[ with a RESIGNED SIGH, she moves forward to retrieve her box. she takes off her flats first and ties the hem of her robes just above her knees, so it'll be easier to wade through the SWAMP. ]
[ ooohhhh she is making a face ooohhhh this is so gross. ]
I've never seen these before...!
[ her yelping is short-lived at least due to EMBARRASSMENT. but he can probably tell she's taking extreme mental damage with each leech she peels off her skin. ]
[ she looks even more visibly strained. she carefully watches and mimics how he removes the leech off his ankle, grimacing as she plucks off a couple more on her legs. ]
Earth? Is that the name of your world?
—Ah, I'm Aqua, by the way. Thank you for your help.
[ once she's de-leeched, she grabs a stick and starts sweeping off any black blobs clinging to her wooden box. ]
anyway, geto probably wanted to disassociate by the fire too, sitting next to her. he doesn't notice the words until he's already sitting, and then, reads them over before he realizes what he's doing. ]
As awful as that sounds, that does make sense. If they need so much time to complete the ritual, then whatever is happening to us might be part of the process. Like layers of a spell, or ingredients of a potion.
[ she's quiet for a moment. ]
...Myself, you could say. I was trapped somewhere for a very long time. And it was beginning to have an effect on me.
[ she's very aware of the parallels to their current situation.
but nevermind her. she glimpses curiously at the words on his clothes. ]
[ she has a guesstimate for time, but it's difficult to explain. she was largely alone down there, but there were very, very brief times she had company. ]
...Do you think you could ever have a more peaceful life?
Sometimes the gap between what should and shouldn't be, and what actually is can't be bridged just by refusing to sacrifice anyone, but too often people give up on that ideal.
But I think I'd be happier to sacrifice myself if I knew that eventually, no one would have to.
[ he looks at her, shocked. he wonders what it's like not to have to see the mutilated bodies of someone you care about.
he wouldn't have pegged aqua as naive, but this isn't insight that he expected. ]
Sorry, but death is ugly in most places. [ his tone is soft, not condescending but not sympathetic either. he sounds almost thoughtful. ] It's actually kind of nightmare inducing.
[ her sympathy is kind of weird to receive, and he's not really sure how to answer it... normally people just go "be like that sometimes" and call it a day.
let's just focus on the problem at hand. ]
... Yeah, we already didn't have much time, and now we have even less. [ ugh ] And no way to pull ourselves out of this.
Yeah, that's the only thing I could think of last night. I thought maybe whatever benefit we get from finding our pair might let us out from where we're trapped.
...Yes. I'd like to speak more to our handlers [ npcs, whatever ] about that, but I can only imagine they're preoccupied right now. I didn't think one of them would be struck down so quickly.
[ this is still a shower pc actually, but nobody is naked i am sorry to say... aqua is just looking around one of the vacant and unlocked houses and happens to come across the bathroom... uwooooohhhh ]
[ Hello, Aqua. The shadows appear around you, and take you to a cold, terrible morgue.
You saw Haibara a few days ago, and now he's dead. He was one year younger than you.
Behind you, you can hear the heartbreak and betrayal in Nanami's voice. They were sent on a mission that was impossible for them to complete, because cursed spirits are plenty, but sorcerers are scarce. Nanami asks why they can't leave every battle to Satoru, as if he could be everywhere all at once. As if he deserved a life of nothing but violence.
But you can't blame him either. It's the responsibility that goes along with your power, and if you would give anything for a different reality, you just have to bear it. ]
[ Sorry, but death is ugly in most places. It's actually kind of nightmare inducing.
maybe she doesn't remember those words verbatim, but she understands that sentiment clearly, now. she's left with the stench of death, cold and coppery, the dark color of fatigue smudged under her eyelids.
another sacrifice. another drop of blood in the ocean that's already been spilled.
fortunately the memory withdraws itself before it can settle like a stain. but... she's worried. ]
...I'm sorry.
[ she won't ask if he's okay. she could feel that he wasn't. ]
[ He looks washed out when the memory fades; tired, defeated, heart aching for Haibara who had only been a kid, sacrificed as part of the jujutsu machine.
He wishes that he could bring him back. ]
It's okay. Sorcerers know that the work is dangerous.
