halfbrokenwings | 013[open-video-journal /commentlog]Right after getting back-

[The bard is a little breathless when she comes onto the journal. She's had one of the frights of her life, appearing back where her and Tumnus had walked into the dark. She can't see very well still, her eyes not being used to the light or seeing at all. She's having to squint and shield them to make out shapes.

It hurts so bad, being able to see again, tears are running down her face.]

Is-Is everyone b-back?! Sollux? Is it ov-er?

[Though, she is not one to pray very often, there is a silent prayer on her lips that begs that it is.

She has to wait until her eyes adjust somewhat to the light to move at all from where she's at. When Isabella does move, it's as quick as she can manage without breaking something.

Weak from the lack of water and food she's still taking the stairs, two at a time. The bard is headed to her room to kill two birds with one stone. The stall with the water falling- as cold as it is, will both be welcome relief from the filth of the torturous stay in the dark room- and she could drink it as well. She's hungry, but that could wait, the thirst and that dirty feeling was stronger for the moment.

She'll emerge after a shower, and clean clothes to search for the people she knows, specifically one she went in after.]

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You went out looking for someone... Sollux, yes?

[Not that he wouldn't have done the same, if he'd known, or noticed something... Still. Jetfire frowns, but there won't be anything else in the way of disapproval.]

I hope you are reasonably well, nonetheless. What happened?

[This answer comes a while later. After she has done all the cleaning up and feeding herself and meeting with friends and her adopted sibling. She also both sounds and looks calmer than her earlier post.]

I- did. I am better, now. It was not so well, then.

[Something new to add to her nightmares now.]

Tumnus and myself, we went looking for Sollux. The dark and the tunnels- we've been trapped this whole time.

[Alright, now she's starting to lose the calm.]

We'd thought to tie a string, to keep us tied to the light and be able to find our way back- and- it broke. Or was cut. Tumnus and I, we were lost in the dark as well, in those tunnels. We had brought some food, but it wasn't enough-

[He can't really stop the brief motion of a hand down his faceplates. Of course that would happen. Usually he would not be willing to put any credit to such foolish ideas that the worst thing possible to happen would, but here..? That didn't seem as impossible as otherwise.

Even, apparently, with perfectly reasonable precautions in place, as she and her companion had taken.]

You weren't actually holding what light you were using?

[What else could have made them lose the light, unless it got put out, or broke? But he can see that oncoming upset in the tensing of her shoulders, expression... But what can he do about it?]

Isabella...

[But he doesn't get further, because Jetfire has really no idea what to say. Comfort isn't easy, and he's not sure what would be the correct thing to offer, here.]

[Her cheeks color seeing his hand rub his face. His questions only deepen the embarrassment.]

W-we didn't. We-. It was left. On the s-steps.

[She hears him say her name and she's looking directly at the journal, all worry and a touch of fear. She'd thought she had been so very very clever. When she got herself and Tumnus trapped, starving, in a place with no light.]

Imsorry. I'm sorry.

[... That explains how they could have been lost. Of course, he wasn't out after the girl practically falling apart, merely had wanted to understand how they'd gotten lost.]

Listen to me, Isabella. You couldn't have known. But next time... I do believe they said to not stray from any light. Please listen and do as told literally.

[A brief pause, and he'd rather be standing physically in front of her for this.]

There's no fault of yours for wanting to find your friend. I'm impressed you would brave what was an unknown situation for him, and what is done is done. Are you all reasonably all right, at least?

[Distraught young ones. How do you deal with them? The only thing Jetfire can... knows to do right now is to keep his voice low and even attempting to soúnd soothing instead of recriminating.]

[She nods. First it was her moirail. Now it's Jetfire. Isabella isn't going to be able to win this kind of argument. She might as well give in.]

I- will.

[A very brief blush colors her cheeks at being impressed with her. ]

I am alright, now. I fed, watered and cleaned up.

Though, I'll be sleeping with a candle burning for sometime.

[Freaked out? Just a bit.]

[Voices of reason, Isabella! If you're going to play hero, at least have every contigency planned, and know what you're doing... at least somewhat.]

Good. Perhaps a rest is in order, even if you cannot sleep?

[A pause.]

Or... How bad is the weather? I could... if it's not too bad and you are in need of a distraction, take you flying today, or soon.

[He had, after all, offered a while ago.]

[She's read and retold the stories of heroes, does that count?]

I've slept. A lot, really. It's nice to be out and around.

[Then she pauses. She feels greedy and guilty at the same time for wanting this from him. Something that she's desired for so long, just the want of it was a sinful pleasure.]

I- would like that. Though... though, not until I'm more able. It's cold, and I want to be sure my body recovers a bit until- I really want to. Please but- I do not wish to get sick and ruin it for both of us.

[Her better judgment wins out.]

Thank you, again.

[Honestly, that she's declining for now is something of a relief; he doesn't really want to test his frame of mind yet - even if the day chosen would be clear, the only snow being on the ground - with flying during this weather.

He has, barely, left the barracks on a few times. Jetfire shakes his helm a bit and smiles.]

If you know your own limits, that's good. You've been under a bit of strain, so accounting for becoming sick is a good idea. Later then.

Yes, later then. Thank you, Jetfire.

013[open-video-journal /commentlog]Right after getting back-

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