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I wish he would at least tell you for what reason. [He doesn't even want the answers for himself. He just wants answers out there, so Reira didn't feel so lost. If this was Ron, he would have taken Reira into his lap and stroked her hair, trying to calm her down. But she's too big for that, so all he can do is gently hold her, putting an arm around her shoulder.]

I think he knows more than you think, Reira-dono. He's clever, didn't you say? I think he knew, but he's... like Yuzu. He knew sacrifices needed to be made. If what you say is true, he may not have liked the choices he made, but he made it. It doesn't make him bad... it just makes him a someone who wants to further his goals.

It's hard not to throw judgement though... especially when everyone is dying. Especially when the Fog God is doing the same thing as the Fourth in her own way. It's hard not to lump them as the villains. You know that.

.... [Like Yuzu, hmm? ...Somehow, that is a comfort, but all the same.

Tsukikage does not understand, that much, she feels.] ....

[They have not been entirely honest about the 'reason', have they? It was as said on the network. All of the followers knew their reason, even if none of the 4th followers had come clean about it. Ron didn't understand-but Yuzu, absolutely, did, as did others, she could tell. That was why...] ...I said I didn't know why it had to be like this, [she says quietly, leaning against the other.]

...And...I don't know if it's 'why' he did it, either. ....But I know what he said would happen after, [she says more softly, chewing her lip.]

...And it's important. It's the most important thing there ever is, and it would mean no one has to get hurt, like when you stayed at the obelisk...!

...it's not a 'favor', like they said for the fog.

It's something bigger.

[Yuzu being the poster girl for instability amongst the Arc V cast.]

......

[Reira-dono is keeping secrets from him.

As a servant, this is alright. He's supposed to listen to Reira regardless. But as Reira's friend... as someone he sees as close to him as his own flesh and blood, it hurts a little. It makes him curious. It shows in the human's eyes as he looks at the kelpie, leaning against him for support.]

...

Like the Obelisk?

[... He frowns deeper. That explained a lot more than he realised.] I knew the Fourth protected you all from Fog Forms...

But he can protect you from the hunger as well?

...He's trying, [she says quietly, and her voice is weak and strained.] If even just Ron lives, it'll work. If even that happens, then being 'hungry' won't make you lose yourself, it won't do anything..!

[Of course... She chews her lip again.] ...He can't make it go away still. If we don't eat people somehow, then after a while, we'll get weak, and then starve...

...But it won't be like when you forgot at the obelisk, [she squeaks-and only now do tears start to show in her eyes, as she shakes her head and trembles.] It won't have to happen ever again.

...

[Tsukikage brings both his arms around her so the girl can cry against him if she wanted. Being that monster, having to deal with going crazy with hunger and berserk with the pull of his fog form almost every month, makes him one of the best people to understand how insanely important this all is. Now what cryptic things Yuzu had been saying at the lake begin to make sense, and pieces begin to fall into place.

It's so important. So many lives could be saved...]

The cost is high... but the reward is great. You're all taking a big gamble...

[But by the sound of his voice, it's clear he gets it, a little more at least.]

...But it's important. ....But I don't think anyone would understand, [she cries, breathing picking up the pace as the wall of steel finally rusts and buckles and crumbles away.] Because just like how everyone missed the park, everyone's going to miss this..!

They're just saying, 'the gods are fighting, and we don't want that'..! 'The plants are all gone, and it's his fault'..!

And I know, [she chokes, sniffling,] ...I know those are true...but if you only look at some of the true things, then only wrong things happen..!

I know it is. And I think some people do understand... that's why you're all doing it, isn't it? [He holds her tight, feeling her chest heave and her nails dig a little into his simple human flesh.] That's why it's important for all of you. Why you justify the means to this end...

It's alright, Reira-dono... It's alright. I understand. [He wants to say more, he has questions to say, but he holds her close instead, rubbing her back, letting Reira just release all that's she's clearly been hiding.]

I just want....to have it all be over now, [she sobs, her hold on the stuffed animal swapping over to a hold around Tsukikage. The grip is tight-and likely firmer than he expected, monster arms around human limits. But somehow it is the human who feels most secure, who feels like the sturdiest of stones, and acts as her support while she cries.] I want it to be over already, so I can make birthdays and play with friends and eat cake like everyone says is supposed to happen..!

..And...to just be happy...

[She feels strong, even in her weakness. The contrast is apparent, and yet strangely comforting too. Selfishly, Tsukikage feels like he's still needed to her, and that makes him happy. He closes his eyes and keeps rubbing her back gently]

I know... I know you do, Reira-dono. I wish nothing more for that as well. I want nothing more than all of this to stop burdening you, and let you have your chance to live. I want your happiness, Reira-dono... And I promise you'll have it soon. Just a little while longer you need to hold out...

['Just keep us safe', she mutters a few more times, shaking violently against the other's side. 'Just keep us safe', she seems to beg, as her sobbing goes from its fever pitch and back down into choked and muffled sobs, light hiccups that fade away.]

...just keep everyone safe...

