[Week 6, Friday: Tiger, Dragon, Rebecca]

[doublecrows]

[I'm still typing up the reaction but lol you know Akechi had a total]

[meltdown]

[at the body announcement]

[it's sometime after that that he grabs Rebecca by the arm and drags her into the foyer, with little explanation for what he's doing. SORRY, REBECCA]

Comments

[disclosures]

[Here they are, the last two left standing. She clings hard onto Akechi's arm for a moment, trying to breathe a little more calmly. Not that it works, but she's trying very hard.]

Eichi really loves you, doesn't he? [While she's tearing up, it's probably for a slightly reason than Akeichi.]

I don't... know why Zelos would- [She breathes a shakey sigh. No. She's pretty sure she knows.] -Sanji's well loved in the castle. [Her voice breaks on loved.]

[doublecrows]

[oh]

[the way her breath hitches. the way the corners of her eyes glisten. the way her grip tightens, all while she talks about Eichi's feelings for Akechi, and how loved Sanji is in the castle]

[he feels that resonate with him. the unspoken feelings he knows she's having. and for the first time, he. . . empathizes]

Bunch. . . ?

[disclosures]

[She pulls her free hand to her eyes, pressing them against them, trying to stop the flow of tears- it only half helps.]

S-sorry. I'm sorry. You don't- You don't need me like this right now.

[There's a little more emphasis on you don't need me than she intends. As good at lying as she is, she's also terrible when she's forced into dealing with her feelings. And hearing about Eichi caring so much about Akechi that he'd put his life on the line for him? Hearing how much people want to protect Sanji? She's never ever going to get something like that, is she?

They're co-workers and they're the only ones left with the title Historian. Breaking down in front of him is probably a terrible idea.

She can't stop herself.]

[doublecrows]

[and for a moment-- just one moment, just one second in the hundreds of thousands of millions of trillions they've both lived so far-- they're a part of something together]

[they're not just coworkers. they're not just two people trying to do what they've been tasked to do. they're the last two of their group left, they're the only two who understand how terrifying that thought is, and they're the only two in this room who know what it's like to want to be loved when no one in the world does]

[in a rare moment of understanding, in a rare moment of feeling like he actually belongs, in a rare moment of long-wanted camaraderie, he takes her hand]

[and squeezes it gently]

[disclosures]

[Here they are, the last two people who could possibly get memories of the previous game. All the other people of their group are dead- they're the last two.

While Akechi doesn't say anything, the gesture is more than enough to get the feeling. They're both trying to find something that feels impossible. That feeling of being loved is something fleeting, that needs to be chased. It's not easy and it never will be.

Love is something for other people.

She squeezes his hand back. At least they both know.]

[doublecrows]

[he sits there with her hand in his, contact to anchor them both, to remind them they're not alone. so he can hang onto this feeling of belonging. this feeling like he, finally finally, has a place in the world]

[Ion had told him that he was proud of him for choosing to do the right thing. Jae-Ha told him to start making decisions he could take pride in himself. Eichi told him that it would be nice, for once, to be a hero]

[. . . hell]

[maybe he should start giving that way of living a chance]

Will you be all right?

[disclosures]

[The tears are coming and there's very little she can do to stop them. Being emotionally vulnerable in front of anybody is terrifying. She's weird and dramatic, a loser, unlovable. Her own mother pushes her to the way side, her father left and never even tried to keep in contact.

The thought that there's anybody like her in the world is satisfying in that awful way shared pain hurts. "It's not just me with these thoughts."

She swallows and gives a small nod, wiping the tears away.]

In... In a little while. I think I will.

Do you mind staying? Just... for a little while longer? I'm sure Eichi wants to see you soon.

[doublecrows]

[they say misery loves company. and they're not at all wrong]

I don't mind.

[it almost surprises him how easily he agrees, despite her Obvious Emotions. despite him being Bad at Emotions in general]

. . . perhaps now, you and I are the best allies we have in this entire manor.

[disclosures]

[She sniffles and holds Akechi's hand just a little tighter before relaxing her grip a bit.

There's something to be said for shared experiences.]

I think you're right. We're really all we've got left, aren't we?

Let me know... if you ever need anything. Okay?

[doublecrows]

Of course.

[again, such quick agreement. there really is something to be said for bonding in difficult and adversarial circumstances, isn't there?]

And you as well, Bunch.

[themodsgrimm]

[ . . . and her expression falls quietly.]

... the game would continue. The same could be said of any of our roles - the war does not hinge on any particular group. It is the choices that the whole makes that will drive us forward.

... but please do not mistake that for me not caring for you.

I may not need you, but I want you to find happiness. I... do not want to see you suffer.

[doublecrows]

We were brought here for a reason.

[whatever that reason may be]

To help others understand the past game. To encourage them to complete their objectives. In that sense, we were needed. Right?

[disclosures]

Were we? We were just the ones that got trapped.

[She's not so sure the Crafters needed them to begin with.]

They would've done them on their own eventually.

[themodsgrimm]

[She shakes her head.]

Eventually would not have been soon enough.

You are correct - as remnants from the previous game, we gave you an additional task. You performed and are performing and will perform to the best of your abilities.

... I know you are trying.

For that, you have my gratitude.

[doublecrows]

[Akechi curls his fingers into a fist, before relaxing them again]

I have. . . one last question.

It seems we Historians are here to encourage balance. Balance is the ending you seek, Dragon-san. But not the one Tiger-san seeks.

Our role seems tailored to favor you, and deliver you a win. Is there not another title out there whose job is to deliver Tiger-san a victory?

[disclosures]

[She has no idea how well they're actually doing. Three of their number are dead and the last two are them?]

Do both of you want to collect ink? I know... why you want to collect it. But not Tiger.

[themodsgrimm]

As Historians, you are tasked with encouraging others to complete their objectives - objectives will always yield more ink. If not enough were completed, even if the other requirements were met for her ending or mine, everything still could have fallen into chaos.

We both want ink above all else - so that I can help you all pursue the lives you wish, and for her... well, she's always coveted it for her own uses. That is what I believe.

But I do not believe there exists a separate title to assist her... Rather, the folly and rash choices of others are often what lead to her gain.

[doublecrows]

. . . I see.

[a small exhale]

Thank you, Dragon-san. I believe that's all I have for now.

[disclosures]

[She'll get up after a false start, give a small nod to Dragon-]

We'll work hard. We're almost there. Just two more for the Villains.

[themodsgrimm]

[ . . . Dragon lets both of her hands fall over her heart. Her expression warms.]

... I believe in you.

Thank you. I am sorry that I could not provide more... but call upon me again if you need anything else.

I will do my best for you as well.