“Ah, I see. I thank you for explaining what I missed,” Ilona replied to Tracer, Sophie, and Sion—who had been patient enough to relay to her what they had heard. She sheepishly wrapped a gold strand of hair around one of her fingers, while feeling a small pang of guilt in her chest for not paying complete attention. Has Miss Lalonde been able to relay a message, she should’ve focused on it. Their mission was very important and she needed to be certain of its important details at all times.
Ilona couldn’t really help it though; she was a person who was easy to distract—especially when conversing about a topic she liked. With good intentions, the blonde attempted to pay attention to Sion once more. But this attempt would also be in vain when Aoko would cut off the woman before she could finish speaking. The topic of Shiki had once again lured her distracted mind away like a bird to a worm.
Cheeks flushed as red as her own coat, Ilona responded,
“A-At his door? Oh, you're mistaken miss! It isn't as if I pine after him! He's a trusted friend whom I greatly respect.” The scarlet blush on the girl's face didn't make her reply very convincing.
“Oh, but I haven’t even seen him in... some time.” Her expression briefly fell.
“It’s disheartening to hear he is troubled." It really was a shame. Trouble seemed to follow the poor guy. Ilona may not have known all of his struggles, but she understood how it felt to have issues seem to follow you.
"I only wish I could do something to cheer him up or, at the very least, visit him, but--”
Ilona cut herself off, shooting a sheepish smile at a somewhat disgruntled Sion after she would clear her throat.
Shoot, she did it again, didn't she?
"Y-Yes, but of course!" Ilona chirped, tensing her body upon feeling Sion place a hand on her shoulder.
The woman believed in her? Haha... no pressure.
For a moment, if she could manage, the time traveler attempted to block out the others and closed her blue eyes. She took in a breath of air through her nose, releasing it through her mouth. She tried to focus on Junko's signature of energy, inwardly a bit worried this wouldn't work. Or worse. What if she found herself distracted and ended up taking the group to the wrong individual? Like an enemy or, oh god, Shiki. Jeez, now she was just making herself nervous.
But, after a few seconds, Ilona felt the warm glow of a power brush against her own senses. Keeping her eyes closed, she pointed a finger in the direction of the power--directing the others as if she were a human compass.
"Mayhaps she is in this direction?"
I think?
Ilona bit her lower lip.
She didn't feel entirely certain.
@Ver @Jeremi @Josh @Atomic Knight @York