vibrafinal | 15th moon [voice]

Not between his time and mine, it won't be. What awaits him is...

[He had always known Ceodore would one day return to that, of course. But he had hoped there would be more time.]

[Well, that...doesn't sound good. Does not sound good at all. Norma looks away from her journal, chewing on her lip. Jeez, and his son, too... That must hurt pretty bad.

. . .]

I think he'd be real glad you're worrying about him. [She wonders if her own--] I know G-Girl just left, but you need another pick-me-up, CC? I could use some fresh air.

...I'd need to heal the cuts on my hands first, yes?

[That's as close as he can get to 'hell yes I need one'. It might help with the headache, if nothing else.]

[Oh, for the love of. Norma grits her teeth and immediately goes to grab her bag and some boots and a coat. She leaves her journal open as she readies herself as quickly as possible. That idiot better not have cut himself up on purpose or anything, or she'll beat the pulp out of him.]

Where you at, CC? I'm coming over.

[Stay there and don't move. Seriously. Don't move, because if Norma finds you a bleeding mess she really will hit you over the head.]

[...The sad thing is, those cuts are the most innocent event that happened to him today and he knows it.]

House 9, in the kitchen. The door is unlocked. Will you want something warm to drink?

[He's recovered enough to remember his manners. That's probably a good sign.]

[H-House nine...oh good lord, that's gonna be quite a trek, even if she ran all the way there. Wh-Why can't this place have ducts like the Legacy does? Norma cringes a little bit, and makes a quiet whining sound, but she already said she'd go, so she's gotta go! the sound of a long zipper being drawn up is the last thing heard before a much more bundled up Norma appears in the journal - for a second.]

Nah, you just stay put, okay? If I need anything, I'll get it when I get there.

[And with a wink, a smile, and a peace sign to the camera, Norma shuts the journal closed, whines loudly to her ceiling, and tears off to get to house nine is as fast as her two legs will carry her. ...Needless to say it'll take her at least a good forty-five minutes, perhaps, to arrive, and she'll be quite out of breath and wobbly.

Knock knock.]

[Cecil is the one to open the door, when is probably the most lively thing he did today. His lower lip looks only partially healed, his eyes are red and his whole body language screams 'upset and tired', but he looks otherwise unharmed.

...Well, and ever so slightly not there, but that was to be expected.]

...Hello. Please, come in.

[Norma takes one look at Cecil and her brows immediately furrow together. Okay. So he's not as bad as she thought, but he's still in bad shape. He shouldn't even be on his feet in the condition he was in. He may be okay physically, but mentally and emotionally...eh. He really shouldn't be up.]

Yo. ...Thanks. [She bites back the comment about how terrible he looks, but unwavering, Norma directs them towards any place to sit.] You look raw, CC, jeez. C'mere a sec, I need to make sure you're in top form, okay? I'll patch up whatever needs to be patched up. Plus, you gotta take a load off.

[Cecil opens his mouth as if to protest, before closing it and approaching her obediently.]

...It would be appreciated. I cannot quite manage to make my healing spells work properly, today.

[Yet one can easily tell that he tried. The crescent-shaped marks on his hands look halfway healed, as if a spell had failed before its completion.]

[Norma smiles, a mixture of relief and triumph. She honestly couldn't have brought herself to really pushing Cecil more than he had been right now. His obedience was good to hear, and she even sighs somewhat. Maybe a mug of something hot would do them both well, once she's finished with this here.]

No problem, lemme see... [Taking Cecil's hands in hers, Norma places her palms flat over his, closes her eyes, and concentrates. The tips of her fingers begin to glow a greenish-blue color, and she breathes out but a single word.] Revive.

[That should hopefully do the trick!]

[Do the trick it does; Cecil's cuts are now fully healed, which will undoubtedly reassure the rest of the household when they show up. He... doesn't quite smile, but he lightens slightly.]

Thank you. Even at full power, I doubt I could have managed to heal them that quickly.

[Now, Norma doesn't do this often with people she doesn't know too well, but man does Cecil need a hug right now. Plus, hugs from someone like Norma always come free of charge. She continues to hold his hands and then pulls him close for a warm and comforting hug. Hopefully that helps improve his mood a little bit too. Poor guy...he looked so bedraggled, it was almost painful to look at.]

