010 ~*~ The most anticlimactic return

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Action : 340 Brady Lane : Sunday mid-day ]
[ It might be difficult for outsiders to tell that something was off about Meiling, at first. As a drone she was a touch more pleasant and carefree, a bit more diligent with her work, and much more subservient to her "husband". At school she was pleasant and diligent and a good, hard worker.

But today, the vacuum cleaner in the living room is on and just... running in place. A quick investigation will show that it is on and sitting flat on the floor beside the couch. The couch that a certain redhead is dead asleep on.

...drone!Meiling did not understand the importance of proper rest, so that's why Meiling, having snapped out of it, decided to rectify this at the cost of all else happening around her. ]

---

[ Action : Mayfield Elementary : Monday Afternoon ]
[ Dressed in her usual overalls for her work, this particular janitor is mopping the halls rather dully. She isn't humming to herself as usual, or trying to make a show of cleaning for anyone still milling about after school. Meiling is definitely not all there, but at least it's obvious from the lack of a genial smile that she is no longer droned. ]

---

[ Phone : Monday Evening ]
[ That's both the longest and most frightening droning period ever for her, so those who know her might notice that she's just barely keeping the disappointment inside. This place can make her break just about any promise, it seems... ] Um, hi Mayfield. It's Meiling. I was told I was out for a little while, now, so I want to say I'm sorry to anyone who wanted me for any reason! I'm all better now, I pro-- .

[ Deep breath. ]

I'm pretty sure I am, I mean.

Comments

[kinship]

That sounds like a lot of responsibility... you must miss it.

[not_so_great_wall]

Mm. I do, and I'm not alone in missing it. [ A bit of a sigh.] There are a lot of us here from the Scarlet Devil Mansion. The Mistress and her sister, her friend Patchouli, the head maid, and... [ A moment to count in her head. ] No, I guess that's it.

[kinship]

That's still an awful lot from one place, considering how many places this one has to choose from. There's only my brother and I from our home.

[not_so_great_wall]

I guess we're lucky like that. [ A weak smile. ] Or unlucky, depending on how you think.

Family is important, though, no matter where everyone is.

[kinship]

I think we're lucky.

We might all be trapped, but as long as we're trapped together then we will always have the motivation to survive and carry on.

[not_so_great_wall]

Right! [ She perks up a bit. ] I don't know where I would be without the others. [ Especially Patchouli and Sakuya, whom she has relied on the most, as well as the need to be strong for Flandre and not look useless in Remilia's eyes. ]

[kinship]

And even here, we can make new friends and get even stronger. Right?

[not_so_great_wall]

Right, right! [ Triumphant gesture. Her spirits were lifted, already. ] That's the spirit.

[kinship]

[He feels slightly proud he had managed to make some change to that listless air she had before they spoke.]

Maybe we could be friends too?

[not_so_great_wall]

[ A smile and nod. ] Sure, Cain! I'd like that.

[kinship]

Then consider it done, Miss Meiling! You won't be able to get rid of me now.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Giggling. ] Who says I'd want to?

[kinship]

[That earns her a grin in return, before he's shouldering his backpack higher.]

I have to go home, or Abel will wonder where I am. But if you ever need me, you can call me on the phone or I'll be here at school every day.

[not_so_great_wall]

Mm! I'll do that. [ Bowing. ] It was nice to meet you, Cain, and I'll see you again~ [ And just maybe introduce him to Flandre, since he seems like a nice kid. ]

[kinship]

[He would love to meet all the people!]

Great, take care, Miss Meiling!

[And he runs off, eager to get home to his brother.]