Labyrinthum IC Inbox

[anxiouscat]

Hey, this is the inbox of Kozume Kenma! I'm probably not here!
Leave a message and I'll text back when I cat. Probably pretty quickly.

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[anxiouscat]

[ His gaze drifts away, trying to avoid looking at the camera with a bit of awkwardness before the screen lifts. At least the movements a blur, no need to worry about the rest of him, but when it refocuses she can see his legs, one resting over the edge of the sofa, the other ending abruptly where a knee should start, warm clothes hide exactly what it looks like at least.

The feed doesn't linger there long, cutting back to regular sharp eyes with a softer look, just a hint of a frown. ]

One of the shadow wolves got me...
I'm home now, and mostly okay. But...

It's been hard to get to the arcade.

[nterwebz]

[ There it is again, that phantom pain in her upper left arm. It's stirred by the sight of the absence of Kenma's leg. It lingers after the feed cuts back to his face and it takes a conscious effort on her part to keep from reaching to wrap her fingers around the scar beneath her sleeve.

Damned shadowy bastards.

Part of her wants to ask why he didn't call her, but that's a silly question and Nao knows it. There are many, many people Kenma would call before her. She likely didn't even register as an option.

He says he's okay and for the most part he looks it, but -- ]

Because of the pain? [ That's... a really stupid question. ]

[anxiouscat]

[ The truth is it just happened so recently, he's still kindof adjusting, he hasn't told anyone yet... Silence for a bit, eventually looking back at the camera. ]

A bit. I can't move that fast either, even with someone to help, and they're still out there.

[ Feel free to imagine the lazy gamer that is Kenma hopping his way across town on one leg just to play arcade games. Basically, he can't travel far from home without someone both as support and protection. ]

Have you been alright though?

[nterwebz]

[ He's turning the subject, which Nao doesn't fault him for. That bit of silence speaks volumes to a woman accustomed to reading others, and well, but it doesn't stop her heart from squeezing just a bit. ]

I'm working on it. The end of the month wasn't exactly uneventful.

[anxiouscat]

[ Jiiii- He'll be fine, he's made it this far right?

Not that her response gave a lot of confidence but... ]

Mmmh? Did something happen?

[nterwebz]

My friend [ her lips quirk up with that ] was affected by one of the fissures and I almost lost an arm. [ Almost. Her smile wanes. ]

He's okay now. We talked about it.

[ And that's an audible relief. She hadn't mentioned the scar to Basilio or Fidelio, though. She doesn't scar. She's not supposed to. That she has is... it's her problem, nothing for anyone else to worry about. That phantom pain, though -- ]

I'm still adjusting about the arm thing, I guess. [ She guesses. ]

[anxiouscat]

Oh-
I'm glad you're alright then.

[ Said in that sympathetic honest way that is so typically Kenma. He's not good at emoting sometimes, unless he's really worked up, but there's an unmistakable softer glance towards the camera for a moment. ]

If you ever want a distraction... I can bring some games over? Or uh, something.
Maybe.

[ Eyes flicker away, trying to dodge the awkward part. ]

With a little help to travel...

[nterwebz]

I can give you a lot of help if it makes a difference getting you here.

[ It would help in a different way than some of the activities she's filling her time with. Maybe it would help Kenma, too? He wished for an arcade, after all. ]

'Cause I think I'd like that.

[anxiouscat]

Yeah?
It'd make it a lot easier.

[ Cue a little calendar checking. Wait he barely works anyway. ]

Let me know when you're on your way?

also just assume she switched video on at some point

[nterwebz]

You wanna come today?

[ She doesn't sound like she has a problem with it at all because she doesn't. ]

[anxiouscat]

[ Offers there, If she wants to take it.

Not that he's much room to judge, playing games and nibbling is good fun but he also eager to go out again. With someone to lean on he should be good tavel a bit. ]

Yeah, today works well. I'll start packing?

[nterwebz]

[ Why not?

It's turned into a good day since she spoke with Basilio and it isn't like she hasn't already braved the weather once to make snowpeople with Webby.

And besides, she wants to see Kenma in person. Over the Oracle isn't the same. ]

Yeah! Text me the directions and I'll head over in a sec.

-> Action?

[anxiouscat]

Mmmh- yeah. I'll see you soon.

[ The feed cuts after Nao confirms, and there's a small 'ding' on her phone when the address comes through. He's in one of the cottages, so not too far away if she's at home! ]

ACTION

[nterwebz]

[ Oh! He's closer than Nao thought. Same general housing area, which is actually pretty neat. They aren't next door neighbors, but he isn't on the other side of town to begin with, which is good to know. Less walking for the both of them.

Kenma won't have to wait long if he has to wait at all. Nao's knocking on his door already, and a little insistently. It's cold outside, after all! ]

[anxiouscat]

Ah! it's unlocked!

[ His voice calls from a distance, there's shifting inside, but he's not going to make it to the door that quickly. Just the sound of a couch groaning in faint dull thuds between as he tries to hop over to meet her.

