magusrobin | Laby Inbox

[In the very, very early hours of the morning, Chise will receive a text.]

I won't be in the shop for a few days. Please take care of things while I'm gone.

[When the light of her device woke her, Chise had to take a few moments to stare at the message in confusion. She blinked, making sure she was reading it correctly. Iris… wanted her to watch the shop?

More importantly, Iris trusted her to do that, still? The thought filled her with some warmth, even if she was a little worried. Why the sudden departure?]

I can do that. I can’t promise I can upkeep everything exactly how it is. [She wasn’t as good as the other at doing so, but she would try her best. Outlining any expectations.] But I’ll keep it as close to it as I can, for as long as needed.

I hope, whatever is keeping you away, you can remain safe.

[Her expectations hardly need to be noted here. Whatever problems she has with Chise, none of them are about her work.]

You know your way around the shop. You'll be fine.

I am unfortunately quite safe and secure. There's need for no worry.

[There it was - that small admission that Chise was still trusted in some sense. Even if it was just in a work or business capacity… that was better than none at all.]

[But then there was Iris’ latter comment.]

“‘Unfortunately’…?” [She murmured out loud, staring at her network screen in mild confusion. Maybe it was a mistake? Like the device had accidentally corrected a word… especially if the other was busy. She couldn’t expect all of her time to be spent attending to Chise…]

I’ll try to not worry then. [Even if that was easier said than done. Even if it reminded her of a time, months ago, when Iris had stopped her from running off after unknown dragons and she had promised to not worry…] Please let me know if you need something in the meantime.

Tending to the shop will be enough. Send a text for anything you can't manage on your own.

[A few seconds pass as Blue stares feverishly at her phone, a frown creasing her brow. What a ridiculous girl.]

And go to sleep. You shouldn't be awake at this hour.

[Chise smiled at the reply. It was funny though - she wouldn’t be awake if she hadn’t answered Iris’ message. Still… she would leave that out.]

I will. [Both the promise of contact if anything should get too overwhelming and the rest. She didn’t want the other to worry… even if Chise wasn’t sure she deserved any of those sorts of feelings from Iris now.] You rest well too.

[And she left it at that. Tending to the shop was routine for her. Chise could let herself in with the spare key she had been given, and most hours were quiet aside from the tasks she completed and the occasional customer.

There was still no sign of the owner returning, as the days wore on, and - maybe even more concerning - there was no other update on communication. The redhead herself was somewhat worried about reaching out, what with her own mistakes in the past… what if she just made it worse?

There came a moment, however, when Chise felt she couldn’t wait any longer. Which was how she found herself back at Iris’ familiar home, wind chimes absent this time. Standing outside, still hesitating on whether to knock.]

Iris, it’s Chise! [What if she didn’t answer? What if the other didn’t want to see her? Chise would accept it but… she wanted to make sure Iris was ok.]

[No answer greeted her. Knocking on the door and waiting a few minutes held similar results. Finally, she took a breath, hand on the doorknob, a whisper leaving her.] I’m coming in.

[Before she opened the door entirely.]

[Past the bright blue door, the house lies empty and silent. The entryway opens to a somewhat circular living room, fireplace situated in the center of the room and open on two ends. A couch sits against the left side, bookcases and a small dining table to the right, a kitchenette at the far end with windows that let light into the room to coax a counter of plants into flourishing... But the only life in sight is withering, wilting from lack of water and turning brown at the tips of their leaves.]

[Two doors remain closed to the right of this room, and one door to the left. No sound or sign of life come from these directions either.]

[Chise glanced around, taking in the house’s furnishings and layout as she gently closed the door behind her. Somehow it seemed… fitting. Like a reflection of the woman she knew. And yet… the emptiness that existed here, the wilting of the flowers…

Either Iris was feeling ill or… she wasn’t here. How strange.]

Iris? [She called out once more, trying again. Still no response.] I guess she really isn’t home.

[A small kernel of guilt settled into her stomach for trespassing. It really had been out of concern. Her fingers hovered near her bag, debating sending a message on her device but… no, it was best to leave things be.

Still… it would be a shame if the flowers wilted in Iris’ absence. Chise located a watering can, making sure to give them proper care, before she left the house once more.]

Edited 2024-12-10 16:33 (UTC)

Laby Inbox

text; un: epiphyte (October 8th)

Text; UN: Robin

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Quotes are intentional to differentiate between talking and texting XD

lmao poor chise...

LOL getting scolded XD [text -> action]

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