so long as you come home at the end of the day [July, catchall, open]

[ruinsprofessor]

Characters: Raine Sage and OPEN
Date: mostly after 9th July, as attitudes will differ markedly before and after
Location: Many places: special mention for apartment in Earth, Healers' Guild in Water
Situation: lots.
Warnings/Rating: hold on to your feels, Raine's misplaced her husband. warnings updated as things change.


A | Healers' Guild | Open

Before the ninth, business is as usual; Raine is brisk and efficient. After the ninth, she makes a level attempt to throw herself into work, at the Guild long hours and busy more often than not. She may be found in her office, sometimes awake, sometimes passed out over her desk with the door ajar; down in Solomon's old laboratory space, sifting through his research; or with patients. She seems more tired, and she smiles less frequently, but she doesn't do her job with any less dedication.

B | park in Earth sector, later in the month | Open

When the familiar surroundings of her apartment get too much, and she's been nudged out of the Guild by coworkers, Raine walks, takes herself out to watch people and keep herself moving. Often she stops in a park, a little ways away from the more traveled areas, and sits to meditate, pale light glowing under her and at her fingertips. Focusing on her magic helps: it won't abide distraction, and she gives all her attention to the clean peace of mana and light, rather than emotion.

As a result, she will be easily startled.

C | Wildcard??? | Open

D | apartment | Sheena

Raine allots herself a few days, not so much to work through the loss as to try to hammer out the nuances of working around it. It may not be the best strategy, but it's what she has. She's not oblivious, all the while, to the food that appears while her remaining roommate disappears, but it takes her some time to actually catch Sheena in the apartment.

On Sheena's day off she taps on the closed door of the room, frowning slightly to herself. It's beginning to seem like Sheena's avoiding her, and if something's wrong with Sheena, Raine would prefer to address it now, before it becomes something worse.

[ooc; if you'd like to plot, hit me up via pm or makaricrow. c: other than that, let me know specifically if you need Raine before the ninth for some reason, since her attitude and mood will differ drastically before and after.]

Comments

A/C; right after Raine's announcement.

[lasergrenades]

Pepper doesn't even bother replying to the network post. As soon as she hears what Raine has to say, she tells everyone at the police station she's leaving for the Healer's Guild and may not be back for the rest of the day. Up and out the door within two minutes of seeing the announcement, Pepper is practically running. Solomon is gone, she thinks distantly, and that hurts. It hurts a lot, it hurts in a way she doesn't have time to care about right now, because Raine and Solomon are more important.

The kedan at the Guild know her by now but even if they tried to stop Pepper they wouldn't be able to. She makes a beeline for Raine's office, barely present enough to knock before opening the door and crossing the room and hugging her without even a word.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine stands up when Pepper comes in, intending to make a solid try at greeting her as though nothing is wrong, as though the workday is just going to progress as usual.

Then Pepper is quite abruptly hugging her. Raine's stiff in her arms for a few moments, frozen. Pepper is a familiar presence, a reassurance that life here goes on as it ever does, but--

But the last person she held was Solomon, and remembering she doesn't get to do that again is an unpleasant twist of sharpness in her heart.

Raine inhales carefully and brings her arms up to embrace Pepper in turn, resting her forehead on her friend's shoulder. She doesn't trust her voice to say anything.

[lasergrenades]

On more than one occasion, Raine has been there for Pepper as a source of calm in the middle of a storm. Nothing quite like this, though. Nothing with so much loss - but Pepper has lost a parent and she can guess. She wants to cry, when Raine hugs her back, but she doesn't. Right now is about Raine and being there for her.

"I know you said you need to be busy, but..." Her voice wavers, and she swallows a sob. "I'm here anyway."

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine takes several deep breaths, and at first they scrape over the back of her throat but with repetition it gets a little easier. She isn't going to break down now; she still has things to do.

"I can't stop to think about it right now," she says aloud, when she trusts her voice not to catch over-much. "I--"

She doesn't know what to say. Solomon is gone. Life goes on, as it has to.

D

[ninjainviolet]

Against her normal impulses, Sheena had heeded Raine's request to let her work, giving her the chance she needs to work things through. In addition, she had made herself scarce in the following days in order to give her friend some much needed privacy during this time--even as she makes sure to leave meals for Raine before she leaves in the morning and returns at night. No matter what time that is.

Today, however, that plan is foiled by none other than the person she's giving space to.

Hearing the knock on her door, Sheena actually considers not answering, but decides against it. It's not fair to Raine--especially since she had come looking for her. Thinking something's wrong, the ninja hurries to the door and swings it open, her expression concerned.

"Raine...?"

[ruinsprofessor]

"There you are," says Raine. She's still frowning a little, but it clears as she studies Sheena. She looks fine, at least. Perhaps it's just been work that's keeping her busy.

