[Open Post] Evening, Residential Area

[cloudypuddle]

Things were falling apart - she didn't like it.

Nanase had a very set pattern to her days, for a very specific reason, and yet the last few it had collapsed in on itself. She still made it to class, to swim meet, to bed at the same time, but the bits in between didn't come naturally to her, like her feet had forgotten where to go. It had led to more than a couple run-ins with her folks, when she'd normally sidestep the chance by habit. She was thrown so off, she'd actually headed home today when her teammates did, and the blank stare her mother shot her in the kitchen was as oddly jarring as taking the time to dry her hair, or going through her closet and pulling out an old sweater and pants to replace her uniform.

The material felt fresh, never worn as she slipped back onto the street, and she pulled roughly at the stiff sleeves as she stomped through the snow still on the ground. She remained uncertain where to go, but her street eventually circled back around, passing near every house in town. Surely there wouldn't be many out in the middle of dinner time, or on the outskirts of town. And even if... What's so jarring about a girl taking an uncharacteristic walk around the neighborhood?

Comments

[cloudypuddle]

Of all things, the careful warning earned a quick laugh, impulsive and disbelieving. "You make it sound like we get attacked in the streets!"

And she wished she could shake the anxiety she herself felt, but it just made her smile all the more, fighting it down. "Don't worry so much, I'm not planning anything reckless."

Unless he counted talking to need strangers.

[blackshadow]

Etienne wasn't exactly a walking after school special, and speaking to strangers wasn't an issue to him.

Laughing at him was. His eyes narrowed and a small scowl came to his face, but he had to remind himself that she was only a kid. Kids usually think they're invincible and nothing bad can actually happen.

Who was he to scare her? It wasn't like his experiences were common.

After a little huff, he just shrugged. "If you say so..."

[cloudypuddle]

-for all purposes, this should be an easy out. She could be on her way with no more than a gesture, or thanks for the input.

Instead Nanase stays where she is, curiosity shifting from the subject to the speaker.

"Say... there's no particular reason you're this concerned, right?"

[blackshadow]

"I haven't heard anything lately, no," he answered simply. Etienne wasn't usually one to open up, and this time was no different. But he wasn't going to get emotional - no, it was just annoying that she thought he was being paranoid - so he steeled himself instead. "Telling you to be careful is just advice for life."

[cloudypuddle]

"...well fine then."

She wasn't quite convinced - and wondered what could have sparked this whole thing he couldn't share with her - but just pinned him with a searching frown before shrugging.

"Whatever - I'll just go home. I've killed enough time already."

Not that she was taking his advice for its own merit, mind you.

[blackshadow]

Etienne wasn't going to let her get to him. He had other things to not think about.

Still, he did relax a little when she said she was going home, even if she might have just been lying to make him leave her alone.

"Take care," he called to her. "You probably doesn't have much to worry about."

[cloudypuddle]

"I should think not!"

But, it came out less scoffing than she'd intended, and more along the lines of 'perish the thought' or something of the like. After all, the talk hadn't exactly helped her frayed nerves.

All the same, she gave Etienne one final considering glance, tugged her coat tighter about her, and walked on back the way she came.

She hate to admit it, but baseless or not, it felt like the guy was onto something.