--32

[earthen_hope]

[this is written very slowly and carefully. There may be a couple of wet spots, but they're meticulously blotted up and dried before the writing picks up again.]

Helios is gone.

I know he's gone because he went over into his room to get something and I followed him to ask him something and he wasn't there anymore.

[there's a few drips of ink, and then they stop. The writing isn't smeared, but blotted as though the journal was shut very quickly.]

Comments

[handy-psychic.livejournal.com]

Cara...

I know you're not okay, but do you want some company?

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[this comes about twenty minutes later.]

Yeah.

[handy-psychic.livejournal.com]

On my way, then.

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[Cara doesn't reply on the journals. She's just making hot chocolate and has given up trying not to look sad in front of Sailormoon. Because it's pointless to try, really, as much as she doesn't want to show it.]

[handy-psychic.livejournal.com]

[Bridge arrives as soon as he can, Logan at his heel. Not bothering to knock, he steps inside and is immediately by Cara's side, pulling her into a hug.]

[pinkmoonrabbit.livejournal.com]

[ of course, sailormoon had noticed how upset Cara was and had been worrying. She had aimed to go and talk with her roommate but was suddenly interrupted by a strange man entering through the door unannounced, which invoked a rather loud yelp from the small girl. ]

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[Cara hugs Bridge tightly, the tears starting to flow again. But the yelp from Sailormoon makes her lift her face.]

Oh... Sailormoon, this is my friend Bridge. He's nice.

[That's about the most coherent thing she can manage at the moment... she disengages one arm from Bridge and holds it out to the girl silently. Sailormoon didn't know Helios for as long but that doesn't mean she wouldn't be sad.]

[handy-psychic.livejournal.com]

[Bridge can't think of anything to do except hug Cara, and he is startled by the small girl's appearance and yelp. He, for a wild moment, wonders if it's Blood, but no; the girl, aside from the pink hair, is different in appearance. He gives her as friendly a smile as he can manage.]

Hi, Sailormoon. Sorry if I scared you.

[He starts asking if she knows what's up, but then decides that it might be better for Cara to tell.]

[pinkmoonrabbit.livejournal.com]

You just surprised me, that's all. [ She really hadn't been expecting the sudden arrival and offered a quick friendly wave, but she was quickly distracted and overcome with concern for Cara-chan. Cara was one of the first friends Sailormoon had made when she'd arrived and to see her so upset hurt. She took Cara's extended hand gingerly and drew near.

Gone was such a harsh word. It was like her own former roommates. Both Doll-chans were... gone. But where did they go? Would they ever come back? ]

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[She holds Sailormoon's hand tightly, although not to the point of hurting her. Terrified thoughts are running through Cara's head right now--she's lucky Sailormoon didn't vanish too, that Bridge made it all the way from his house to hers. And what about tomorrow? Will Stoneface step out of the Hatchery and disappear into thin air?

And there's nothing she can do if it happens.]

He was there. He was there and then I followed him and he wasn't.

[She tries to get control of her tears, seeing the look on Sailormoon's face. Gotta be strong for her... but it's just so hard at this moment.]

[handy-psychic.livejournal.com]

[Bridge remembers that that's what happened to Kanin and Alexi, and can't help but shiver at the idea. Unknowingly, he has similar thoughts to Cara- what if the same happens to Ghost, or Spike, or Bastet- well, he doesn't want to think about that.]

It's okay to cry, Cara. He was your friend.

[pinkmoonrabbit.livejournal.com]

[ Sailormoon also knew that feeling. Both Dolls had disappeared on her very much the same way. They were there one moment, then they weren't the next. She could remember both of them very well. The Doll with purple hair had red eyes, just like Sailormoon did, and the other one was very good with crafts, just like she was.

But they were gone too. Somewhere. ]

Go ahead and cry. It makes you feel better.

[ She knew. She'd cried plenty herself. ]

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[Cara hates crying; it makes her feel weak, although she wouldn't think that about someone else. But trying not to doesn't seem to be working anyhow. She had that fear for so long after Renae vanished and now it's come to pass.]

Thanks.

[At least having them both there is helping combat that fear she has of being alone. Even if she's not sure they'll be there tomorrow--they are now, and that's what counts. She manages to control herself without having to force herself after a while. Although Bridge now has a large wet spot on his shirt.]

Um... you two want... something to eat, or anything?

[handy-psychic.livejournal.com]

[Bridge notices the wetness but doesn't say anything; he can always change his shirt later, after all.]

I can cook! Ah, well, I can't cook much and I can't promise it'll be any good, but I'll try!

[He gives a little nervous laugh, wishing there was some way he could make the pain go away- or even better, stop this from happening to others in the first place.]

Or at the very least, run and get some pork buns if you're hungry... eating them always cheers me up...

[pinkmoonrabbit.livejournal.com]

I have cookies I made yesterday. They're still fresh and chocolate chip ♥

[ though pork buns did sound really good. She couldn't remember ever having one but she could almost taste the morsel on her tongue. Oh that really did sound good. ]

Pork buns sound good too.

[ she offers Cara a smile ]

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[Cara smiles a tiny bit. The fact that they're both there helps with the hurt, if only a little. She's not alone right now, although she can't shake the fear that she will be tomorrow.]

I like the idea of pork buns. We should go get some of those and then have cookies.

[She doesn't want to make Bridge cook and she doesn't feel like doing it herself. So pork buns it is.]

[mythgravenblade.livejournal.com]

Cara, I--

[pause]

I made too much for dinner. If you like, I can bring some over.

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

Sure

Thanks, Paladin.

[mythgravenblade.livejournal.com]

[ooc: I'm assuming a handwave for this, unless you want to do things differently. Cara will receive a bowlful of autumn vegetables, stewed in a beef broth, and with a slightly-underdone cookie.]

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[ooc: Works for me! She'll appreciate it; it sounds good. XD]

[stonyfaced.livejournal.com]

[Hi, Cara. Stoneface won't write anything on the journal, but on her next shift, she'll find a mug of hot cocoa and a small thermos of soup waiting for her. Hot cocoa solves everything, shut up.]

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[Aw thanks Stoneface. Hot cocoa is a very nice thing. She'll be on time so it's not going to get cold.]

[beat-da-button.livejournal.com]

Wha? Damn...Want me t'come over?

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[She isn't sure how to answer this. On the one hand Bridge is already coming and Sailormoon is here, on the other, how much longer will Skulls be....]

I can come over in a bit

quicklog? real log? handwave?

[beat-da-button.livejournal.com]

Kay.

ooc

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

Handwave? I'm not sure about the logistics of Cara seeing everyone on the day this happened haha (chronology, it will always defeat me). But she'll also want to hang out with him after he's done on the farm so we can log that if you want!

Re: ooc

[beat-da-button.livejournal.com]

Works for me!

[codename-potato.livejournal.com]

Cara, your status?

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[pause, she's not sure how to answer this.]

I don

I'll be okay; Bridge is coming. Not hurt physically or anything.

[codename-potato.livejournal.com]

That was not what I meant.

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

[She knows, she just didn't want to answer on the journals--doesn't look like she has a choice though. The following is struck after thirty seconds.]

I was afraid this would happen and it has

feels like everyone is disappearing

[codename-potato.livejournal.com]

Do you wish to come over?

[feathered-earth.livejournal.com]

I have to stay with Sailormoon. But I'd like to come over tomorrow.