IC CONTACT

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[She actually dozed off for a little there, but she does come hurrying to the door when she hears it.

She opens it just a crack at first, but more so once she's seen who it is.]

Ah... Isaac-san. You made it...

[freezerburned]

Yeah. Uh.

[He rubs at the back of his head before procuring the flowers. Sorry-I-murdered-you flowers? Hope you feel better now that you're back from the dead? Something like that.]

Here- these are for you. [And they're not the prettiest, or the most in bloom, but he tried at least. They're not terrible to look at.]

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[Her eyes widen and she carefully, almost disbelievingly holds her hands out for the flowers.]

A-ah... Thank you! You really didn't have to...!

[She thought it was just going to be hamster food! But she does seem to be a little happier, even if she's still mostly surprised.]

[freezerburned]

Well, you know.

[He flushes a little, but he's glad that she at least seems pleased with it. Isaac hands over the flowers a moment later, before leaning down to heft up the bags of food.]

Thought it was appropriate. Where do you want the food?

[saving_sound]

By the desk should be just fine. Ah... I should probably get water for these, huh?

[She steps aside to let him in first, however. Sure enough, her hamster is hanging out in its cage on her desk, although it's not the only critter around - a hummingbird sits in its own cage in the other corner of the room, and a twin-tailed squirrel-like creature is curled up around her Cindaquil as they both nap.]

[freezerburned]

It might make them live longer, yeah.

[Isaac sets the bags over next to the desk, glancing around a little at the assortment of animals. He can't help but to smile, just a little.]

You're running a little pet store yourself, here.

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Oh, not really-! I don't want to sell them or anything...

[Hibiki, that's not what he meant.]

[freezerburned]

[That makes him smile, and he glances back at her.]

I meant that you have a lot of them. I take it you're an animal person?

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Oh. [Whoops.]

An animal person...? I guess I never thought about it before. But... I do like animals.

[freezerburned]

You certainly have a lot of them.

[He leans down to look at the hamster, curious to see how it's doing.]

You take care of them all by yourself?

[saving_sound]

[The hamster seems to be fine with doing its hamster thing in a corner of the cage for... whatever reason.]

Yes, I do. If there's anything I don't know, I just look it up in the library!

[freezerburned]

[Hamsters do their thing yo.]

That's great. We used to have some animal care books in the pet store too. If you want any- well, they're no use to us, sitting in a closed store.

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Ah... I think I'm okay for now!

But still, thank you very much for the offer!

[freezerburned]

Yeah, of course.

[And then there's a pause- a little too long to not be awkward, and Isaac rocks back on his heels, a little nervous.]

Right, well... thanks. For everything, I mean. The hamster, and the- you know, not... hating me, I guess.

[saving_sound]

[Her expression becomes serious right then.]

...It really isn't your fault, Isaac-san. So please, don't...

Don't think about it like that. Okay...?

[freezerburned]

[There's a long pause as he watches her, as if considering her words, before Isaac lets out a small smile and reaches forward to ruffle her hair.]

I'll try. But- really, thank you.

[saving_sound]

[Even at a time like this, hair ruffles continue to be one of the most comforting things in the world.]

Mm. And thank you too, Isaac-san. For... telling me, and for all of this, and everything.

[freezerburned]

Yeah, of course.

[There's a pause, and his smile gets a little sad.]

I just think it sucks that you kids have to be here, you know? I mean, being a teenager is one thing, but- kids aren't meant to go through this.

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...We have to, though. When there's a war... kids can't just run away from it, either.

[That was true of her own world as well.]

[freezerburned]

[Isaac just shakes his head a little.]

Just seems wrong, is all. But- don't worry about it.

[saving_sound]

Mm... For now, we'll just keep doing our best.

[There's not much else to do.]

[freezerburned]

Yeah.

[Isaac rubs the back of his neck, feeling suddenly as if he's overstayed his welcome. So he lets out a deep sigh and nods, moving for the door.]

But hey. I'll see you around, alright?

[saving_sound]

Mm. See you around...!

[freezerburned]

Yeah. See you.

[And Isaac makes his leave- feeling much better than he had coming in. Sometimes, friends are like that.]