distressedude | 026 ~ [Voice/Action] | Forward-dated to Sunday

[It's been two weeks since the incident with Arietta, and there was still no sign of Anise in the village. They never even had a chance to speak before she left for a mission, likely in an attempt to put some distance between herself and Ion after their argument. It's strange to think that the last time they went this long without speaking to each other by choice was around this same time last year, though for a very different reason. He's been so caught up in dealing with all of this that he actually let the anniversary of the day he first confessed his feelings for her pass by without a single thought!]

[It was strange to think so much time had already passed. He wasn't entirely sure how to feel about it really.]

[But sometime in the late afternoon, he opens his journal. There's no need to bother with a filter while Anise is still out of the village, and it isn't as though Arietta is the one he's trying to reason with here. Her anger is easier to understand and deal with. There's an uncharacteristic hint of exasperation in his voice when he speaks, having spent the last week and a half mulling over this without any obvious solution coming to mind.]

How do you stop two people who hate each other from continuing to hate each other? [Not a very eloquent way of asking, but it's the simplest way he can think of to explain the situation.]

Though this isn't the sort of problem I'm expecting an easy answer to, I was hoping someone might be able to offer some suggestions. Or perhaps if anyone's had any experience in dealing with a situation like this, it might be of some help.

[And regardless as to whether he's heard any solutions to this problem or not, he'll be spending the remainder of the evening in various places around town. He spends about an hour at the library, not quite able to concentrate on his reading. Giving that up, he goes for an aimless walk, lingering on the various bridges around town for a few minutes before moving on again. He probably looks more spaced out than he usually is, and the cold chill in the air probably isn't helping matters. By the time he arrives back home, it's been dark for awhile and he's shivering quite a bit. He probably should have worn his winter coat today.]

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[Ion isn't the only member of House One who happens to be walking aimlessly, Tear just so happens to catch sight of him while crossing the bridge closest to their home. She had heard his question over the journals earlier, but hadn't known how to answer at the time the same way she hadn't known what to do when she overheard snippets of the argument with Anise. That didn't mean she could pass by him without saying anything.]

Don't you think you're not dressed enough to have been out for this long, Ion?

[Ion looks up quickly when he hears Tear's voice, having been gazing out towards the water while crossing over the bridge. He'd been taking his time making his way home by now, but he was still a little spaced out. Perhaps even more so, given he was a little tired by now.]

[It takes a few moments before he responds with a tired smile.] I suppose not. I wasn't expecting to be outside for very long when I left the house today.

And I suppose advising you to be have been more prepared would be meaningless. [She returns the tired smile with one of her own, coming over to join him in gazing toward the water.]

Though I wonder what kept you out, aside from wandering the village?

[There's a pause, and then a soft sigh. Leaning against the railing on the bridge, he returns his gaze out to the water.]

...I guess you could say I've had a lot on my mind. I thought taking a walk would clear my mind and help me to sort things out, but it hasn't been much help so far.

... Have you received any advice you think you could use about whatever it is troubling you? [She suspects it had to do with what he had asked earlier, but she didn't want to assume things so quickly.

And it was still a little awkward to discuss for her.]

Nothing so concrete as to clear my mind on the matter, no.

[His hands grip the edge of the railing for a few moments as he debates whether or not to bring it up. Tear was Anise's friend too, after all, and if there was anyone else who'd know her well enough, it'd be Tear.]

...you recall the fight I had with Anise recently, yes?

I do. [It was hard not to remember, even though part of her wanted to say no; having overheard it in the first place was rude, she could have left the house.]

I will admit that I have not discussed it with anyone, that was between yourself and Anise.

...I suppose in the grand scheme of things, it was. But the matter that caused us to argue in the first place had far more to do with Arietta and Anise than myself.

[Though there's certainly no denying he isn't in the center of all of this.]

I just don't understand where all of that hatred of hers is coming from.

026 ~ [Voice/Action] | Forward-dated to Sunday

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