[ He smiles a little, appreciative of the words, but not really knowing what to say in response. Yeah, he's sorry too. It sucks, but there's no changing reality. ]
Thanks. I guess I should at least feel comforted that he died nobly.
It would be odd to find any sort of comfort in death.
[ anyone would be weary in his position, she thinks.
anyway... more shadows... geto will receive a memory of the realm of darkness, a place she's wandered alone for over ten years. the world seen in her memory is one that's been swallowed up by darkness, an empty shell of what it once was. a fraction of her journey. (7:00 - 9:01)
I'm losing this fight. The darkness has found the cracks in my heart. ]
[ there is a meaning, to her. she has promises to keep. ]
...I was trying to save a friend from falling into darkness. But as things were, only one of us could make it back to the Realm of Light—I gave him my power so he could return.
[ He can't think of any other option for her. Stagger forward, don't falter, keeping going even if it feels like your heart will give out.
The only escape is death. ]
I'm not afraid for me, but yeah, I am afraid. [ He sighs. ] I thought we might know more, or have more answers but. I feel like we haven't moved from where we started.
[ she regards him with a cold gaze. she is still in full transformation, with antlers on her head, and dark scales on her arms and legs where the shadows are. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
weekend 0, saturday, swamp
geto is just giving the stupid white flats they were given a baleful look. hi aqua. ]
These aren't great for exploring.
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The robes are pretty inconvenient, too.
[ the hem of hers is probably splattered with mud and grass stains by now... yuck. ]
Do you think we'll find our clothes somewhere around here?
...Not here, here.
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[ and then the swamp immediately starts to bubble and boxes appear ]
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[ AWKWARD SILENCE. ]
...I shouldn't have said anything.
[ with a RESIGNED SIGH, she moves forward to retrieve her box. she takes off her flats first and ties the hem of her robes just above her knees, so it'll be easier to wade through the SWAMP. ]
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he watches her go, thoughtful ]
Would you be up for grabbing mine on your way?
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I don't mind.
[ like, it's not great actually, but sometimes you simply can't be bothered. it doesn't take too long to retrieve her own box, at least. ]
Where's yours?
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which makes him frown, following suit and wading into the swamp ]
I was just kidding.
[ he grabs his own box ]
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she raises a brow when he joins her. ]
...Okay then. [ JUST. OKAY THEN!
BUT WHATEVER SHE'S GONNA HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS REAL SOON. she wades back to shore, looking back to make sure he's okay, and then looks down at her legs.
which have swamp muck and leeches on them now. ]
—AA [ AAA the box in her hands also has leeches AAA ] AHH!!!
[ it takes all her power not to simply chuck it aside. she sets it down hastily and starts!!! GETTING LEECHES OFF OF HERSELF!! NO!!!!! ]
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he jerks his head back, ] What— oh shit.
[ WADDLES FASTLY OUT OF THE SWAMP!! ]
Calm down, it's okay. They're not that dangerous.
[ HELP!! he also has leeches on his ankles... they are food now ]
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—Sorry! I just.
[ ooohhhh she is making a face ooohhhh this is so gross. ]
I've never seen these before...!
[ her yelping is short-lived at least due to EMBARRASSMENT. but he can probably tell she's taking extreme mental damage with each leech she peels off her skin. ]
What are they?
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Leeches. [ he sets his box to the side ] Careful how you remove them, if you alarm them too much they can throw up into your wound.
[ he looks down at one on his ankle, pinching it right at the head and then tossing it off ]
Assuming they're similar to the ones on Earth, anyway.
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[ she looks even more visibly strained. she carefully watches and mimics how he removes the leech off his ankle, grimacing as she plucks off a couple more on her legs. ]
Earth? Is that the name of your world?
—Ah, I'm Aqua, by the way. Thank you for your help.
[ once she's de-leeched, she grabs a stick and starts sweeping off any black blobs clinging to her wooden box. ]
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Where are you from?
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A place called the Land of Departure.
[ CLOSES EYES IN KH NAMES
anyway, unboxing time! ] —Oh, thank goodness.
[ her hands are still gross so she doesn't reach into the box, but she looks visibly relieved to see what's inside. ]
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and then stares straight into the box ]
Good news?
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My clothes, and my personal item.
[ he can see a star-shaped charm nestled on top of her garments. ]
Hopefully the same for you?
