Open Log

[spoilsfun]

Who: Conan and Anyone
What:: Various
Where: Various
When: Last Week of December

1. For Ran
Ever since their last discussion, Shinichi had been trying to think of a better way. Being there by text message was something. But it was not enough. There was no way to predict how often the personas would activate, and with no voice changer, speaking to her over the phone was not an option.

That only left one possibility. 

Several days later, Conan approaches Ran with a sealed envelope in his hand.

2. Snow [Open to Anyone] 
No matter how many times people warned him, Conan never had learned not to run in snow. Running on the way home, he hits a slippery spot and goes sliding into a snowdrift.

Comments

[singlefaith]

Ran has been out of sorts since her last conversation with Shinichi, a little quieter and more withdrawn.

It's an old argument -- though granted, one with a new twist, knowing that he's so close by -- but it doesn't make it hurt any less. Honestly, if it were a new one, she would be more agitated by it. As it stands, it's an old ache, like a wound that's never quite healed.

She's curled up on her bed with her phone when Conan finds her. He's been lingering closer lately, so at first she thinks it's that. But then she catches sight of the envelope in his hand, her name in a familiar penmanship, and she's sitting up. "Conan-kun?"

[spoilsfun]

"I found it taped to the door." He holds it out to her. "I think its for you."

[singlefaith]

"From Shinichi . . . ?" That really does look like his handwriting. Taking the envelope from him, she runs her finger under the flap, tugging it open. She pulls out the paper from inside, unfolding it.

[spoilsfun]

Ran.

I know a letter isn't the same as being there myself, but I thought it might be an improvement over the texts. I left this at your house. Knowing Conan, I expect he will be the one to find it.

I haven't been around for a long time, and I can't tell you why. I can't tell you why I can't come home, even though it is the one thing I want more than anything. There is something I have to do, still.

But I will make you this promise. The moment it is safe, I will tell you everything.

Consider the included a belated Christmas present.

S.

P.S. Please destroy this letter once you finish reading.

[If she reaches into the envelope again, she will find a simple necklace and pendant.]

[singlefaith]

Ran opens the envelope a little further, tipping the necklace into her palm. For a few moments, she seems far away, looking at it. A smile blooms, but it's faint, sad, and she folds the letter, tucking it away again.

[spoilsfun]

He watches as Ran opens the letter, and smiles sadly at her reaction.

[singlefaith]

She suddenly remembers that he's still standing there, and her eyes flick up. Quickly she tries to pull up a full smile. "Mm -- thank you for bringing it up."

[spoilsfun]

"Was it really from Shinichi-niichan?"

He pushes gently, to let her talk about it if she wanted to.

[singlefaith]

She nods, pressing her lips together. She's quiet for a long moment again, staring at some point on the floor beyond him.

"I guess . . . I just wish I understood. I want to believe him. It's just so hard sometimes to trust in it. Blindly.

And yet I feel so guilty for not just trusting him. For being angry with him for not coming home and just believing it's something he needs to do."

[spoilsfun]

And that made him feel guilty all over again. He'd already asked her to wait for him so long. But he couldn't think of anything he could do but ask her to wait even longer.

"I think... I think Shinichi-niichan wants to keep his promises. I think he would have come back if he could."

[singlefaith]

She shakes her head. "Mm. I know. That's what he says too. But knowing something and feeling something aren't always the same . . . and then holding onto that conviction . . . sometimes that's even harder. I don't know then if it's actually his fault or just some kind of flaw in me."

She doesn't seem to expect him to answer that, though, because there's another shake of the head, quicker. "Here, though, I'm not sure I can wait. Even if it makes him angry, I can't just wait."

[spoilsfun]

"It isn't Ran-neechan's fault!"

Those were the words that he had feared hearing from her for months. But now that they'd been said, he couldn't be upset with her. She'd already waited for him longer than he had any reason to ask. How could he ask her to wait even longer, when there was no reason he could give her.

"Shinichi-niichan... You've already waited so long for him." His gaze drops, and he is silent for a long moment before he raises it again. "Would it be better if Shinichi-niichan left?"

[singlefaith]

Both outburst and question startle her, her eyes shooting back to him. "No." She flushes -- probably she shouldn't be talking to him like this; obviously she's said something wrong if he's even asking the question in the first place. "Mou -- I'm sorry, Conan-kun; of course I don't want him to go."

He is very attached to "Shinichi-niichan." He really likely shouldn't be hearing all of this.

[spoilsfun]

Conan frowns. It was not a question he'd ever wanted to ask. But it seemed like more and more he was starting to wonder here, with all the time he had to think.

