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songerein2023-02-14 12:58 pm
dreamposts) wrote in songerein2023-02-14 12:58 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- -tdm,
- aera mirus fleuret,
- aether,
- alisaie leveilleur,
- alphen,
- anastasia romanova,
- ann takamaki,
- azula,
- barok van zieks,
- beatrix,
- bennett,
- childe/tartaglia,
- cloud strife,
- daisukenojo "beat" bito,
- dante sparda,
- della duck,
- demyx,
- denji,
- dohalim il qaras,
- erichthonios,
- eustace,
- ferran gallagher,
- flowey,
- futaba sakura,
- g'raha tia,
- general nuadha,
- gina lestrade,
- goro akechi,
- hayato gokudera,
- ienzo,
- ira,
- iroh,
- isabela madrigal,
- jason grace,
- kainé,
- kate bishop,
- kazuma asogi,
- ken amada,
- kisara,
- kiyomitsu kashuu,
- kor meteor,
- kratos aurion,
- lady,
- leo valdez,
- link (botw),
- link (oot),
- lyria,
- madhuri qalli,
- magilou mayvin,
- martel yggdrasill,
- meilin "mei" lee,
- mikleo,
- miriam,
- najaran,
- naminé,
- nico di angelo,
- nier (father),
- noctis lucis caelum,
- norimune ichimonji,
- pauline bonheur,
- penny,
- percy jackson,
- phantom,
- portgas d. ace,
- prompto argentum,
- reaper,
- riku,
- rob,
- rokurou rangetsu,
- roxas,
- scaramouche/wanderer,
- senku ishigami,
- seto kaiba,
- shealtiel,
- sheik (zelda),
- shikanoin heizou,
- shinjiro aragaki,
- shionne imeris,
- sleeping beauty,
- solanaceae,
- soldier: 76,
- somnus lucis caelum,
- sora,
- sorey,
- stolas of ars goetia,
- susato mikotoba,
- thancred waters,
- tifa lockhart,
- trahearne,
- unnamed,
- velvet crowe,
- venti,
- xiao,
- yasusada yamatonokami,
- yuri hyuga,
- zack fair,
- zelda (botw),
- zenkichi hasegawa,
- zhongli,
- zuko
{ stroke of midnight }
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
Although the Masquerade is being held on the night of the Fourteenth, some new problems arise in the days after. This log is split into two sections, the Masquerade and Around Town. Everyone is free to participate in either or both, whichever catches your interest.
More details on everything can be found here and here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here with arrival details here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in February and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of February 14 through 28. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count February as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.
IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.
TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open Wednesday, February 22nd and Applications will open on March 1. Our next cycle after won't be until JULY.
TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view, updated 02/22)
Avatar: The Legend of Korra - Korra
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Iroh
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night - Miriam
Chainsaw Man - Power
Dr. STONE - Dr. Senku Ishigami
Elsworld - Noah Ebalon (Nyx Pieta)
Final Fantasy VII - Cloud Strife
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - Zack Fair
Final Fantasy XIV - Erichthonios
Final Fantasy XV - Noctis Lucis Caelum
Final Fantasy XV - Prompto Argentum
Genshin Impact - Shikanoin Heizou
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - Solanaceae
Katekyou Hitman Reborn - Hayato Gokudera
Kingdom Hearts - Ienzo
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Link
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Sheik
Marvel Cinematic Universe - Kate Bishop
NieR: Automata - 9S
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Jason Grace
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Nico di Angelo
Persona 3: FES - Shinjiro Aragaki
SinoAlice - Sleeping Beauty
Tales of Arise - Shionne Vymer Imeris Daymore
Tales of Symphonia - Kratos Aurion
Tales of Symphonia - Martel Yggdrasil
Tales of Zestiria - Mikleo
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Sena
Your Wings and Mine - Shealtiel
We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.
