arderebuio | [IC Contact]

[The crash of the waves is probably the first thing audible, and the view shifts. It's dark out, well past sunset. There are rocks in the background and she's not making much effort to hide her emotions.]

Hey, Reborn? When you get this can you tell me, when was the last time you heard from Ezio or Zuko?

[The reply comes promptly, almost immediately following hers.]

I haven't seen either of them in a few days now. Granted, I don't flatter myself that I'm so close to either of them that an absence of a few days on either side would be particularly notable.

[A pause.]

Are you by the shore, Miss Katara?

[She knew that would be the answer, but it still both stings and gives her a small bit of false hope.]

Yeah... I came down here to think, or, maybe I thought...

Or maybe...?

[Reborn cuts his own words off and hms consideringly.]

It's a little late. Will you be there for much longer?

It's nothing. [It was proably silly to think they'd be there, a last ditch hope, the last place she'd expect to find either of them. She'd realized it as soon as she said it.]

No, maybe, I don't know. [Her brow furrows, her tone carries some frustration with it, and for a moment she bunches some of her hair into her free hand and shuts her eyes. With a loud exhale, she tries again. Ezio had warned her about this but she'd forgotten about it in the emotional bustle.]

Sorry. Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you this late- [Probably not what he meant, but she can't really keep her thoughts straight and she's half apologizing for that more than anything.]

An apology is really unnecessary, Miss Katara.

[His voice isn't tentative, exactly, but quiet and almost reserved, not wanting to push.]

May I come find you then? Or would you prefer to be alone?

[She bit back another, at that. Piling them on wouldn't fix anything. She usually wouldn't fumble this much.

She bit her lip and gave his offer a moment of thought. She really didn't want to be alone just then, but he deserves to know what he's getting into.]

I'm not... exactly myself right now. You don't have to.

[There's no flat out rejection in her tone or her words, and hopefully that's obvious, because she can't bring herself to ASK.]

[If anything, her words and tone only make him more determined to help as the pieces slowly fall into place.]

I'll be there soon, Katara.

[He's coming anyway. Well, she's not wholly sure what to make of the development, but she'll appreciate the company.]

Okay. I'll be here.

[Before Reborn closes the door to the empty apartment, he glances back, almost out of habit. It had been far too quiet of late, everything neat and in its proper place, edges squared up with almost ruthless efficiency.

He takes a deep breath, and locks the door behind him.]

[Calling...

Kuroko is somewhat flushed, mostly due to the alcohol. He is also in a balcony of Kagami's place. Where is less noise coming from the party.]

[Not having had a particularly active Christmas Eve, Reborn doesn't glance at the screen before he picks it up, his voice a mix of formal and inquiring]

This is Reborn speaking. [It sure sounded loud over there...]

Reborn-san. [Kuroko voiced in his usual nonchalant tone... yet, there was something about his tone which indicated that he was in a good mood]

I am sorry... Is this a bad time?

Not at all. [Reborn's voice is a little warmer as he recognizes Kuroko's voice.]

Was there something you wished to tell me, Tetsuya?

Yes. [He answers, there is a slight edge of enthusiasm in his monotonic voice.]

[Reborn chuckles and shifts the phone in his hand as though to get a better view.] Well, this sounds exciting. Should I be sitting down?

Ah maybe. [Not that he planned to talk long. But why not be comfortable]

I am at a Christmas party. [Because that wasn't obvious already.

Then he remembers something]

Reborn-san, did you have fun as well?

With your teammates? [The video moves a little as he sits down anyway.] It sounds quite rowdy over there.

I'm having a tolerable time. [Smiling lightly] It's been a busy month.

It is a little bit noisy. [Kuroko nods] Akashi-kun mentioned something about tampered drinks.

[IC Contact] - for Zodion

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