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Week four - The meeting
[This isn't something he's looking forward to, but it's something that has to be done.
Later on in the day, when people have stopped checking out the new places so much, Ichigo goes towards the place with all the weird vending machines in it, leaning against a wall and looking like he's getting ready to hear news that someone he loved has died.
And, well. In a way....
He's quiet for the entire wait, until Alex arrives - and then he pushes off the wall, keeping his head down and his hands tucked into the sleeves of his Shihakusho, off to find Akira and talk to him.
Let's do this.]
Later on in the day, when people have stopped checking out the new places so much, Ichigo goes towards the place with all the weird vending machines in it, leaning against a wall and looking like he's getting ready to hear news that someone he loved has died.
And, well. In a way....
He's quiet for the entire wait, until Alex arrives - and then he pushes off the wall, keeping his head down and his hands tucked into the sleeves of his Shihakusho, off to find Akira and talk to him.
Let's do this.]
no subject
What I mean is - what happens to the gun to your head?
[ Alex doesn't think it's necessarily a great idea to do it - but she reaches out to set a hand on Ichigo's arm even so. maybe she just did it for an excuse to stay quiet for a moment. she kind of expects him to swat her away.
it's too much to get her hopes up for any real deviation. stick to the script. that's how these games work. she believes in Akira's sincerity, really, she does. but if they're "forced to kill," then how does "stopping" work? ]
Neither of you are cut out for this.
no subject
Max made that real clear on day one.
[he's slumped against the vending machine again, not looking at either of them. especially since if he does glance Ichigo's way, he'll be tempted to reach out and take a gentle hold of his arm, give it a squeeze, just to let his partner know that he's there. just as he had so many times in the past, when things got really bad, when Ichigo really needed the comfort]
[when things were a little different than they are now]
[he resists the urge, however strong it might be. now isn't the time. not. . . not when things are like this]
. . . I don't know.
[an honest answer to her question, which. . . ultimately? is a very good one. what does happen to that metaphorical gun?]
I don't know. I've been trying for four-going-on-five weeks to find a way to get rid of it, but I don't know-- [he cuts himself off, mouth shutting with a click]
. . . and that's why-- that's why all three teams working together to reach the time limit is such an impossibility. Because all of us agreeing to aim for that ending means some people will need to make sacrifices.
[. . .]
I don't know how much I believe in anyone's goodwill any more. But I have to try.
no subject
The both of them have good points - but he's not afraid to sacrifice, not at all. Her comment about not being cut out for this makes laughter bubble up in his throat, even if he doesn't let it loose, because...He's no stranger to killing, not in the slightest.
Just because he hates killing doesn't mean he's never done it, and he still feels like he has the blood of all the reapers they've executed on his hands, adding to the blood of the Players he's Erased before.
In his heart? He wants nothing more than to join Akira in his suggestion, to seek an ending that won't damn the dead and the Reapers - but their lives are already tied together as it is.]
...Thank you.
[His voice is quiet, still emotional - but it's there, after being silent so long.]
For talking to us. For - telling us what you know.
[For being brave enough to trust in them.]
no subject
[ she's not arguing because she wants to. she's just trying to be pragmatic. optimism only carries you so far. rules don't bend. scripts don't change. so while she doesn't really have confidence in any of this...
it can't hurt to try? because hey, maybe she'll get a nice illusion of a happy ending for a minute. that kind of thing can be nice, when you know to appreciate it before it's gone. ]
We'll think about it, yeah? I mean, really, this plan is just you asking not to be killed yet. It's asking us to trust you a little longer.
And I guess I'm down with that.
[ perseverance doesn't always pay off how you hope. but sometimes it still pays off in little ways. ]
no subject
[because success only happens if you at least try, no matter how great the chance of failure]
[he still doesn't turn to look at them. still can't bring himself to, after everything. but maybe he's just. . . tired]
Thanks for. . . actually listening to my note. Instead of just writing it off.
[even if this doesn't work out, for that reason, and that alone? he's grateful]
. . . all we need is for one person from my team to make it to eight weeks. It doesn't. . . have to be me.
[he's already prepared for it to not be him, truthfully]
Because between everything I already told you, and everything the Composer told me today when I met with her-- that communication is vital for the success of this Game, and that we'll have a better chance of achieving what we want with regards to reviving the Erased the longer the Game lasts-- I really think that's the right answer.
[. . .]
As much as it fucking sucks.
no subject
That just reminds him of what he said, what seems like so very long ago.]
...This game is all about Trust. I...can't say what the Composer wanting, setting it up like this - but I can see what we have to do.
We have to trust each other, don't we? To make it to the end.
[He's silent for a long moment, contemplating that - and then he nods, slowly, still looking conflicted but less emotional than he did a bit ago.]
Alright. We'll....have to talk to the rest of our team about this. So...we'll see what happens.
[He wants this to go forward. He really does. But it's not just up to him, or Alex - it's up to everyone, and what they think is the best outcome.
He moves away from the wall, giving a gentle sigh.]
...See you around, I guess.