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]

[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.]

[quickpersuader]

Maybe. Or maybe not. It's hard to tell with people, sometimes.

[Normally, if someone wanted to die, Kino wouldn't stop them. Normally, if someone wanted to kill, Kino wouldn't stop that either. Not unless their target was her.]

...We're getting closer to the end. Let's try not to waste it.

[robitussin]

[There's a short laugh, devoid of humor.]

I have no idea what we're going to do.

[quickpersuader]

Keep finding clues where we can. They're trying, too.

[The dead-- which will include Dazai as well, most likely.]

[robitussin]

I know they are. That's what we've been doing, but it hasn't...

[She gives a frustrated sigh.]

[quickpersuader]

I know. Just... I'd prefer their efforts don't go to waste, either.

[Besides her own survival, that's... also a contributing factor.]

[robitussin]

I'm pretty sure that's what all of us want.

[She runs a hand through her hair.]

[quickpersuader]

Then that means we have to keep trying to put it to use.

[robitussin]

I'm not saying I'm not going to try, okay? I just...

[She takes a breath.]

Never mind.

[quickpersuader]

[Kino just regards her solemnly for a moment. And then:]

Would you like me to leave you for now?

[robitussin]

...No, you don't have to.

[And, truthfully, she doesn't want to be alone, even if that isn't voiced.]

I'm just... stressed. All of us are. It's fine.

[quickpersuader]

[Yet another nod.]

Does... playing music help?

[robitussin]

[She nods, but has to pause for a moment to decide the clearest way to offer her clarification.]

It... doesn't change what's happening or how I feel about what's happening, but it does make it stop for a few minutes. It's like everything else just goes away for a while.

[quickpersuader]

It's a good distraction.

[robitussin]

Yeah.

[The smile returns, smile but fond.]

Back home... It was the only time I really felt like anything made sense, like I knew where I should be and what I should do.