![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[So, you know how sometimes there's a dead kid in a gas station and you get triggered into a massive panic attack so you run off to have a meltdown in private? Yeah, everybody knows what that's like! Haha!!!
Okay but really. He books it after the announcement--but by the time she makes it back to the truck, he's... well. Not totally calm, but settled, somewhat.
When she returns, she'll probably find him tucked into the corner on his floorbed, curled up around Elliot's sword like it's a lifeline. He's got his head resting on his knees when she comes in, and he's muttering quietly, but he looks up when he hears the door open.
Oh, yes. She must've heard, too. He should... he should check on her, huh.]
...Are you alright, Miss Kairi?
Okay but really. He books it after the announcement--but by the time she makes it back to the truck, he's... well. Not totally calm, but settled, somewhat.
When she returns, she'll probably find him tucked into the corner on his floorbed, curled up around Elliot's sword like it's a lifeline. He's got his head resting on his knees when she comes in, and he's muttering quietly, but he looks up when he hears the door open.
Oh, yes. She must've heard, too. He should... he should check on her, huh.]
...Are you alright, Miss Kairi?
Edited 2021-12-29 22:25 (UTC)
[ kairi's... well, not completely unaffected by what happened, she's definitely worried and horrified, but she is not having panic attacks in the back of a truck. and she can recognize that leo's clearly not okay just from his position when she comes in, so she's putting aside her own worries and anxieties for now. ]
I'm alright, really. Are you? [ she climbs up and sits down in front of him on her knees ] I know it's a scary situation we're all in right now.
I'm alright, really. Are you? [ she climbs up and sits down in front of him on her knees ] I know it's a scary situation we're all in right now.
[Maybe she should have a panic attack in the back of a truck? Has she ever thought about that!!
It's tempting to try and claim that he's fine, but... well. For one thing, he obviously isn't. He's smart enough to realize that much. For another--]
Have you spoken to Sora?
It's tempting to try and claim that he's fine, but... well. For one thing, he obviously isn't. He's smart enough to realize that much. For another--]
Have you spoken to Sora?
[ don't think she doesn't notice him changing the subject!! but she'll let it slide for now ]
Yeah. When he announced it. [ she curls her hands around the hem of a skirt ] He said... he has a few people he wants to check up on, and then he'll meet up with us again. So, I thought I should check on people too.
Yeah. When he announced it. [ she curls her hands around the hem of a skirt ] He said... he has a few people he wants to check up on, and then he'll meet up with us again. So, I thought I should check on people too.
[STOP IT'S RELEVANT and a little bit of the tension seems to leave him at her answer, so. That's probably good.
He exhales, and it's a tad shaky--but he seems okay with straightening up a little, if only to lean back against the wall and close his eyes.]
I spoke to her yesterday. [God. He kept that stupid bookmark and everything.] She was just a child.
He exhales, and it's a tad shaky--but he seems okay with straightening up a little, if only to lean back against the wall and close his eyes.]
I spoke to her yesterday. [God. He kept that stupid bookmark and everything.] She was just a child.
...I know. It's awful. [ there's no getting around that, and she looks sincerely upset about it ] And we don't even know what could've done this to her.
[ or who, but she's giving the world one sliver of optimism after child murder ]
We hadn't talked since our first stop, but... she was so nice.
[ or who, but she's giving the world one sliver of optimism after child murder ]
We hadn't talked since our first stop, but... she was so nice.
... I don't know. We don't know if there's anything hiding in the fog with us, or if someone attacked her. I don't want to jump to conclusions yet.
[ her hands are clenched into fists ]
But there's something off about this place. Something took her body, and there was that announcement about clean up... I don't like this.
[ which is a very mild way to put it ]
[ her hands are clenched into fists ]
But there's something off about this place. Something took her body, and there was that announcement about clean up... I don't like this.
[ which is a very mild way to put it ]
... Try and stick close to people, okay? Don't wander around on your own if you can help it.
[ she places a hand on his knee gently ]
[ she places a hand on his knee gently ]
And I will. [ she removes her hand ] But... you're my friend, too.
[ she is aware she doesn't have his name yet, it's fine. ]
[ she is aware she doesn't have his name yet, it's fine. ]
Everyone starts off as strangers. [ she is not taking this as an answer, apparently ] But I want to be your friend. That's all.
[ the power of disney. ]
Why not? [ it's a little teasing ]
Why not? [ it's a little teasing ]
[Well. It makes him laugh, but it's not a pleasant sound. It's very tired, and tinged with despair.]
Please don't make me answer that question. [He's already done it once tonight, and that one wasn't entirely by choice, so much as a hand forced by poor timing.] It's safer this way, that's all.
Please don't make me answer that question. [He's already done it once tonight, and that one wasn't entirely by choice, so much as a hand forced by poor timing.] It's safer this way, that's all.
[ she looks concerned but... doesn't entirely let go ]
For me, or for yourself? [ there's no pressure for him to answer in her voice ] You don't have to be my friend if you don't want to. But... if I worried about the danger, I wouldn't be friends with any of the people I'm friends with. Sora and Riku included.
[ which says more about her, she is aware, but ]
For me, or for yourself? [ there's no pressure for him to answer in her voice ] You don't have to be my friend if you don't want to. But... if I worried about the danger, I wouldn't be friends with any of the people I'm friends with. Sora and Riku included.
[ which says more about her, she is aware, but ]
For you.
[He seems pretty certain of that, at least. It's not a matter of want or don't want, really--but he wouldn't know how to start with that kind of thinking even if he wanted to, so it's fortunate that he's distracted by the rest of it?? It's kind of hard to see, as usual, but he's definitely giving her a Look. Please learn a caution and stop adopting shaggy men prone to mental breakdowns over their besties, Kairi.]
Yes, but they wouldn't hurt you, or each other. [lmao]
[He seems pretty certain of that, at least. It's not a matter of want or don't want, really--but he wouldn't know how to start with that kind of thinking even if he wanted to, so it's fortunate that he's distracted by the rest of it?? It's kind of hard to see, as usual, but he's definitely giving her a Look. Please learn a caution and stop adopting shaggy men prone to mental breakdowns over their besties, Kairi.]
Yes, but they wouldn't hurt you, or each other. [lmao]
[ not entirely true, but as she doesn't want to doxx riku, she just frowns at him, pensive. she does not seem scared of this revelation because kairi has never once learned a caution in her life ]
Is that what you think you'd do?
Is that what you think you'd do?
[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.
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.
[ 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.]
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.]
How are you so sure it's the best way?
[ he is giving her such riku angst vibe, she's stubborning by default ]
[ he is giving her such riku angst vibe, she's stubborning by default ]
Page 1 of 3