Would Ran be happier if she wasn't waiting for him? He didn't want her to cry any more, but it seemed like he was the cause of her tears so often

"But would it be easier if he did?"

[singlefaith]

It startles her no less the second time than the first. She stares at him -- the small, quiet face, so strangely grown up. He means the question.

Inside, she stings with guilt. She's made him ask it.

". . . Easier doesn't mean it's better, Conan-kun." The words come slowly. She has to get them right. "You shouldn't always choose 'easier' because it's there. Even when it hurts. Not when the person on the other side of that choice is worth more than that."

A small smile, very faint. "If the roles were different, if it were me instead of him, I think -- I hope? -- he'd wait for me too."

[spoilsfun]

His gaze drops. They were the words he'd hoped to her, but he couldn't bring himself to be happy over it. Not when he knew how much Ran had suffered over him.

"Mmm, I think he would wait for you too."

[megacurious]

[He was just coming back to his family's house when he finds the very same boy he encountered sliding through the snowdrift.]

Mon deiu!

[Not wanting to hurt the poor boy, he quickly rushed to his side in an attempt to catch him.]

Sorry about the delay! I was out of town for the holiday.

[spoilsfun]

I'm okay!

[The boy brushes snow away from his face and surveys his surroundings, trying to locate something solid enough to let him get back to his feet.. ]

Don't worry about it!

[megacurious]

[Without any hesitation, Augustine offers his hand to the boy and tries to help him back up.]

You know that it is dangerous to run in the snow. I'm just glad I managed to catch you on time.

[spoilsfun]

[Conan grabs onto his hand and regains his feet.]

I know! But it looked clear to me. I wasn't expecting the ice.

[megacurious]

Just in case, I suggest you should try to rely on your parent or guardian to guide you through the snow safely. Sometimes, this weather can play tricks to your eyes.

[spoilsfun]

[Conan's dignity might have just hit a new low.]

I'll be fine by myself. I just need to be a little more careful.

[megacurious]

Well, if you like, I can guide you through the snow. It's better than having another injury.

[spoilsfun]

Thanks, but I don't need to be guided. I don't think I'll get injured again just on the way home.

[megacurious]

[Despite Conan’s assurances, Augustine is still unsure about this.]

In that case, will you promise not to run into slippery floors on your way home then?

[spoilsfun]

"I promise! I'll walk slow on the way home."

[megacurious]

Good. You should be on your way now.

Au revoir and be careful out there!

[With that, he left the young boy alone to head off to his destination. Despite his smile, he is still a little worried about him.]

[secretmakesawoman]

Thanks to his terrible luck, Vermouth witnesses this scene.

Walking up behind the snow-covered detective, she reaches down and scoops him up by the arms. Since their heights are so drastically different, his feet inevitably are far off the ground.

"That was quite a tumble," she says with a fond smile.

[spoilsfun]

Conan stiffens as he realizes exactly who had just picked him up.

Thanks Vermouth, that panic attack was just what needed today.

"There is ice on the sidewalk," he says a deliberately calm tone.

[secretmakesawoman]

Now now, is that really necessary? She's just trying to help.

"There is indeed."

Whether she notices his unease or not, Vermouth doesn't comment on it. Gently she sets his feet back on firm ground before letting go. Once she's done, Vermouth kneels down on his level, smiling fondly at the young man. What a good act, right? Or is it?

"So why were you in such a hurry? It's dangerous to run in this kind of weather."

[spoilsfun]

He knew better than to believe in anything she showed on the surface. It could be the truth, but more likely it was an act. She was an actress, after all.

"I wasn't hurrying." But Ran worried when he didn't get home on time.

[secretmakesawoman]

Her eyebrows raise at that.

"Really? You seemed to be going awfully fast for not hurrying."

While Vermouth would like if Ran didn't worry, her Angel would worry more if Conan got injured from icy walkways. She leans forward, hand raised to brush his bangs back.

"Are you hurt?"

[spoilsfun]

"Of course not. I just fell into a snowdrift."

Not that he would admit it to her, even if he had been. He had his pride as a detective.

[secretmakesawoman]

"Perhaps, but something could have been hidden in that snowdrift."

A bollard, a knocked-over bicycle, a large rock, a murder victim... There were many possibilities, most which would be hard and painful to fall into.

Since Vermouth knows Conan likes to keep his secrets, she doesn't fully believe him. She brushes his bangs back, hand on the side of his face, as she scrutinizes it for cuts or scrapes. Her gaze is awfully intense as she checks.