[Drama] "How we need another soul to cling to."

[Basil Benson]

Colette would be nearly ready for bed when her tablet went off, requesting a video call.

It was Basil.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette didn't take too long to get ready for bed, spending more time carefully putting her clothing away than anything else. She had no hair to comb or tend to, no teeth to brush, there was no need for a face mask. So when the call was answered Basil would be treated to the sight of a fairly normal-looking Colette, her hair a bit shorter perhaps but then again it was the end of a long day. The red garment shown on her neck and shoulders showed she was wearing her latex "form" suit again; while she was getting better at keeping herself human-shaped as she slept, wearing it often helped the process. Like a retainer, but for her entire body.

"Bonsoir Basil!" She said sweetly, though softly, her face illuminated by the glow of the screen and the bedside reading lamp. "Did you have a good day today?"

[Basil Benson]

"Madame Rosenhof!" His voice replied in a fashion far more anxious than she was used to.

"I... It was... fine." Basil lied poorly, but better than he could have to her face, given the camera couldn't see him.

[Colette Rosenhof]

There was something kind of ironic about facetiming with someone when you couldn't see their face. Something Colette had likely mentioned offhandedly one time before realizing how it could hurt Basil's feelings. Still, it was amusing in a way.

"Oh, was it?" She didn't sound convinced. "How are Eszer and Amit? And your mozer?"

[Basil Benson]

"They're... fine.

The old people can't handle their wine and went to bed. Mother had more still to the point she couldn't handle it, then went to bed." Basil replied, continuing the lie. However, there was something strange in his voice, a weakness to it.

"I miss you." He added, almost in a whisper.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette left that first part alone, she could come back to it later if the conversation went there, but really it sounded par for the course for family gatherings.

"I miss you too, Basil. Are you beginning to zink zat perhaps we made ze wrong decision? I do not see anyzing preventing me from catching ze train and joining you for ze weekend at least."

[Basil Benson]

"No, I don't.

Mother is being... a particular shade of mother."

Somehow, Colette got the impression that mother could be swapped with a less neutral word pretty easily.

"You should stay where you are, and I should remain here... but to see you... helps me swallow my- what did I call it?

Bittersweet ,backwards, melodramatic nonsense a bit easier..." He joked at his own expense, like usual.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette's red-gloved fingers gently stroked the screen as though she were touching Basil's face. "Oh Basil. You know, if zey are being too much, you can always come back. I cannot promise zat I can prepare a proper Passover meal or be flawless in following ze traditions, but I can do my best. But if you zink zat you can stick it out... text me when you need to vent, or need me, okay?" She hoped that the second day would go more smoothly than the first, from the sound of Basil's voice.

[Basil Benson]

Basil hesitated responding for a moment.

"I should stay. I'm sorry madame for making you so concerned..." He replied, then after a moment, changed the subject slightly.

"... Should I be mashing my face on the camera to make the petting easier?" He joked.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Do not be sorry Basil. Never be sorry for sharing your feelings. I want to hear zem." Colette tried to give a reassuring smile.

"Do not worry about ze video. I will take care of zings soon, I promise."

[Basil Benson]

"Oh? How's that?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Never you mind, it is a surprise. A passover gift." Colette teased.

[Basil Benson]

"Gifts are for Hanukkah, you ceaseless coquette.

Should I not ask what you were up to today?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette rather liked it when Basil got a little sassy.

"Oh no, you may ask. Nozing related to your surprise, unfortunately. Just school work mostly, ze same boring tedium we do most every day. Zough I am zinking zat tomorrow I may get out my tools and make some candy, perhaps some baking as well. I do not wish to get rusty."

[Basil Benson]

"What were you thinking of making?" He asks, relieved to have something to distract the conversation elsewhere than his own troubles.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I am feeling in a gelatin mood today. I wonder why...." Colette smirked. "Some fruit slices perhaps. I can mix extra and make rainbow squares as well." She did have a fondness for fruit flavours and excessive sugar.

"I zink I will attempt some apricot-flavoured ones as well. For obvious reasons."

[Basil Benson]

Basil remained silent for a moment, his tie, collar, and cap giving away the fact his head was tilted to the side. Colette could more or less guess the expression on his face.

"Oh? Pity I won't be there to test them first hand."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I am certain zat zey will keep. Do not worry, I am not attempting to entice you into coming back early. Try to enjoy yourself Basil. Your family is very important to you, yes?"

[Basil Benson]

The playfulness of his tone dropped off.

"Yes... I suppose it is." He replied in his distant, thoughtful manner.

"You should go to bed Madame. You've got a big day of treat-making tomorrow."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I do not know if it would help, but it may not hurt to remind zem of how important zey are to you." Of course, Colette's home life was very different from Basil's, how could she really understand?

"I suppose zat you are right. And you have a busy day ahead of yourself as well. If zings get overwhelming, do not hesitate to take some time for yourself, yes?

"Get some rest my matou. And have sweet dreams."

[Basil Benson]

"Bonne nuit, Reine de Gelée." He states back, the feed cutting.

[Chisaki Watanabe]

Chisaki sighed audibly despite herself.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette closed the protective cover over her tablet and plugged it back in to charge before setting it back down on her bedside table. She reached for the lights and switched them off one by one.

"I am sorry Chisaki. I hope I did not disturb you too much."

[Chisaki Watanabe]

"She is abusive. He should stop talking to her." She replied, providing absolutely no context to whom she meant.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Whom is abusive?" Colette asked. She assumed the he in this scenario was Basil. The she wasn't herself, was it? No, that didn't make sense. Even if he'd just been talking to her.

[Chisaki Watanabe]

"His mother.

She is dangerous for him."

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette frowned softly. "What are you basing zis on? All Basil said regarding his mozer was zat she drank too much wine tonight."

[Chisaki Watanabe]

Chisaki's back remained turned from Colette.

"You are right, of course.

Goodnight Colette-Senpai."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Goodnight Chisaki-kun." Colette stared at Chisaki's back for a short time before she spoke, and continued afterward, before she settled into bed properly. Sleep didn't come easy for her, she had a lot to think about.