witchesreign | [Action] / Someone's finally back.

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[Action] / Someone's finally back.

[It seems that time compression sometimes has a very sick sense of humor. While it's certain few people will recognize him, an old Balamb resident is back. Well, in a way -- for those who would remember him, Tobias has taken a very radical step back from the Tobias he was when he was last here, looking more like he did on first arrival, scruffiness, glimmering gold bracelet and all, though he seems to not have lost his age during the odd transition.

At present, he's currently curled up against the wall in one of the hallways, dead asleep and so still it's almost like he's not breathing. It's not exactly clear whether he's intentionally there or just simply passed out -- while Tobias is a strange child, certainly, the position is far from comfortable and definitely hazardous to people idly walking through said hallway.]

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He woke me up earlier, but when he saw me, he just... ran away.

[Oh don't worry Tobias has no intention of letting go on his side either. He's starved for contact again and Marco is someone he, somehow, knows.]

[Hugs more and spins around all over again.]

Aw kid, don't worry about it. He's probably just worried you're an illusion or don't remember him. It's been a really long time, eh? But he'll definitely be happy once he knows you remember him. [And that he has his eye back? Marco's not even sure how to bring that up. Anyways more spins!]

[Tobias really can't argue with you, can he, Marco? The spinning pulls him out of his gloomy mood again and he giggles, that same bright smile flashing across his face, if a tad bit more subdued than the last time he was here.

Of course, the poor boy hasn't stopped crying yet -- though it seems to be hardly a bad type of crying. This warmth, this love... it's been so long since anyone's done this and he's never felt it to this extreme, but at the same time, those weird memories have instilled such a huge sense of nostalgia that he doesn't want it to stop.]

...Don't let go. Okay?

[Just swallows down a whole ton of emotions at that.]

I won't. [Spins a little more!] Are you hungry? Should I even ask where you've been living in your world lately?

I'm starving.

[Of course, it's going to be hard to eat with this arrangement, but hey, he's gone hungry before. Marco's certainly been able to feel that his body's back down to its original form -- so thin he should be falling over in a stiff breeze with his skin tightly stretched against the bones.]

Cerulean Cave. It's a nice hiding place.

[Sets Tobias on his shoulders for a piggy back and heads straight to the kitchen. No starving on his watch ever.]

You've been all right there? Got any pokemon with you?

I had a Pikachu, but I'm not sure where she went.

[Hey, he can handle this. He just sorta leans down to wrap his arms around Marco's neck, regardless of the uncomfortable position.]

...I think Charizard became a -- [aug, what was it called again. His memory is fuzzy there.] -- Guardian Force?

Okay. Try not to call on him too much all right? Memory loss and all...

[To the kitchen!]

Do you remember going to a fair?

[Quiet. Think think think...]

Yeah. I don't remember anything about it, but I kind of remember going to one.

All right, don't worry about it, okay?

I'm just glad you're back and safe again.

[Holds up the hand with his wedding ring.] I got married, eh?

You did?

[Now he looks surprised, peering at the ring.]

Does Mom's look like this?

[No doubt at all.]

Of course! They have to match you know. Oh, but her engagement ring is better. Make sure you ask her about it sometime okay? She'd love to show it off.

Okay, I will.

[Happy! This is like those old times he remembers and he doesn't ever want it to stop. Hugging Marco slightly tighter now, though not enough to try to strangle him or anything.

After a minute:]

You missed me... right?

[Oh, there is not enough deadpan in the world to stop Marco's voice from choking up.]

So much.

Every day. I still have your plushies. Trust me kid, you never left our thoughts.

You missed your Grandfather, but I was happy to tell him he really was a grandfather. He was very proud, eh?

[On one hand, that goes straight to Tobias' heart in a good way. They missed him. They still cared about him. They still loved him.

But it's also like twisting a knife there. Because... well...]

...I'm sorry...

[And he's crying again, but this time in not a good way.]

I... I didn't miss any of you. I didn't remember any of you. I'm sorry...

Ahhh... idiot....

[Takes him off his shoulders and just starts crying again, hugging Tobias hard as hell instead.]

That's not your fault. If anything I'm just sorry we couldn't come rescue you, eh? Even with memories. But you're here now! And that's what matters.

[The hug is actually pretty painful, but Tobias doesn't so much as squeak. It doesn't matter if it hurts, this is Marco hugging him and that's all that he wants. He does his best to hug just as tightly back, unable to stop the sniffling or tears himself.]

I-I... I-I'm not mad.

[It's... an odd thing to say, but it's clear Toby isn't sure how to phrase his thoughts.]

I'm not mad... that you couldn't come get me. I... I'm just really happy I could come back here like this...

Same here, okay? [More gentle now and phoenix wings, leaning his head on Toby's shoulder.]

Same here.

Next time, I'll find a way, all right? I don't care how many laws of time and space I have to break I'm keeping you safe.

...Okay.

[And even though he's still crying, he turns a smile up to Marco, as bright as he can get it.]

...I'm hungry.

[Annnd there goes that train of thought, though whether Tobias intentionally changed it or is just like that still... well, who knows.]

[Grins back through his tears and gently affectionately nuzzles before slinging Toby over a shoulder and going back on the journey to the kitchen.]

I will steal you whatever you want. Got a favorite in mind?

Anything. I don't care.

[Hm, wait, that's not true. It's been a while since he's had something bloody.]

Meat or fish.

One D-diet coming right up. [Which would be meat, meat, and fish, and more meat. Only he remembers what happened the first time he fed Toby, so it's not actually enough to feed a D this time.]

[Which is good, considering he's wolfing it down the same as before. Some things really have reset, it seems.]

Not so fast okay? You have to give your stomach time. Like any other muscle.

[Tobias' reply is something like "mrgbrfbfuf" between mouthfuls of food. He listens, though, and forces himself to slow down and actually eat like a normal person.

It's taking effort, though.]

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