week 6, post trial

[robitussin]

[Their numbers keep falling. Three people have died already this week, with two more on the way tomorrow. With the outburst the townspeople gave them once the results came through... If anyone were feeling downhearted, it's to be expected at this point. Things continuing at their current pace is a frightening thought, after all. Like last week, the offer to spend time together or meet in a central location doesn't come.

Hawks and Dabi wait for the morning in their cells, but the rest of the tourists are free to wander about the town as they please; free to rest, to talk with each other, and to try to gather strength wherever they can. So, where does the evening find you, Cartesio?]

Comments

[robitussin]

[As usual, Natalie doesn't seek many people out after the trial, but... Anyone who passes by the shed near the Sergeant's lodge where she keeps her piano will hear music coming out of the door.

She's engrossed enough that she won't notice anybody coming in.]

[quickpersuader]

[It's not immediate. But eventually Kino makes her way to the shed, watching and listening in silence. It's only when Natalie finishes that, much like last week, the sound of a single person's applause graces the air.]

[robitussin]

[Moving her fingers away from the keys, she glances towards Kino as she hears the sound of applause. The smile she gives is faint, but it's there.]

Thanks.

[quickpersuader]

[Kino's smile is serene as always, despite the trial, despite the duty awaiting her tomorrow.]

That was beautiful... does it have a name?

[robitussin]

[There’s a soft nod.]

The piece is called Pern. It’s by a French composer named Yann Tiersen.

[quickpersuader]

If you play again... I'd like to listen again. But first--

[She stops to pull an envelope out of a pocket, walking up to Natalie properly.]

Here. This is for you.

[robitussin]

[She stands up from the bench to meet Kino halfway, taking the envelope with a curious look before she opens it and sees who it's from.]

...Oh. Um, thank you. Where did you find it?

[quickpersuader]

Mr. Dazai's room.

[robitussin]

[She nods.]

You don't have to leave or anything, but can I have a minute?

[To read it over and absorb it in full.]

[quickpersuader]

[A nod.]

Sure.

[And Kino will settle by the wall to wait.]

[robitussin]

[It's longer than a minute. It's at least several before she trusts her voice not to crack when she speaks.]

...You know, I really thought he would make it through. I know it wasn't his fault or whatever, but - still.

[quickpersuader]

[Kino allows her gaze to drift aside, away from Natalie.]

...I interfered, [she says, finally.] I forced him to live to help us. I suppose... this was also his way of doing that.

[robitussin]

He was... getting better, I think. Or he wanted to get better. I guess I thought that maybe he'd have enough time to get there.

[She sighs.]

[relieable]

[it's been no secret that Osomatsu's sort of been... not avoiding Natalie, but he's been giving her some space, since it seemed like she didn't want to talk to him after what he did. they haven't had any long conversations anymore, just short snippets of ones during the trial, or otherwise.

he wonders where her head is at, if she forgives him, or hates him.

he passes by the shed tiredly, hands in his pockets. he's walked to it several times this week hoping to hear her playing, but this is the first time she actually is while he's around.

he is quiet as he approaches, slips inside, then just stays in the back, waiting for her to finish]

...

[robitussin]

[Once it concludes, she still doesn't notice him for a minute or two. She's trying to decide the best thing to play next when she notices him out of the corner of her eye.]

...Oh, hey.

[relieable]

[he clams up instantly when she sees him, then rubs the back of his head, a little embarrassed]

Hey. That was a really nice song!

[robitussin]

Yeah.

[She nods.]

It's been a while since I learned that one.

[relieable]

[he promises he wasn't creeping, or anything! he really just wanted to hear her play]

Ah. Well, you did a good job. [a sigh as he drops his hand] I'm glad you got a piano.

[robitussin]

I've had a while to practice. But... Thanks.

[Another nod, this one almost bringing a smile to her face.]

It's nice to have it here.

[relieable]

[well, at least she's almost smiling. that's good. it makes him... think she doesn't really hate him]

... [he nods, then after a short pause, lifts his head] Are you... okay? I mean, I know none of us are okay, but you got pretty fired up at the trial.

[robitussin]

...Well, nobody had to hold me back this time, so I'm considering that an improvement.

[She means it as a joke, but it falls flat somehow.]

[relieable]

[ah...]

Yeah. But... you mentioned the guy was your friend.

[robitussin]

He is. Was...? I don't know. It should be was.

[She gives a small sigh, shifting so she's facing him rather than the piano keys.]

It's... complicated, I guess.

[relieable]

I didn't know him at all. We talked, maybe, twice? And Hawks... well, I had a few brief conversations with him, but nothing really memorable.

[Osomatsu was scared of Dabi and intimidated by Hawks]

I guess I'm just surprised that you were able t'make friends with someone who called himself a villain.

[robitussin]

...At least he was honest about it. There's been plenty of people here who were, they just didn't use the title.

[She frowns.]

I know that probably doesn't make any sense.