[ SO BEFORE ALL THINGS GO BAD AND WRONG IN THE EVENING....
how about some nice quiet time between the three of them? they can be hanging out in the mess hall or they can be at in one of the cabins...either way, it's time to really talk about what happened and maybe have some nice wholesome conversation too??? maybe.
regardless, giyuu can have a snack for all of them to share if they wanna share and ice for shinobu and himself due to their burns but dimitri has bruises himself so maybe just ice all around as well. ]
[ Listen, they probably all got looked at at some point because Shinobu wouldn't allow for otherwise. It's just a matter of who got looked at by whom, you know.
Shinobu looks at the both of them with a serious expression. ]
Perhaps I should wait a little longer before talking to you about this, but... I don't intend on hiding anything that we found there.
[ And that they also accidentally destroyed via fire. ]
[ Dimitri is... calm? He's calm. He doesn't touch any of his food, but he's not as rattled as before after having some time away from everything, talking to people.
At least they're not that injured, all things considered. ]
There's no need to wait. [ There's not a luxury of time, especially before curfew. ] We should discuss everything. And our next moves.
[ its good that they were taken care of somehow but giyuu is still looking between the two quietly as they plan. there is certainly stuff to unpack here. ]
I also do not intend to hide anything as well. There is information that we can learn from what we found.
[ especially since they are non-moderns and maybe fucked up everything... they just don't know. ]
[ Shinobu's not going to say that Dimitri's behavior was extremely concerning towards the end there because where she would usually call anyone out on that, memories of an execution stay her tongue.
She frowns but sticks to business for now. ]
We'll need to see if anything can be salvaged from what was taken and to find out what's in that syringe.
[ They just don't know how much they fucked up. ]
That room with that machine and all that equipment was the most worrying. I was hoping to find more concrete answers, but that so much remains a mystery is frustrating.
[ Shinobu asked the two of them to meet her at the nurse’s office. It is somehow a time that no one else is there by the magic of pcs. She is methodically stuffing her government assigned fanny pack with medical supplies.
Her smile when she greets them is muted, perhaps lackluster. ]
I wanted to tell you two a few things. Please listen until I’ve finished. The syringe of poison we found in that cabin— I’ve transferred some of it to my sheath. The item I had with me upon arrival were castor beans. Through the portal, I’ve processed that into its oil and its poison. The oil I’ve packaged elsewhere, but the ricin is also stored in my sheath. The chocolates I took from you, Tomioka-san, I have concentrated its most active ingredients.
Earlier this week, I made what could have been a love potion, and I gave one to Flayn-san, so if you saw her acting differently earlier this week, that was why. She knew what it was before I gave it to her. [ Consent is important. Anyway. ]
Whatever ability or otherwise hit Asch and Zenitsu-kun, I don’t approve of them together, so I’m asking Zenitsu-kun to stay with me tonight.
[ She sounds a little detached for everything she’s saying, like how she’s trying to cuck Asch. ]
Ah, Dimitri-san, you should know my ability is to make someone unable to sleep, but they can still be knocked out and made unconscious and they will still fall sleep tonight. They will not feel rested upon waking, however. [ She waves at Giyuu. ] He already knows.
[ She puts her hands together primly. That’s it. Thanks for coming to her TED talk. You can leave now. ]
[ he doesn't interrupt, though his expression steadily grows more and more uncertain. by the end of it, his first reaction is to look giyuu's way, raising a brow.
afterward, he casts his gaze back to shinobu, serious. ]
...Thank you for letting me know. That does explain some things.
[ he leans against the office wall, arms crossed. ]
I am not one for tainted blades myself. [ he's always had strength—what would he know about the need for a poisoned dagger? ] But neither of you seem very keen on keeping secrets from me lately, so I suppose I should trust you not to use it unwisely.
[ by now, it's more of an observation than a judgment. it's not like they've revealed their full hands, their every movement, but he can tell they're both trying to keep him in the loop. did they trust each other, too? ]
[ as shinobu speaks, giyuu has his gaze averted to the side. of course shinobu was able to create her poison and he doesn't care what others think, he trusts shinobu with that poison over anyone else here. the only part that really catches him by surprise is the love potion part... it interesting to learn. nevertheless he just quietly accepts it all with a nod. ]
Thank you Kocho.
