[Action] / Someone's finally back.

[corruptedsouls]

[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.]

Comments

[redcinemareel]

[For Fates Sake!

She shakes him a bit harder than last time.]

A floor is no place for you.

[corruptedsouls]

[Okay, that did it. Tobias sits up, looking groggy and disorientated. He blinks a bit at Grell, staring at her blankly with an almost disturbingly stoic expression.

Behind that expression, however, the wheels in his head are turning. This woman is familiar. Disturbingly so. Why is that? He doesn't think he's ever met her, and yet his heart twists at the sight of her.

...Memories. Of this place, of others... including her. Now he understands, even if he doesn't quite understand.]

...Hi, Mom.

[redcinemareel]

Toby... [That gets a genuine smile and she's definitely blinking back tears. Damn, didn't use the waterproof mascara today.] You remember me...

[She immediately wraps her arms around his thin form. She'll address that issue later. Hugs now. She lost him before and it struck a chord deep within her. What if she can't handle that again?

Better burn that bridge when she crosses it.

Also, Toby may notice an update to her attire and her small Whitebeard tattoo on her neck.]

Marco will be ecstatic that you're back with your memories.

[corruptedsouls]

[He wraps his arms around her as well, clinging tightly and burying his face into whatever part of her body he can reach. It's a wave of nostalgia and it's hitting hard, so it's unlikely he'll ever let go. ...well, at least anytime soon.]

...I'm... I'm happy to be back...

[Crying? Oh you better believe it. But it's a good kind of crying.]

[redcinemareel]

You're coming back at an odd time, but there is very good news. [She's not letting go of him. How long has it been since she last held him like this? Too long.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Good, then there's no need to worry about either getting tired of clinging.]

I am?

[redcinemareel]

[She nods and pulls away only slightly so she could see his face.]

Your father and I are married, now. [Another happy grin!]

[corruptedsouls]

[Oh hey! That gets a bright smile from Tobias. It's so great to hear!]

Can I see your ring? Is it pretty?

[....and that's where his first thought goes to. Well, it's not like he expected anything else...]

[redcinemareel]

[SHE'S TAUGHT HIM WELL.

Grell shows him the bands proudly.] It was a wonderful wedding! Even Pops was there! But...it was still missing something important.

[corruptedsouls]

What is it?

[HANGING ON YOUR WORDS, GRELL. Also that is a very pretty shiny.]

[redcinemareel]

[Grell is the best storyteller. She cups his face with both hands gently.]

YOU, of course.

[corruptedsouls]

[He blinks a little at that.]

I'm sorry.

[But... he's smiling. It's a mixed smile, sad and happy and upset and overjoyed, but it's a smile.]

[redcinemareel]

[Grell shrugs casually.]

You're here now, and that's what matters. What also matters is fattening you up! You're skin and bones, again! [Mom is not happy about that.]

[corruptedsouls]

[He pauses at that. It's true, he is. Didn't he get better here...? The memory's too fuzzy to really make out.]

...I can't find a lot to eat near the cave.

[redcinemareel]

Well this isn't a cave, so we're getting you food! We should go fetch Marco, and perhaps Espio.

[corruptedsouls]

[...I think the temperature just dropped, Grell.

Tobias looks down, trying not to meet her gaze.]

I don't think... Espio likes me anymore. When he saw me, he... ran away.

1/2

[redcinemareel]

HE DID WHAT?!

[redcinemareel]

[Okay, lets just...calm down. No Angry Dive Mode. Grell willed herself to calm down, and since she doesn't breathe, calming breaths won't do much good.]

That's quite unlike Espio to run away from anything or anyone. [She lifts up his chin, looking to him seriously.] I doubt it's because he dislikes you, darling.

[corruptedsouls]

Then why did he run away?

[Cha, he's crying in a bad way this time. That must be why he looked down.]

He... recognized me, woke me up, then just... ran away.

[His heart breaks, Grell. Can you hear it?]

[redcinemareel]

Oh...Toby... [Grell sighs and sits against the wall, tugging Toby to join her.] I'm not sure how else he would have reacted. This bloody Time Compression can do terrible things to us all. He might have been, dare I say it, afraid.

[A pause.]

He bloody better have been.

[corruptedsouls]

Afraid of me?

[He seems confused... as well as suddenly cool. That... may have been a really bad way to phrase it, Grell, considering his original trauma about people and his own fears...]

....

[redcinemareel]

No, perhaps the unknown. Whether or not you remembered him, or if you both still have feelings for one another. Those are unknown factors. Mind you, this is all speculation, but I'm certain he's not afraid of YOU.

[corruptedsouls]

[That... actually makes him feel a lot better and he snuggles closer to Grell.]

...I... I can understand that.

[One of the memories he had from this place was Marco doing just that, wasn't it? Not remembering him...

Of course, Toby doesn't really have any further answer, so he just closes his eyes and stays quiet.]

[redcinemareel]

Good--HEY! No sleeping! We're going to get food! [POKES HIM]

[corruptedsouls]

[GAH poked what.]

Okay.

[He yawns a little, rubbing his eyes to try and rouse himself a bit. He can't help it, Mom, you're just so nice to cuddle against!]