[Voice, locked to residents] --EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--

[malnosso]

[At 2:15AM, the journals suddenly blare out an alarm, followed by this message.]

EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. This is an emergency.

The following occupants of the Luceti enclosure must report to the teleporters in twenty minutes. You are required as reinforcements in Region 13. Bring all necessary armaments with you. You will be teleported directly into combat.

Anyone who fails to comply will be forcibly escorted to the teleporters by droids.

This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill. You have twenty minutes.

[The message repeats twice more, the alarm continuing until the twenty minutes has elapsed. No questions will be answered.]

Comments

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

I'm always better dressed.

[But there's no real bravado behind that. He's ready quickly.]

I'll set breakfast out for you. You should eat before you go.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

Thank you.

[Although he doesn't have any real appetite, he knows that he needs to eat at least something.]

Would you mind making something for Asbel as well? Knowing him, he would forget he even needed to eat unless one of us reminds him.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

Yeah, sure. Gotta take care of both you idiots, right?

[Both idiots who'll be leaving him alone to worry for who knew how long.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[Not being able to see well doesn't mean that Richard can't sense Isamu's concern. He hesitates just long enough to finish buttoning up the front of his tunic, then moves to wrap his arms around Isamu's shoulders (or at least try; it's a bit difficult when everything is blurry).]

We'll both come back in one piece-- I promise you that much.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

[Isamu freezes up at that, tense, then relaxes. His next words are more of a hiss.]

You can't promise that.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

Maybe not, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. I haven't been practicing my magic for nothing, you know. This time it's my turn to protect Asbel.

[There's a quiet yet fierce determination to his voice, one that rarely finds reason to make itself known.]

Can you believe in me just this once?

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

[Isamu looks away, but nods slowly.]

... Alright.

You just better keep to that.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

I will. I can't always sit back and let everyone else risk themselves to protect me. I need to fight for myself too.

[Despite the firm tone of his voice, however, he's still shaking the tiniest bit as he embraces Isamu. Determined or not, the idea of being dropped into another battle that could be like Vaskoth is still a frightening one.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

[Isamu feels that shaking, and he rubs at his friend's back in what he's sure is a futile effort to calm him.]

... Just be careful.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[It's a small gesture, yes, but Richard appreciates it nonetheless. A little of the tension eases out of his muscles as Isamu rubs his back, and he straightens up a bit more.]

You make it sound as if I would be anything else.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

Don't think I'm not aware of your hidden recklessness, your majesty.

[He pulls away, brushing a bit of hair from Richard's face.]

We should get moving.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard can't help but chase after that contact, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Isamu's for a brief moment before finally moving away.]

Yes, we should. Being hauled away to a draft by droids isn't an experience I'm in any hurry to repeat.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

I'm about ready. [Though he wants to grab a couple other things just in case they decide he needs to come along for the draft too.]

I'll make us some toast.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

Natto toast.

[The correction is teasing; he knows that he doesn't even need to tell Isamu what he wants by now.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

Obviously. It's not like we'll be in the house to have to deal with the smell afterwards anyway.

[And a little teasing right back.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

I won't. You, however, will be coming back to it after Asbel and I have gone.

[Two can play at this game.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

[He wrinkles his nose in displeasure.]

... Maybe I'll go for a walk.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

That sounds like an excellent idea. It would hardly be fair for Asbel and I to be getting all of the exercise while you sit around on vacation. Perhaps I should devise a training schedule to make sure you don't become too lazy in our absence...

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

[Richard gets the most deadpan of looks for that.]

Don't push it.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[That earns him a chuckle and a light shoulder bump. If nothing else, at least Richard is in a slightly better mood now, even if part of it is his usual facade.]

Now, about that toast...

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

... Yeah, I'm on it. I can do this quick, no problem.

[Since they don't have much time.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

And I'll go make sure Asbel isn't still snoring away.

[Because they both know what a heavy sleeper their other housemate can be.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

... Good idea. I hope he can get ready quick too.

[No point in leaving him for the robots to drag out. Here's hoping he'll eat natto toast also.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

You needn't worry about that.

[Is that a evil glint to his eye, or just a trick of the light?]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

...Ah. Well, then I won't.