[ ... ]
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do too much this week. [ because i, naru, didn't know how to exist. ] I've been distracted. If we're divulging where we'll be staying, then I'll be staying in my cabin tonight.
[ What is it like to be strong enough to behead a man? Shinobu would like to be that strong.
She's not really smiling, but she does seem a touch rueful. ]
Wisteria poison was the only way I could slay demons. [ It's matter-of-fact more than anything else. ] I don't plan to use any poison here unless I'm attacked first.
[ Not in these circumstances, not with these people. Not unless it becomes necessary, and even for all the talk and the FAQ released earlier this week, she hopes it doesn't become a necessity. ]
I didn't say any of this for either of you to tell me anything in return.
[ That's not what this is about, not really. She's just a little tired of there being secrets, of some things remaining secret. ]
I thought it'd be prudent to let someone know. That's all. So you won't be distracted if it becomes pertinent.
[ even if shinobu gives answers without expecting them in turn, it's is a good idea to regroup and cover the week's events in order to cover for each other during the trial (or to use it against each other—they all know how anyone can kill here, how swiftly any of them may need to be cut down when their mind goes to rot). there's something sad about how pragmatic it is, though. time on the island had been brief enough that it hadn't felt routine. now, it's talking on thursday. death for friday. fighting on saturday. the end on sunday, the beginning on monday. ]
I haven't made much progress on anything this week. Though speaking to some of the others, I've heard wonderings about if it wasn't one of us on the island that framed Ogata. Not as though I can blame them for thinking so. I'm still trying to figure out what it is that could have driven the murder at all—if someone truly feels that they must kill to keep us all alive.
[ it's all predictable now, but the way he closes his eyes and lets his head tap against the wall, it doesn't seem like he's used to it. ]
...I used my power earlier, but no one should see any effects. And I will be with Flayn. [ he's gotten used to seeking her out on thursdays, just another step in the routine. ] I believe she's bringing Yin Yu as well.
[ that should be the end of his 'report.' but after a moment, he lets concern touch his voice briefly, cautious and measured. ]
Giyuu... you should make sure someone else will be at your cabin with you. Otherwise, I will stay with you.
[ is it because he doesn't trust him alone? dimitri sighs, silent and soft, eyes cutting to the opposite wall to stare a hole into the plaster. ]
After what happened to Ogata—none of us should weather these nights alone.
not sure where the two of them went to go do on sunday after giyuu was treated and wasn't allowed to bleed out because you all were cowards, but giyuu has been at the nurse's office/med cabin since they brought him here. he has made attempts to escape, but those attempts were denied.
here lies giyuu tomioka who is in great pain and tired as all hell. at!! least!! he can sleep tonight!!! nevertheless, he'll be staring at the rain outside for the moment in a daze since who knows how they're filing in. ]
[ Who knows what happened after they took care of him on Sunday? His attempts to escape were stupid even if Shinobu didn't see any, most, or all of them.
It's too embarrassing to put this on a top level in the mingle because it's so dramatic but the moment the new week rolls around, the sound of shattering glass can be heard in the mess hall. Shinobu isn't strong, but rage can empower so much. She makes quick work of cleaning up after herself, and it's not long before tears start rolling down her cheeks.
She strides out of the mess hall with napkins around her cut and bleeding hands, and she slams the door open to the med cabin. She knows he's hurt. She knows he's in pain. She knows he's tired, but her emotions can't stop. She can't stop. ]
You said you didn't intend to take back your words!
[ Giyuu is injured, and they all knew that he was going to face some retribution for it come Monday morning. He both expects this and doesn't; it's the crack of glass that catches his attention, treading out after Shinobu once she's stalked off to the nurse's office.
He'd seen glimpses of her anger, her emotion—enough that the week before was unsettling and unpleasant. But he hasn't seen it flare quite so strongly, enough to shake tears from her eyes and in her voice.
