MASKTOURN

12:07 PM

Albanes sighed. "You don't need to protect me. Not anymore. I can take care of myself." "... I don't think so. You're safe, here, though. There's nothing here that could ever hurt you." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm not saying you can't, but... I don't want you to be alone in this", Aarni said with a concerned frown. "I don't doubt that, this place feels so peaceful... but I.." Aarni paused. He didn't want to sound ungrateful, but he wanted to be open. "I don't feel like I fit in here. Like I'm isolated from the other people. And... with nothing ever hurting, when there's nothing to ever fear, I... am I not just going to become apathetic?" he spoke quietly, lowering his gaze. "That's not why I want to keep in touch with you, though. I just don't want to lose my friend", he looked up into Albanes' eyes again. Since he had died, he had lost almost all the most important friends he had ever had. He didn't want to lose Albanes too. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Albanes looked away from Aarni. How could she confess that she was already gone? "I... I don't know what I can do. I'm sorry." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni's face fell. "Albs, hey..." Aarni took his hands away from Albanes' and put them on her shoulders. "I's.. it's okay. We can come up with something. It's gonna be okay." He hoped. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, Aarni...." She sighed. "I wish it was that simple, I really do." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, we have time, don't we? So, if you come up with something, you can do that, and if I do, then... I don't know, I'll... Try praying really hard?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... time is really all we have." She sighed. "I'll try to come back again, sometime soon. I won't leave you." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Thank you", Aarni replied, and his relief was in his voice, "I don't want to be alone again.." He leaned closer for a quick hug. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes fell into the hug, wrapping her arms firmly around him. "I'm really sorry it had to turn out this way. I am. I'm sorry." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni sighed, but couldn't reply. He'd said it many times before: it wasn't Albanes' fault, and yet, he couldn't say that it was okay. That he'd be fine. He didn't feel that way. He only shook his head a little, and hugged her tighter. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I'm going to have to go soon." Albanes said, after a long moment. "I can't stay here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I know... You should go so you can stay safe", Aarni mumbled and pulled away. "Thanks.. for visiting", he smiled slightly and wistfully. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A soft ringing sounded as Albanes was enveloped in light. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer. I'll be back... at some point. Goodbye for now." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Bye..." Aarni lifted his hand for a little wave, and smiled that melancholy smile as Albanes left. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes away faded entirely into light...