[Action/Video] 012 (Backdated to 06/08)

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[A girl lies sleeping in the forest, bits of twigs and leaves stuck in her hair as she occasionally rolls over or turns. Dressed in the usual New Feather sundress, it would be easy to mistake her for a new arrival. However Pilouette has finally come back from the draft currently unaware that she had ever been out of action.

Whether someone wakes her up or she does so on her own, Pilouette is soon making her way back to the village. Though her regular walks in the forest are making it a little easier, she's still trying to get her head around just what happened. The last thing she remembers was being in Zompania. She was bandaging up Mac's wounds and they were plotting their next course of action. Then...Then the cultists found them and...

And then what? To say it's troubling would be an understatement.]

[Video]
[Later on, when Pilouette is back to her apartment and more put together she realizes that she's missing a few things. Her bag of medical supplies and her first aid kit. The bag can be replaced. Given the conditions, she imagines anything that was in it was taken and used anyway. However, the first aid kit is special. Her best friend in this place had made it just for her. Aside from the features it had, that alone made it unique and precious to her. It's not just a tool. It's a precious keepsake.]

I-It's Pilouette. I'm back. I guess I've been gone for a while. Uh, sorry if anyone worried. Hey, so, like, when we were in... [She pauses briefly. It's almost as if the name hurts to say.] ...When we were in Zompania, I had a first aid kit with me. It's, um, really important so if any picked it up or if anyone has seen it, I'd really like to know.

[As she waits for responses, Pilouette is really starting to put it all together. She died, didn't she? She must have. After all, it was weeks after the last thing she remembered happening and it's not like the Malnosso would have kidnapped her off of a battlefield. She's not sure they could, even if they wanted to. She died in Zompania. Again. There's no other explanation.

There are still a lot of questions, though. She's not even sure exactly how she died which is a bit troubling. Then there's the question of her penalty. She has one. She has to. She just...doesn't know what it is. Something feels off, but she can't quite pin down what it is.. She supposes that she should be glad she was able to be brought back at all, penalty or no, but not knowing is the worst part.]

Comments

[Action]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Ginia reaches out and puts a hand on Pilouette's shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. Her worry is understandable, but panicking doesn't do anyone any good.]

Easy, Pils. There's been a lot going on, don't worry. I believe I've seen him out jogging since the draft. But how about you contact him, let him know you're okay?

[Action]

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[She stops and looks at Ginia, wide-eyed, when she squeezes her shoulder then reads what she's typed out on her phone. After a moment her panicked breathing slows and she begins to nod. She takes a second to try and compose herself a little.]

R-Right. Right, I'll just...send him a message on the journals a-and let him know that I'm back and that I'm okay and stuff.

[She's only kind of okay, really. Kind of okay is still okay, though, right? Pilouette figures she's made people worry enough for now.]

[Action]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Kinda of okay is still okay, but no one would blame Pilouette for being rattled.]

A good plan. He might even see your post and contact you first.

Anything I can do for you while I'm here?

[Action]

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[She lets out a deep breath. She's calm. She's fine. Pilouette manages a strained little smile.]

N-No...You've done, like, way more than enough just keeping this safe for me.

[She looks down at the first aid kit; she hadn't realized that she had started clutching it tightly in her previous moment of panic. A bit embarrassed, she quickly takes it by the handle, her arms dropping to her sides.]

[Action]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

I'll let you catch up with everyone else then. But if there is anything else you need, or even if you want to talk and need someone to listen, I'm here.

[Ginia knows she's not that close to Pilouette so she doesn't want to claim too much of her time. But hey, she worries, and that draft was a rough place and dying is rough too.]

[Action]

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...Okay. I really appreciate it. A-And if you need me for anything, um, just let me know. I really owe you one.

[Besides, anything that would distract her from everything that's happened would be welcome.]

[Action]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Ginia gives a light wave of her hand. As far as she's concerned, Pilouette doesn't owe a thing, but it's a statement she accepts all the same.]

Just take care of yourself. Keep in touch. I'll see you around the Welcome Center?

[Action]

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[Pilouette nods, managing a small smile to try and seem more at ease.]

Y-Yeah, I'll see you there.

[Maybe this month's New Feather arrivals will keep her busy enough that she won't have enough time to think too much.]

[Action]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Ginia nods and gives Piloutte's shoulder a supporting squeeze. Hang in there, all right? Then with nothing more to say, Ginia waves before seeing herself out.]