I. MASQUERADE
It's time for the masquerade and the carriages will start arriving before sunset. Upon arrival, everyone who leaves the carriage (or mercilessly spat out if they try to resist) will be greeted by fairy godmothers with an eye for the most dramatic and extravagant fashion. It's a masquerade, after all! For those who already arrive with their outfits, the fairy godmothers may add a little embellishment here and or just change it completely if they think it could look better. For those who did not, they will create a whole new outfit that would fit the wearer perfectly—with magic of course. They will also create the masks and half of the glass slipper brooch that everyone will wear. The masks are enchanted so that regardless of obvious personality or physical traits, they are somehow unrecognizable at first. While it is possible to figure it out through interaction, or if it's someone they already know well, it's more likely they need to reveal their identity first. These outfits can be kept even after the masquerade is over.
A. Get in the Carriage. As the pegasus drawn carriages begin to arrive to transport those who have decided to attend the masquerade, there is some commotion from others. The pair of coach mice—who are only about four feet tall—can be found smiling and cheerily squeaking about the masquerade as they grab and literally throw protesting individuals into the carriage, whereupon the door will immediately shut behind them. Ho ho ho, it'll be such a grand time! Will anyone try to help the poor soul? Or perhaps help the mice? Maybe you're a struggling victim instead. Should anyone want to try and drive the carriage, they might have a chance…but good luck having the pegasi listen to them. Eventually the carriage will land and take them to the front of the castle where the masquerade is hosted.
B. Half of a Pair. Near the entrance, everyone is encouraged to pull out one or more of the shoe brooches contained in a large bowl. The rules are simple: 1) use the brooch to lead them to the person wearing the other half; 2) spend whatever time or activity with them, be it general socializing, a dance, a walk in the gardens; 3) keep the brooch or return it to a designated "Used" bowl. The brooches will absorb whatever kind of dreamotion energy is formed between the two, and the stronger it is, the brighter (if positive) or darker (if negative) it will glow. The interaction can be romantic, platonic, or hostile. For those who do happen to "click" and wish for some privacy, there are numerous terraces and balconies available. Some are public, but there are quite a few with curtains, so be sure to close them to signal the balcony is occupied!
C. Dancing in the Air. The main draw will be the dance floor, and the ballroom is wide and spacious to accommodate numerous pairs to dance to their hearts' content—the music is played by enchanted instruments so they'll keep going without much of a break! Of course, what makes this dance floor truly special is how it uses dreamotion energy to lift everyone up—literally. Pairs who are having a fun time may find themselves floating up and dancing in the air instead of on the ground. Somehow they can maintain some balance…but it's just as easy to lose it. D. Royal Banquet. There are numerous tables one can use and be served an assortment of foods. In fact, one could make special requests and somehow the dragons serving will be able to make it, or at least as close as possible. One just has to imprint the idea of the dish onto a special card that the chefs will use to recreate it. There are also two bowls filled with special tear drop chocolates, one with only white, pink, and red, and the other filled with the other colors. The "game" is to randomly choose one from each bowl and share a kiss depending on what is picked.
E. Out in the Gardens. Every castle has extravagant gardens, and this one is no different. Filled with numerous pink, red, and white flowers, the gardens have their typical fare…with not so typical effects.
- Extravagant mazes that one could easily get lost in are common, but what's special about these gardens is that the flowers will emit a soft, sweet scent that will feel as if they are walking through a dream. In fact, the section they are going through will begin to change to look like a place from their world and must now find their way out. When this change happens, only those who are in the area will be affected and no one else can enter the area until the main person affected gets out. Those inside can help, and there are no threats—it's all in simple fun…unless the place evokes certain memories and emotions for the person. Might not be as fun for them, then.
- A crystal greenhouse where the temperature is perfectly warm (or cold!) and houses various different flowers. Here some may recognize flowers from their world, the scents also creating nostalgia. There are instructions left that indicate anyone can try to help grow the flowers. The key ingredient will be dreamotion energy, and should they succeed in creating a blossom, a small marble containing a symbol of their home. There are also special daisies that can be used to play the "they love me they love me not" game. If the last petal is "they love me," then become extra flirty and clingy. If it's "love me not," they become angry, jealous, and possessive. The effects only last for a short time…unless they keep plucking flowers.
