(The ball's in your court anyway, so fire away when ready.) (Testing.) (Ah, got it. ^^) * Rochelle pulls Thren down the stairs for three whole floors, then out the door, and they're outside of Laser-Momo's. She then pulls him two buildings down, until they're out of any crowds, and turns to face him. Now she lets go. [ The cold air is like a slap in the face for poor Xavier, especially given the hot and stuffy crowd, but eventually the two are standing alone near the mouth of an alley. He doesn't say anything; he simply looks at Roch expectantly. Considering Xavier is significantly taller than Thren ever was, it's a considerably different experience. ] * Rochelle is breathing a bit heavily, and she blurts, "I wanted to say..." This trails off, and she starts again, more slowly, "I wanted-" Again, she stops herself, and she shakes her head. [ That pause seems to go on a little too long. Eventually, Xavier says, simply: "I should have told you I loved you while I was alive." ] I- what? (And now you know why I apologized. ^_^) * Rochelle looks at Xavier like he's all crazy. (This is awesome! Kat's going to hate me.) [ The blond's eyes are hooded, and fall somewhat, but his expression isn't sad. Bittersweet, maybe. "Exactly what I just said. I should have said it. I should have taken the risk. I don't think any other human being *ever* has the chance I do right now." ] * Rochelle keeps staring. "But you can't... it's not... YOU CAN'T!" And she collapses, sobbing and almost screaming, "You can't!" over and over again. (Sorry, Rochelle just broke into a kind of incoherent mess.) (Ha.) (Uh, well.) (Not 'ha' as in 'haha, suck it Rochelle' but e_ea) (It's all good. She'll eventually say what she wants to, assuming Thren isn't a dick and laughs and runs off on her.) [ He has to duck down on bent knees to get relatively even with Rochelle. Thank god there's no crowds because this? Would be hard to explain. But unlike before, he's not hesitant to touch; a hand comes out, grips her shoulder. Makes a connection. "That much is true. I can't anymore. But I *did*. And if... there's anything to me that's 'me', I will always have." ] * Rochelle cries, not moving. "But it's not fair. I killed you." [ "And if you hadn't? What then?" ] I don't know- I mean- you would've kept going, we would've died, maybe? I knew we would have died, but I can change things! I could change things. I could- * Rochelle hiccups and keeps crying. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry." [ Moving forward a step, Xavier leans down and presses his forehead against the top of Rochelle's head. "I don't hate you. I don't *blame* you. You don't have to be sorry." ] * Rochelle darts in and gives Xavier a full hug, burying her face in whatever body part is most convenient (probably his shoulder). She says more 'sorry's, but it's sort of muffled. * Rochelle eventually calms down and pulls away. Enough so she can look at Xavier again and rub at her eyes, anyway. "Why?" [ For a moment or two, he simply pats her on the shoulder and is close, for a time. Eventually, however, he stands up when she does. "Why what? Why aren't I angry? Because I trusted you then. I trust you *now*." A pause, and he glances back toward Momo's. "If you really feel the need to 'pay me back', you could try the same." ] * Rochelle blinks. "What?" She looks confused. "I don't... you were my best friend." [ "It takes a lot more to do the right thing to a friend than an enemy, Rochelle." ] * Rochelle doesn't respond to that. She looks down at the ground, then back to Xavier. "Are you really leaving? Forever, again?" [ There's a pause there, before he simply nods, slowly. ] Okay. Just don't... don't hurt Xavier. He's all right. [ A pause, and then Xavier breaks into a smile. "I won't." He turns and jerks a thumb at the bar. "Let's go back, okay?" ] * Rochelle nods. "Okay." She wipes her eyes one more time, then tentatively takes Xavier's hand and starts walking. (Anything else, or shall we reappear?) (We can. I'm vaguely surprised Roch took his hand, but I think right now she's desperate for physical contact.) (Okay! Main chan turn on!) (We get signal!) (IT'S YOU) (HOW ARE YOU KATHERINE) (Feel free to pose their re-entrance.) (Okay!)