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

[cheerfuldays]

... If all I wanted was the beautiful side of things, would I still be an idol, knowing how awful it's underbelly is? People can be messy. That doesn't make you unworthy.

( let her just play with his hair softly, unfazed by the close contact. it's a soothing moment, just the two of them. something the ghoul has no right to be part of, had no right to instigate- but she can finish it, at the very least. )

I want to have you in my life, Madara. I wouldn't let anyone else this close, you know...?

[festiverogue]

[He doesn't know if he believes it, but he wants to believe it. He wants to believe so, so badly that she cares, and wants him there, and wouldn't let anyone else take his place. It may be for only a few weeks, for a meager portion of a life, but he wants this.

And maybe it's the truth about the idol industry that is the last straw, but he suddenly feels more simply sad than despondent or angry. The ghoul gives up on him entirely, just as he tips his chin up and presses his lips to Shizuku's forehead.]

I'm sorry, Shizuku. You really do deserve a lot better.

[cheerfuldays]

( her eyes flutter shut at the kiss to her forehead and- with the soft moment confirming he's him, shizuku doesn't hesitate to hug him around the chest- holding on tight, like it could possibly protect them both from all of this. )

I want you.

[festiverogue]

[He doesn't understand where this caring comes from, this desire to specifically have him in her life, but for the moment he accepts it for what it is. And he tries to forget that it'll be gone just as quickly as it began.

With a little self-deprecating sigh, he puts his arms around her as well.]

Yeah, well... I think maybe I need you.

[cheerfuldays]

... We're in a bit of a bind, aren't we?

( a week of trying to settle. a week of exploring. now this, a greedy hunger almost because when he tells her he's proud of her she beams and no one else makes her feel safe so easily despite everything.

dangerous feelings, for idols. )

For as long as I can, let me be with you. Please?

[festiverogue]

[He knows. He cares too much, and because he cares, he'll hurt her, he'll drive her off. Not today, it seems. Maybe it's best that they'll probably part before he has a chance to make her hate him.

She's so, so good in all the ways that he sees himself as deficient.

He takes one of her hands in his, holding it carefully, like he's afraid he'll hurt her.]

I'm gonna hold you to that, Shizuku. I'm not going to let you go until I absolutely have to.

[cheerfuldays]

( shizuku nods against him, listening to his heartbeat. inhale. exhale. he's free. she's free. they're both okay now. they just have to stay okay. )

I know you will. And if you don't... I will.

[festiverogue]

[It's sinking in that he must've said horrible things, that she must be questioning everything about him... But all he can do is hold her close for a few more moments.]

Let's find a way out of here. We can talk when we get back to campus.

[cheerfuldays]

( she nods again, finally breaking the hug and looking up at him again. the guilt on his face is apparent and it hurts- there's too much going on right now though. so instead just slides her hand into his. )

Those things must be getting tired by now... I don't know how much longer we'll have to deal with this, but. We have each other. Right?

[festiverogue]

[He nods, smiling just short of painfully. Still, she's right.]

We do. And we'll survive.