? What are they, children?

He could break down the door if he really wanted. He could slice it open with his knives, even. And he considers doing so. ]

Maybe you should put a little more thought into your actions, then, brother.

[ However, he's not going to try and have a conversation with someone who's only half-listening to him, so with that he leaves the door and returns to his own room to log back in. That will take at least a little bit of time, though. ]

[ she doesn't shake him off, but she does listen, brows furrowed as the panic in her recedes but doesn't quite go away. ]

I'll remember? [ what on earth is that supposed to mean?? how is she supposed to remember something she's never experienced before?

but there he is, telling her to trust him, and that's one thing she can't stop herself from doing. she sighs in the next moment, muttering a defeated 'fine' before she focuses on that while vash does... whatever it is he's doing. her face is twisted into a pout, something impatient and frustrated, but vague memories surface in her mind not long into her attempt to remember them.

and boy do they catch her off guard. her eyes widen, her jaw slackens a bit in shock, and then she's back to overreacting to things. ]

I-I think I remember... Wait, how do I remember...? [ something... something... other life she's led here, oh no, this is overwhelming. her voice is going high pitched and shaky. ] V-Vaaaaash, what's going on?!

[ shaking his hands up and down with hers like that's going to do anything. she knows vaguely what's going on but none of this is making any sense. ]

[ There aren't all that many people he could ask to trust him with any confidence, especially for something as strange as this, but he's grateful that Meryl is one of the few. ]

Do you remember how to log out? I need you to do that now. When you do, just stay where you are, and I'll come and find you. I promise, okay? I'll explain everything when you're safe. [ He's talking so fast his words nearly run together.

He's heard Nai walk away from his door, but Vash knows better than to be relieved -- knowing Nai, things are only going to get worse. ]

[ she's doing her best to take in everything he's saying to her, despite his quickness, but she understands enough.

nodding, her concern clear. ]

R-Right, okay. I think I remember. [ she lets go of his hands, straightening her back. ] You'd better, Vash.

[ she doesn't sound annoyed or angry, but rather like she's fully counting on him here.

there's a tired sigh, still sounding a bit rushed by the situation. ] I'll be waiting for you then, so don't drag your feet, got it? [ she realizes she kind of hates letting him out of her sight, but... ] And... be careful.

[ because the threat of nai is still looming, and she's scared, but she's trusting him, as she logs out and into her room at dodo house, a feeling of disorientation hitting her in the process. ]

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