Event Private Shoulder to Cry On

Elias couldn’t keep up with the events of March. It seemed like just yesterday he was worried about catching the March Virus at school. Now, the pandemic ravaged a good portion of the supernatural population, whispers of a corporation scandal were being discussed, and the government was calling for a quarantine.

His mom, dad, and sister had already gone to that hospital in the woods. Elias was lucky enough to avoid catching the virus from anyone in his family. It wasn’t easy staying healthy, especially when his home environment always seemed so infected. With his family gone, it should have felt free. No more tiptoeing around the house, avoiding surfaces and hiding in his room most of the day. No more uncontrollable, Kainflammatio-induced power malfunctions coming from the others. No more infection.

But more than anything, it felt lonely. The hum of Elias’s laptop was the only sound he could hear. There were no signs of the other inhabitants that used to live in this house. No more muffled coughs. No more quiet sniffles. No more “Good-night!” shouts. While the atmosphere of sickness wasn’t exactly comforting, at least it hadn’t felt so...hollow.

The doorbell rang, echoing through the empty air. It shook Elias out of his reverie. Despite everything, it seemed like life in the outside world still continued. Bringing himself to his feet, he trudged through the eerie silence, the floorboards creaking underneath him. He was still wearing pyjamas and slippers, but he didn’t give much thought to the fact; it wasn’t a rare getup for him anyways.

Opening the door, he was met by Naoko on the other side. Her face reflected the exhaustion he felt on the inside, and as soon as he saw her he remembered. She was already worried about her dad having the virus. He couldn’t imagine how she must be feeling now. Suddenly, his own fears seemed to disappear for a moment as he greeted his friend.

“Hey,” he spoke softly, “How’s it going?” Stepping aside, he made room for her to walk inside.
@Romi

“They’ve only just left,” Elias said, looking to the side. It had only been an hour or two since his family said goodbye. Maybe a few more. It was hard to tell; time flowed differently in the brooding silence, and keeping track of it wasn’t a priority of his. “Plus, I’m fine with being alone,” he added. He was an introvert. At any other time, these long hours with nothing but his own thoughts would be like paradise.

Then again, at the moment the only thing on his mind was the unforeseeable future, and so far that wasn’t looking too optimistic.

"But...thank you. For visiting," he leaned against the door behind him to shut it. It was nice to hear Naoko's voice. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a bittersweet kind of happiness.

"How's momma Tanaka doing, by the way?" he asked, glancing back at Naoko. Elias cared about her family as much as he did his own. Of course he hoped they were dealing with the quarantine well, but it was an unrealistic thought--no one was happy with the current situation.
@Romi

“Yeah, I know your mom,” he said. Growing up as best friends, Elias was used to always being greeted with a warm welcome at the Tanaka household. He was treated like he was part of their family, a sentiment that went both ways. If it was any other time, he would’ve traveled straight to them. “I don’t know. I guess I just let the minutes pass by without really going anywhere or doing anything. If that makes sense,” he tried to explain. Also, given the current situation, he didn’t want to trouble Naoko and her mom with his presence. He didn’t want them to have to fuss over or worry about him; they had enough to worry about. They probably needed some space and alone time to think. Everyone wanted that, didn’t they?

“You guys know you’re always welcome to come around here, too. I can be a good host,” he offered. While he spoke, he walked past Naoko and through the archway to the kitchen. Dishes were beginning to pile up in the sink, and a few snack wrappers poked out of the trash can. Light streamed in in streaks, partially blocked by the folded blinds. Elias spun and held up his arms, “Welcome to Casa Galdre. Do you need anything? I’m sure I could find some cereal or instant noodles in the cupboard,” he turned to go through the cabinets, opening and skimming the shelves for something edible before popping his head out again, “Oh, and I might have some leftover pizza from yesterday.” After StarlightChat. Before the quarantine.

It brought back bad memories, Naoko said. After a beat, Elias responded, “That...must be hard for her.” Elias had never needed to fear for his family. Their lives had always felt so secure, especially in comparison to others’. There was no reason to fear, and that was a privilege not many people on this island had. Dodging the quarantine wasn’t even on his family’s radar. Their worries weren’t with the government, but with the rapidly-mutating, unknown illness. Still, Elias understood why people were afraid. He thought about Naoko. Even if she didn’t have memories of her dad being imprisoned by the government, it still had to be terrifying just knowing it happened. He looked at her. “How’s Naoko Tanaka doing?”

“I don’t blame her. That’s pretty much what I did, and it’s the only reason I'm not sick and our decorations are still in place and...intact. My mom would kill me if telekinesis ruined her drapes.”
@Romi

Elias was confused for a moment when Naoko stood up, not knowing what she was doing. When she picked up an empty box of pizza and started to clean, his face turned a color similar to that of the dried tomato sauce. You don’t have to do that, he wanted to say, but 1. she was already on a roll, 2. the kitchen really was a mess, and 3. he knew Naoko would just continue cleaning anyway. Instead, he jumped in front of the sink and actually made himself useful, getting to work on clearing the mile high pile of dirty dishes. How things got this bad, he didn’t know, but the kitchen wasn’t the only room like this. The entire house was lacking a motherly touch that Naoko provided.

She would be utterly appalled if she saw his bedroom.

Elias got into a good rhythm of washing, drying, and placing the dishes to the side. “My offer still stands. If you want to bring your mother around here, you guys would be welcome to stay as long as you want,” he said, scrubbing away at the dirt and grime on the plates. The rest of his family wouldn’t mind him hosting a few guests at a time like this. Then again, with the house in this state… “I’d, uh, definitely clean before she comes, though. There’s a spare room that hasn’t been touched for a while, so rooming wouldn’t be a problem.”

He really wouldn’t mind having the Tanakas over. Elias would be happy for the distraction.
@Romi

“That’s a thought,” Elias mused, staring into space as he reflected on that idea. He imagined the virus suddenly disappearing, the sick in quarantine suddenly being discharged. This island had seen much stranger things, and on a regular basis, too. Maybe a little part inside him did hold out some hope that his family would be released soon, but that was all it was, an unrealistic hope, and Elias wasn’t one to put too much faith in possibilities. Even so, hope helped others stay calm. Their fantasies grounded them and kept them from going too crazy. If that’s what Naoko’s mom needed, then so be it.

He looked back down at the dishes, setting a clean one down lightly on the counter. “That’s alright. Just let her know that--Or, you don’t have to tell her, but--I mean, well, it’s okay if she does want to come over. Not that I’m assuming she does, but, uh...y’know.”

“College?” Elias latched on to the new conversation topic. “Ooh, that sounds fun.” Elias and Naoko had lived on practically the same street since they were kids. The college campus wasn’t too far from their neighborhood, but it would be nice to have a change of scenery, nonetheless. Admittedly, he felt a small twinge of sadness at the revelation--maybe it was the memories of going to Naoko’s house, just a short walk away, and realizing things wouldn’t be the same with her living elsewhere--but he tried not to let it linger. Naoko hadn’t even moved yet, and she seemed excited about it, so Elias should be, too. College wouldn’t be for a few years, either.

The thought of college looming in their future was a bit intimidating, but there was still plenty of time until they needed to worry about it. At least, that was how Elias saw it. “So, when did you start thinking about that?”
@Romi