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theafflicted2022-06-04 05:33 pm
afflictionmods) wrote in theafflicted2022-06-04 05:33 pm
02.50 - week two, saturday
W2 SATURDAY
Like last Saturday, everyone will get an announcement on their tablets; this time, the announcement is preceded with a bell of some sort before Lorelei appears on the screen again.
"Good morning, everyone. This is an announcement to let you know that today's lesson will take place starting at 8:15 tonight. Again, today's lesson will be starting at 8:15. Please meet at the lower campus exit near the lecture by 8:00pm; Florence will be waiting for you there.
If you have a bag for some snacks and, perhaps, an item you can use for self-defense in the case of an emergency, please arrive with those things on you. We will provide you with an overview of what to expect when you arrive at 8pm.
Thank you."
The alert ends.
You have the day to prepare, ask each other what the hell is happening -- Florence and Lorelei do not seem to be available, strangely enough. There's a lot to take in with the information you have now. But before you know it... night falls.
"Good morning, everyone. This is an announcement to let you know that today's lesson will take place starting at 8:15 tonight. Again, today's lesson will be starting at 8:15. Please meet at the lower campus exit near the lecture by 8:00pm; Florence will be waiting for you there.
If you have a bag for some snacks and, perhaps, an item you can use for self-defense in the case of an emergency, please arrive with those things on you. We will provide you with an overview of what to expect when you arrive at 8pm.
Thank you."
The alert ends.
You have the day to prepare, ask each other what the hell is happening -- Florence and Lorelei do not seem to be available, strangely enough. There's a lot to take in with the information you have now. But before you know it... night falls.
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[ Today, the mask has slipped more than he'd ever want it to. Not even Dice and Ramuda have seen this side of him, aside from fleeting and rare moments. It's unpleasant, but at least Riku isn't dealing with that resentment, but a bluntness born from needing Riku to understand that not hardening one's heart will lead only to pain.
... ]
Extending this understanding to someone who does not deserve it will do you no good.
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[ ... ]
But...I don't think it's about deserving. I think it's about helping a friend.
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Gentaro lets out a deep, bone-tired sigh. ]
It is unwise to declare a near-stranger your friend, especially in a place such as this. Stressful situations bond people together quickly, but that makes those bonds easier to break.
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[ He's a little sad that Gentaro's saying these things, but he also knows it's mostly the ghost talking. Riku holds out a hand towards him. ]
So, let's work through it, okay?
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The offer nearly does him in. The moment of hesitation passes as quickly as it had come, and Gentaro crosses his arms over his chest. It's a protective gesture, because in the end, that's who Gentaro is. He fiercely protects those who he cares for, and protects himself from the world and everything awful and cruel.
... Maybe in this way, he's trying to protect Riku from the sort of person Gentaro is. ]
Your help would be much better off given to someone else. Someone who has not given up on relying on others.
[ It's the ghost talking, because Gentaro knows full well he hasn't. ]
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No, I don't think you have. Especially not in a place like this! If you did, you wouldn't be standing here right now.
[ Of course, Riku is being optimistic here, but he really does assume that Gentaro is a good person. ]
Gentaro-san helped me when I was feeling down, so I want to help you, too. I'll stay here for as long as it takes!
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People come and people go, drifting in and out of his life like phantoms. Gentaro's used to it. It's a matter of constants and variables, and he has counted more variables than he can remember. But the constants--those stand out, like a lighthouse in a storm.
He hasn't given up, because Ramuda and Dice depend on him just as much as he depends on them. There is beauty in mutual understanding and support, and Gentaro senses that Riku is much the same. He's honest in all the ways Gentaro isn't. He wonders how Riku can manage it, really, but it's something that's always evaded him. He wonders just how different he would be if he were honest to himself.
So that easy declaration to stay with Gentaro as long as it takes reaches into his chest and curls around his heart. Just as easily as it had taken hold of him, the ghost leaves, and Gentaro lets out a heavy breath. He feels tired all over again, but he manages a slight smile as he looks at Riku. ]
... Has anyone told you that you are particularly stubborn?
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Haha, I get that a lot! But it's good to have you back – do you feel okay?
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[ There's no exasperation there, just a quiet admission. It's hard not to feel lighter when Riku is around. It's a way about him that's rarely found in his own Tokyo. ]
As okay as I can be after being possessed. ... But I'm very grateful, Riku. Thank you.