He doesn't intervene. Instead, he quietly closes the door so they don't have any intrusions, going to collect some more bandages for the both of them. ]
[ when shinobu comes storming in, it honestly comes to no surprise to him all things considered. he knew she was going furious with him the moment the voice called him out and he was assaulted. it was a matter of time, after all. he just didn't quite understand what it was going to be like. the sight of shinobu crying is one he hasn't seen before and it throws him into unknown territory immediately.
he keeps his gaze adverted from her—from the two of them. ]
I didn't.
[ he doesn't miss how dimitri managed to tag along with shinobu and he's uncertain about how he should be handling that as well. ]
[ She raises her right arm sharply, blood dripping from a cut on her palm. Her voice is raw with her tumultuous emotions, the ones she can now feel in full force. She registers that Dimitri came, too, but she is too emotional to care about more privacy. ]
You could at least look at me when you knew this was going to happen! If you feel so stupidly guilty, if you know the weight of what you did! After the island—
[ Her anger makes her choke on her words, and she has to hold herself back from grabbing Giyuu, her entire stance tense as if she wants to attack. ]
If you were going to break so many rules, you should have just said so!
[ The graveyard is taking nihilism to some kind of meme degree.
They can't see the living, they found severed body parts of the directors, they have a note saying the snake is born, and Evan tried his best. There are natural disasters everywhere, the living don't know what the fuck Evan tried to say until Flayn cheats (and they don't know that), but even then—
Shinobu knows she wants to convey one thing before this all ends. She grabs both Giyuu and Dimitri away from the alcohol and games for a short moment. ]
I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but if we succeed and we all can go home, can I ask something of you two?
[ It's if because even for all her faith and belief that they will defeat the snake, she doesn't come from a world without casualties. Even if the dead are revived, there are still no guarantees. She has hopes, but she's realistic. ]
[ The graveyard is... noisy. They can probably still hear the shenanigans from where they are, as well as the noise from the TVs, and it's all a little ridiculous. It definitely feels like the conclusion of something. The beginning of the end. His mind is focused on making it there, but he wants to believe they'll make it out of here.
...He hasn't thought beyond that. Of home. The end feels so nebulous, hopeful but shapeless. He glances to Giyuu, unsure of how to answer, but speaks up first. ]
If I'm to be frank, that's never been a priority of mine...
[ It's not a no, but as a ruler, personal happiness is just not necessarily in the cards. He cants his head curiously. ]
[ being pulled away from the drunken madness isn't exactly against his will. normally giyuu wouldn't be thrown into this sort of thing, but somethings things just happen and he's had a few drinks in him already. nevertheless, it's just sake and he is an adult who has some experience drinking.
not that it matters because he'll share a look with dimitri before looking at shinobu carefully. he tries not to think much of dimitri's initial answer—he can't be surprised by it, honestly. ]
What do you mean by happiness exactly?
[ there's something about how she's bringing this up all of the sudden that's sobering. shinobu is no stranger to the situation that they share. ...yet? ]
[ She knows happiness isn't a priority for either of them. That's why she's making it a point to ask. It's a blunt request, coming from her, but they're short on time. She doesn't have weeks to try to guide or persuade them, little by little. She doesn't know what will happen after today, never mind after tomorrow.
What she knows is they have both grown so much in their time here. Despite the odds, despite all the hardships, despite all the suffering (the hateful, awful, necessitated suffering), they've come so far.
When I begin to doubt, when my thoughts turn towards the worst, everything goes—so unbelievably dark.
But hasn't he shown that his thoughts can turn towards the light?
I'm not good with the matters of the heart.
But hasn't he shown that he can see more than he did before? ]
This place has taken so much from me, from all of us, and I want to take something back.
[ She takes a small, shuddering breath. ]
You may not know, but you two lifted me when I didn't know how to stand again, after I broke the one thing I thought I would never break.