No problem, CC. You need anything else just ask okay? I can stay for as long as you like, I've got nothing to do or anything.

[The hug does surprise him, and for a few moments he just stands there. But he finally relaxes and hugs back, gently enough not to hurt. He really does need it at the moment.]

Thank you. In that case, please allow me to serve you a warm drink, at the very least. Our houses are now much further away than they used to be,after all.

[For a moment, Norma wants to refuse and offer that she make it for him instead, but...then again, Cecil needs to busy himself. Distractions, especially the mental and physical kind. With a weak yet gentle smile, Norma nods slowly. She gives him a brief squeeze to reaffirm that he'll be okay soon, and finally lets go.]

Yeah, I think that'd be a great, idea. Thanks, CC, I could definitely do with some warming up.

[He nods back. Yes, a distraction would be greatly appreciated. He starts walking towards the kitchen.]

We have coffee, a few flavors of tea and hot chocolate. I swear I can brew them all without setting the house on fire.

[It's said a bit too flatly to truly be a joke, but it's a start.]

[Norma follows, intending to take a seat in the kitchen and chat it up while he prepares her drink. It's a little awkward, if only because Norma doesn't know Cecil that well, but he's a nice guy, and she does like him. He's...also a really good dad - that's easy enough to spot. It must hurt a lot, to have your kid just...]

Hot chocolate! [Said a little too quickly, and Norma has to take a deep breath to force certain thoughts out of her mind. Honestly, she wonders sometimes if her parents had this reaction when she ran away.] Please and thanks. ♥

[Cecil... doesn't quite manage to smile, but something on his face does soften a little.]

Very well. Hot chocolate it is.

[He fills a kettle to warm it up and starts taking out the rest of the ingredients. He even brings out a small bag of marshmallows.]

[Norma waits, as patiently as she could, and tries to keep remotely quiet. The marshmallows definitely catch her interest and attention when they appear, but other than that, the kitchen remains quiet. Norma doesn't know what else to say or do. She's bad with these sorts of situations, and this one hits a little too close to a subject she'd rather not deal with at all.

As the water begins to heat, she leans her arms onto the table, then her head onto her arms, and mumbles into them.]

Y'know, CC...if you ever wanna come over after this...I don't think me or G-Girl would mind. You can stay for as long as you like. [And Wally and FenFen can suck it.]

[Cecil is quite busy preparing the chocolate itself, which is rather lucky as it means he's not facing her when she speaks. her words surprised him, and he hates showing that his guard is down.]

...That is quite kind of you. However, I'd prefer not to leave Rosa or the others alone at the moment, even if only for a few hours. Having Selphie live by herself is already bad enough...

[It's his old instinct to protect and protect and always protect, rearing its head.]

[As Norma waits, she kicks her feet under the table, breathing in the scent of chocolate coming from so close by. She sighs pleasantly, relaxing a bit more before tilting her head to one side and trying to catch a glimpse of her companion's face. Prefer not to leave the others alone or prefer not to be alone yourself? A sad smile spreads on Norma's face and she closes her eyes again, turning away once more.]

You're a really good guy, CC. [And she means that with every shred of honestly she can muster up.] But my offer's always open for whenever you need it.

...Thank you.

[He finally turns around as he gives her a cup, and while the expression on his face is far from a smile it's rather lighter than it was when she first arrived.]

I'll have to remember that, the next time we bake too many cookies.

[Because invitations must always be repaid, and he doubts that a household with a young child will refuse cookies.]

[Norma takes the cocoa with a smile, cradling the mug carefully in her hands. Ah, it was nice and hot, and warmed her cold hands up properly. She can see that Cecil looks a little bit better, and she's very glad for that. What he needs is people to be there for him, and she's glad she could help in whatever way.

...Also cookies.]

Cookies?! OOoh, we'll put those to good use! [In their bellies.] I think you'd be Fifi's best friend if you did that.

[He starts preparing his own cup; preparing it for Norma made him crave one. Besides, something warm and sweet might help him feel better, as much as anything can.]

I'm certain she can find a better best friend than a man nearly old enough to be her grandfather, but I'd not mind accepting that title temporarily.

15th moon [voice]

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