[ her turn to be nosy!!!! (but like, a very friendly sort of nosy.) looks directly at his box. ]
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anyway, he does not open his box, but she might hear something shuffling inside it. ]
Probably. [ and that's it! that's all he says about it. ] I wonder what this means, though.
Maybe the next thing out of the swamp will be a door out of here.
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There's one etched in that tree right over there. Maybe that's our lucky ticket.
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Ah. We just have to brave the leeches.
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Not today.
W0 MONDAY
aqua is sitting by the pyre, gazing into the open flame.
ink travels up her arms: I'm losing this fight. The darkness has found the cracks in my heart. ]
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anyway, geto probably wanted to disassociate by the fire too, sitting next to her. he doesn't notice the words until he's already sitting, and then, reads them over before he realizes what he's doing. ]
Ah- my bad.
[ oops ]
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she doesn't realize just yet what he's apologizing for, but catches on and shakes her head. ]
It's all right. They're just words, and it's not like you put them there.
[ she does place a hand over her arm, though. she's been doing that a lot today. ]
...I'd think kidnapping us as sacrifices would be enough trouble, but it seems they'll looking to toy with us, too. [ she frowns. ]
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Maybe it's part of the preparation. Make us as miserable and vulnerable as possible before harvest. [ gross ] ... What're you fighting?
[ words start to travel over his uniform as well, curling around his ribs to the front of his chest: CURSE USER ]
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[ she's quiet for a moment. ]
...Myself, you could say. I was trapped somewhere for a very long time. And it was beginning to have an effect on me.
[ she's very aware of the parallels to their current situation.
but nevermind her. she glimpses curiously at the words on his clothes. ]
'Curse user'...?
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Trapped like you are here?
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...It was different. I was alone. No cult, no sacrifices.
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... That must've been tough. It's hard to hold onto your sanity like that.
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I still don't know exactly how many hours, or days, or years I spent there.
[ you're really going to make me write out her womanpain because he won't say anything about himself ]
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But you were awake the entire time? Just you in... a prison?
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For the most part. It's... not really a place you can safely lose your consciousness, so I had to keep moving.
[ also idk anything about kh ]
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Doing... what?
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[ she shakes her head. I'VE HAD ENOUGH! ]
What about you? What were you doing before you got here?
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he smiles a little, and it looks pretty exhausted ]
Walking. Fighting monsters. [ he looks back at the fire ] Probably not for as long as you. I could keep track of the time, at least.
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I wish we didn't have that in common.
[ she has a guesstimate for time, but it's difficult to explain. she was largely alone down there, but there were very, very brief times she had company. ]
...Do you think you could ever have a more peaceful life?
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He's silent for a while. ]
No. There's no escaping. Some people need to make sacrifices for the good of the many.
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but aqua thinks he's being a good person i love being nerfed ]
...That's true. We have a responsibility to help others. Especially when we have the means to.
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Do you think being trapped where you were was worth it then?
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...I wouldn't want anyone else to have to go through that.
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You're right. They shouldn't be.
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Sometimes the gap between what should and shouldn't be, and what actually is can't be bridged just by refusing to sacrifice anyone, but too often people give up on that ideal.
But I think I'd be happier to sacrifice myself if I knew that eventually, no one would have to.
week 0, friday, pyre
anyway, sits next to aqua by the fire ]
Hey. You doing alright?
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...Not really. Are you?
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... No better or worse. [ :grimacing: ] It's kind of normal for me.
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...Sacrifices for the greater good?
[ what they talked about earlier. ]
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Yeah. But I doubt this was for the greater good. Were... you close to either of them?
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...Not particularly, though Aventurine was always pleasant when we spoke.
I just... I didn't think death could be so ugly.
[ she knows she must sound pretty naive. and she is. ]
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he blinks, looking at her. ]
What do you mean?
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...Where I'm from, our bodies fade when we die. We're returned to sleep, in a manner of speaking.
[ i hope this kh meta is even remotely correct please forgive me canon-familiar ppl ]
There can be darkness in the hearts of people... But this is... different.
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he wouldn't have pegged aqua as naive, but this isn't insight that he expected. ]
Sorry, but death is ugly in most places. [ his tone is soft, not condescending but not sympathetic either. he sounds almost thoughtful. ] It's actually kind of nightmare inducing.
... I hope you don't have to see too much of it.