[ It takes her a moment, but she raises both her hands and extends a pinkie out to both Giyuu and Dimitri. There's an almost imperceptible tremble. ]
I can't let it take this from me. I won't let it. Happiness is something personal to everyone. What it means is different to each person.
[ She thought she could never make another promise, but she has to fight back. She has to do this again. ]
Help me. Please?
[ She's laid her emotions bare, her vulnerability out and in the open for once. ]
[ He's focused so much on what they've lost, that it's only recently that he's started to think of what they still need to save. His lashes flutter briefly in surprise, at her request and emotion both.
It's not that he expects her to be cold. Shinobu is small, but he knows her heart is a wide, fierce thing, so full and emptying out before them... it's still so startling, to face the brunt of how much she cares. Of all the things she asks for, it's not her happiness, but theirs.
Softly, bewildered, ]
Kocho...
[ And what is happiness, to him? He clutches to the tiny moments of it while they last, but it's ultimately such a transient thing, a flame in the wind. That's how he's viewed it for years, now. When she frames it as something he needs to find, he has to think and give it shape.
Happiness is... reaching out to someone, and having them clasp your hand in return. It's dragging them out from the dark and standing side by side. It's the moment after a storm has passed and he can see that it hasn't swept everyone and everything away, that utter relief he feels in having the people he loves with him still. It's his classmates' happiness, the way a smile changes his Professor's face. Their smiles.
It's making promises, and being able to keep them.
So he reaches out, curling his pinkie around hers, squeezing until his hand trembles too. He doesn't know how often happiness will visit him, but... ]
[ the festivities have been a new experience for him, in that a celebration this large and with this many people isn't something he's even remotely used to. 311 people, wasn't it? he's had some time to rubberneck with some people and eat some food that he has never had before (hot dogs... burgers...??)
anyway it's a bit after 7 pm and giyuu's really wants to go find somewhere nice and quiet to consider what to do next with the knowledge of how they can still communicate with everyone that they've met here and go to their worlds if they wished in addition to being able to go back home. it's....a strange gift. he doesn't know what to do with it. it would be a waste to get rid of it but...well.
....time to go hunting down two people in particular and pull them aside when he finds them both; sorry if he interrupted anything. ]
It looks like we'll truly have a chance at finding our happiness.
[ What is there to interrupt? Shinobu has probably been trying not to cry on Mitsuri or trying to see if Edelgard is a better house leader tbh. Haha just kidding! ... unless?
Shinobu's smile is somewhere between wistful and content. ]
Somehow, we managed it.
[ Or more accurately, the individuals whose gifts were accepted managed it. ]
It's a relief after so many weeks. I hope everyone awake has a chance at it now.
[ as cool and terrifying as shinobugard would be, for the sake of not causing a scene, dimitri is unaware of his fellow house leader's presence as of this thread. it's been a... 'fun' day, the din of camp buzzing and ridiculous with all the sleepers here with them. he can't say he minds the energy, even if it's exhausting.
he's grateful for the chance to step back from the crowd a little, smiling at them both. ]
I think after all of this, I'm sure everyone will be excited for the opportunity.
[ ...still, it's all sort of the prelude to the end, isn't it? he needs to get back to his life, and he knows he's not the only one. ]
Are you planning on returning home straight away, Giyuu?
[ giyuu would have definitely left shinobu to be with mitsuri if that was the case but for the sake of giyuu and not dimitri it will be the opposite of what would be bad for the other. ]
There are many people who are hopeful for what's to come for them. Opportunities given to them that they didn't have before.
[ he didn't meant to say it like intentionally, especially not after dimitri's question about whether or not if he was going to go back home right away or not, but he did and he'll look at shinobu for a moment. he doesn't want to ruin the mood—they somehow truly did manage this. somehow.
it's strange, though, when they were leaving the island it was an easy answer that came without any kind of hesitation but now..? this by far is the largest movement in his heart for a while; all of the ice surrounding it melted away. ]
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wk 1; thursday
how about some nice quiet time between the three of them? they can be hanging out in the mess hall or they can be at in one of the cabins...either way, it's time to really talk about what happened and maybe have some nice wholesome conversation too??? maybe.
regardless, giyuu can have a snack for all of them to share if they wanna share and ice for shinobu and himself due to their burns but dimitri has bruises himself so maybe just ice all around as well. ]
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Shinobu looks at the both of them with a serious expression. ]
Perhaps I should wait a little longer before talking to you about this, but... I don't intend on hiding anything that we found there.
