...No. It doesn't. [The words are unsteady. Naegi still doesn't lift his eyes.] But if that's what you want, it's fine.
[And he'll just stand there, limbs limp. He's broken it too far to be fixed, he supposes. So it's better if he doesn't do anything to make things worse.]
[A wise choice, in Hizumi's opinion. And, having judged the ice to be melted enough by now, he finally removes his hand from Naegi's head for good.]
Then this is where we part.
Bye.
[His voice actually retains that lightness, that... emptiness. And then--
A coil of shadows suddenly wraps itself around his waist, and before he has a chance to react, it moves to toss him right out the door. Although abrupt, the ride itself isn't too bad at least; similar to a wave pushing you back to the shore of the beach, except in this case it pushes him right out the door and back into the crowds.
It'll keep him there, too, for a while. Even if he tries to peek, the most he'll be able to see is a flash of green turning dark with shadows as Hizumi moves to join the crowd himself, blending in with the rest of the lot.
Eventually, the shadows melt away, leaving him free to move once more.]
[Her response pulls him up short. The fear on her face... It's like someone who knows.]
Yes... She was the mastermind, forcing my friends and I to kill each other if we wanted to get free. But the way you say that... [He searches her face with sympathetic eyes.] It sounds like someone who hasn't heard the phrase "Killing Game" for the first time.
[He ponders it for a moment. There's really only one answer to this, Naegi supposes, but it's probably best to check and be sure.]
This question might be a little sudden, but... Would you happen to know anyone by the name of Saihara Shuuichi?
[This is the first she's heard about this. When she met Junko, she assumed that the young woman was some weirdo Ultimate, not a mastermind of a Killing Game. At the question, Iruma glances a fearful eye at Naegi, clearly wasn't expecting to talk about this very topic she's trying to forget all about.]
It's not laughable. [His voice has dropped to something much softer.] It's the truth. I watched it happen with my own eyes. You and Nidai-kun knew... [And here, his voice finally breaks a bit.] You knew there was no way for everyone to be saved. And so you put both of your lives on the line, so everyone else could survive.
Maybe some... would consider it a sin. But I could never dishonor either of you like that. [Finally, Naegi manages a smile, even if sadness hangs at its edges.] What you did took tremendous courage. For me, making the decision to the pay the price for you... It wasn't a decision at all.
[He pauses, and a strange but comforting warmth starts to rise in the chamber, overriding most of the chill. Gundam closes his eyes as he takes in Makoto's words.]
Of course. I should have perceived that there is no keeping secrets from you, who temporarily assumed possession of an all-seeing eye. [Or rather all-seeing virtual video cameras.] What a rare privilege you were allowed... Before your sight, my soul was laid bare as a newly born being! It's a wonder that you've managed to survive bearing such forbidden knowledge.
T-to think that you were even able to acknowledge my courageous spirit, one which defied the gods themselves... [That helps him to still look dignified in his act, at the very least.
He then proceeds to open his eyes and look towards Makoto, with scarlet cheeks and surrounded by a humble warmth.]
She didn't harm Komaru, but... She threatened to. And I've never taken very kindly to that. [When Naegi admits it, there's an almost... sheepish tone to his voice.] My tolerance for that isn't very good now either, but it was abysmal back then, when I wasn't very good at dealing with Enoshima.
[Not that he is now, but it's just... a big question mark instead.]
I wouldn't wake you up in the middle of the night, Ishimaru-kun. [He can't help it at that, though; Naegi huffs out a light laugh.] Not unless it were a matter of life and death.
[As the laughter fades, his expression turns fond.]
But I promise I will. Just promise me you'll do the same.
[Naegi blinks, surprised. Blinks again, and then a third time.
But then he laughs, a warm smile on his face and just the slightest flicker of a glow around him. Naegi hadn't expected someone else, especially a person he doesn't know, to read the situation that well.]
She does, doesn't she? [There's something wistful in his voice, but this feels good. It feels good to remember the happy things, rather than just... missing her all the time.] In the place I come from, Japan... We can't see the stars very well because of the city lights. So having something like this here is... really precious.
This festival can be... hard, for those of us with especially painful or horrifying memories. But it's also an important time, to grieve and let go, or just to ease missing the people we hold close in our hearts.
[Naegi might've just met him, but... He hopes the man will be able to see her again, whoever she might be.]
