[ jae-ha & eichi do their best ]

[alttitude]

tbh i make catch-alls by default but i'll put something here later lmao

Comments

[finethanks]

[Eichi looks pretty tired himself, even if he'd been quiet the whole time. Nodding off in a chair, half listening to things, perking up any time his name was mentioned but never having the energy to argue.

Well, he's only coughing sometimes, though, so it could be worse.]

I suppose that's one word for it, isn't it? I'm... a bit disappointed that we weren't able to find even one of the killers, but I'm relieved that Goro wasn't targeted simply for being guilty weeks ago.

What about you? Aren't you the one who's injured?

[alttitude]

[ . . . . hah. Jae-ha's expression turns wry at that, vaguely fond.]

I am glad - that you've seemed to convince more people to give him a chance. He has been helpful, after all. I think I'm starting to see what you find so admirable about him.

[In. Some ways.

But regardless, Jae-ha shakes his head.]

This isn't anywhere near the worst wound I've had - it'll fade in a few days, probably.

[sunburn??? whatever. he has grabbed another cloak to put around his shoulders at least]

[finethanks]

It's because of that puppet, isn't it? That's alarming. Doesn't it mean that anyone can harm anyone else without meeting them directly?

[Eichi slides his gaze off to the side as he thinks about that. That, and Akechi being given a chance, really. Good. It's good.]

[alttitude]

Most likely. Once I stepped out of my room on Friday, the wound appeared - as well as the burns.

[ . . . ]

It's - something to keep in mind. Hopefully no one gets too eager about it.

[finethanks]

...Hopefully.

[Eichi jotting down mental notes about how to weaken his opponents—]

I wonder if they can be removed from there, for safe keeping, but the last time I entered, I got stuck and it was quite terrifying.

[alttitude]

... maybe leave that adventure to another, Eichi.

[but Jae-ha will just frown.]

I wouldn't... recommend keeping a puppet for company either, though.

[finethanks]

Puppets don't suit me at all, so you don't have to worry. I'll leave that sort of act to Valkyrie.

[Alright, because that makes sense to everyone here]

But some way want to keep their own safe. You, of all people, might want to consider it.

[alttitude]

[what's a valkyrie]

I might but... ah, I'll consider it for a new day. It's been a bit trying without even thinking about how to kidnap my own puppet, and then convincing Sousei to let me keep it.

[ . . . ]

I don't think that's going to happen.

[finethanks]

Perhaps someone should kidnap it for you? I'll ask Natsuo. ♪

[He's teasing, because this is the worst idea for anyone.]

[alttitude]

.... maybe don't, I worry that it might end up underneath a bookcase that he runs into.

[no trust]

In general I'd like to keep Natsuo out of that room.

[finethanks]

That's a fair thought to have.

[Hmm... Eichi goes quiet, though, after that. He'd missed out on a lot of the trial, but it still seemed more complicated than usual.]

You must be tired after everything.

[alttitude]

I wouldn't say that's a feeling exclusive to myself...

There's plenty of others in the castle who are enduring far more than I am, at any rate.

[finethanks]

But my comment wasn't meant for anyone else in the castle. It was meant for you.

[He says it calmly, with a smile.]

Weren't you the one who told me to concern myself less with others and trying to be an Emperor? So why is it that you allow yourself to act as some sort of strong and mighty protector? You're in pain, as well. It's unnatural, if you aren't.

[alttitude]

[ . . . well, and Jae-ha just offers a laugh at that. And a smile.]

Is that how it comes off...?

Mm, I do hurt. I lost people that mattered very much to me today, after all. But grief is different for everyone - and I'd rather not let mine overtake me at the moment. Even if I'm tired, I have the ability to press forward until it's time for me to unwind. It's one of the perks of age and experience.