[ And that they also accidentally destroyed via fire. ]
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At least they're not that injured, all things considered. ]
There's no need to wait. [ There's not a luxury of time, especially before curfew. ] We should discuss everything. And our next moves.
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I also do not intend to hide anything as well. There is information that we can learn from what we found.
[ especially since they are non-moderns and maybe fucked up everything... they just don't know. ]
How should we move?
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She frowns but sticks to business for now. ]
We'll need to see if anything can be salvaged from what was taken and to find out what's in that syringe.
[ They just don't know how much they fucked up. ]
That room with that machine and all that equipment was the most worrying. I was hoping to find more concrete answers, but that so much remains a mystery is frustrating.
[ They're too olde to know anything. ]
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wk 2; thursday
Her smile when she greets them is muted, perhaps lackluster. ]
I wanted to tell you two a few things. Please listen until I’ve finished. The syringe of poison we found in that cabin— I’ve transferred some of it to my sheath. The item I had with me upon arrival were castor beans. Through the portal, I’ve processed that into its oil and its poison. The oil I’ve packaged elsewhere, but the ricin is also stored in my sheath. The chocolates I took from you, Tomioka-san, I have concentrated its most active ingredients.
Earlier this week, I made what could have been a love potion, and I gave one to Flayn-san, so if you saw her acting differently earlier this week, that was why. She knew what it was before I gave it to her. [ Consent is important. Anyway. ]
Whatever ability or otherwise hit Asch and Zenitsu-kun, I don’t approve of them together, so I’m asking Zenitsu-kun to stay with me tonight.
[ She sounds a little detached for everything she’s saying, like how she’s trying to cuck Asch. ]
Ah, Dimitri-san, you should know my ability is to make someone unable to sleep, but they can still be knocked out and made unconscious and they will still fall sleep tonight. They will not feel rested upon waking, however. [ She waves at Giyuu. ] He already knows.
[ She puts her hands together primly. That’s it. Thanks for coming to her TED talk. You can leave now. ]
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afterward, he casts his gaze back to shinobu, serious. ]
...Thank you for letting me know. That does explain some things.
[ he leans against the office wall, arms crossed. ]
I am not one for tainted blades myself. [ he's always had strength—what would he know about the need for a poisoned dagger? ] But neither of you seem very keen on keeping secrets from me lately, so I suppose I should trust you not to use it unwisely.
[ by now, it's more of an observation than a judgment. it's not like they've revealed their full hands, their every movement, but he can tell they're both trying to keep him in the loop. did they trust each other, too? ]
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Thank you Kocho.
[ ... ]
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do too much this week. [ because i, naru, didn't know how to exist. ] I've been distracted. If we're divulging where we'll be staying, then I'll be staying in my cabin tonight.
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She's not really smiling, but she does seem a touch rueful. ]
Wisteria poison was the only way I could slay demons. [ It's matter-of-fact more than anything else. ] I don't plan to use any poison here unless I'm attacked first.
[ Not in these circumstances, not with these people. Not unless it becomes necessary, and even for all the talk and the FAQ released earlier this week, she hopes it doesn't become a necessity. ]
I didn't say any of this for either of you to tell me anything in return.
[ That's not what this is about, not really. She's just a little tired of there being secrets, of some things remaining secret. ]
I thought it'd be prudent to let someone know. That's all. So you won't be distracted if it becomes pertinent.
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I haven't made much progress on anything this week. Though speaking to some of the others, I've heard wonderings about if it wasn't one of us on the island that framed Ogata. Not as though I can blame them for thinking so. I'm still trying to figure out what it is that could have driven the murder at all—if someone truly feels that they must kill to keep us all alive.
