[after a moment, she nods, then falls silent for a moment before continuing.]
Can I...
[her voice cracks a little bit, and she takes a breath.]
If you do not want to speak of it, let me know. We could discuss something else. I do not want to... force you to think of something painful. [not with the limited time he has.] But, why did you...?
[Wait, no. He has to back up and explain things better.]
With the gumballs, it never would have been an issue. Even though I bought my powers back, I had to actually use that gumball to use them. But it was like...I can't even explain it. I was just afraid of myself, and of how horrible her death was going to be. All because I thought I was about to turn into a man-eating tiger.
It seemed kinder, to give her a peaceful death instead. I know that's ridiculous now, but at the time...
[she nods, accepting that. she doesn't want to spend much longer talking about it - doesn't really see the point. after a moment of hesitation, she reaches for his hand, if he'll let her.]
[He has to think about that for a moment before he can decide on an answer.]
Tell me about some things you want to do. Things you haven't done before and you want to try, or things you haven't done in a while that you want to do again.
[she nods, and while she's trying to keep a tight leash on it, there's a little bit of worry for him filtering in as he asks that.]
...You're thinking of other people even now? [fond. but, after a moment:] I... Jiuqing mentioned that she wondered whether there could be something like the archways set up between all our worlds, when all this is over, so we could see each other again. I want to go from place to place, seeing everyone again, learning about the places they all live, and meeting all of their friends. I think that's what I want most of all.
[she doesn't mention the fact that she doesn't really believe it'll be possible.]
[She doesn't have to mention that, Atsushi gets the feeling that she sees it as unrealistic anyway. He certainly does too.]
That sounds like a nice dream. Everyone seeing each other's homes...wouldn't that be amazing? There's so many places in Yokohama I would love to show you.
[No, he decides at the last moment. He won't do that.]
...there's something I have for you, but you can't have it until after tomorrow, okay? If I don't find a way to get it to you myself, Kumon will have it.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 02:34 am (UTC)Can I...
[her voice cracks a little bit, and she takes a breath.]
If you do not want to speak of it, let me know. We could discuss something else. I do not want to... force you to think of something painful. [not with the limited time he has.] But, why did you...?
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 02:53 am (UTC)[Wait, no. He has to back up and explain things better.]
With the gumballs, it never would have been an issue. Even though I bought my powers back, I had to actually use that gumball to use them. But it was like...I can't even explain it. I was just afraid of myself, and of how horrible her death was going to be. All because I thought I was about to turn into a man-eating tiger.
It seemed kinder, to give her a peaceful death instead. I know that's ridiculous now, but at the time...
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 02:57 am (UTC)[she doesn't sound or feel judgmental - just like she's trying to understand how he was manipulated to feel.]
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 03:13 am (UTC)[He knows it's got a lot of faults to it, but his mind was compromised and explaining that is difficult.]
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 03:16 am (UTC)...Is there anything I can do for you, tonight?
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 03:25 am (UTC)Tell me about some things you want to do. Things you haven't done before and you want to try, or things you haven't done in a while that you want to do again.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 03:29 am (UTC)...You're thinking of other people even now? [fond. but, after a moment:] I... Jiuqing mentioned that she wondered whether there could be something like the archways set up between all our worlds, when all this is over, so we could see each other again. I want to go from place to place, seeing everyone again, learning about the places they all live, and meeting all of their friends. I think that's what I want most of all.
[she doesn't mention the fact that she doesn't really believe it'll be possible.]
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 03:44 am (UTC)That sounds like a nice dream. Everyone seeing each other's homes...wouldn't that be amazing? There's so many places in Yokohama I would love to show you.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 03:49 am (UTC)I would love to see it. [...] Atsushi?
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:00 am (UTC)Yeah?
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:02 am (UTC)I'm sorry this happened to you. Out of everyone here, you're one of the people who deserve it least.
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Date: 2022-03-20 04:11 am (UTC)I...would rather it be me than you.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:12 am (UTC)[she thinks about disagreeing, but she doesn't want to argue tonight. there's a sense both of fondness and sadness.]
But - I hope you don't blame yourself. It was not your fault.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:18 am (UTC)[Sometimes you're told all the problems in your life are your fault and you have to fight hard to not instantly blame everything on yourself.]
...hey, Vin?
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:20 am (UTC)[she glances towards him.]
Yes?
1/3
Date: 2022-03-20 04:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:32 am (UTC)3/3
Date: 2022-03-20 04:33 am (UTC)...there's something I have for you, but you can't have it until after tomorrow, okay? If I don't find a way to get it to you myself, Kumon will have it.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:35 am (UTC)[she pauses for a moment.]
I would rather know what it is now, if I may. Before...
[that part goes unspoken, but she's sure he can guess.]
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:45 am (UTC)It's nothing bad though, I promise. I'm just finishing up a promise I made for you weeks ago, right after we first arrived.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:46 am (UTC)...Alright. I trust you.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:53 am (UTC)[Unless Vin gets rolled as executioner tomorrow at least.]
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 04:56 am (UTC)Percy lived after choosing combat. The same thing could happen again.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 05:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-20 01:34 pm (UTC)...I will remind you that this was not your fault.
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