wipesfaith | 03 [action/written] backdated to MONDAY 1/27

[When Jean wakes up on Monday, it is with the heavy sense that something is missing. (Isn't it strange, how lacking can weigh more than having?) The skipped days - going to bed on Friday night and waking up to Monday morning - aren't what hits him first; these, he won't notice until he open his journal to send a message that won't be read by its intended recipient for a while.

The bed on the other side of the room is empty.

He's the only one in their apartment. This doesn't fall too far outside the normal rhythm of the day, but it drags him back to a few months ago when things were knocked off balance and disappearing was Marco's favorite hobby. So he sends that message, raises an eyebrow at the date, and gets ready for the day while he waits for a response.

It doesn't come.]

[Action]

[In the morning, he scours the village, walking the length of every road and checking inside every public building. He tries not to think about the last time he'd walked through still streets unable to remember with any certainty when he'd last seen his friend.]

Marco? [Cupping a hand around his mouth.] Marco!

[At some point, he dimly realizes that school started a while ago, but that doesn't mean shit to him right now. Two options have long since sunk into his brain: Marco has either been kidnapped for experimentation, or he has gone home to hit a dead end. Still, through wanting to prolong the inevitable, through wanting to feel effective in some way, he doesn't drop his search. He takes it out of the village, winding through the woods on horseback.

When he finally returns, with nothing to show for his efforts but exhaustion, a tightened knot of anxiety in his stomach, and questions, evening has settled in. He opens his journal - still no response - and starts asking.]

[Written]

Does anybody know of any missing persons cases that happened over the weekend?

Is there anyone who can remember anything that happened between Friday night and this morning?

[Then, because he doesn't know how to lock messages to specific individuals, he adds:]

Commander Smith, Captain Levi. I need to speak with you. If you're in your quarters, I can come up shortly.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[HE DOES NOTHING that is any of your business.]

Yeah, that's nice and all, but-- [Actually, he couldn't care less right now. Sorry not sorry.] You saw Marco recently, you said? How recently?

[Uh huh. But he's thinking about when he last saw Marco and then remembers.]

Last I saw him was yesterday morning, but then I went to the library and thought nothing of it.

Yesterday? You can remember what happened yesterday? Or are you thinking about Friday?

[The questions come as an assault, quick and blunted, flowing from his mounting desperation to figure out what the hell happened to his best friend.]

Yes I can remember what happened yesterday. I was on my way to the library for the day so I was leaving the apartment building. And I'm positive I saw your friend leaving the apartment building too, I wasn't really sure what he was up to though. But for the most of the day before I went to the library, I saw him then after that I didn't. I thought he might have gone home or something else since when I left, it was pretty late at night.

[Dang it Jean, stop being so serious. He's helping the best he can.]

[Just to double check that they're on the same page, before he gets his stupid hopes up about finding a lead...] I'm talking about on Saturday, or Sunday-- [he has no clue which] --You do know today's Monday, right?

[Wait it's not Saturday? Well, this is what he gets for being too wrapped up in his books.]

Wait what? You mean today isn't Saturday? I'm pretty sure I went to the library on Friday which was yesterday.

Check the date in your journal, dumbass. I don't know what happened, but I can't remember a thing from either of those days, and neither can anyone else I've asked about it.

[Wow so rude!!]

There's no need for name calling. I've simply been caught up in other affairs and didn't check my journal that's all. But is this usually something that happens here?

How should I know? I haven't been here long enough to figure out what passes for normal around here.

And neither have I. So we're both in the same mindset that we don't know much about this place. However the true question here is which of us is making more attempts to learn about this world? You or myself? From my point of view, it would be me. From your point of view, it would be you. So instead of arguing, why don't we try working together?

I'm not arguing! [He's just on edge, and his mind is jumping to all of the worst conclusions, and it sounds a whole lot like arguing.] Just answer my question and try to remember when you saw him.

I did. But you really should try calming down, I'm certain your friend will return soon.

[Being cool as a cucumber here.]

Easy for you to say! [It doesn't affect him. This guy doesn't have to give a shit. And when (if?) Marco does return, in what condition will he be?]

So you saw him Friday... That's the last time I saw him too, so that doesn't help. [A frustrated sigh.]

[Getting up in Jean's personal space again, because man the thoughts he's hearing are intense. But instead of being angry himself, he's smiling.]

You should have faith your friend will return and be all right instead of thinking the worse you know. I doubt the Malnosso are monsters to bring terrible harm to your friend. He'll be fine.

Edited 2014-02-01 07:29 (UTC)

[He leans back a little bit, but he doesn't step away, however creeped out he is by the odd notion that this guy seems to be reading his thoughts. He meets Sasame's carefree look with a glare.]

I think you're giving those bastards too much credit. If they took him in, who knows what the hell kind of "experiments" they could be doing.

[He reaches out to put a hand on Jean's shoulder.]

Everyone seems to look at these people with harshness, but shouldn't we try to think more positive of them? Try to become friends with them.

[And he'll try to shrug him off with a rough jerking motion, stepping back.]

Not interested. They sure ain't trying to be our friends - keeping us complacent to use us however the hell they want isn't the same thing - so I don't see any reason to be theirs.

[Who is still smiling? He is, because it's just his thing.]

Well then how about we become friends? We do live in the same building after all and I'd like to get to know you.

[That smile is pissing him off right now.]

The hell does that have to do with anything?

[Stop being so angry, Jean.]

Well besides me getting to know you, I thought you could use a pick me up.

[But his expression does become a little more serious.]

Though I'll be sure to look out for Marco if I see him and let you know right away.

Sorry, don't really feel like it right now. [Said in such a way to indicate that he's not really sorry at all. Sasame might want to pick a better time to try to be all buddy buddy.]

Just let me know, alright?

Of course. I'll see you later then.

[Since he'd rather let Jean get back to his searching and he to his reading.]

Yeah, sure.

[He sounds thrilled at the prospect. Before he's finished speaking, he turns to go.]

03 [action/written] backdated to MONDAY 1/27

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