So it seems. There is something to be said about revealing one's most painful memories for all the world to see like that. Especially when there are those who wish to grieve and let go in their own way.
[And there is a chill in the air. It's why Edgeworth has avoided the drinks. He'd rather not hear his father's voice. It's not that Edgeworth wants to forget his father or pretend that the murder did not happen or run away from his past. He would just rather take his own time to overcome it. Not have it exposed to the public at large.]
I've only been here for a few months so yes, this is my first time.
You're welcome... Ah, but Asahina-san- [Naegi shakes his head, expression a little sheepish.] I really didn't do anything at all... It's only because we were all together that I could do any of the things that I did. If anything... I'm the one that owes you.
[He owes her his life, really, and several times over... But Asahina will find that out for herself one day.]
[His face is still really red, but Naegi knows he should try to reassure Ayumu and worry about himself later, so...]
If you still did feel something for her, Ayumu-san, it would be fine... And if you don't that's fine, too. [Naegi is embarrassed, but something firm and earnest slips into his expression.] I wouldn't tell you how to feel about someone, and somebody else shouldn't either.
[Naegi please]
In any case, I'm... I'm sorry I ended up seeing such a private memory. [Sheepishly, he brings a hand to the back of his neck.] It's embarrassing for somebody else to see something like this...
To be perfectly honest, I didn't expect something like this either.
[He grimaces a little. Really, even he'd be willing to admit memories of people he cared for and missed were liable to be weird and possibly violent, because what is his life even. But this--
Couldn't the mirror room have picked something nicer if it was going to give him his first glimpse of Madoka in ages?]
....Though... it was nice to see her again. I'm not in love with her anymore, but.... she's still my sister.
[And he was keenly aware that if he was to live a long life, he couldn't go back to his world to see her.]
[Robin guides him towards the mouth of the room. Although they should be outside its reach, he keeps his head down, not wanting to make eye-contact with any of the mirrors. If this... power could tap into Naegi's worst memories, then...
The outside air touches him and he exhales in relief. Robin's grip on Naegi loosens, but he doesn't want to relinquish his hold just yet - in case he struggles to stand.]
I though they had refreshments set up somewhere on this hike... I could ask around for them. Would that help you?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
saynotohalls) wrote2018-02-16 11:13 pm
For Hizumi
...No. It doesn't. [The words are unsteady. Naegi still doesn't lift his eyes.] But if that's what you want, it's fine.
[And he'll just stand there, limbs limp. He's broken it too far to be fixed, he supposes. So it's better if he doesn't do anything to make things worse.]
Re: For Hizumi
Then this is where we part.
Bye.
[His voice actually retains that lightness, that... emptiness. And then--
A coil of shadows suddenly wraps itself around his waist, and before he has a chance to react, it moves to toss him right out the door. Although abrupt, the ride itself isn't too bad at least; similar to a wave pushing you back to the shore of the beach, except in this case it pushes him right out the door and back into the crowds.
It'll keep him there, too, for a while. Even if he tries to peek, the most he'll be able to see is a flash of green turning dark with shadows as Hizumi moves to join the crowd himself, blending in with the rest of the lot.
Eventually, the shadows melt away, leaving him free to move once more.]
For Iruma
[Her response pulls him up short. The fear on her face... It's like someone who knows.]
Yes... She was the mastermind, forcing my friends and I to kill each other if we wanted to get free. But the way you say that... [He searches her face with sympathetic eyes.] It sounds like someone who hasn't heard the phrase "Killing Game" for the first time.
[He ponders it for a moment. There's really only one answer to this, Naegi supposes, but it's probably best to check and be sure.]
This question might be a little sudden, but... Would you happen to know anyone by the name of Saihara Shuuichi?
Sorry for the wait!
Y-yeah? What if I do?
For Tanaka
It's not laughable. [His voice has dropped to something much softer.] It's the truth. I watched it happen with my own eyes. You and Nidai-kun knew... [And here, his voice finally breaks a bit.] You knew there was no way for everyone to be saved. And so you put both of your lives on the line, so everyone else could survive.
Maybe some... would consider it a sin. But I could never dishonor either of you like that. [Finally, Naegi manages a smile, even if sadness hangs at its edges.] What you did took tremendous courage. For me, making the decision to the pay the price for you... It wasn't a decision at all.
no subject
Of course. I should have perceived that there is no keeping secrets from you, who temporarily assumed possession of an all-seeing eye. [Or rather all-seeing virtual video cameras.] What a rare privilege you were allowed... Before your sight, my soul was laid bare as a newly born being! It's a wonder that you've managed to survive bearing such forbidden knowledge.
