timesflow | [Event]

[Event]

*like some sort of wisp or ghost, the Alternate Sadame can be spotted in the city.

While they prefer to stay in the safety of the Arboretum unless needed, the nature of the hiding place means they can't establish any permanent method of getting food or water.

Which means they need to wander out into the city to head for a convenience store or something, hoping partially that they'll unblinkingly accept their money.

Or, worse case, be able to steal things effectively enough.

You should help them to not steal.*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yeah, well, now that I'm out of the tea party dimension, it's only a matter of time, ain't it?"

He snorts.

"I appreciate you buying me a bit more time. Really, I do. But you know I'm gonna have to tell Emmy that our jig's up and we're gonna have to prepare, right?"

Tea party dimension? *muttered that a little, but decides to not question it.*

I'm buying no one time. Time is constant. Choices are always made, including the choice of whatever it is you're deciding to mention to me.

My job here isn't to bring anyone in, or to pass on information, after all. *buying one of the most protein-filled meals they can find here-- they've been living off of granola and shelf-stable foods for a long while.*

"... Yeah, it just felt a little unfair to not let you know."

He pauses, and shoves more into the pile for you.

"Here. It's the last bits of my 'allowance' from my alternate here, since he consistently feels bad for me. Get more than just one meal, man. I don't like you, I hate who you work for, but no one should go hungry."

*... mmfngh... okay, might have a little shame, but they shake their head*

I'll be fine. Really. I have enough from what you already gave me to get other basics.

I just... need something that isn't dried food, for once. That's all. So I can think.

"I know. But. You're gonna need to be able to think more. If you don't wanna buy it now, that's fine. But take the leftover change so ya ain't gotta steal like a common thief, alright? You're better than that."

He reaches out and unconsciously ruffles your hair.

"Don't act like that, makes me feel more sorry for you."

*allows it for a moment, before waving off your hand and pulling back up the hood. takes the money, then.*

Don't feel sorry for me, but... don't think that highly of me, either. I'm not really much better than that. *going to get the meal cooked. have they even-- have they been living anywhere with a microwave at all.*

"Huh, I guess. I figured you'd just be more... refined than this, I guess."

He sighs, watching you.

"... are you staying in the wilderness or something?"

The Arboretum, specifically.

*they also haven't seen a real shower in a while, huh.*

He sighs.

"... Ya wanna at least like... use the facilities at the place I'm renting? Get a good shower in?

And before you reject it because we're standing on opposite sides here or don't want the info like, ripped out of your brain, I give it a max of two weeks before we get found out and all of this goes to hell and the cards fall where they do."

*... taking a moment, as though searching through the odds and possibilities. ... nodding a little.*

I'll accept. I give the fair warning, however, that if I am ever asked directly about this, it will be impossible for me to lie.

"Yeah, well, that was true before I offered, wasn't it? So there's no more harm in digging myself any further besides maybe into your good graces in case I survive, yeah? If I gotta serve someone, I'll serve someone as cute as you."

He grins.

"I'll get Emmy out of the house so there ain't gonna be any issues on my end either."

*there's a little twitch. that cute remark did not go unnoticed.*

That's a way to look at it. But... Thank you.

As much as I wish it weren't so, I will remember this.

"I gotta prepare for the worst, y'know? And also hope for the coziest niche in the worst.

And, yeah. I figured ya would. Might as well keep a good record of me, right?"

Cas seems oblivious to the twitch, just completely boneheaded.

Don't ask for things you don't actually want.

*it's fine. you're not someone I have to worry about anyway, with that boneheadedness. Taking their meal from the microwave, and ripping it open to eat it right there, with all the decorum of someone who has absolutely been eating energy bars for several weeks.*

"I guess that's fair. I would like at least some record of me should the worst happen."

He's going to do the polite thing and look away as you devour the food and wait for you outside after getting everything squared away with the poor cashier.

*indeed. at least I can pay with legal tender and not whatever the Queen and Lord have done with the money now.

Does come out eventually. With various items in a bag.*

He gives a nod at you, and starts walking from the convenience store, into what looks like a cheaper area of town.

"How long have you been here, in this horrible prank of a dimension?"

*following behind, just. slightly enough distance to make a break for it in case fire appears.*

Over a year, now. Expected this to go faster, honestly.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Emmy's theorizing they can't proceed without one of us and it's probably me."

He gives a big shrug.

"Doesn't matter why. I just wanna 100% Tears of the Kingdom before I start having to punch gods."

Tear-- oh, one of those video game things I've been seeing advertised. Of course.

Well, least you're staying comfortable. Wherever you are. Which I'm not committing to memory for obvious reasons. *even though Tea Party Dimension is going to haunt my thoughts.*

It's truly a horrible thing, one of those unspoken nightmares that's always there, just out of the realm of possibilities.

"Yeah, it's a nice little flop-house. I'm gonna go get Emmy out of here, I know how to get them to not pay attention and notice you, and we're gonna be gone for a few hours. Hope that's enough time."

"... but uh, I got. One last question, before I run this interference for ya. Nori's been changed by whatever merging happened, yeah? Emmy too. Both definitely not for the better. There was, uh. One more person in my little crew I ran around with.

Do you know what happened to Mamoru?"

*shaking their head*

No, I don't know what happened to him. I'm sorry. Far as I know, he might still be back at home. Our home. Wondering where you went to. *stops walking a moment, as though caught by-- something. A thought.*

... But I'd be careful, if he decides to cross over to here. For his sake. Our counterparts are invariably drawn to each other. And I can see issues for him in particular.

Cas immediately brightens at this, you can tell he was bracing for the worst.

"Yeah...? So he's... so he's mostly fine, and isn't... okay. Okay, that's workable. That's so so workable! That's the best news I've had in so long, that means so much to me, thank you!" He's hugging you now, picking you up off the ground.

"Thank you for that, and the fact that he can't come here then. That gives me something to shoot for! Oh, man, I gotta figure out a way to tell Emmy that, or just punch your bosses in the face hard enough that I can go home, my real home!"

*what what what oh no oh no I did not predict this happening oh no oh god--*

I-I am glad I was able to give you. Some peace of mind? It wasn't intended to be peace-giving but I guess some people are more optimistic...

*... you can tell while hugging that they definitely need access to a shower. and to wash those clothes. just kinda dusty all over.*

"If he doesn't come here, well, he's fine! And then I just gotta make it home before that happens!"

Cas sniffs a bit. ... gently sets you down.

"There's clothes in my closet that you can grab too. May be a bit baggy, but better than uh..." He thinks better of finishing that sentence and coughs.

"Lemme go and distract Emmy. Uh. Thanks, for everything you're giving me tonight and hopefully going forward."

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