Afternoon, April 4th..
Phone call with Bubbles
***Ringing***
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeello?"
"...Hey. You're awake, or--"
***Rustling***
"--what time is it, exactly?"
***Grunt***
"Nevermind. How are you holding up?"
"I've been awake for a while. ... What's going on? You're just waking up now?"
"Nothing's going on, I'm just checking on you."
***Sigh***
"Is it really that obvious?"
"Is what obvious? You calling me? I answered, didn't I?"
***Chuckles***
"No, obvious that I just woke up. I think I used power last night than I realized. Kenryu says I've got trouble regulating it when we train. The moment I get serious, I've got to take a break. ... Everything worked out with Eri, didn't it?"
"Yeah, for the most part. She didn't have anything of importance to really say to me that made me change my mind about anything. You guys really need to figure out how to work together with each other. Nothing's going to get solved except everyone dying if nobody works together, you know."
"... ... ...It's not working with her that I have a problem with. I can work with and get along with just about anyone. It's one of my strong points."
***Pause***
"What exactly did she tell you?"
"I don't really remember. It's been just about a day and I've slept since then. ... Really, I don't. The most I remember is that you two agreed on not being around each other, but that I should still talk with you when I see you. Mm. Something about you dragging coals because she couldn't protect me."
***Rustling***
"I agreed? What do you mean I agreed. She screamed at me to stay out of her sight. I didn't agree to anything."
***More rustling, then an exhale***
"I don't get the dragging coals part, but you're right--it's way to late to clarify any of this."
***Pause***
"The problem I have, Mayu, isn't her inability to protect anybody. Because, hell, if it was, then I'd have to kick my own ass for letting that bastard hurt you in the first place. ... It's that--from where I was sitting, she didn't even want to try. It makes me wonder what she thinks your life is really like, what you really deal with? Dwellers aren't a problem for everyone because they're pansies."
"No, thery're not. And if she abandoned trying to do anything just because she felt she was no use, then that's for you to decide. She said she useda ll her power to try and stop him and it didn't work for whatever reason. So, she was out. When I got injured, she went into some kind of berserk mode. You don't think that's what happened?"
"... ... ... ... ...No. What I think is that it shouldn't have taken a near fatal injury to force that kind of fight out of her."
***Rustles***
"If she's that adamant--"
***Exhale***
"I just keep thinking--I can't fight, Mayu. You know that. I picked up your sword, which I still have, by the way, and all I could do was hold onto it. But giving up was never an option, not even if he would've split me into a million pieces."
***Rustles***
"You know what the scariest part of all that was?"
"Hm?"
"It wasn't until after I'd attacked him and he backed off that all that fear really set in. I saw what he did to you, and I thought--there's no way you'll die, you'll be fine. Just like always, you know?"
***Clicking***
"Please don't think I'm corny, okay? Or--if you do, don't say it. ... ... ...But if you died--I wouldn't know what to do. About anything. With my life, with myself."
***Pause***
"If it had been anyone else, I know exactly would I would do. If he killed my sister, or Emerill. If he killed any other of my friends, I would hunt him down, and kick his ass. And I'd be so mad at him, and at myself for letting it happen, I'd be able to do it. But with you--there is no afterward. If you're gone, there's nothing. ...Does that make sense?"
"... No. It doesn't. I'm like Sheridan. Or Emerill. Or hell, even Elaine and Nikia. I'm just another person who has something they're doing here. Dying is always possible. I'm willing to accept it if it comes to that, Toby. I already offered to turn away from this position and nobody seems intent on having me stop doing what is considered a duty. So..." ... "I don't know what you're trying to say."
"You're not."
***Silence***
"You're not like them at all. Not to me, you're not. There's no way."
***Click***
"What I'm trying to say is that I--"
***Pause***
"I care about you. So much. Way too much, probably, more than I should if you think that you're just like everyone else."
***Chuckle***
"What I'm trying to say is that I'm dead, and it's amazing that I'm still here, but all of that becomes pointless if I'm not there with you."
"You're dead because you died in some previous life of yours that none of us remember yet everyone else seems to without having the answer. ... I don't know where this is all coming from. Or why. Maybe because we were in some traumatic experience. I told Eri I'd explain it to you, though. I'm not letting that happen a third time. So... just don't worry about it. Okay? It's not going to come down to dying because we weren't strong enough to beat one stupid kid."
***Laughter***
"I try to be as honest with my feelings as I can--that's why. It's not even coming out of nowhere, I've felt this way for a real long time. If it has something to do with our past, that's fine. I'm starting to learn that I've just got to accept all that."
***Chuckle***
"You're not the only one that's not going to let it happen. I can't really complain seeing as how he got you much better than he got me, but god did it hurt."
***Pause***
"Look, Mayu. I'm not worried. I'll get stronger. I'll learn what I have to, do what I have to. I just--"
***Rustle***
"Honestly, I just wanted to tell you all that. And I wanted to hear your voice for a bit--is that bad?"
"..."
***Chuckles***
"I guess so. I probably sounded real girly, huh?"
"Yeah. A little bit."
"Yeah, well."
***Grunt***
"I'm injured. I'm allowed a few girly moments until I'm back at full strength. ... I'm sorry, though."
"Don't be sorry. Just don't worry about it. I'm not mad at you for what happened. I'm not really mad at her, either. I'm not taking sides anymore in anything that goes on. Not unless I have my own opinion that happens to share with someone else. And, right now, I think you're both stupid for fighting."
***Chuckles***
"Music to my ears."
***Rustles***
"It'll all blow over in a bit. I think we're all just real shaken up. I know I was, but I think I hurt that bastard. I'm not sure how badly, though."
***Exhale***
"I'll do my best to hold all that back. All I can promise you is that I'll try to do my best."
"If he's gone, it just means he'll come back. He doesn't seem to like it when people show up in numbers. Three or more, he bails. Keep that pattern in mind, maybe we can find a way to jump him."
"Right. I guess I have to work on more than just fighting. If I can't sense anything, I'm more than just a sitting duck with a target on my face."
***Pause***
"I wonder what he wants with you anyway? He went after you right before you gave all your power to me, you think he's just trying to finish off what he started while you're still weakened?"
"No. If I had to guess, releasing myself from my Gigai alerted him to where I was. He didn't waste any time. ... I can't exactly suppress myself in a natural state like that. I'm going to assume he'll do it again if I come out for any reason while in the city. Perfect bait, if you ask me."
***Snorts***
"As perfect as it is, I'd rather us not have to use you as bait until we've got a surefire plan. And like you said, we really suck at teamwork right now. I'll do my best to change that."
***Rustles***
"You want me to bring your sword by, or did you want to come pick it up? I'm staying at the church for the day. Sera's the only one here who could heal me up."
"I'll come pick it up later."
"I'll wrap it up. You know which room I use."
***Pause***
"Ah--no, forget it. I'll see you later, Mayu."
"I think I do. Sure thing. See you later!"
***Click***
