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.]

[amburere]

[ In some ways, Dabi has been expecting this for a while now. Maybe not this jail cell or this town, but he's known that an end like this awaited him for months now. Still, he'd much rather have gone out in a literal blaze of glory—then there wouldn't be any time to think and get lost in his head. And there was way too much to think about right now.

He's tired. But the end isn't here yet, and even now he has unfinished business. Dabi is mostly content to sit in silence on the floor of his cell, lighting his hand on fire intermittently. ]

[robitussin]

[As she walks in later on in the evening and sees fire and engulfing his hand, there's a familiar but illogical rush of concern that she can't quite dispel. Still... Whether or not he's going to injure himself hardly matters anymore, does it?

There's only a hesitation of a few moments before she moves close to the cell bars, taking a seat.]

Hey.

[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.

[amburere]

Yo. [ For what little it matters, he does put the fire out as she sits down. ]

[marmoron]

[As usual Keith can be found in the park with the space wolf after the trial. This time the two of them are near the pond where Cosmo is splashing around, snapping at the water with his jaws to try and catch one of the goldfish while Keith sits on the grass a little further back. There's a faintly amused smile as he watches this, but otherwise he's in a fairly solemn mood.]

[robitussin]

[It's hard to know what to say here. Goodbyes aren't her strong suit, and while there are plenty she's curious about, what sticks out first is...]

Was it worth it?

[amburere]

I don't regret it. [ But as for worth, he pauses. ]

Figured out one thing at the cost of everything else. Dunno.

[robitussin]

[There's a small pause, but...]

Yeah? What'd you figure out?

[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?

[amburere]

Who's side [ Points next door to Hawk's cell. ] he's really on.

[marmoron]

[It's much later in the evening by the time Keith shows up here. He's almost certain this is a waste of time and that Dabi isn't going to continue that conversation during the trial, but whatever. He doesn't really stand to lose anything.]

How old were you when you first realized you could set things on fire?

[robitussin]

You weren’t sure before all this?

[quickpersuader]

[It's Kino's turn to approach him this time, pausing to watch Cosmo for a moment before she calls out:]

Hey.

[robitussin]

[There’s a soft nod.]

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

[marmoron]

[Looks over shoulder.]

Hey.

[He only sounds vaguely grumpy really.]

[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]

[That's good, because Kino has something for him. She reaches into a pocket, holding out an envelope.]

Here. For you.

[quickpersuader]

Mr. Dazai's room.

[robitussin]

[She assumed she'd find him here, and while she definitely hesitates before coming to find him, eventually she's walking towards his seat on the grass.]

...Rough one, huh?

[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.]

[marmoron]

[Okay, he wasn't expecting mail of any sort and that confusion kinda makes the grumping difficult to maintain.]

...What's that supposed to be?

[Kino, did you write him a letter apologizing for this confusion or something....]