I will. I promise you, Reira. With everything I have, I promise to protect us all.

[And he will. Even if he soaks the land red with his own blood. Even if he forgets everything but the very instinctive desire to protect her. He will give everything he has to protect her, so he can bring back Reira's smile and let her have the happy life she deserves.]

[The note book slides off the bed, its pages folding and fluttering as Reira nods softly. They'll be safe. Ron, her...and everyone in the house. They'll be safe....]

...Okay...

[It is easier to sit like this. In silence, in peaceful silence, and safety. Reira's weeping slowly comes to its end, her eyes on the fallen notebook, and soon perhaps, it becomes 'alright' to speak again.

Not her though.

She won't be initiating this conversation.]

Edited 2017-04-19 15:35 (UTC)

[Tsukikage would be all for pulling her on the bed and hugging her until she fell asleep from emotional exhaustion, but that time isn't now. When she lets go and pulls away, Tsukikage moves to pick up her book. He smoothes the pages out and closes it, placing it away from the two of them.]

... I need to know though, Reira-dono... Does the conduit business affect all of the Fourth's Followers? Or just the ones who survived channelling his powers?

All of them.

[Duh.] ...It wouldn't make sense if it was just conduits. That's only a few people, [she half scolds, wiping her eyes to frown.] ...It's only two now, even...

So all Fourth Followers will end up without the hunger. I see... No wonder.

[All the more to keep Ron and Reira safe. If he didn't hate the Fourth so much himself, it was definitely an incentive to join. It sounded incredible.] So you just have to survive? Or have more people alive than the Fog does?

Just one place needs to stay his.

Just one at the least, [she explains, looking back to the ground.] ...I thought...it would be easy, when nothing happened to all the places...

But then suddenly, three were gone so fast, and now there's just Ron and the other one... [It's frightening, to think so much rides on such shoulders. Terrifying, even.]

...I wanted to ask... ...if maybe, instead of bringing you back in the arcade, he could give you that 'prize'. ...Keep you from ever feeling that way, ever again...

... As long as we can keep Ron under wraps then, we have this. We can help all of you. [It's a start. And as scary as it is, the goal seems very much possible with just needing to keep Ron alive. He was going to do that anyway. He doubts anyone can stand against him.

Though... he words surprise her. He stares at the young girl, feeling his mortal heart skip a beat. What did she say?]

Ah... Really? [Not to have that fear... It's too good. More than he deserves. He is unworthy.] ...It makes me happy that you want to do that for me... And if he can't, do not worry about it, Reira-dono. I appreciate even being considered for such a generous gift. We should do our best to protect Ron then.

Edited 2017-04-19 15:57 (UTC)

Yeah. ...I've been trying to play with him a lot, so that he doesn't think about sneaking away, or anything like that...so...

[So that should work, shouldn't it? ...It's good to hear that if it doesn't work, it's alright though. Even if it's just the followers...well.

...Maybe one day, there can be some convincing done. Beyond that, she reaches to take her notebook with another nod.] ...You're really important, after all. ...You keep everyone here safe, and make all the food, and clean everything...

...If I could do something back, it'd be good, I think.

... Sometimes I wish he'd listen. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. [He sighs and he shakes his head. Maybe he really is an awful father and just is some glorified babysitter. Ron needs to stop disobeying him, or at least understand he has a reason for wanting to keep him safe.

Tsukikage passes the book back to her.]

I do only what is expected of me, Reira-dono. It's hardly worth praise. But thank you again. It means the world to me, you know.

[You mean the world to him...]

I don't think it's that you're doing wrong things...I think he just doesn't know why it's bad. ...Ron doesn't think about things like they're dangerous, sometimes. ....if he does, he just thinks that we'll keep him safe, [she explains, gently sorting the pages of the book back out.]

...Even when we can't...

Mmmm... [He promised himself that he would never raise Ron how he was raised, but he wonders if he can even do that effectively. Tsukikage wishes he could introduce Ron to the dangers of the world without making him go through the things either Reira or even Sora did.

Hikage... Why can't he see you?]

He didn't enjoy the stitches. Hopefully he'll have some inkling now. If not, we just have to teach him...

....The stitches were a lot longer ago, so probably not. [She's...going to be blunt there.] ...but...I think I gave him a good way to stay home now?

...He said he wanted to go 'concentrate' or it wouldn't work, but I made a shrine for him at the arcade so that he can just pray there instead.

Ah yes, I forgot he doesn't really take into account standard faire recovery and time perception. [Read: He's a child.]

That's very good of you. I hope he'll listen and do just that.

Mnnnh...he has so far...but I think that might just be because I won't let him think about anything else.

You're a good sibling, you know that, Reira-dono? I'm very proud of you. [He may be a little small, and it's a bit weird since they're the same height, but he pets her on the head anyway.]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CCC-REDHORSE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 134.64.202.69 * CCC-REDHORSE has joined 134.64.202.69 <CCC-REDHORSE> This is Reira Akaba! <CCC-REDHORSE>**I'll try to answer you but sometimes I'm busy or sleeping, so I don't think about the message right away.

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