T-to think that you were even able to acknowledge my courageous spirit, one which defied the gods themselves... [That helps him to still look dignified in his act, at the very least.
He then proceeds to open his eyes and look towards Makoto, with scarlet cheeks and surrounded by a humble warmth.]
...Thank you.
For Ishimaru
She didn't harm Komaru, but... She threatened to. And I've never taken very kindly to that. [When Naegi admits it, there's an almost... sheepish tone to his voice.] My tolerance for that isn't very good now either, but it was abysmal back then, when I wasn't very good at dealing with Enoshima.
[Not that he is now, but it's just... a big question mark instead.]
I wouldn't wake you up in the middle of the night, Ishimaru-kun. [He can't help it at that, though; Naegi huffs out a light laugh.] Not unless it were a matter of life and death.
[As the laughter fades, his expression turns fond.]
But I promise I will. Just promise me you'll do the same.
no subject
[He hopes that the Naegi siblings at least reunite back home. It sounds likely at least! From what he knows, both of them are still alive.]
I-I promise, Naegi-kun. It'll be a promise between men, so neither of us can back down from it, no matter what happens!
[Even the Mondo in the candle's smoke seems to be fired up.]
For Momota
[Naegi blinks, surprised. Blinks again, and then a third time.
But then he laughs, a warm smile on his face and just the slightest flicker of a glow around him. Naegi hadn't expected someone else, especially a person he doesn't know, to read the situation that well.]
She does, doesn't she? [There's something wistful in his voice, but this feels good. It feels good to remember the happy things, rather than just... missing her all the time.] In the place I come from, Japan... We can't see the stars very well because of the city lights. So having something like this here is... really precious.
For Edgeworth
This festival can be... hard, for those of us with especially painful or horrifying memories. But it's also an important time, to grieve and let go, or just to ease missing the people we hold close in our hearts.
[Naegi might've just met him, but... He hopes the man will be able to see her again, whoever she might be.]
Is this your first time attending Selenium?
no subject
[And there is a chill in the air. It's why Edgeworth has avoided the drinks. He'd rather not hear his father's voice. It's not that Edgeworth wants to forget his father or pretend that the murder did not happen or run away from his past. He would just rather take his own time to overcome it. Not have it exposed to the public at large.]
I've only been here for a few months so yes, this is my first time.
For Asahina
You're welcome... Ah, but Asahina-san- [Naegi shakes his head, expression a little sheepish.] I really didn't do anything at all... It's only because we were all together that I could do any of the things that I did. If anything... I'm the one that owes you.
[He owes her his life, really, and several times over... But Asahina will find that out for herself one day.]
For Ayumu
[His face is still really red, but Naegi knows he should try to reassure Ayumu and worry about himself later, so...]
If you still did feel something for her, Ayumu-san, it would be fine... And if you don't that's fine, too. [Naegi is embarrassed, but something firm and earnest slips into his expression.] I wouldn't tell you how to feel about someone, and somebody else shouldn't either.
[Naegi please]
In any case, I'm... I'm sorry I ended up seeing such a private memory. [Sheepishly, he brings a hand to the back of his neck.] It's embarrassing for somebody else to see something like this...
Re: For Ayumu
To be perfectly honest, I didn't expect something like this either.
[He grimaces a little. Really, even he'd be willing to admit memories of people he cared for and missed were liable to be weird and possibly violent, because what is his life even. But this--
Couldn't the mirror room have picked something nicer if it was going to give him his first glimpse of Madoka in ages?]
....Though... it was nice to see her again. I'm not in love with her anymore, but.... she's still my sister.
[And he was keenly aware that if he was to live a long life, he couldn't go back to his world to see her.]
no subject
There's nothing to forgive.
[Robin guides him towards the mouth of the room. Although they should be outside its reach, he keeps his head down, not wanting to make eye-contact with any of the mirrors. If this... power could tap into Naegi's worst memories, then...
The outside air touches him and he exhales in relief. Robin's grip on Naegi loosens, but he doesn't want to relinquish his hold just yet - in case he struggles to stand.]
I though they had refreshments set up somewhere on this hike... I could ask around for them. Would that help you?