➈th Letter Home ✉ [Video, backdated to this morning]

[and_above_all]

[The video begins with a bang - quite literally. His handgun extended, Kiriko has calmly shot a deer that had been fleeing deep in the woods. The small animal crumples to its knees, and Kiriko nears it and shoots it again in the head. Storing his gun, the young man kneels down next to the corpse with a half smile.]

Sorry, little guy. Wish things were better for all of us.

[He turns to the PDA and his smile becomes more cheerful. After Yuri's departure, he's felt a little lonely, and wanted to try and solve that.]

Good morning, everyone. I'll be back in a bit, why don't we share a meal together? I know it's hot as hell, but we shoul-

[Kiriko's expression suddenly hardens as a fog seems to cloud the screen. He hadn't noticed it approaching. He stands, and his eyes search the area... What's that smell? Is that...]

..Wait.

[There is a roar as a burning tree crashes down in the distance, and startled, Kiriko jumps. As if watching the ranks of an enemy army draw closer, the boy becomes deathly serious. He covers his mouth with a part of his shirt, an orange glow is reflected in his suddenly cold eyes. He stares ahead the same way a soldier watches death.]

Fire...

[Abandoning his kill, the video clicks off as he begins running in the opposite direction.]

Comments

Re: audio

[and_above_all]

[It's become reflex by now, unfortunately.]

The e-edge...?

[He coughs, still breathing into his shirt, and begins to drag himself along the edge of the forest from where he emerged. As Yukio comes into view, Kiriko's voice becomes smaller from his arms dropping to his sides in surprise.]

What is that..?!

[What are those things on the ground? What has he done? He calls out to him, and despite his exhaustion, runs up to meet him.]

Yukio!

Re: audio

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio turns at the sound of Kiriko's voice, relief washing over his face. He lifts a hand in greeting as the older medic comes closer, his palm wrapped with a clean, white cloth. There are odd stains splattered on the circles by his feet. Looks like blood.]

Are you alright, Kiriko-san? You need to stop and catch your breath!

Re: audio

[and_above_all]

[Kiriko is as relieved as he is confused. His throat burns from the smoke inhalation and he's a little dizzy, but upon seeing the blood beneath him, he automatically slips into medic mode as he pulls his medical bag from his shoulder. In his exhaustion, he doesn't seem to piece together that the hand that is already dressed was what had bled, or that Yukio could have done it to himself. In one breath, he replies,]

Fine! You're bleeding!

Re: audio

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio blinks at that reaction for a moment before reaching out with both hands to grasp at Kiriko's shoulders. Up close? He looks tired, but otherwise perfectly healthy.]

Kiriko-san, calm down. I've already taken care of it. Take deep breaths for me.

Re: audio

[and_above_all]

[He stares at Yukio blankly, and then back to the blood on the ground, and then back to Yukio - frowning like an insistent, spoiled child who didn't get to do what they wanted. It wouldn't be too far from the truth.

But he does as he's asked. It takes him a few moments before his breathing is back to normal. And as soon as it is:]

What... Did you do...?

Re: audio

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio doesn't let go until he's sure that Kiriko's calmed down enough. It'll do no one any good to have him collapse out here.]

I summoned water nymphs to try and contain the fire.

[Yes, Yukio, because that's a reasonable explanation to give a normal person.]

Re: audio

[and_above_all]

[He blinks, looks to the circles, and shakes his head.]

I... What...?


...What?

[He falls to his knees in confusion. He's fine, he just feels like he needs to sit down after that.]

Re: audio

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio crouches beside Kiriko, careful not to disturb the circles. Just getting two Naiads had been difficult enough without having to try to summon more.]

Some exorcists have the ability to summon demons to aid them. They're no danger while I have control of them.

Re: audio

[and_above_all]

[He shakes his hand as a way of saying 'no more!' He hadn't even thought of that! He'll worry to death about this if Yukio keeps talking.

After a moment of shocked silence, he finally answers.]

...You didn't have to do that.

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio leans over a bit more, trying to catch Kiriko's eyes.]

It was the best way I knew to help.

[and_above_all]

[He deliberately looks away. He doesn't want Yukio to see how scared he really was, now that the situation is sinking in.]

..Thanks.

[And he means that from the bottom of his heart. Trying to make light of the situation, Kiriko humourlessly tries to joke.]

Shit, think I could borrow those for the war? ...Heh.

[doctor_dragoon]

[Yukio smiles a little, glancing out into the forest beyond. Though they're not within his sight, he can still feel the presence of his summons. They're hard at work.]

Let's worry about the fire first.