[ jae-ha & eichi do their best ]

[alttitude]

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

Comments

[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.