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

[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.

[relieable]

I'm not judging you either way. I think... the fact that you could find some common ground with him is amazing. You're so good with everyone here.

[robitussin]

[After a moment:]

You don't have to say that.

[Because she's automatically assuming that he's just being flattering.]

[relieable]

[???]

...I'm not just saying that for the sake of saying it. It's the truth.

[robitussin]

...Oh.

[She looks a little surprised by that, but she continues.]

Well, um - thanks. I think that might be the first time anybody has ever told me I'm good with people.

[relieable]

[ehehe...]

Maybe you've finally tapped into a secret power!

[robitussin]

[She laughs, but it isn't at his expense.]

Right. Talking to people, very powerful.

[relieable]

[he opens his mouth to say one thing, then changes his mind]

I dunno. It can be a gift. Maybe you don't appreciate it right now, but you might later.

[robitussin]

...I don't know. It's not like it helped him much, in the end.

[The way she says it is casual, even as her expression grows tighter.]

[relieable]

[hm... Osomatsu didn't necessarily mean Dabi, but he understands where she is coming from. his own expression falters, and he moves to lean against the wall again]

...Some people can't be helped. Even though he did bad stuff, he was... pretty confident, yanno? Like he was unafraid of the consequences. When someone's set in their ways like that, no person is gonna change 'em.

[robitussin]

...I don't know. I feel like there had to have been something.

[She shakes her head.]

Sorry. You don't have to worry about it.

[relieable]

I'm not worried about it, I'm worried about you. That's all. [he shrugs] If you're okay, that's all that matters.

[robitussin]

[After a few moments:]

...Well, you don't have to be worried about me, either.

[relieable]

[ah............

he looks at her for a long while, kind of upset. but he knows that's just Natalie. she's like this, and he understands.

so after a pause, he grins at her, rubbing under his nose]

If you say so. [he's not going to stop worrying, especially after she looked out for him]

Guess you have your good buddy Keith to watch over you. You don't need a third wheel.