Catch-All for Fourth Wall.... And Other Things

[spoilsfun]

Characters: Conan Edogawa and You
Date: Feb 18 to March 11
Location: Various locations
Situation: Fourth Wall
Warnings/Rating: Probably none


1: Not-221B

Conan was putting a lot of effort into avoiding his housemates as much as possible. After the events of the last month, he had very little interest in being cornered into talking about everything that had happened. He'd show up for meals and at night, but for the most part he spent as much time as possible outside of the apartment.

He needed time. Time to figure out how he felt about all the new revelations.

2. Central District
Conan spent a lot of time skateboarding around the district, sometimes stopping to practice soccer or to get something to drink at one of the restaurants. He watched for trouble, as always, but for once things seemed to be quiet. Perhaps it was because of the strangely large number of new arrivals.

3. Library
At the library, Conan happily found a chair and buried himself behind stacks of books. Between the on-going study of the kedan languages and the numerous question he was investigating about this place, he had more than enough to occupy himself for hours.

4. KPD
Even though he was mostly certain that the work he had been assigned at the police department was meant to keep him busy and out of trouble, Conan still made a point of stepping in every day. Sometimes there was something interesting for him to work on. On occasion he stops in to see some of the different officers he was slowly getting acquainted with.

Comments

[redorchid]

It might be a little bit at least, though her mind is still racing too fast to absorb it too deeply.

But one thing is clear and poking at her brain: She is still the older one in this. She can't break down. She still has to take care of him.

"I'm sorry." She swipes at the wetness that's growing in her lashes with the heel of her palm, having let go with one hand long enough. "I just... It's a lot."

Of all things, she's glad he's there at least. Even if neither of them should be.

[spoilsfun]

"It will be okay, Ran-neechan. It really isn't so bad here."

He could see what she was doing. And even if he hated the idea, if taking care of him would help her, he would put up with it.

[redorchid]

She swipes at her opposite eye, bringing both of them back to focus on his face. "Is... Conan-kun okay?"

[spoilsfun]

"Mmm! I'm fine. I'm just really glad Ran-neechan is here now."

He watches her with concern.

[redorchid]

At the concern in his face she gives him a smile back - a little wavering, but still a smile.

"It's okay. I'll be okay. I just... need a minute."

She hasn't let go of his hand yet, though, and she may not any time soon.

"Where are we?"

He'd said a name. Keelai? But that doesn't sound like anything she knows.

[spoilsfun]

"Keeliai. It is a city on Tushanshu. This is the central district if the city. I live here and the police building is in this area too."

[redorchid]

"No, I mean..." She nips the inside of her cheek. "You said it wasn't Japan."

[spoilsfun]

"It isn't. You wouldn't be able to find this place on any map at home."

[redorchid]

"How did we get here?"

Did he say he's been here eight months?

[spoilsfun]

"I still don't really understand it, but they say that people come through the dreaming."

[redorchid]

That... doesn't help. Ran stares back at him helplessly for a long moment.

It doesn't seem like a lot is going to make sense very soon. Certainly nothing has so far. There's absolutely nothing in her paradigm to explain this; it all seems like a wild, impossible dream.

[spoilsfun]

He could see that staying in this alley wasn't going to help her at all.

"Ran-neechan, Let's go." He pulls on her arm in an attempt to get her to stand up. "I know a safe place we can go."

[redorchid]

Does she have any options at this point?

She can't just stay in the alley forever. And she can't let him leave without her (though she's not sure he would). She has no idea how to get back.

This doesn't leave many options left except to go forward.

Still, she resits a little at the tug with one last hesitation: "They're not dangerous. Are they?"

Meaning the kedan beyond the alleyway. They look like people... most of them. But the scales and the lack of legs are disturbingly what might be found in horror films, and Ran has always been edgy about those.

[spoilsfun]

"They're just the people here. They aren't any more dangerous than humans are."

[redorchid]

At some point she may regret having asked that question, but for now she can't help it.

"M-mm." She's still clearly hesitant, shooting a last glance towards the mouth of the alley, but draws a last breath and climbs slowly to her feet.

[spoilsfun]

"Come on, we're only a few blocks away from the place I'm staying."

He takes a step towards the exit to the alley, then stops and waits for her.

[redorchid]

She follows, though pauses again at the mouth to pick up the skateboard that he dropped. She stares out at the light beyond, her features at least resolute. Her fingers reach down for his again.

[spoilsfun]

Guessing what she wanted, he reaches up and takes her hand.

"This way. We just need to go down the road a little."

[redorchid]

"Okay." Her voice is quiet, but her fingers squeeze his.

She still has a lot of questions, but for the moment they can wait.

[spoilsfun]

He guides her down the streets of Central District, passing many small shops and restaurants before finally turning and leading her up the stairs of the apartment. There he ushers her into the living room and gets her a cup of tea as he explains the situation.

[redorchid]

She's still a little dazed. It's still a lot to take in and absorb - especially in so short an amount of time.

A few things help with this: The normalcy of shops and restaurants, where the kedan call out and interact with one another much like they do at home. Conan's presence, familiar and as always, strangely reassuring despite his age. The tea (which she's dazed enough to let him make for himself without interfering), which has its own familiarity and is something warm to hold in her hands as he talks.

Her eyes shift over the apartment as she listens, taking it in.

"You've really been here eight months?" she says softly as he finishes. She can't say she likes that idea. He's so independent - always has been - but that doesn't mean he isn't still a child. Or that he doesn't have the tendency to get in over his head.

There's guilt in that knowledge too somehow, as though somehow she could have done something to prevent it (though it's illogical and she knows it).

[spoilsfun]

"Mmm, I've kept track. But it isn't so bad here. There are people here who've taken care of me."

He guessed that that would be one of the things she would be concerned about.

[redorchid]

It's one among many things.

She takes in a steadying breath. "Who lives here with you?"

This obviously isn't a place meant for one.

[spoilsfun]

"Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. A man named Penny also lives here."

He knew exactly how absurd that sounded.

[redorchid]

That's another blank look he's receiving, which will reinforce that.

Seriously, what does she even say to that?