[ah. she stands and watches for just a moment, trying to figure out what to do or say - but it feels strange to just watch this, so she ends up moving towards him before she can really make a plan for just what words to use here. she definitely sounds concerned, though.]
[she takes a seat next to him as he offers, reaching for his hand. touch week... she doesn't seem as awkward about it this time, at least, given how miserable he seems. but as she notices him biting his lip:]
You do not need to hold back. You did ask me not to censor myself around you, you know.
[There is nothing at all awkward about hand-holding while going through an emotional crisis, and he's glad to have someone to hold onto while he tries to shove down his feelings long enough to speak.]
Thank you.
[For both her hand and her words.]
He...he was afraid of being forgotten. I-I promised to keep his memory alive.
[A promise he made when the thought was less 'people are dying' and more 'lol we're from other worlds we'll say goodbye eventually'.]
[which she thinks is probably little comfort - it's not as if memory is the same thing as having him here. still, she pauses for a moment, trying to decide what to say once again.]
He was - a kind person. Outgoing, warm. He cared about people here a good deal. [there's a little strain in her own voice as she says that, before she moves on.] So I imagine that he cared a good deal about you, too.
[He nods a little. What she's saying, it makes sense to him. Buzen was a very kind person, and Atsushi can't think of anyone who disliked him. There wasn't an unkind bone in his body, he thinks.]
I know. And I will.
[A sniffle.]
I just...didn't get to know him as well as I would have liked.
Last week, one of the Residents said - they didn't know whether Kazuma would have needed to die if he chose the combat option. Since we were able to stop the fight when Damien and Riff battled each other. [...] I do not want to give you any false hope. But - there is a chance, at least, that whoever did this might be alright.
It may have been a coincidence last week. I mean... That the two of them were so close. But - even if whoever killed Buzen wasn't close to him, it would not change what happened to him, and I imagine it would be hard for anyone to contend with killing someone like that regardless of if they were his friend.
Assuming things are the same as they were last week... That's true. Although, if things are the same - I do not understand why there were two people. It's possible they didn't both have the same motive, with how rapidly this place changes.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:35 am (UTC)Because in contrast to last week, where he was sad but motivated to help, Atsushi is quietly losing his shit on one of the couches right now.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:37 am (UTC)Atsushi...
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:43 am (UTC)He does look up to her, but he can't say anything quite yet. He's biting down on his lip to keep himself quiet. But he does want her company, yes.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:45 am (UTC)You do not need to hold back. You did ask me not to censor myself around you, you know.
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:55 am (UTC)Thank you.
[For both her hand and her words.]
He...he was afraid of being forgotten. I-I promised to keep his memory alive.
[A promise he made when the thought was less 'people are dying' and more 'lol we're from other worlds we'll say goodbye eventually'.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:59 am (UTC)[which she thinks is probably little comfort - it's not as if memory is the same thing as having him here. still, she pauses for a moment, trying to decide what to say once again.]
He was - a kind person. Outgoing, warm. He cared about people here a good deal. [there's a little strain in her own voice as she says that, before she moves on.] So I imagine that he cared a good deal about you, too.
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:06 am (UTC)I know. And I will.
[A sniffle.]
I just...didn't get to know him as well as I would have liked.
[Two and a half weeks is not enough time at all.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:08 am (UTC)...This place is very cruel. No one who has been taken from us deserved this.
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:15 am (UTC)[He squeezes her hand for a moment.]
And I know that, whoever did it, they probably didn't actually want to kill him.
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:19 am (UTC)Last week, one of the Residents said - they didn't know whether Kazuma would have needed to die if he chose the combat option. Since we were able to stop the fight when Damien and Riff battled each other. [...] I do not want to give you any false hope. But - there is a chance, at least, that whoever did this might be alright.
[she doesn't really believe it, but.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:24 am (UTC)Then...we should bring that up at trial. So that, whoever it was, knows to pick that option.
[Even if it doesn't work, the worst is that the person dies anyway, right?]
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:26 am (UTC)They should know what the choice may offer them, at least.
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:30 am (UTC)[He's quiet for a moment, and then:]
It's terrifying. He could have been murdered by one of his close friends. How horrible must it be, to be coerced into something like that?
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:35 am (UTC)[her frown deepens slightly.]
It may have been a coincidence last week. I mean... That the two of them were so close. But - even if whoever killed Buzen wasn't close to him, it would not change what happened to him, and I imagine it would be hard for anyone to contend with killing someone like that regardless of if they were his friend.
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Date: 2022-03-05 03:59 am (UTC)[He sighs.]
It's going to be hard. I want to help, but I feel like I'm going to lose it.
[He is a big baby who might cry at trial.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 04:06 am (UTC)[she pauses, though, glancing at him.]
...I think you will be able to help.
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Date: 2022-03-05 04:16 am (UTC)[He blinks a few times. His sadness isn't completely gone, but it's like a bit of clarity is coming back to him.]
It could be different this time, and assuming it will be the same is probably a mistake.
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Date: 2022-03-05 04:18 am (UTC)It may turn out that whoever killed them acted for the same reason, but we can't know for sure until we find them, I think.
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Date: 2022-03-05 05:02 am (UTC)[He gives Vin's hand another squeeze.]
Thank you. For being a shoulder to cry on.
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Date: 2022-03-05 05:04 am (UTC)[but - progress, maybe, because she follows up with:]
But you are welcome.
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Date: 2022-03-05 05:13 am (UTC)[But he's smiling a little more now. Just being near her makes him feel better.]
I guess we're good friends like that, huh? That we want to help each other and everything.
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Date: 2022-03-05 05:25 am (UTC)I- suppose?
[#bad at friendship]
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Date: 2022-03-05 11:31 am (UTC)Is the idea surprising to you?
[He's looking a lot more amused now.]
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Date: 2022-03-05 02:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-07 02:55 am (UTC)[He remembers their talk about an undying ruler.]
Do you know why they're not as open?
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