theafflicted | 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.

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He can feel the urgency in how Shizuku grabs his arm. It makes him raise an eyebrow. ]

Hm? I don't need help though. I'm fine!

Are you? The Hien I know doesn't smile through awful things like that. He- he doesn't make people be 'fine'. Every time until now you've helped me, it's been gentle and without- without force!

Well, here I am. This is the me that you didn't know.

[ Like the part about him being a monster, or so he claims. But is that even the truth? ]

I am many parts, and all of them are me.

Was the way I was earlier 'me' as well? I don't believe this is really you, Hien. Not for a second.

That's quite the bold claim, Shizu.

[ He honestly doesn't want to say the hollowness was a part of her, but he knows it could be. ]

What do you know about me? I just want to be happy and help you, see?

This isn't how you've ever shown me happiness before.

( his mischief, how he danced or ran about- even if his face was subdued, he was having fun. this isn't like that. it's- she doesn't know. but it's wrong. )

[ There's something inside of Hien that tugs. He's happy. Everything will be okay as long as he's happy. ]

Well, you see...

[ He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's happy. He's ha▓▓▓▓ ]

I've never shown happiness to you.

( that stings. but. she can't... she can't give up. )

Even when you were having fun?

People tend to ask less questions if they meld into social situations seamlessly.

[ aka he reacts so that no one will have to question him. However, it's different from putting on a mask. Shizuku is right in a way—Hien would be having fun if he genuinely felt those feelings. But for now, he can't, so he reacts in a way what he would have done if he could genuinely feel, so it's not really a lie.

But all this is pretty much admitting that he isn't really happy, so what Shizuku does is working. ]

( shizuku frowns, and looks up at him. so he's felt like this... even all this time. was any of it real? did he ever actually enjoy anything here? she wants to make him smile. a real smile, not- whatever this is. )

I believe you when you say this. ... But I cannot believe that whatever these things are doing to you is your real happiness, either. You don't have to be happy. You don't have to feel anything but what's in your heart. But these things don't have any right to decide what that is.

[ Normally, friendship speeches and the like don't really work on him. However, Shizuku worded it in a way that sounds like competition—that the ghoul is getting the better of him. To tame him?? Naw, son. The ghoul is forcibly thrown out of Hien's body and scurries elsewhere.

Hien's expression is in its usual blank state after the ghoul's departure. ]

It feels less stuffy now. Thanks, Shizu.

( she sees it scramble away and immediately hugs hien around the neck, tight- propriety be damned, honestly. when she speaks, it's with a relief that leaves her breathless. )

I'm glad you're okay.

[ Hien has bandages around his neck, but it's not like they were there for injuries, so it's fine. He gently returns the hug and lightly pats her back. ]

... I'll always be okay one way or another.

[ Anyway. ]

Thanks. I'm sorry I said all that to you too. You must have been incredibly stressed.

[ Him being a monster was the truth, but eating people?

...

He doesn't think Madara would taste good anyway. ]

It- it isn't your fault. I don't think you'd have said that if you were truly yourself.

( forgiveness? absolution? who knows, honestly. all she knows is that she cannot blame him as he was- the ghoul had more say than anything, and even if hien had capacity for that treatment, she has no reason to believe he would truly turn it her way. )

[ Well. Hien won't say anything about that. ]

Thanks, for believing in me.

[ He's not sure if that trust is warranted, but you know what? Live your life, Shizuku. ]

I think I'll go help some others from possession. You think you'll be okay by yourself?

I- I think so.

( hopes so. maybe after so many attempts failing, the hollow ghoul will leave her alone.

she should find someone- madara. she needs to see him. wants to see him. both, really. )

Get a light out, it may help... I think those things are starting to get tired, though.

I will. Thanks for the warning.

[ And off he goes! Ganba, Shizuku. ]

( shizuku watches him for a moment, and as he vanishes into the dark hallways, inhales, exhales, and inhales again. she won't cry. she won't cry. she won't make madara deal with any more tonight. be strong. you're stronger than this.

she turns around and runs, to find her partner. )

02.50 - week two, saturday

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cw cannibalism mention

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