( #004 )

[brainiest]

Who: Hermione Granger and you!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Vanquish
When: Today!

[ The feed starts out with Hermione sitting on her bed, looking absolutely miserable. It's obvious that she hasn't slept, not really, and when she speaks her voice is quiet and, more than anything, sad. ]

Cisco isn't here anymore. [ She's lost people before, but she never gets used to it. It's never fair, and it's not right. It's not right that you get to be this close to people and then they get taken away from you. ] I don't think he's the only one that's gone this time, but it's - I don't think it's my place to talk about anyone else.

[ She's doing this because Cisco was her partner, after all. Her boyfriend. She'd been so happy.

I'm not sure what's left in his lab, but - I didn't want to touch anything. I'm sorry for anyone that knew him, but... He's probably happier at home, so it's okay in the end.

[ The feed cuts off, abruptly, because she didn't want to think about it anymore - it was easier to just turn it off and put the device to one side and pretend for a little while. ]

Comments

text.

[brainiest]

Okay.

[ She doesn't fight it. A part of her wants to see Erik because she trusts him to be there for her and not smother her, either - he'd proven that the very first time she had been truly upset on the Fleet. She might not be the best company or even prepared for it, but she's going to try. She has to keep going. ]

> action

[exothermia]

[True to his word, he shows up to her room in about fifteen minutes. Instead of tea, though, he's brought hot chocolate. Part of the stash he got from Kitty for the holidays, he feels like this is a situation that warrants it.

Erik passes her the mug without comment at first.]

I'm not as experienced at making this, so I hope it's decent.

[brainiest]

[ She takes the mug gratefully, smelling it before drinking it and offering a soft smile at the familiar smell of chocolate. It reminds her of christmas at home and she shifts, settling back and holding it on her lap. ]

I'm sure it's wonderful, Erik. Thank you.

[exothermia]

I can't vouch for it; someone else bought it for me.

[After a pause, he sits down on the bed next to her.]

I'm sorry about your friend.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione hesitates for a moment before she breathes out. ]

Boyfriend.

[ But then she's shaking her head, closing her eyes. ]

It's okay, really. I think he'd be happier at home.

[exothermia]

[Oh. Damn. Erik doesn't need to imagine how hard that must be. He's lost people before, even in this Fleet. And while they may not have been his partner (...Charles is still here), there's a particular pain in knowing that may be the last you ever see of them.

He reaches over and covers one of her hands with his own.]

If he's had to leave you behind, then I'm certain he's not happy about that. Neither are you.

[brainiest]

[ She looks down at their hands, almost surprised, before she breathes out. Her fingers turn so they can wrap around Erik's, holding it gently. She's glad he's here, she thinks, glad that he came to her. It makes her feel stronger, somehow. ]

No, I... I'm not happy, but I will be. I'll be okay.

[exothermia]

[He knows he's just repeating what she told him once. But he says it anyway.]

It's all right not to be, too.

[brainiest]

[ She glances up, her expression softening a little. ]

I think I've heard that somewhere before.

[exothermia]

It's entirely possible.

[He removes his hand, letting her get on with drinking the hot chocolate if she pleases.]

I find it hard to get used to. The way comings and goings work around here.

[brainiest]

It's not easy. [ Hermione puses her lips. ] I... Got a little used to it, in the Drabwurld. It's easier here, knowing they're going back home. It was practically a death sentence there.

[exothermia]

Mmm. I know what you mean.

People who disappeared in Kyriakos usually ended up stuck sleeping in mirrors. Or spirited off by the Echoes to work for them. It was rare to see any of them again.