- The white fountain in the center of the gardens will have a bit of a musical playful side. It will splash colorful water at any who pass by, chime-like notes playing out as it does. But if one were to drop a flower that has absorbed positive dreamotion into its water, it will calm and let people sit to look and relax. There is also a strange frog wearing a crown that claims to be a prince. For those who believe its words that a kiss will free him from the curse, they will be sorely disappointed as nothing happens and the frog just laughs and hops away.
II. AROUND TOWN
A. Mask Up. Attracted by the masquerade, some enchanted masks have found their way to town and are now finding their way onto people, be it by tricking their victims to be put on or just forcibly latching themselves on. Depending on the type of mask, the wearer will behave based on a festive, dramatic emotion. While wearing the mask, the dreamotion that is projected is stronger. Examples are angry emotions will cause tremors and cracks on the ground, happiness could blind people or will cause confetti to fly everywhere, while sad ones will cause clouds and drizzling rain to appear overhead. The only way to remove it is to somehow make the other person feel the opposite of whatever emotion the mask is using. Once the mask’s emotion is countered and stabilized, it could be removed or even fall off if the countering emotion is strong enough. Masks can also be captured and collected before they attach to someone.
B. Special Messages. Throughout the month, valentine's are being delivered to people all over town. Some are even receiving some from the fae and dragons who live outside… Perhaps some caution should be had from those. Regardless, while the messages are brimming with both platonic and romantic (and questionable) love, the messengers are a bit… Well they need help.- Insightful Mockingbirds. Special mockingbirds are flying around and perch on random shoulders. They have the ability to "read" a person's thoughts and repeat them out loud. Without warning. Hope there aren't any secrets because that bird is going to make it public, especially if it's an observation or thought—good or bad—about another person. Good luck shooing it away, too—it'll stick around for a while because it might enjoy sowing this bit of chaos.
- Arrow Delivery. The group from last year have decided to use their prank arrows for good and start a business in delivering special Valentine's messages via arrow. A "shot to the heart" in the less literal sense this time! While some of their archers are skilled, others are…less so. Some are hitting a bit too close to comfort or way off the mark. Some messages are going to the wrong person entirely. Help avoid, retrieve, or even deliver these messages around town.
C. Candy Kisses. A special assortment of flat bottomed, tear shaped chocolates are currently selling like hotcakes and can be found practically everywhere. Their main selling point is they come in different colors and each color has a special effect that will make the eater want to kiss the person near them in a certain way (see chart). Some people are deliberately swapping the wrappers around, so be careful!
D. Bleeding Hearts Return. It's Valentine's, yet Cupid is nowhere to be seen. That is because he's still corrupted from last year and now he's thirsting for love, any love. Using the Bleeding Hearts from last year, Cupid is using them to gather all that jealous, possessive love, but of course that's going to make it worse. We're not tackling Cupid here, but the main goal will be helping those who are afflicted by the Bleeding Hearts and purifying them via dreamotion instead of just destroying them. Purifying the Bleeding Hearts with pure love—romantic, platonic, familial, reminders of how they are loved and cared for by others—will help Cupid. Of course this could backfire and make the person feel worse, so be careful!
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For him, of course, it hadn't been long since they were last together. Before being thrown in here - before this ridiculous outfit he got stuffed into - before a fairy approached him ...
He had been looking up at the kid, urging him to use whatever dark feelings he had to actually live his life, to not live one like his, fuck, please, this kid can't end up like me ...
Shinjiro knew he was dead. Ken was also here. What did that mean? Did he ... after all ...
Jaw tight, he sat down, leaving room between them in the carriage. What the hell was he supposed to say? What came out was, his voice a little tight, "Not you, too?"
(( ooc: sorry about the wait! thank you very much for your patience with me - I've been especially looking forward to tagging you so I'm sorry I've been AWOL orz ))
It's all good!