[ it's all predictable now, but the way he closes his eyes and lets his head tap against the wall, it doesn't seem like he's used to it. ]
...I used my power earlier, but no one should see any effects. And I will be with Flayn. [ he's gotten used to seeking her out on thursdays, just another step in the routine. ] I believe she's bringing Yin Yu as well.
[ that should be the end of his 'report.' but after a moment, he lets concern touch his voice briefly, cautious and measured. ]
Giyuu... you should make sure someone else will be at your cabin with you. Otherwise, I will stay with you.
[ is it because he doesn't trust him alone? dimitri sighs, silent and soft, eyes cutting to the opposite wall to stare a hole into the plaster. ]
After what happened to Ogata—none of us should weather these nights alone.
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wk 3; monday
not sure where the two of them went to go do on sunday after giyuu was treated and wasn't allowed to bleed out because you all were cowards, but giyuu has been at the nurse's office/med cabin since they brought him here. he has made attempts to escape, but those attempts were denied.
here lies giyuu tomioka who is in great pain and tired as all hell. at!! least!! he can sleep tonight!!! nevertheless, he'll be staring at the rain outside for the moment in a daze since who knows how they're filing in. ]
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It's too embarrassing to put this on a top level in the mingle because it's so dramatic but the moment the new week rolls around, the sound of shattering glass can be heard in the mess hall. Shinobu isn't strong, but rage can empower so much. She makes quick work of cleaning up after herself, and it's not long before tears start rolling down her cheeks.
She strides out of the mess hall with napkins around her cut and bleeding hands, and she slams the door open to the med cabin. She knows he's hurt. She knows he's in pain. She knows he's tired, but her emotions can't stop. She can't stop. ]
You said you didn't intend to take back your words!
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He'd seen glimpses of her anger, her emotion—enough that the week before was unsettling and unpleasant. But he hasn't seen it flare quite so strongly, enough to shake tears from her eyes and in her voice.
He doesn't intervene. Instead, he quietly closes the door so they don't have any intrusions, going to collect some more bandages for the both of them. ]
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he keeps his gaze adverted from her—from the two of them. ]
I didn't.
[ he doesn't miss how dimitri managed to tag along with shinobu and he's uncertain about how he should be handling that as well. ]
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[ She raises her right arm sharply, blood dripping from a cut on her palm. Her voice is raw with her tumultuous emotions, the ones she can now feel in full force. She registers that Dimitri came, too, but she is too emotional to care about more privacy. ]
You could at least look at me when you knew this was going to happen! If you feel so stupidly guilty, if you know the weight of what you did! After the island—
[ Her anger makes her choke on her words, and she has to hold herself back from grabbing Giyuu, her entire stance tense as if she wants to attack. ]
If you were going to break so many rules, you should have just said so!
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wk 6; friday
They can't see the living, they found severed body parts of the directors, they have a note saying the snake is born, and Evan tried his best. There are natural disasters everywhere, the living don't know what the fuck Evan tried to say until Flayn cheats (and they don't know that), but even then—
Shinobu knows she wants to convey one thing before this all ends. She grabs both Giyuu and Dimitri away from the alcohol and games for a short moment. ]
I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but if we succeed and we all can go home, can I ask something of you two?
[ It's if because even for all her faith and belief that they will defeat the snake, she doesn't come from a world without casualties. Even if the dead are revived, there are still no guarantees. She has hopes, but she's realistic. ]
Can you two seek happiness?
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...He hasn't thought beyond that. Of home. The end feels so nebulous, hopeful but shapeless. He glances to Giyuu, unsure of how to answer, but speaks up first. ]
If I'm to be frank, that's never been a priority of mine...
[ It's not a no, but as a ruler, personal happiness is just not necessarily in the cards. He cants his head curiously. ]
What brings this on?
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not that it matters because he'll share a look with dimitri before looking at shinobu carefully. he tries not to think much of dimitri's initial answer—he can't be surprised by it, honestly. ]
What do you mean by happiness exactly?