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[ truly. she's experienced a lot, but this is an entirely different kind of horrible. ]
...They said it would take two months to complete the ritual. I was foolish enough to think it wouldn't be like this.
[ the implications are grave, and all the more immediate now. ]
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let's just focus on the problem at hand. ]
... Yeah, we already didn't have much time, and now we have even less. [ ugh ] And no way to pull ourselves out of this.
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It seems like all we can do differently is figure out our pair. Though that has its own risks, too.
[ she still doesn't like the idea of it. but she's not seeing any other options right now. ]
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Yeah, that's the only thing I could think of last night. I thought maybe whatever benefit we get from finding our pair might let us out from where we're trapped.
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[ no crows around today, either... ]
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[ and soap ]
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Right. We'll have to wait for them to make contact with us again.
W1 MONDAY
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He blinks at her. ]
Hey.
[ The room is nice and steamy. ]
1/
2/
3/3
Sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt...
[ QUICKLY TURNS AROUND. ]
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anyway, he wasn't embarrassed until she got embarrassed, so he just grabs his shirt and tugs it on. ]
It's okay, I was done. [ she's so funny ] These showers are much better than anything in the village.
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HELP THE SECONDHAND EMBARRASSMENT.
............ ]
I see... [ COOL! ]
I'm surprised we can just walk into these places. It looked like people live here...
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...Right. The building in the center of the island reminded me a bit of the pyre.
Maybe another ritual was held here, before...?
[ ANIMAL CROSSING VILLAGER EXTINCTION EVENT? ]
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[ huh ]
The cultists did say that the cult had never successfully summoned their god. So they must have had some failed attempts.
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...Just speculation, I guess.
[ ...anyway! ]
It's a shame we can't stay here normally. [ we could have shower pcs all the time ]
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You could stay here if you want to.
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I guess that's true. I think I'd prefer to stay with my friends at the cabin, though. As nice as it is here, I'd prefer to have company.
[ she's not a needy person, but... it's easy to feel lonely, for reasons. ]
...I'll definitely be keeping the showers in mind, though.
What about you? Planning on staying at the mortuary?
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But if we can steal one of the houses, I feel like Satoru will want to stay here.
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also soots you on cyoa return ]
You two must be pretty close.
[ as the historians say... ]
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Oh yeah, we known each other for a couple years now. You came here alone, right?
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It must be a relief to have him by your side. ...And a worry, too.
[ definitely a worry for gojo on thursday! ]
I did.
W1 THURSDAY
How're you doing...?
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I'm alright. Banged up, but that's all.
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How did you all end up like this in the first place?
[ just sits next to him wherever he is. ]
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I'm not sure... We ventured out past the fog somehow, into the woods and ended up at a city.
And basically got into trouble with a necromancer.
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I'm surprised you were able to get past the fog...
[ a city...? ]
Did they do something to Pickles? He especially doesn't seem to be himself.
[ they all got extremely beat up but pays attention to the doggo first obviously ]
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...I'm sorry, that you were hurt.
[ just continues to sit with him quietly... affection week... ]
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It's okay. It just... we didn't need another threat to be wary of.
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...Get what rest you can, okay?
week 2, monday
Behind you, you can hear the heartbreak and betrayal in Nanami's voice. They were sent on a mission that was impossible for them to complete, because cursed spirits are plenty, but sorcerers are scarce. Nanami asks why they can't leave every battle to Satoru, as if he could be everywhere all at once. As if he deserved a life of nothing but violence.
But you can't blame him either. It's the responsibility that goes along with your power, and if you would give anything for a different reality, you just have to bear it. ]
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maybe she doesn't remember those words verbatim, but she understands that sentiment clearly, now. she's left with the stench of death, cold and coppery, the dark color of fatigue smudged under her eyelids.
another sacrifice. another drop of blood in the ocean that's already been spilled.
fortunately the memory withdraws itself before it can settle like a stain. but... she's worried. ]
...I'm sorry.
[ she won't ask if he's okay. she could feel that he wasn't. ]
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He wishes that he could bring him back. ]
It's okay. Sorcerers know that the work is dangerous.
[ To some extent, anyway. ]
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Even if you're aware of the risks, it doesn't make it any less of a loss.
I'm sorry things aren't kinder for you.