Whether she opens the door and comes inside or he gets to it, eventually there's an awkwardly leaning cat-like gamer resting his shoulder against the wall by the door, deep eyes peering her way with his more neutral look, not quite a frown but perhaps closer than usual.

Don't worry Nao, his expressions can be hard to read sometimes. ]

Want to... go now?

[ He's already got his shoe on. ]

[nterwebz]

[ Seeing Kenma in person is different than seeing him over the Oracle. She can really take him in like this. He seems mostly okay like he said. She's careful not to stare at the unfilled pant leg where the rest of his leg should be, but she sees it. She's aware of it. For her, it had almost been her arm. To lose a leg... she can imagine it's been far more difficult than he's said. ][ She pumps an arm. ]

The sooner we get to my place, the sooner we can relax and get warm again!

[ Yes, "warm again" because it's cold outside and the wind chill isn't helping it be anything but colder. There's some ice under the snow, too. ]

So, how do we do this?

[anxiouscat]

[ The pant leg has been pinned back behind his leg! So it isn't just dangling around. But that probably makes the empty space all the clearer. ]

Mmmh- probably best. Unless you're strong enough to carry me-

[ He shifts, and holds out his arm on the missing side as if offering. ]

I can probably just lean on you and kindof... hop there?

[ It's not a perfect solution, but it's the one they've got. ]

[nterwebz]

[ And she is stepping up to take him up on that offer. ]

That's what it's going to have to be. We'll just have to be careful not to run into any ice patches on our way.

[ She pauses, realizing she forgot to ask something before stepping in. ]

Do you have everything?

[anxiouscat]

Mmh- oh. Just my bag, there-

[ He gestures, giving her a moment to sling the backpack style bag round behore taking the offered shoulder.

He's... surprisingly light? Lanky athletic frame made more for quick movements and sudden bursts. Built like a cat, kindof, coiled spring weirdo. Anyway, his arm drapes over her shoulder, holding on and letting her figure out how she wants to support him before shuffling. ]

Mmmh, ready.


(( OOC: Feel free to handwave clearing the distance unless Nao wants to ask about something! ))

[nterwebz]

[ It isn't a terribly long walk despite the snow and occasional ice patch they have to watch out. Nao's cottage is a bit closer to the lake than most, a bit further from fewer neighboring structures with only one standing out in passing.

As soon as they arrive at her doorstep, Nao unlocks her door and pushes it open, a burst of warmth greeting them as they cross the threshold. ]

I'll get the fire going again. If you want, we can hang out in my blanket fort. [ ... ] I have a blanket fort. [ In the living room a comfortable, safe distance from the fireplace. ] You've gotta see it! It's still under construction, but it's really cool!

[anxiouscat]

[ For how short the walk is it probably feels twice as long, supporting Kenma with an arm around him and those light hops along the ground. By the time they make it there he's a little bit exhausted, looking over to the fort with a brief blink and nodding. ]

Oh... Yeah, definitely.

[ wow Nao, bring a striking guy home and you're already inviting him into the blankets with you?

Hmhm-

There's a bit of a juggle around taking warmer coats and shoes off, but they seem to manage just fine, shuffling over to the fort with a lighter mood as Kenma drops down and gives it a look over, eventually glancing back to Nao with a slightly amused look. ]

Looks pretty cozy...

[ and then he's disappearing inside while she gets the fire going again, finding a nice spot to sit and let his leg rest in the smaller, dark cozy space.

Hopefully she's not too surprised when she's greeted by faintly glowing sharp gold eyes in the dark. ]

[nterwebz]

[ She's a little surprised, yes. She hadn't forgotten Kenma went inside, but she hadn't expected the faint glow in the cozy darkness of her blanket fort. Had he been an actual cat, she might have and been less surprised, but Kenma is Kenma and a smile tugs at her mouth. ]

So, what's the verdict? Is it a little cozy, pretty cozy, or super cozy?

[ She strides over and crouches down, peering at him inside. She's very proud of her blanket fort, enough that she's bouncing just a little bit as she waits for his answer. ]

[anxiouscat]

[ One day she'll see Cat Kenma... But not today. He flashes a small grin her way, safe in that cozy blanket fort. ]

Hmmm, Pretty cozy. Could use a few more pillows. Maybe some plushes.

[ One of the few things she might have noticed when collecting him from his place, even the living room had lots of plushes and cushions around. Everyone who lives there really likes them it turns out. He is, of course, mostly teasing, faintly amused while she bounces along. ]

Is the plan games? You'll need to get my switch out. Or we can watch something.

[nterwebz]

We can watch something?

[ She blinks, remaining as she is for the moment. Oh, yeah! ]

Do you want some water or anything? I've been getting kind of low on snacks, but I'm pretty sure I've still got some fruit and veggies around here.

[ She'll ask about the plushes in a minute. She's got plans in the works to liberate more pillows from empty cottages, but she hadn't noticed a lot of plushes in the market. ]

[anxiouscat]

Yeah, like... on a screen-

[ Slow blink, back, a curious little head tilt from the cat-like gamer. ]

Oh, I'm fine, thank you. [ He doesn't eat a lot, huh? ] Was there any game or movie you felt like or?...