[ standing a bit back from the rest of the participants is xie lian, still lingering near where lessa just came from - but, spotting ochako gets him to stop in his tracks, wide eyed.
...and then he just
starts to smile? it's genuine, even if he's exhausted, and when ochako runs at him for a hug, he receives her easily, catching her like she's made of paper and hugging her back. there's a brief moment of hesitation, but, he curls his hands tight in the back of her shirt, and hugs her too. the last time he saw this young lady, it was on the silver tables at the trial.
[ ochako doesn't hesitate at all - her grip as tight as she can make it, as if she would never let him go if she didn't have to. by contrast, her voice is soft, a little watery. ]
I knew you'd do it. I knew we'd see each other again soon, but...
[ she takes a deep, shaky breath. ]
I'm sorry, Xie Lian. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave you.
[ turning his head, briefly, xie lian squeezes his eyes shut, listening to the watery sound of ochako's voice. she's alive. she's alive, they're all - they did it. every sacrifice they made was worth it.
it takes him a moment to speak, because he's composing himself, but his voice feels thick in his throat, as the relief slowly sinks in. ]
...It is alright, Miss Ochako. [ xie lian finally says, his voice soft, taking on its usual soothing quality. there's a genuine warmth to it, too, that can only really be described as relief. ]
More than anything, I just... I am glad that you're alright. That is what matters.
[ when he finally pulls away, xie lian rests both of his hands on ochako's shoulders, and just looks at her for a minute, squeezing - and then, as she finishes, his expression lightens up. ]
--Your parents! [ she remembers!!! there are other things, too, but that one is the most important. he knows how much ochako cares for her family. ] Miss Ochako, that's wonderful - I am so glad to hear that it is so.
[ it helps to make everything feel a little nicer. no matter what happens tomorrow, today, they've won a little victory. ]
[ she lights right back up, as bright as the sun and happier than ever to talk about this. ]
Yeah! Hikaru-san helped me remember - and I helped her remember her family, too. [ there's a soft, fond smile on her face. ] She was really worried about you guys, too, you know?
[ that soothes something in his soul. all of the worry and stress of this very, very difficult last week starts to melt away.
plus, his two daughters! helping each other!! cute!!! ]
I can imagine...[ that silly girl. ] All was well, in the end. We did the best that we could to return you all and the Leaders to safety; after everything that happened, I was not going to fail you all.
[ or at least
not more than he already did. jk i forgot i did this pc first ]
I knew you wouldn't. I knew that if anyone could do it, it would be you, Xie Lian.
...Alex-san told me that you're the one who found me last week. I... I was kind of hoping you wouldn't have to see me like that, honestly. [ she knew it wouldn't be easy on him. he found so many people he cared about on fridays or saturdays... she'd hoped that wouldn't be his burden to carry, too.
...a moment after she says that, though, she. looks a little embarrassed. ]
And, um. I'm also sorry about... [ her voice goes small, and she looks away. ] ...the RSVP thing.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 7, friday.
[ he is the first person she was looking for. so when she spots him, she just
immediately throws herself at him for a hug. it's only been a week? but she missed him more than anyone. ]
I'm back!
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...and then he just
starts to smile? it's genuine, even if he's exhausted, and when ochako runs at him for a hug, he receives her easily, catching her like she's made of paper and hugging her back. there's a brief moment of hesitation, but, he curls his hands tight in the back of her shirt, and hugs her too. the last time he saw this young lady, it was on the silver tables at the trial.
breathe in, breathe out. ]
...Miss Ochako... welcome back. [ soft, affected, and... relieved. ]
no subject
I knew you'd do it. I knew we'd see each other again soon, but...
[ she takes a deep, shaky breath. ]
I'm sorry, Xie Lian. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave you.
no subject
it takes him a moment to speak, because he's composing himself, but his voice feels thick in his throat, as the relief slowly sinks in. ]
...It is alright, Miss Ochako. [ xie lian finally says, his voice soft, taking on its usual soothing quality. there's a genuine warmth to it, too, that can only really be described as relief. ]
More than anything, I just... I am glad that you're alright. That is what matters.
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[ just. not the extent of it. lmao. ]
But I'm glad we made it back. I didn't want to leave you for any longer we had to. And - now I remember everything.
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--Your parents! [ she remembers!!! there are other things, too, but that one is the most important. he knows how much ochako cares for her family. ] Miss Ochako, that's wonderful - I am so glad to hear that it is so.
[ it helps to make everything feel a little nicer. no matter what happens tomorrow, today, they've won a little victory. ]
no subject
Yeah! Hikaru-san helped me remember - and I helped her remember her family, too. [ there's a soft, fond smile on her face. ] She was really worried about you guys, too, you know?
no subject
plus, his two daughters! helping each other!! cute!!! ]
I can imagine...[ that silly girl. ] All was well, in the end. We did the best that we could to return you all and the Leaders to safety; after everything that happened, I was not going to fail you all.
[ or at least
not more than he already did. jk i forgot i did this pc first ]
no subject
...Alex-san told me that you're the one who found me last week. I... I was kind of hoping you wouldn't have to see me like that, honestly. [ she knew it wouldn't be easy on him. he found so many people he cared about on fridays or saturdays... she'd hoped that wouldn't be his burden to carry, too.
...a moment after she says that, though, she. looks a little embarrassed. ]
And, um. I'm also sorry about... [ her voice goes small, and she looks away. ] ...the RSVP thing.