[Ngh... why can't you just listen, he wants to ask, but--that's unfair, he knows. It's asking for a lot of trust with zero explanation. Even though he's still mostly used to people who will take a dismissal for what it is, it isn't like he doesn't understand this situation.
His grip tightens on the sword; he's going to leave fingerprints on its sheath, at this rate. Elliot is going to be so angry with him.
Not on purpose, is the answer to her question--but saying that feels so ridiculously cheap, and he doesn't want to burden anyone else with the full explanation of his concerns, especially when it might not make a difference. Besides, what does intent matter, when the outcome could be death?] I don't know. But I'd rather not take the risk.
... Okay. I'm not going to make you. That wouldn't be fair.
[ she's not afraid, still, and she makes no move to go away anyway, just sits there pensive. ]
I have this friend... we didn't meet under the best circumstances. He kidnapped me, actually. [ she laughs a little, like it's a very funny joke. ] He hurt a lot of people because he wanted to see his friend again. He's very sorry now, and I've forgiven him. He still apologizes about it a lot. But I think he's more than made up for it by trying to do good by everyone.
[ it's not a perfect fit, as far as comparisons go. she looks out the window. it was more about... forgiveness. ]
I think it's good of you, to be afraid of hurting people. But... you can't live your life cutting yourself away just in case. Because then you're just hurting yourself instead.
[If nothing else, he doesn't seem to fear for her safety right this moment. He listens quietly, and tamps down on the urge to ask what kind of a lunatic makes friends with a kidnapper.
It's--he gets the sentiment, the point she's trying to make, but it makes him shift uncomfortably anyway. It's not something he can apply to himself, for more reasons than he cares to explain.]
If that's the best way to keep everyone else safe, then what does it matter? [He's used to solitude. He would've spent the rest of his life in the dusty shadows of an orphanage library, if Elliot hadn't barged in and dragged him into the light.]
Okay. [ she said she wouldn't force him! so she is being good! ] But I still think you shouldn't hang out alone all the time when it's dangerous like this. We don't have to be friends for me not to want you to die, too.
Okay. [ she's brushing herself off and standing back up, appeased, except-- ] I meant to tell you... I went somewhere, yesterday. Away from here. I was in a different place for a few hours, along with Yennefer, Nagiko and... the blue haired man. I don't remember how I ended up there at all. So... be careful, okay? Things around here are unpredictable.
I'm not sure. I thought, maybe... [ she shakes her head ] But it was covered in snow, and we had to help someone there before we could get back. None of us got hurt, and none of it seemed dangerous, but...
[Hunh. Well, that's concerning, and it also kind of, fortunately, pokes a hole in his theories and concerns. (A small one, but it's there.) He straightens up a little, more focused and alert than he's been since she came in.]
[ well she didn't expect him to get this interested in it because she's a fool, but she's not objecting to him looking less. y'know. despondent. ]
We went to a chalet and met this boy, Ryuunosuke, who was accused of murder. He and everyone else was sure we came there to help him, so... we did. We investigated and found out what really happened to the victim, and then we were sent back here when we were done.
[It might be, but... he finds that hard to believe, given everything.]
I think it's more likely that whoever abducted us might be targeting those we know. [Which means the chances of Elliot being in danger have jumped up significantly, fuck.]
[It's fine, he's distracted and also gay. He doesn't say "yes", but mostly because it's obvious.]
I just don't know why else his sword would be here. He'd never part with it willingly. [He's not the only one here with someone else's possessions, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything if they're involved anyway.]
Well... I don't know if it means anything, but we came out of the dispatch office when we came back. All of our names were written in there, and Elliot's wasn't.
[ so maybe he's fine! the display lights said so! look she's trying. ]
None of the names of the people we met there were. And... they looked like they were in their own world. Ryuunosuke even said this wasn't his first time being accused of murder.
[Well, if the dude's name wasn't on the list, then Leo doesn't really think that proves anything--but he's calmed down enough from his initial panic attack that he can, at least, recognize that this is an attempt to be reassuring.]
All we can do is wait and see. [See if anything comes of this, if anyone else gets transported off to deal with someone's friends. He doesn't like it, but what other choice do they have?]
... Right. [ it's an unsatisfying answer, but it's about the only one they have, isn't it. she can't do much to convince him that his friend isn't here just based off what she feels is right, either. ughhh. ] You be careful, okay?
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His grip tightens on the sword; he's going to leave fingerprints on its sheath, at this rate. Elliot is going to be so angry with him.
Not on purpose, is the answer to her question--but saying that feels so ridiculously cheap, and he doesn't want to burden anyone else with the full explanation of his concerns, especially when it might not make a difference. Besides, what does intent matter, when the outcome could be death?] I don't know. But I'd rather not take the risk.
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[ she's not afraid, still, and she makes no move to go away anyway, just sits there pensive. ]
I have this friend... we didn't meet under the best circumstances. He kidnapped me, actually. [ she laughs a little, like it's a very funny joke. ] He hurt a lot of people because he wanted to see his friend again. He's very sorry now, and I've forgiven him. He still apologizes about it a lot. But I think he's more than made up for it by trying to do good by everyone.
[ it's not a perfect fit, as far as comparisons go. she looks out the window. it was more about... forgiveness. ]
I think it's good of you, to be afraid of hurting people. But... you can't live your life cutting yourself away just in case. Because then you're just hurting yourself instead.
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It's--he gets the sentiment, the point she's trying to make, but it makes him shift uncomfortably anyway. It's not something he can apply to himself, for more reasons than he cares to explain.]
If that's the best way to keep everyone else safe, then what does it matter? [He's used to solitude. He would've spent the rest of his life in the dusty shadows of an orphanage library, if Elliot hadn't barged in and dragged him into the light.]
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[ he is giving her such riku angst vibe, she's stubborning by default ]
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...It's not something I should talk about. [Eventually, quietly.] I've said too much about it already.
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Okay. [ she said she wouldn't force him! so she is being good! ] But I still think you shouldn't hang out alone all the time when it's dangerous like this. We don't have to be friends for me not to want you to die, too.
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He dips his head down, sighing again.]
Fine. [He'll... figure something out. He doesn't know what yet, but... he'll try.]
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Away from here? Where?
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[ but no one had died monday yet so ]
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What do you mean, you had to help someone?
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We went to a chalet and met this boy, Ryuunosuke, who was accused of murder. He and everyone else was sure we came there to help him, so... we did. We investigated and found out what really happened to the victim, and then we were sent back here when we were done.
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Ryuunosuke... [He's never heard of any name like that? Hmmm.] Does anyone here know him?
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... Sora thought... he sounded like a friend Iris mentioned. But I didn't get to ask her.
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That's not a good sign.
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I think it's more likely that whoever abducted us might be targeting those we know. [Which means the chances of Elliot being in danger have jumped up significantly, fuck.]
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[ this correction is not better ]
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I just don't know why else his sword would be here. He'd never part with it willingly. [He's not the only one here with someone else's possessions, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything if they're involved anyway.]
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[ so maybe he's fine! the display lights said so! look she's trying. ]
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[she is trying so hard I'm proud of her even if Leo sucks]
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[ someone help this lawyer ]
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All we can do is wait and see. [See if anything comes of this, if anyone else gets transported off to deal with someone's friends. He doesn't like it, but what other choice do they have?]
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You too, Miss Kairi.