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]

I'm not defensive.

[But she's eager for a change of subject regardless, so:]

...You asked if I was going to be okay. Are you?

[relieable]

[she totally is...]

Huh? Me? [hmmm... he rubs his chin in thought] Well, I've still got you, and Bolin, and Sakura-chan. I should be fine.

[he tries not to think about Franciscus too much, but losing Sting and Millium was quite a bad blow]

[robitussin]

...Is that how you measure how well you're doing? The amount of friends you have who aren't dead?

[Instead of judgmental, she just sounds curious, mostly.]

[relieable]

[oh?]

That'd be pretty cruel, wouldn't it? ...A lot of shit's gone down, but I'm still here, for some reason. Back when people started killing each other, I thought, "Well, damn, I'm gonna be the first to go." But I wasn't. I'm still alive. And I've gotta take that and run with it. I've gotta be grateful.

Am I okay? After this, I dunno if I'll ever be okay. But, right now, in this situation, I've gotta count my blessings. Right?

[robitussin]

[She pauses, but...]

...All of us have been kidnapped into a shithole town where we keep being coerced to murder each other and watch the people we've started to care about get slaughtered. If there was any situation where it'd be understandable to not count our blessings or look for a silver lining, it would be this one.

[relieable]

...

You're right on the money, as always! [a short laugh] I'm probably just the idiot, here, trying to be optimistic again. So you don't have to listen to me.

[robitussin]

...No, you're not an idiot. That's not what I meant.

[She has to take a moment to find the right way to say what she does mean, though.]

Just - I don't want you to feel like you're doing anything wrong if you let this shit get to you. You know?

[relieable]

[while Osomatsu is leaning towards the optimistic side, as usual, he's hiding the fact that he has let a lot of this get to him. Franciscus' execution proved that. he is not certain he'll ever recover]

...I know. It's the same with everyone. I can't remember the last time I saw Sakura-chan smile.

[robitussin]

[A littler gentler, more than she's used to:]

Maybe it's the same with everyone, but I'm asking about you.

[relieable]

[........]

I.

[he pauses for a moment before dropping his shoulders. it's probably a bad idea to talk to Natalie about how he feels. he broke down in front of Sting, and was very open around Franciscus. and now they're both gone. if he tells Natalie how he's actually doing, something might happen to her! which is silly to think, because he's not the cause of that...

he sucks in a breath, clenching his fists at his sides. do it, Osomatsu. smile at her! tell her you're fine!]

I want...! [his eyes squeeze shut, and he turns his head away] I wanna go home already!

[robitussin]

[She can tell (or she assumes, at least) that he's near tears, and her voice continues to soften accordingly. She can't really bring herself to say it's okay or that he's going to be okay... Who knows if that's true.

Instead:]

...You're not the only one, and that means you don't have to deal with this alone.

[relieable]

[he won't cry. he did that earlier this week and it was No Fun for anyone. he's not going to put her through that. he's a grown-ass man... for now, he sighs and nods at her in agreement]

Yeah. I know. Thanks.

[robitussin]

[A beat, and then she continues with that thought.]

And not having to deal with it alone means that you can talk about it with people. Just, if you need to... You know.

[It's an offer to listen, albeit an awkward one.]

[relieable]

[it's a good offer. Osomatsu appreciates Natalie so much]

I guess... I was worried, yanno. That you hated me.

[oh. he definitely did not mean to let that slip out. dammit]

[robitussin]

[She pauses for a moment, but it's easy enough to tell why he'd think that.]

...Sorry. I should've talked to you sooner after all that.

[relieable]

[what a relief, though, to finally get that off his chest. Natalie is like the little sister he never had. he wants to protect her]

It's fine. You're talkin' to me now, and that's what matters.

[robitussin]

I'm not mad at you, either. Seriously. I was just...

[She pauses, and then finally concedes after weeks:]

Worried.

[relieable]

[ah, of course she was. she worries a lot! but it's kind of warrented, isn't it? look at where they are...]

Yeah. I know.

[robitussin]

[Somehow, it gets a half-hearted laugh.]

Was it that obvious?

[relieable]

[he lifts his head, speaking gently]

You just... Worry a lot, about everyone. [it's nice]

[robitussin]

...Yeah, well. Everyone here could probably use it.

[relieable]

[that makes him laugh. not loudly, though]

You're right! So you can keep worrying about everyone. Just... don't worry too much, or your hair'll turn grey.

[robitussin]

If that happens, I’m totally blaming you.

[She’s joking, at least.]

[relieable]

[oh! she's making a joke! that makes him laugh a little harder.

he's so relieved... that they are pals again]

I guess I can accept that!