He didn't know how to react and he just found himself sinking his head in before he spoke. "Y-Yeah, I didn't have a choice. I knew they were going to fight if I d-didn't." The more he spoke, the more the cracks were obvious as he shook his head.
"What about you? How...how are you....?"
He knew what his answer was. But he just needed to hear it from him.
cw: allusions to the SI discussed on October 4th in canon
He clenched his jaw so hard it clicked, and he swallowed. "You saw what happened to me. But you - hell, Ken, you were supposed to live. You're - you have your whole life ahead of you, or you did before - what happened? Don't tell me that you ..."
Shinjiro wasn't certain what he was going to do if Ken told him he'd ... just as Takaya ... he couldn't even bring himself to think the word. It didn't sound like that. Was it against one of the big Shadows, then? Ken still didn't deserve to be dead. What a big fucking pile of shit life was.
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"What are you talking about? I'm not dead, I'm wondering how you're here with me...!" He didn't mean to be so blunt but he just had to know. Was Shinjiro supposed to be dead? He wasn't sure as he found himself in disbelief.
"You...you...." He mumbled to himself as he was trying to grasp all these emotions. "How am I supposed to feel with you here...?"
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That’s all he was asking for. The relief is clear as he slumped his shoulders and breathed out. Shinjiro moved to open the door.
“Sorry, kid,” Shinjiro said genuinely. “However I got here - I didn’t mean to haunt you. Being a ghost ain’t what I’d sign up for.”
And it’s clear Ken didn’t want him here. “Bye-“
The door didn’t open. He rattled the handle. Right. It’s locked. “Shit.”
Looks like there’s no escaping this conversation.
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And still, he struggled to find the words to speak. Wiping away his tears, he shook his head.
"Y-You aren't haunting me. If anything, I think I'm haunting you."
Is this something their leader would say? He didn't know but he had to thread this carefully if he wanted to repair their friendship.
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He breathed out a massive sigh.
"No, Ken, that's not true at all," Shinjiro said, his voice far quieter now. His hands clenched in his pockets. How was he supposed to - do this? Comfort him? The dead weren't a comfort to the living, not like this. And he's never been good with support skills.
To him, there's nothing to repair on Ken's end. He's not the one who fucked up three years ago. Shinjiro closed his eyes. "It's ... good seeing you're okay. Hearing you're alive, anyway. You ... look healthy, too. That's good."
Shit, could he sound more awkward?
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How awkward was this? They were stuck with no way of escaping and no idea what they could say.
Instead, he gave a small pout before mumbling to himself. "I made sure that I would no matter what. I would try my best to stay alive for everyone's sake." Not to mention he would really disappoint the both of them if he didn't. "I don't think I can forgive myself if I did."
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His throat went tight, and Shinjiro frowned a bit at that answer. “That’s a good start, sure. I know a lot of people care about you. Hell, I told Aki to look out for you … and if he’s not, it’s his ass I should be haunting, not yours. But - it’s gotta be something you do for your own sake, too.”
It’s so much easier to talk about how to help Ken, isn’t it? Shinjiro wasn’t good at any of this, but it’s still something he felt strongly about. Which is why he said, firmly, “You’ve got a real future, Ken. As shitty as the world is - I think you can make it a good one.”
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"I hope so. After everything we been through, I just hope that our future will be a good one. Everyone has a promise to keep." That said, he gave an eyebrow at him. Was he aware of what happened to their leader? Keeping his mouth shut, he decided to keep that to himself as he figured it was the right thing to do. After all, if Shinjiro was here, who was to say he wouldn't show up?
Although, that didn't stop him from looking as if he wanted to say something. "Otherwise, we would have really failed."
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But there seemed to be something the kid was holding back. Shinjiro was quiet for a moment, debating. Did he even ask?
