faithfulflame | Ninth Prayer: A Flame Snuffed Out. [Action/Written]

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Ninth Prayer: A Flame Snuffed Out. [Action/Written]

First he'd missed two days worth of meetings, and now he wasn't answering calls? That gave Rei pause, an odd tightness in the pit of her stomach. He'd always answered calls before, and he was usually quite prompt about getting back to her if he missed a call. Putting all that aside, she gave it another day before going to check on him. Just in case he was brooding. And even then, the miko was dragging her feet in dread.

The door was unlocked, the room bare save for a few things, clearly marked. Letters, magical tools, and a bottle of some dark brown liquid labelled as "Soul Sauce." But no Harry. Rei's eyes sank, her entire body wilting in the doorway.

Harry was gone. Just...gone.

The first man she'd willingly spent time with. The only man who'd really been there for her when she'd needed it. Rei wrapped her arms tightly around herself, feeling the fabric he'd enchanted for her, clutching it like it was the man himself. He was gone. He'd promised to look out for her, been there for her, and now he was just gone. After all they'd been through, just gone. After Apep, and the battle with Sabriel. After losing Usagi and dealing with those awful refugees. He'd been there then. He'd coached her through her argument with Ami, and helped her protect the shrine. It just wasn't right, for him to be...gone?

She allowed herself a wan smile as she thought back to the smilodon barreling after them last November, their hide cloaks flapping in the Ice Age breeze as they ran. That Shift had been a weird one

But that smile faded quickly as she thought back to...Christmas Eve.

Her face tightened, eyes going flat. She'd kissed him. And just like Kaidou, he'd...gone. Gone like everyone else. She scrubbed at her lips in a sudden flash of anger that quickly faded. It wasn't rational, she knew that, but it didn't help. She'd felt like he was a decent man. Someone worth even considering trustworthy. The only good man she'd known outside of Grandpa. And he was just gone. As she thought about him, though, memories flooded back. Memories that came back, clear as day.

The Soulgaze. The memory of a man standing against all the dark, horrible things in his world, and still laughing. A good man. A kind man. Despite the pits and cracks that all the supernatural horrors of the world threw at him. A ridiculous, childish, and wonderful man. A man who was there for his friends. A man she'd been lucky to know.

"I guess I'll never get rid of that, will I Harry?" she said with a bitter little laugh. It was a small comfort, having that. At least that way she knew that her feelings hadn't been wrong. He had been worth liking. A man worth trusting. Maybe even kissing.

Because even gone? He was still a good man.

Written:

[A while after the discovery, Rei sends out a written note to hide the cracks in her demeanor. ]

Hello everyone,

This is Rei Hino and I regret to inform you that Harry Dresden has returned home. He left letters and things for his friends in his apartment.

If you would like to say a prayer for him, I will be at the Tsukino Shrine all night tonight, and much of tomorrow. Please consider it.

[Rei can be found at the shrine for the next 3 days, meditating and offering prayers for Harry. She'll welcome people for prayer, as well.]

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Was he a friend of yours?

[ This is awkward code for "would you like some company?" ]

A good friend. Yes.

[Rei code for...'Yes, please']

I'll come by the shrine later then?

I will be here.

[Translation: Thank you.]

[Writing with all the careful hallmarks of someone who is quite new to it responds.]

When did he go?

I don't know exactly. A few days ago.

[Molly thinks about that for a little while. It makes sense.]

I thought he just got busy or had to go away. Are you sure he found a way back?

I am sure, yes.

[Rei's handwriting stilts slightly, like she's unsure.]

What is your name?

[ Helios is silent on his end for a good few minutes. The realization that Harry is gone is, well, it's a bit of a shock. He had wondered why the other hadn't responded to his calls. It only became distressing after the first forty-eight hours, given that Helios usually left people be for the most part. But then this...gods he was gone.

It never did get any easier. ] He's gone. I'm going to come by now, if that's alright?

Yes. I'll be here, Helios-san.

Edited 2013-02-09 02:45 (UTC)

I'll be over shortly. [ And he is so bringing some tea and cookies with him. It's not much but he's found that it helps with these sorts of things.

It's about a half an hour later when Helios finally makes it to the shrine. A small tin and two thermoses of tea nestled in a bag he carries at his side. ] Rei?

[Rei turns from the flame when he enters, and nods]

Helios-san.

I brought some hot tea and-and some cookies. [ He'll ease off his shoes by the entrance and lightly walk over towards the flame and the young girl beside it. He gives her a very weary smile, almost as if he's trying so very hard to remain happy in face of everything. Harry was a very good friend to him and he felt the effects of his leaving almost immediately. ]