who: open
where: vigil march near the university
This wasn’t exactly what Zoe had expected to return to when she came home again. It was far from it, enough so that she still couldn’t believe the truth of what was staring back at her. Three deaths and one that she knew well enough that hiding her face from being seen before she was ready— well, it wasn’t exactly something that she could bring herself to do. The rain was a fitting touch as Zoe lifted her umbrella once more to block it out enough that the candle in her hand didn’t blow out before reaching the library. She kept her head down, doing her best not to bring any attention to herself as she sorted through the memories that were quickly becoming unlocked the longer that they walked in a solemn, silent crowd.
Or it was until she wasn’t looking where she was going and knocked into the closest body near her, leaving her nearly dropping everything in her hands as she fought to catch her balance. The other’s body was enough to help keep her upright for the time being as she righted herself quickly. “Shit, sorry — I was clearly paying more attention to the pavement than where I was going,” she spoke softly, another muttered curse under her breath as she felt the slight pain in her ankle that twisted in the near fall. It would heal fast, but she knew the stumble caused attention that she was looking to avoid, especially from the person that she’d all but tripped on.
Reza was itching for a cig, but the tube between his lips is too wet for him to light up. Figures, he thought, as the grey clouds started to gave way to the dismal rain, soaking his clothes and chilling him to the bone. Somebody would’ve commented about how the weather was apt to the evening’s mood. Or something like death is a tragedy in the young and a rite of passage for the old and so it brought different kinds of mourning. But he was no poet that strings lovely words together. Instead, what came out of his mouth was the click of his tongue and strings of curses mumbled under his breath. Reza slicked his wet hair back then down his face, a futile attempt to keep his face dry as rain kept pouring down.
He didn’t know any of the victims. Sure, he knew their names and faces, had seen them around town and everything that small town folks should know about each other. But he never personally talked to them, nor had he ever gone out of his way to do so either. Well, maybe he’s acquainted with Esmee, but only because her brother sold him weed sometimes and they had a smoke together. But that’s the extent of it. Reza hadn’t planned on going to vigil, and with the downpour, he debated whether he should just head back, have beer and takeout before passing out in front of the tele. At least he’d be warm and fed instead of miserable and wet.
Reza turned, having decided to ditch the vigil and go straight home, and bumped into someone. Colourful curses flew out of his mouth as his instincts kicked in, arm quickly wrapping around the other’s hip to catch her from falling. “Didn’t know pavements could be so interestin’,” he quipped, his brows cocked as he let go of her. Reza took not of the candle on her hand and the umbrella on the other, both of which he did not have. Not knowing what to do with his hands, he shoved them into his jacket as he assessed the Moonshine Owner. “You alright there, Zoe?” He figured he’d ask, trying to appear nice to the pretty lady.