“… How long has it been for you, since …” Shinjiro trailed off. Did he need to elaborate on that? But it seemed like an important question - one that didn’t involve him prying too much. But - “Did you guys defeat all those big full moon Shadows? Is the Dark Hour over?”
That’s all he wanted. An end to all that shit.
He just didn’t know that the Chairman lied. Or what happened to his friends, after. Like Mitsuru’s father dying. Let alone their leader …no subject
Sinking further back in his seat, he mumbled once more. "6 months but everything is over. The dark hour and the shadows are gone." Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he wanted to say what else happened. He was holding himself back as his head continued to sink into his shoulder.
"....But there was a price to pay to exchange...." He barely said with a whisper as he thought about his words.
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At least, that's what he thought before he saw Ken shrink in on himself, and whisper that final terrible thing.
He's an idiot. Of course it's not that simple. The Dark Hour might be gone - but look at Ken. The scars it left remained. All the things he had to lose - including him, somehow, he didn't realize he'd hurt Ken so badly with dying - and.
His voice was choked, words soft and sincere even with how awkward they were. "I'm sorry, kid. I'm sorry you had to - who was it. Which one of them ..."
Shinjiro didn't realize he moved closer to the boy - because despite all his protests otherwise, he wanted to protect and comfort the young child. He'd die again if it meant the kid would somehow be okay.
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"....Our leader. He gave up his life for us...."
Not to mention how he died so peacefully as they raced up to the top of the school. He didn't want to be reminded of how he couldn't even say goodbye to him or how they had to fight a version of him.
And yet, it just seemed inevitable that a sacrifice would be made to stop death from coming their way. "He wasn't in any pain but I kind of wished we could have said our farewells."
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"Fuck."
What else was there to be said? He liked the guy, was fond of him even. It was hard not to be. There was a certain thing about him, despite how quiet he could be, that drew people in. And Shinjiro had watched him - he knew that the guy was actually darting around all over to make his friends happy. Trying to figure out his schedule gave him a headache. He pretended to keep himself at a distance ... but like the rest of S.E.E.S., Shinjiro did end up caring about the guy despite himself.
And despite how he helped hold that ragtag group of kids together - he's dead.
He mentioned a sacrifice, a price, giving something up. For - what, defeating the last Shadow? Fuck, if Shinjiro knew that was an option, it should've been him doing it. He can't help his expression of pain, gritting his teeth.
But instead of balling his hand in a fist - he reached out, unable to stop himself, intending to put a gentle hand on Ken's head. His next words encompassed - everything. Three years ago. Last night (from his own perspective). Six months later (from Ken's perspective). Everything. His voice was hoarse.
"I'm sorry."
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"It's okay, we eventually found a way to say goodbye to him. If anything, I don't think he had any regrets over what he did."
Or at least, that's what Metis told them. He believed her as he knew their leader wouldn't have done it if there was something holding him back. He still hasn't looked up at Shinjiro. His gaze was still at the ground as if he was afraid what would happen should he looked him in the eyes.
"Although, I'm sure we'll meet up with him some day. The rest of SEES made a promise that we save him from the gate." With that, he finally looked up at him. "He saved us from Erebus and Nyx. If it weren't for him, everything would have been gone."
no subject
Still.
Shinjiro blinked at Ken, realizing belatedly he'd put a hand (a comforting one?) on his head, but. His earlier expression of grief was replaced with puzzlement. "Gate? The hell is Erebus, and Nyx? What does that have to do with - the Dark Hour, and what we were fightin for?"
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"I guess the best way I can explain it is that shadows we were beating every month was a way for Nyx to send Erebus to bring The Fall."
There was a pause or two.
"Which is to bring the end of humanity as we know it since that is what people desired the most. And our leader was trying to build a gate to prevent Erebus from doing that." Did he even say everything he wanted to say?
no subject
They were manipulated. To bring about the fucking end of the world.
Deep inside of him, Castor twisted, shouted, screamed in frustration. Shinjiro coughed, covering his mouth, then ran a hand over his face. His expression was shadowed as he collected himself. Everything. How did Ken take it, learning that? Aki? Mitsuru, who'd worked so hard to atone for something she didn't even fucking do? The other kids?