"Is everything all right?" she asks in a moment. "I hadn't seen you for a little while." Perhaps it's irrational, but nevertheless Raine's a bit concerned in turn.

[ninjainviolet]

"Here I am," she agrees, uneasily. From her friend's reaction, the ninja realizes that nothing's wrong. So, why is she here?

"Yeah, everything's fine," she replies, opening the door wider for her friend to come in. "I've just been busy, that's all." It's not exactly a lie, she has been busy, but not so much as to make Raine worry over not seeing her. She just hopes her friend buys the half-truth.

Concern over the ninja is the last thing she needs.

A - after her announcement

[purrns]

Adrien was due to do his volunteer work today anyway, but the announcement makes him drag his feet into the guild today. The fact Solomon has gone...just like that has left its mark, and he needs the time to compose himself again. To put the real mask back on.

So, he walks slowly, trying to bottle his emotions back up again, where no one can see them. It's such an ingrained behaviour for him by now and it's habit. He doesn't even realise he's doing it, truly.

By the time he gets to the guild, he isn't quite able to force a smile, but at least he doesn't look like he's falling apart at the seams any more. He'll take what he can get. He'd rather focus on Raine now, she needs this more than anyone here.

The instinct is to go barging into her office and hugging the life out of her. That's what he wants to do. But he stops himself, knocking on her door before opening it and stepping inside. He doesn't really know what to do. What comfort to offer. So he stands by the door, a touch awkwardly, hands folded behind his back, head bowed down a little. He tries once more to force the smile he can usually conjure up at will, but it just isn't happening.

"I- I'm so sorry about Solomon."

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine glances up to see Adrien, and her face does something complicated that looks like something of a precursor to tears before she gets a hold of herself and smooths it out. Sympathy is a difficult thing to bear right now, but Adrien means well.

And in any case, it's good that he's here. "Come in, Adrien," Raine says, pushing her chair back and standing. "It's all right. I have something to give you."

They hadn't known each other as long as some, but Solomon had been fond of Adrien. Even if she herself hadn't known Adrien, she'd have taken to him for that alone: not as many people as she would like managed to call Solomon friend.

[purrns]

It's not all right. It's not all right at all. Someone important has been torn away from her. They only just got married, and now he's gone...and she might never see him again. Or worse, he might return with no memory of his being here at all.

Adrien feels his loss a lot, but he feels for Raine's so much more.

He nods quietly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. He stands there, awkwardly, it feels wrong. Diving out his stuff like he's died...which in a way he has, he supposes. It still doesn't settle right in him. It sinks into his stomach like a rock.

"I...actually wanted to see if there was anything I could do for you."

She's the priority here, as far as he's concerned.

A

[pompous_today]

Simon wasn't quite sure what had happened to cause Raine to change so abruptly from her usual self to seeming sad and distracted, but he was determined to help. She was still taking care to do her job well, but he was sure that something was off.

When he passed by her office and found her asleep, he hesitated for a while, torn between waking her and leaving her be. Finally, he stepped away and returned with a cup of tea, intending to place it next to her; if she woke, he would offer to talk, but if not, he would leave her be.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine woke to the sound of a cup being set down on the desk beside her, and she pushed herself upright, bemused. The tea didn't process for a few moments, as she stared at it uncomprehending; finally she shook herself and focused on Simon.

She really hadn't meant to fall asleep on her desk. Fortunately, it seemed she'd only been dozing, but it still wasn't behavior she wanted to repeat. "My apologies," Raine said, rubbing a hand across her eyes. "Thank you, Simon. Did you need something?"

[pompous_today]

Simon smiled back, quietly.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he replied. "It is definitely not like you to fall asleep like this- so I wished to check up on you."

A

[backwordscompatible]

To say Zatanna could empathize would have been...both true, and slightly misleading.

She'd lost people before. A boyfriend. Two boyfriends, actually. Both whom she'd been extremely close to, and spent years getting to know. So, in some ways, she knew what it was like. But she also knew that...she tended to handle things a bit differently than others. And that her method of dealing might not work. Still...

"Hey." A gentle knock to get the other girl's attention, followed by what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Up for a distraction if it's work-related?"

...she had to try.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine glanced up from the work she wasn't entirely managing to focus on and blinked. She hadn't expected Zatanna.

She thought for a moment or two, then set her pen down, stretching her arms over her head. It pulled at her muscles unpleasantly; in retrospect, Raine wasn't entirely clear on how long she'd been there. "What did you have in mind?" she inquired, curious. She could use a break from this, certainly, but without letting her mind go completely idle, and whatever Zatanna had might suit those purposes.

[backwordscompatible]

Zatanna's smile brightened, more than a little relieved. She shifted her weight, getting a little more comfortable, before reaching in her pocket and pulled out something wrapped in a thick cloth. This, she waited until Raine was paying attention before lightly tossing it to her.

