voice

[memori3s]

[ Audio, just for you, Toph. ]

Has anyone seen Sha-Ming? I think he went to Bar Lupin for a night, but he hasn't been back in five days.

[ Good thing there's no video so no one can see Minato's actually mildly concerned about this. On the other hand, the fact that he's bothered to post a message on the network might be giving that away anyways. Also, rent at the inn is due in like two days? Guess who doesn't have the cash to cover two rooms. ]

He left a message for me, something about a "salary man with a bad hairline"? Has anyone seen someone like that?

[ There's a screenshot of a text message attached to the post. It reads: ]

to: minato arisato

yo if i die 2nite the salary man w the bad hairline and glasses did it

DONT THROW MY SHIT AWAY i’ll b back 😩

Comments

audio

[memori3s]

[ Checking the bar would be the smart thing to do. Instead, Minato's been waiting at the inn like some human Hachiko. ]

Yeah. That's a good idea.

[ If Aerith hasn't seen him around either, then... where on earth could he have gone...? ]

[everblooms]

[ Once upon a time, she did the same thing, Minato. It's the fear of that happening again that propels her to leave her room at the inn, making a bee-line for a familiar enough spot. ]

Don't worry. I know what you're thinking already. I can read you like a book! [ The tinkling laugh that falls out of her mouth is not quite insincere. ] We'll find him. I bet it'll make him over the moon if we get mad at him, too.

[memori3s]

[ Wait. Don't word it like that. Then he won't want to get mad at Sha-Ming!!

In any event, he'll let that little laugh slide... ]

I'm not mad at him though.

[ It's something worse. Being worried is definitely worse than being mad. ]

[everblooms]

That so? Lucky for you, I'm tough. I can be mad enough for us both if you want.

[ Her heart just isn't in the teasing today. ]

What are you, then? Oh, and don't even think about avoiding answering. That just makes it even more obvious, you know.

[memori3s]

[ He likes that idea. Aerith can totally be mad enough for the two of them.

And while he would love to wriggle out of answering her questions, Aerith has a way of shaking them out of him whether he likes it or not. ]

I'm...

[ Ugh. ]

...worried, I guess.

[ This must be how Sha-Ming and Scott felt towards him after the organ hunt debacle, huh. ]

[everblooms]

[ She weighs her options before responding. Minato's a big kid— she could honest with him, too. Even so, she'd rather not make it worse for him. So a moment of deliberation is all Aerith spares before replying. ]

See, I knew it. It's a little because "salary man" isn't very helpful, is it? After all, there's probably a bunch of men in suits around here with glasses...

[ Almost sounds like a disguise to her ears, but she doesn't voice this thought. ]

What do you want to say to him when you get the chance, Minato?

[memori3s]

[ Yeah, he'd definitely feel a little better if Sha-Ming left him with a few more details. Things like where he was disappearing to, or even a name for whomever he was with... That level of detail would help reassure Minato all was well. ]

I... think I get it now. Why he was angry at me when I was at the clinic.

[ Not that he's mad!! Not that he'll say anything after all this. It lives forever on the network though. Once posted, it remains in perpetuity...... ]

[everblooms]

Now you get it?

[ She's going to make sure to show Sha-ming this one. In fact she can't wait to hunt him down and do just that. ]

Let's get him home so you can tell him yourself, Minato. Meet me here?

[ A picture comes through: Aerith giving a thumbs up in front of the bar. ]

[memori3s]

[ Here he is on main where everyone can watch him get a taste of his own medicine. This is exactly why he'd closed himself off from others in the past.

But right now, there are more important matters at hand. ]

Okay. I'll be there soon.

[ And he'll head right on over to meet Aerith at Bar Lupin. ]