His Persona raged. It wanted to smash into something, attack something, find the one responsible for - but what was the point? His breath was ragged for a moment, but he took a deep breath, in and out.
"Fuck," Shinjiro said softly, his voice hoarse. He hook his head to clear it, expression returning to his normal, stoic scowl. No, Castor wasn't happy, but he said, "You guys still beat it, though. No matter what shit the bastard Ikutsuki said - you figured out how."
Just, at the expense of a life. Fucking hell. But how the dead felt didn't matter, Shinjiro said, "Damn it, kid. I'm sorry."
no subject
"N-No, it's okay. I would have rather found out the truth than to not know at all."
He gave a pause before mumbling to himself. There was some regret knowing that he told him this. However, at the same time?
"I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear but...I didn't want to lie to you either."
He said before moving a little further to the side away from Shinjiro. While he knew what he was going to say, he was prepared for whatever reaction he was going to give.
no subject
His face twisted a little. "You aren't the one who died. You aren't the one who fucked up three years ago. You aren't the one who ran from that - you aren't the one who left everybody, kid. I don't regret what happened last night - months ago for you - but I do regret you had to go through all that, and you feel bad enough to apologize now for tellin me the truth."
Glancing at Ken from under his bangs, Shinjiro told him, sincere and gruff, "I don't know if it matters, but I'm ... impressed, and proud, with everythin you've done. You deserved better, though. Don't blame yourself for givin me the news or anythin, all right?"
no subject
"I know you don't. I just wish that we had a little bit more time to talk about everything before you died." Although, looking at things now? Perhaps it was a blessing that he was given a second chance to say something.
Especially now after hearing how proud Shinjiro was of him. Ken didn't really do anything. He simply just realized that he had to grow up and it wasn't that impressive. Shaking his head, he didn't couldn't quite agree. "I don't know, I don't think I did anything that great. I think our leader and the others did most of the work. I just wanted to believe in the right thing."
no subject
But.
Shinjiro fixed Ken with a look. "Don't sell yourself short. I know - I have t' imagine, it don't feel like you did too much. But you know what I did, when shit got tough? I ran. I ran and I tried to forget. I let the people who mattered t' me think I didn't give a shit, left their asses hanging in the wind, watched as those Strega assholes pushed 'em around."
"People don't usually recognize it, but," Shinjiro told him, "it takes real strength to move forward. To not give up. To keep on just plain living even when life is shitty. And you can't tell me, after that asshole Ikutsuki manipulated us and Strega kept doing their thing and you lost Arisato - that it wasn't shitty. But you kept on anyway."
"You're stronger than I was."
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Looking up from the carriage, he thought about arguing against him. He really didn't do anything that great. While he had to admit to himself that it does take a strong person to keep moving forward, he had his friends back him up. Without them, he really would have quit.
Chuckling to himself, he shook his head. "You really don't want me to feel down on myself, do you? You're really making hard when you're trying to cheer me up..."
Now that Ken thought about it, this was the first time he laughed since he went here. Not that he could blame anyone for how serious everything was. Still, it felt as if the weight on his shoulders disappeared for that one moment.
"I could say something to you in return but I have the feeling you probably wouldn't want that, do you?"
no subject
"Hn." He looked away, faint color in his cheeks. Shinjiro bit down the urge to tell him he didn't need any cheering up. Ken was just trying to help, after all. "You're a good kid, Ken. Glad that hasn't changed, either."
A sort of tension left his shoulders, too. There's still the whole matter of - why were they both here? Why was Shinjiro alive? What was going to happen to him now, how was he going to be able to control Castor going forward? But -
Ken's going to be okay, he thought. Shinjiro tried to think of a way to change the subject before the kid did try saying a bunch of kind crap in an effort to cheer him up. He's not sure he could stand it. "So if you're not dead - what is this place? What are we even doin here?"
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