[ cardia deserves a better otome route than jae-ha ]

[alttitude]

what if i live enough weeks to actually justify this catch all

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[alttitude]

[ . . . yeah, sounds fake.

Jae-ha is apprehensive about approaching her. He absolutely is. Given what he's done, and how she hasn't seemed to approach him since, he's not sure what to do. Yet when he sees her sitting there, alone and with Sisi quietly whining at her... He knocks against the nearest wall, a tapping of his knuckles against the surface to get her attention before he speaks soflty.]

... Cardia.

[ . . . ]

I know - I might be the last person you want to see.

... but I'm worried about you. Is it alright, if I just don't leave you alone for now?

[discardia]

[ Cardia flinches-- not at the knock on the wall, but apparently at the sound of his voice.

But at the same time, she doesn't lift her head, doesn't look at him (even as Sisi barks in acknowledgment). ]

You don't need to worry about me. There's nothing to be worried about.

[ Tomorrow, she's going to be fine.

Tomorrow, she's going to be fine, but there are lives that won't be-- because of her. ]

[alttitude]

[ . . . . and Jae-ha breathes out quietly at that, approaching her. He doesn't move to close too much distance between them but. Closer. Just a little bit closer.]

... I hope you understand why I find that hard to believe. I've told a few people... that I think that people who say that are the ones I might worry about the most.

Given what happened... I think there's quite a bit to be worried about.

[discardia]

I'm not the one who needs you right now. You have to understand that much, don't you?

[ It's perhaps harsh, but--

Ion. Rapunzel. 2B. Souji. Yasusada.

Jae-ha's good at comforting, she knows that firsthand. And right now, Cardia is absolutely certain that she doesn't deserve it. The others, though... ]

[alttitude]

I do.

It's why you're not the first person I was looking for.

[Enough time has passed that he's gone to see others. Souji and 2B especially receiving his attention, given his relationship with him, but. He wasn't going to bring that up if Cardia didn't.

But she did.]

... but I have time now. And I wanted to see you.

[discardia]

... Please, just leave me alone.

[ She's so tired, and miserable, and the last thing she wants right now is Jae-ha being too kind to her yet again. Even though she knows better now. ]

[alttitude]

[ . . . he doesn't want to. God, he doesn't want to.]

... will you at least let me walk you back to your room?

[He doesn't want her to be alone.]

I'm sure Rebecca's worried about you.

[discardia]

I told Rebecca I probably wouldn't be back tonight. There's someone I want to stay beside.

... I just... needed a moment.

[ many moments. ]

[alttitude]

[ . . . . and he just sighs softly.]

I understand. Then I won't bother you anymore.

[Even as much as he'd like to - but he knows when he's being told off, and it's not in his nature to go against a lady's wishes.]

The one thing I'd like to ask is... find someone's shoulder to lean on, at some point, tonight? This... isn't something you have to go through alone.

[discardia]

It's not something I want to burden other people with either.

It was... my choice, after all.

[ But she shifts, gathering up Sisi, and politely bows her head to him. ]