"Open it, but carefully. It's not dangerous--at least, not so far--but it's a lot more powerful than I was expecting."

C, several days after her announcement

[no_light]

The announcement had reminded Kylo of a decision he had put off for far too long, but had also left him uncertain if Raine would be approachable at all now, or in what state he would find her. For all that his mindreading should have given him an advantage in understanding people, offering comfort was a skill that had always eluded him, nor did he wish to offer it at all.

But there is only so much longer he can put it off without looking like he doesn't value her teachings at all, so he finally sends a message inviting for the cup of tea they'd already meant to share the first time around. Once he catches sight of her at a table in Iroh's Tea House, looking tired and solemn but put together, he feels immensely relieved. He'll be fine just as long as there are no tears...

Kylo puts down a tray with tea for two and takes off his waiter's apron, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Thank you for coming."

[ruinsprofessor]

"Of course," Raine says, lacing her fingers together in front of her. She's been meaning to come by this tea shop in any case -- she had missed Iroh -- and Kylo contacting her again had reminded her that there was work to do, as well. Two goals accomplished at once.

Though somehow she had not been expecting him to work at a tea shop.

"I take it you've given more thought to studying with me?" she says, without other preamble.

[no_light]

He's a bit taken aback by how quickly she comes to the point, after the cautious small talk and eyeing another of their first meeting. Looks like she's made her choice already, though he wouldn't dare make a bet which one it is. Grief makes people unpredictable, he should know.

"I have." He leans forward, elbows propped up on the table. "If we are speaking frankly," he drawls, a hint of wry amusement lacing his voice, "I might as well note I still hold reservations to take a new Master. More so one from another world, whom I know nothing about except what she told me." He leans back, eyes narrowing at er. "I believe learning your artes would be worth my time and effort, but it's not worth letting you control my life, or my mind. Name a price for your teachings. I want a trade, not servitude."

B

[sexysunglassess]

Hyuuga has this habit of interrupting people while they're meditating. It's fun, or something.

This time he does so by dropping some chocolate coins still in their golden colored wrappers over her, like a small rain.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine doesn't respond until the first coin hits her, at which point she startles visibly, inhaling sharply and flinging her hands up. "Force field!"

A green bubble blinks into existence around her, deflecting the last of the coins, at which point Raine processes that this is not, in fact, a surprise attack. She drops the shield and picks up one of the coins, turning it over between her fingers before lifting an inquiring look toward the apparent culprit.

She has no idea what to make of this. "...I don't believe we've met," she says carefully.

[sexysunglassess]

"Waaah~" Such reflexes. A little dull since she didn't notice him coming but still, he'll be a little impressed. More with the magic that she uses though.

"Nope, we haven't! Hi, I'm Hyuuga!" He waves a little with one of his hands, in which he has already got a lollipop out, after having fished it out of a coat pocket.

C.

[denyamenti]

Bakura doesn't need the announcement, nor Raine's summons. The instant Solomon's essence faded from Keeliai, his ghosts were aware of it. They raised a cacophony, unheard by ears but ringing across other planes, furious and screaming, and nearly driving the thief to a knee as he tried to separate his own thoughts from the howling maelstrom in his head.

Thankfully he'd been in his rooms, not in the dojo proper. "Wanen seger-tn, aakhu-i!" Bakura groaned, initially unsure what had prompted this extreme reaction.

Then, of course, he'd checked the network.

He didn't go immediately.

But Raine would find him in the doorway at one point in the evening, just watching, silhouetted in the backdrop of lights from the other room and unmoving.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine stayed at the Guild later than was her custom. She should go home, she knew, should eat and sleep and talk to Sheena, but the thought of an empty bed struck her every time she turned her thoughts that way. So as activity slowed in the building she stayed there, turned her attention to old notes on magical theory and, when she proved unable to focus on that, to counting their inventory of herbs and other reagents.

It was at this endeavor that Bakura found her. Raine should have felt his presence before she saw him, but evidently she was distracted enough she didn't. She caught sight of him when she turned, jars in hand. "Bakura," she said, her tone one of soft surprise. But she stopped there, momentarily frozen, unable to find what to say and unable to read Bakura's expression.

Bakura and Solomon had always known parts of each other Raine couldn't quite; she thought, rather, that in their way they had loved each other, though certainly neither would ever have put that word to it. So Bakura had lost something great today, too, and with that Raine did not know where to begin.

[denyamenti]

He stepped wordlessly into the room at her notice, still faintly damp from the drizzle outside. In the backwash of the room's lamps, mahogany eyes were old, and tired, and sad, but he crossed the room to stand in front of her and tucked her into the crook of his shoulder, herb jars and all.