It's alright - perhaps it just means I'm prepared. [and he offers her a smile, because he doesn't want to worry her much more than that] I'm more concerned for the rest of you.
Then hesitates for a long moment, because she feels bad that people think they need to comfort her. Not that she doesn't want the comfort, but - they're all going through the same thing. It seems selfish.
But she really could use a hug, so eventually she bows her head a bit. ]
[Well, Higekiri gives great hugs. He's an older brother, he has to.
He wraps his arms around her carefully - will let go as soon as she pulls away so that she doesn't feel crowded, but until she does pull away, it's a nice, warm embrace as he wraps his arms around her and curves his body so he can incline his head toward her, shielding her away from anything else that could hurt her.]
Of course.
It must be scary, and difficult, to be in a situation like this so suddenly.
[ Escha lingers in the hug for pretty long while. It's not like she doesn't get much physical contact,, but hugs are pretty rare. Most of her social circle is coworkers, and her family is... Well, not very tactile.
But eventually she draws back, looking soothed. Big brother hugs... Are healing. ]
In a way, it's not that sudden. We kind of expected bad things to come. But it's still hard...
[then she can have the hug for as long as she wants - and when she pulls away, hige will let her. slowly and not without placing a hand atop her head briefly before pulling it back]
Knowing is rather different from feeling, isn't it...? Even to know that we might be in danger, and then to feel the frustration...
It's alright - if you're having trouble. I'll keep your secret.
[ She freezes up for just a moment, because - that's sweet. And she is doing her best to put on a brave front and be useful to everyone.
But ultimately, she doesn't want to let go of that, even around him. ... It's still a nice thought, though, and outright saying "no thanks!" would be pretty rude. So she offers a tentative smile. ]
Thank you. I'm doing my best to power-through it...
[ah... even if he notes the way that she seems to pause - he won't say anything about it. there's a moment where his expression softens again, and he simply nods]
Mm, very well... but don't forget my offer if you change your mind.
[and to try to lighten the mood he'll offer a brief, conspiratorial little wink]
If keeping focused on what's ahead of us is what you'd like to do, I understand - I'm still trying to confirm that four of us are missing.
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Escha gives him a weak smile and a nod in greeting. ]
Not very well. [ Which might be a little bit of an impolite answer, but she thinks it's. Probably fine, given. ] How about you?
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[like he's stepped foot on a battlefield again]
Were you one of the people who were able to find news in the morning?
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[ Nostalgic means he's familiar with this sort of thing, and that's. Bad. ]
... Yes. Beck and I found a knife.
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May I ask where...?
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Ah - it was in the break room. In the [ she gestures because she forgot what a vending machine is called, if she ever even knew ] machine.
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[he nods a little bit at that but also thinks a little bit more about her words]
... Has anyone given you a hug yet?
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Then hesitates for a long moment, because she feels bad that people think they need to comfort her. Not that she doesn't want the comfort, but - they're all going through the same thing. It seems selfish.
But she really could use a hug, so eventually she bows her head a bit. ]
Not yet.
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Then - may I?
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Thank you...
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He wraps his arms around her carefully - will let go as soon as she pulls away so that she doesn't feel crowded, but until she does pull away, it's a nice, warm embrace as he wraps his arms around her and curves his body so he can incline his head toward her, shielding her away from anything else that could hurt her.]
Of course.
It must be scary, and difficult, to be in a situation like this so suddenly.
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But eventually she draws back, looking soothed. Big brother hugs... Are healing. ]
In a way, it's not that sudden. We kind of expected bad things to come. But it's still hard...
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Knowing is rather different from feeling, isn't it...? Even to know that we might be in danger, and then to feel the frustration...
It's alright - if you're having trouble. I'll keep your secret.
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But ultimately, she doesn't want to let go of that, even around him. ... It's still a nice thought, though, and outright saying "no thanks!" would be pretty rude. So she offers a tentative smile. ]
Thank you. I'm doing my best to power-through it...
We have to be ready for tomorrow, after all.
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Mm, very well... but don't forget my offer if you change your mind.
[and to try to lighten the mood he'll offer a brief, conspiratorial little wink]
If keeping focused on what's ahead of us is what you'd like to do, I understand - I'm still trying to confirm that four of us are missing.
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It's my job to stay calm and organized, and to work for the betterment of the community. So...
[ So that's what she's going to do. ]
... When I was listening to the others, it sounded like four people. The two dead and... Carlos and Polly seem to be missing.