Written to Santa's Roommates, Duster, Ed, The Police, and Santa himself just in case

[sesenta]

Dear XXX,

I haven't been able to reach my brother Santa for the past two days. We usually talk all the time, so for him to be silent this long is more than just unusual, it's alarming. Have any of you seen him, or know where he was going? I'm getting really worried.

Aoi, if you get this, please let me know you're okay.

Sincerely,
Akane Kurashiki

Comments

[sesenta]

Thank you, Crash Kupo. I'm worried too. Is there anything I can help with at the bank that you know of? My brother isn't an irresponsible person, he wouldn't just leave his job like that without telling anybody. And I don't want him to lose his job if something bad happened to him.

~Akane

[21stcenturyguy]

I don't know, kupo. I can try to keep things running for a day or so, but if Santa is taking a vacation, we really need to let them know. They are too scared of him to fire him, but they might not work as hard for him if he leaves all the time, kupo! Their last boss was mean to them!

-Crash Kupo

[sesenta]

[There's a significant delay between Akane's last reply at this one. When she writes, her handwriting is a little shaky, and there are a few spots on the paper where her tears dried. That is one sad little sister.]

Crash,

I'll stop by the bank later this afternoon. Someone murdered my brother. He'll be gone for a while longer. So I'll tell the employees to expect him to return as soon as he's capable.

~Akane

[21stcenturyguy]

[There's no written response, but Crash Kupo will be at the bank when Akane arrives, trying to keep the panicked workers calm and under control. He's wearing a little tie, but also the arm warmers Santa bought for him. Occasionally, when he thinks no one is looking, he wipes his eyes on the black fabric, and then fixes his expression back into stoicism.]

[sesenta]

[The first thing Akane does is make a beeline for her Moogle's twin, and wrap her arms around him to embrace him tightly against her shoulder. She nuzzles her face against his soft white fur, holding him for a little while to convey her sympathy, and the pain they both share.]

[She steps back after several moments, giving him one firm nod. She's still heartbroken, but there's work to be done. She can't keep crying and feeling miserable and alone, leaving Aoi with a knot of problems plopped onto his plate when he comes back. Clearing her throat, she steps into the middle of the bank. There aren't any customers yet, so she can address the employees as a whole.]

My name is Akane Kurashiki. I'm Aoi's younger sister. I regret to inform you that Aoi is unable to come to work for the next week. He was found...murdered.

[In spite of her resolve, there's still a tightening in her throat when she says it. She grips her small hands into fists at her sides, gathering her resolve.]

He's a Hero of Light, so he will be back in less than a week. It's still shocking, and unsettling, and I apologize that we weren't able to tell any of you this until just now. But...but it would mean a lot to me, and to him, if we prove that we can carry on until he returns. I know something about the banking business too, so if there are any pressing matters I can help you with, I'll stop by twice a day to help in any way I can.

[Akane clasps her hands tightly in front of her and bows.]

If we can do this, I would be so grateful.