02.50 - week two, saturday

[afflictionmods]

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.

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[partymagician]

I would be sad, but I would continue on.

[ He thinks of Syaoran, the cold look he had in his eyes as he knocked Fai down from trying to save him. ]

I would look at it beyond my perspective and realize that some things were out of anyone's control. Someone rejecting you isn't always your fault or a reflection of your value.

cw identity issues

[catarou]

[ Continuing on... He doesn't show it outwardly, not really, aside from another flicker of unreadable emotion. But something about Fai's words digs deep into the layers and layers of resentment.

(and maybe all of that resentment was always there, directed inward and waiting to consume him completely)

It would be painful if he were to lose anyone he loves, but Gentaro has always been a man of action despite appearances. He would find a way to continue on. He isn't sure how to feel about those four last words, because Gentaro is so deep in his lie that he doesn't know if he remembers how to simply be.

He exhales, the bittersweetness of what Fai says squeezing around his heart. He exhales, and the ghoul loosens its grip on him. It didn't take a huge confrontation, really, for the thing to leave, but when it comes down to it, Gentaro is someone who feels deeply, who values the words of people he's fond of. He wonders when that changed--that he should become fond of someone so quickly, but he truly has learned a thing or two from Dice and Ramuda.

The ghoul glares at Gentaro, hateful and caustic. It could try again, but maybe it doesn't think Gentaro's worth another try. With one more scathing look, it leaves.

His shoulders drop somewhat, weariness and relief all jumbled up together in such a way that the only thing he can think to say right away is-- ]

... How exhausting.

[partymagician]

[ When Gentaro's shoulders drop, Fai knows that he's back to normal. Well... as normal as he can be after being possessed.

Fai reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder. ]

It is, isn't it?

[catarou]

[ He lets out a heavy sigh as he presses a hand to his face. There's a brief moment when he stiffens under Fai's touch, but it last only a second.

Physical comfort--Gentaro isn't used to that. Not from anyone but Dice and Ramuda. But he's grateful for it, all the same. ]

I admit, I'm not quite used to... that. [ He leaves it just vague enough, because he's felt it plenty. He just doesn't let anyone else see. He pulls his hand away from his face, glancing to Fai. ] ... I apologize. You didn't deserve even a fraction of that. But I am grateful.

... Thank you.

[partymagician]

Of course.

[ Honestly, he thinks that Gentaro has no reason to thank him, because Fai was just doing what he should. But he knows that denying his gratitude isn't the right thing to do here. ]

Don't worry about apologizing to me, though. I know it wasn't really you saying all of that, so I won't hold any of that against you.