when you hear me calling out to you, saying, "i'll always believe in you"

[ratherdoweddings]

[It occurs to Yurika that she has no idea what either of the men they'd lost just now had with regards to religious beliefs. She doesn't know who they wanted to leave their things to. She doesn't miss the detailed funeral requests, and at least neither wanted their ashes scattered over a lake on a planet that might not even exist here while the mall radio blasted "Stairway to Heaven," but having nothing...

It's actually kind of fitting. They don't have much to begin with.

Arianna strongly insisted on handling the food, so don't worry, your afterparty food today does not consist of disgusting burnt lumps and will not send you all back into the courtroom should somebody eat one. Candles are lit on another table and Yurika's standing at the front with a hand on her shoulder.]

In my last group... our last group, for some of us, the only cases we've remembered so far had culprits who were either cruel or just that determined to escape. Here, it seems different. We're all survivors, so it seems, and we're all friends who are doing our best -- even when the motives make it seem like we should give up. Even when people die anyway.

Maybe Togami-san was right that it'll just keep going from now, but he was also right that it can't keep going forever. I'm going to make sure to keep trying for all of you, and I know you will, too.

Comments

[burninglight]

...hello.

[Sitting on his bed with his back to the wall, Ardyn folded some notes he'd been taking and returned them to a pocket of his slightly bloodstained vest.]

...Nari's seen to it already, you should spare concern for the others.

[nightcure]

I didn't see anyone else get stabbed, Ardyn. Even if it's fine right now, you might need these painkillers later.

[burninglight]

[Ardyn sighed, pressing his other hand to his eyes.]

You're...right.

[nightcure]

Funny how that keeps happening. Mind if I take a seat?

[burninglight]

I couldn't exactly kick you out right now even were I to want to. Go ahead.

[nightcure]

Yep. And I'd just come right back in.

[ He sits at the edge of the bed. ]

.... This is what it was like for you, huh. Accident after accident.

[burninglight]

...There was one that wasn't. Apart from her, I have trouble imagining the people in my memories would truly have done anything else. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong before long, but...given what we've seen here, I think it a very possible thing.

[nightcure]

It, ah. Wasn't like that for us, far as I can tell. A lot of us... didn't get along that great.

[burninglight]

I'd have been shocked if every iteration of a disaster like this functioned otherwise. But Mai was an accident, Lee was...just selfish and stupid. We scarcely even knew what to make of the situation once it was over.

[Ardyn sighed, pressing a hand to his injured shoulder.]

...Rather like right now.

[nightcure]

[ He sighs as well, crossing his arms. ]

That's two weeks in a row you've risked your neck in one of those trials.

[burninglight]

Well...you know how it is. Think you can catch someone's arm, remember your reflexes are abject shit half a second too late, and suddenly you're getting stabbed.

[no, no one knows how that is.]

[nightcure]

I can safely say I have no idea what that's like, Ardyn.

[burninglight]

Would you prefer 'I screwed up' as a summary?

[nightcure]

Are you actually admitting that?

[burninglight]

I'm doing nothing of the sort. I'm saying 'I did not plan to get stabbed'.

[nightcure]

And you did, so... you screwed up.

[burninglight]

Do you often harass the injured?

[nightcure]

Alright, that's fair, I guess. Sorry.

[burninglight]

...it's fine. Did you want something, or do you merely delight in irritating me?

[nightcure]

[ A big ol shrug. ]

Just wanted to check on you, that's all.

[burninglight]

You're still too compassionate for your own good.





...At this rate, I'm no different.

[nightcure]

No offense, but I'm pretty sure that's obvious to anyone here.

[burninglight]

[Ardyn sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.]

I was hoping memories would make this situation clearer, not exacerbate a sudden identity crisis. That selflessness is going to get me killed again.