050 [ Action | Voice ]

[ahappylie]

[Despite being gone for weeks and just now showing up again, Okita doesn't seem all that worried. In fact, he's out making snowmen in the middle of the town square despite the hour and the snowfall. After making one or two small snowpeople and a small snow fort, he picks up his journal to announce his return.]

It seems I'm back now. The snow is nice.

Does anyone know how much time has passed? I suppose Ayumu-san will scold me. Let's not tell her right away, hm?

Comments

[ayu_nee]

[She gives a rather significant glance around at all the snow sculpture work.]

How long have you already been out here?

[ahappylie]

I don't have a way to tell time.

[And he can't feel the cold or anything else so...]

...Since I came back?

[ayu_nee]

[You see this face, Okita? This is Not A Happy Face.]

I think you should probably go inside.

[ahappylie]

...Yes, Ayumu-san.

[He gets up out of the snow and dusts himself off, hiding his hands behind his back.]

After you.

[ayu_nee]

[...that was certainly easy, wasn't it.

Ayumu eyes him a moment longer, then nods and turns back in the direction of the house. What's important right now is getting him in out of the cold. And snow. Before he catches his death or something.]

[ahappylie]

[He really is trying to follow you, Ayumu. It's just that the snow is so distracting.

And about five minutes after they start walking, he's wandered off in a different direction and is playing in the snow again.]

[ayu_nee]

[You know, if she has to drag you home by the scruff of your neck she won't hesitate to do so, Okita. At this point, though, she just stifles a sigh and goes after him, gesturing pointedly toward the path.]

The house is this way.

[ahappylie]

...?

[Oh right, they were walking home. He gets up and pats himself off, then starts to follow.

For all of two minutes, then he's looking at something else.]

[ayu_nee]

Okita-san... you seem a little distracted, somehow.

[ahappylie]

[Oh! Whoa, what. What was he doing. Okita stops and looks back at Ayumu, blinking.]

Hm? Is there something wrong?

[ayu_nee]

You're supposed to be heading home.

[And that gesture indicates "home" isn't where he's standing right now.]

[ahappylie]

Oh, right!

[hahaha how silly of him! He starts wandering in the indicated direction.]

Is everyone doing well?

[ayu_nee]

[Yes. How very silly. Don't mind Ayumu, she's just going to be lurking very close by you for the moment, Okita, to make sure you don't wander off again.]

"Everyone", Okita-san? Is there anyone in particular that you mean?

[ahappylie]

[That's probably good because it isn't going to be long before he gets distracted again.]

....? Everyone at home.

[ayu_nee]

...both of us are fine, Okita-san.

[Even if you aren't.]

[ahappylie]

Hm~? That's good.

[Okita starts walking, stops, and turns in the wrong direction to keep going.]

[ayu_nee]

[...right, then. If she has to.

Ayumu reaches out to touch his shoulder and ever-so-gently guide him back in the right direction again, trying to keep him on the path. She's almost tempted to call Homura and get him to show up and instantly transport Okita back to the house, at this point.]

This way.

[ahappylie]

Oh.

[He goes in that direction now instead. Tra la la. He's not allowed to leave the house until this effect wears off, is he?

He looks at the ground, humming.]

Is it supposed to be cold?

[ayu_nee]

[No. No, he will most certainly not be, especially after that question.]

Supposed to be? It is, in fact, rather cold right now.

[ahappylie]

Hm~ Okay.

[He scuffs his foot against the ground, kicking up a flurry of snow. Then he leans down to pick some up in his hands, rolling it around.

Best not to mention that he can't feel it.

He lets it drop and wipes his hands off. And starts getting distracted again, looking off in a different direction.]

[ayu_nee]

[Yeah no that was awfully suspicious. Ayumu frowns but doesn't say anything about it, instead just redirecting him back where he needs to go.]

What happened while you were gone, Okita-san?

[ahappylie]

[He laughs.]

How am I supposed to know what happened here while I was gone, silly?

[ayu_nee]

Hm. That's why I was asking what happened where you were.

[ahappylie]

Oh.

[Laughing stops. He thinks. And his answer?]

I don't remember. It probably doesn't matter.

[ayu_nee]

[...doesn't matter. Doesn't matter? Oh, Okita.

All right, though, he did just get back from a traumatic experience. She won't frown... much. Ayumu will instead just shoo him along the path back toward home, where it's warm and she can get some food and tea into him and make sure he gets some rest because that's what matters.]