13TH DAY - [Video]

[babel_hacker]

[One moment, he was with them. A momentary break after their latest victory, “he” conquered Babel’s trial and became King of Bel. They’re about to depart the building for “him” to declare war.

Only for Atsuro to found himself in a startling familiar city: Prospero.

Just like that, he remembered. His time spent in this city, trying to unravel the mysteries, helping everyone with what he can do, fighting off Shadows, facing his own Shadow and insecurities... facing Madoka’s confessions and reciprocating it. Talking with Naoya when “his” departure was no longer a stinging pain. Just dulled.

Atsuro checked the phone for the date. If he remembered correctly, he’s been gone for about a week. A week away from this city for a week in something akin to ‘hell’, a place filled with desperation and people driven to survival at any cost. It’s almost funny...but Atsuro’s still mentally tired to laugh at it.

Scrolling through the contact list, almost frantically, for people he knows here. He sighed in relief, not knowing he’s holding his breath, when he saw their names.

He took his time to control himself, so any signs of his tiredness wouldn’t show. But it may slip out.]

Hey, everyone. Atsuro here... Sorry for disappearing on you guys but…I’m back.

Soooo, what did I miss, guy? I know I got like, a week's worth of class notes and homework to catch up! And I hope my boss will let me come back... And I'll get back to working on the database as soon as I can!

[Private to Naoya]
[Unlike his earlier video, he's more serious.] ...Naoya, I'm back from the lockdown.

Comments

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[babel_hacker]

[Tired would be a good word. There was really no chance for him to relax in the past 'week'.]

Ah? Yeah...yeah, I'm alright now. Just a little tired.

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[omgwtfateotl]

[The frown doesn't leave her face. There's something he isn't telling her, is there?]

Do you want to talk about it somewhere?

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[babel_hacker]

[His smile drop slightly.]

Can we talk inside?

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[omgwtfateotl]

[She knew it. Madoka nods slowly, and breaks the hug so they can get going. She still holds onto his hand, though, almost to ensure that he's actually real.]

Your room's exactly how you left it... I didn't feel right cleaning out so soon... [She's glad she didn't.]

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[babel_hacker]

[He hold her hand a little tighter, as if he don't want her to go.]

Thanks, Madoka...I appreciate that. [A familiar place. It's not his apartment back home, but it's still his place.]

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[omgwtfateotl]

[She smiles sheepishly.]

It's no problem.

[Aaaand they're going.]

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[babel_hacker]

[Once they're inside, Atsuro walks to his room with Madoka. Talking about it in his room give it that sense of privacy.]

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[omgwtfateotl]

[Madoka closes the door behind them and follows him in. She really hopes he'll tell her everything, even if she can't force him too. Nothing could be worse than what she's facing back home, right...?]

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[babel_hacker]

[When they're inside, Atsuro looks around his room. Then stop to look at Madoka.] Back home...me and my friends got caught up in a lockdown.

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[omgwtfateotl]

[Madoka blinks, her eyes widening with surprise and concern.]

A-A lockdown...?

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[babel_hacker]

A lockdown. No one's allowed to get out of it, because the government put up the barricade.

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[omgwtfateotl]

That's terrible... Why would they do such a thing?

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[babel_hacker]

...People's been summoning demons, so angels ordered the government to handle the problem.