[ she knows words don't carry much weight in the face of his reality, but they're all she has to offer. ]
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Thanks. I guess I should at least feel comforted that he died nobly.
[ Trying to protect people. ]
... But to be honest, it isn't much comfort.
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It would be odd to find any sort of comfort in death.
[ anyone would be weary in his position, she thinks.
anyway... more shadows... geto will receive a memory of the realm of darkness, a place she's wandered alone for over ten years. the world seen in her memory is one that's been swallowed up by darkness, an empty shell of what it once was. a fraction of her journey. (7:00 - 9:01)
I'm losing this fight. The darkness has found the cracks in my heart. ]
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Is there a point? What's the meaning in keeping up this fight? ]
How'd you end up there, anyway?
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...I was trying to save a friend from falling into darkness. But as things were, only one of us could make it back to the Realm of Light—I gave him my power so he could return.
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I didn't. I arrived here.
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...Where were you, before you woke up here?
[ she means if he was in the middle of a mission, or outside of one. ]
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Well, if we can control of our own escape, we can probably choose where we want to go.
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I don't... think so. I don't want to abandon the people I know.
Would you go back to that darkness?
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I'd like to be able to help my friends here, as well.
week 2, friday
Hey. How're you holding up?
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...We've lost too many people.
How do you bear it...?
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he will sit next to her ]
What else is there to do?
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I don't know. I wish I knew.
...I wish we could do something. Anything.
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I think your question should be, "how do you keep going?"
... It'd be easier to give up. Continuing to try is doing something, even if it doesn't feel like it.
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I keep going because I have to. Because giving up isn't a choice.
But... this path is thornier than I'd ever expected. I never thought I'd have to fear for my friends this way.
[ no matter where they step, they are going to get hurt. ]
...Do you feel afraid at all? Even after all you've seen back home?
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The only escape is death. ]
I'm not afraid for me, but yeah, I am afraid. [ He sighs. ] I thought we might know more, or have more answers but. I feel like we haven't moved from where we started.
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...despite what he says, geto has a fearless quality to him—or maybe it's just resignation, but she sees it as courage. ]
...I'm not afraid for me, either. [ another nod in agreement. ] But... it's difficult being powerless to protect the people you care about.
We can't even stay awake when we need to.
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I don't know what else we can do.
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...Keep waiting. [ ... ] Figure out what happened tomorrow.
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week 2, saturday, pyre
Did you get to make a wish, at least?
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That's none of your concern.
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Okay. Would you tell me who you killed?
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derisively, ]
You couldn't figure it out?
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[ doesn't. but it does.
...this... what is she... ]
...
[ she grimaces, hand coming up to cradle her head. ]
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[ he waits ]
Do you need help?
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I...
I'm sorry.
[ what has she...? ]
I don't... know that you can...
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... You're probably right. I don't think we can get you out of this.
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...I'll... be fine.
[ she'll be executed, is what. ]
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[ Waits for the negative emotion to make her norted again... Is this the only way Aqua can vent. D: ]
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I don't know what to say, after everything that's happened.
I've hurt so many people...
[ the norting will resume eventually, yeah... ]
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They don't blame you. [ hesitant, ] I know it won't mean much this soon after everything, but it's true.
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...Thank you, Geto.
[ everything feels BAD and she's barely lucid, but... she can still recognize the kindness in his words. ]
...Stay safe.
W6 WEDNESDAY
ANYWAY! they can have a romantic (platonic) stroll through the vineyard... ]
...I wish I could taste these grapes. They look delicious.
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You don't have grapes on the other side?
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POOFS BACK! ] —have Jamba Juice.
...You're not going to try one?
[ he should!! so she can eat vicariously through him!! ]
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[ He dutifully picks a grape and pops it in his mouth. ]
... These are really tasty.
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[ she's teasing, she literally told him to. she goes to pluck one off the vine—
and actually succeeds?!?! ]
...Huh.
[ but she's only able to hold it for a moment before it passes through her hand and falls to the ground... ]
Ah...
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He laughs a little, raising a fist to his mouth. ]
Should I try feeding you...?
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[ she will try another experiment though... she attempts to pass him a grape this time...
(hands you a grape hands you a grape hands you a grape hands you a grape hands you) ]
Are you holding up okay over here?
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[ Oh. ]
Thanks for the recipe, by the way. It helped a lot.