[ there's something about how she's bringing this up all of the sudden that's sobering. shinobu is no stranger to the situation that they share. ...yet? ]
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What she knows is they have both grown so much in their time here. Despite the odds, despite all the hardships, despite all the suffering (the hateful, awful, necessitated suffering), they've come so far.
When I begin to doubt, when my thoughts turn towards the worst, everything goes—so unbelievably dark.
But hasn't he shown that his thoughts can turn towards the light?
I'm not good with the matters of the heart.
But hasn't he shown that he can see more than he did before? ]
This place has taken so much from me, from all of us, and I want to take something back.
[ She takes a small, shuddering breath. ]
You may not know, but you two lifted me when I didn't know how to stand again, after I broke the one thing I thought I would never break.
[ It takes her a moment, but she raises both her hands and extends a pinkie out to both Giyuu and Dimitri. There's an almost imperceptible tremble. ]
I can't let it take this from me. I won't let it. Happiness is something personal to everyone. What it means is different to each person.
[ She thought she could never make another promise, but she has to fight back. She has to do this again. ]
Help me. Please?
[ She's laid her emotions bare, her vulnerability out and in the open for once. ]
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It's not that he expects her to be cold. Shinobu is small, but he knows her heart is a wide, fierce thing, so full and emptying out before them... it's still so startling, to face the brunt of how much she cares. Of all the things she asks for, it's not her happiness, but theirs.
Softly, bewildered, ]
Kocho...
[ And what is happiness, to him? He clutches to the tiny moments of it while they last, but it's ultimately such a transient thing, a flame in the wind. That's how he's viewed it for years, now. When she frames it as something he needs to find, he has to think and give it shape.
Happiness is... reaching out to someone, and having them clasp your hand in return. It's dragging them out from the dark and standing side by side. It's the moment after a storm has passed and he can see that it hasn't swept everyone and everything away, that utter relief he feels in having the people he loves with him still. It's his classmates' happiness, the way a smile changes his Professor's face. Their smiles.
It's making promises, and being able to keep them.
So he reaches out, curling his pinkie around hers, squeezing until his hand trembles too. He doesn't know how often happiness will visit him, but... ]
You don't have to lose this, too.
[ He'll try his best. ]
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its endgame???
anyway it's a bit after 7 pm and giyuu's really wants to go find somewhere nice and quiet to consider what to do next with the knowledge of how they can still communicate with everyone that they've met here and go to their worlds if they wished in addition to being able to go back home. it's....a strange gift. he doesn't know what to do with it. it would be a waste to get rid of it but...well.
....time to go hunting down two people in particular and pull them aside when he finds them both; sorry if he interrupted anything. ]
It looks like we'll truly have a chance at finding our happiness.
[ he'll...start with that. ]
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Shinobu's smile is somewhere between wistful and content. ]
Somehow, we managed it.
[ Or more accurately, the individuals whose gifts were accepted managed it. ]
It's a relief after so many weeks. I hope everyone awake has a chance at it now.
[ Well, most everyone. ]
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he's grateful for the chance to step back from the crowd a little, smiling at them both. ]
I think after all of this, I'm sure everyone will be excited for the opportunity.
[ ...still, it's all sort of the prelude to the end, isn't it? he needs to get back to his life, and he knows he's not the only one. ]
Are you planning on returning home straight away, Giyuu?
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There are many people who are hopeful for what's to come for them. Opportunities given to them that they didn't have before.
[ he didn't meant to say it like intentionally, especially not after dimitri's question about whether or not if he was going to go back home right away or not, but he did and he'll look at shinobu for a moment. he doesn't want to ruin the mood—they somehow truly did manage this. somehow.
it's strange, though, when they were leaving the island it was an easy answer that came without any kind of hesitation but now..? this by far is the largest movement in his heart for a while; all of the ice surrounding it melted away. ]
...what do the two of you plan on doing?
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All three of them know that.
But is Giyuu refusing to answer the question? Shinobu tilts her head, curious. ]
Why didn't you answer, Tomioka-san?
[ There's no real reprimand in her tone. ]
I am not going home.
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crawls back here.......