[ week 3, wednesday ]

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha isn't in his usual spirits today for some reason! Weird. There's no odd bounce in his step, no hum of amusement, no vague smile like he's always just getting a kick out of watching everyone else.

Rather, he's going to find Rebecca rather stubbornly.]

Ah - dear Rebecca? Can I borrow your time for a moment?

Comments

[disclosures]

[ She's in the library looking at that leather bound book and frowning at it. But she does turn when she's called. ]

What's up?

[alttitude]

You're partners with the lovely Cardia, aren't you?

[If Rebecca cares to notice, there is definitely a bruise blooming at Jae-ha's jaw.

But he doesn't seem to want to acknowledge that at the moment!]

... I have a favor to ask.

[disclosures]

[She takes it in, but she's not close to him, so she doesn't care that much.]

Yeah, she's great. Did she punch you? If she punched you and you want to apologize, you have to talk to her, not me.

Plus, you probably deserved it in the first place.

[alttitude]

I did deserve it - and I already apologized.

[that's not what he's here for, rebecca, please. jae-ha's the last person who's going to complain about getting punchd by a beautiful woman]

But I'm more concerned that I think at the moment, she's not doing particularly.... great. So I'd like to ask you to watch over her, since it's better if there's some distance between the two of us for a time.

[disclosures]

Okay, great. I can't convince her to forgive you for whatever it was you deserved.

[And frankly, she doesn't want to help with something like that either.]

We've been here for weeks and people've been dying. I'm surprised if anyone would be doing great. The environment is awful, in case you haven't noticed.

She's my partner. You don't have to tell me something I already do. [Not that she does it well.]

[alttitude]

[ . . . er.]

No, I'm afraid I'm not being clear enough. It's not just the case of their cruel game.

I'm... aware you're not interested in discussing matters of love, but she confessed her feelings to me not too long ago. I... can't return them, but she's understandably upset.

I just wanted to be sure that someone would be able to watch over her.

[disclosures]

[She squints at him for a long moment.]

Did she punch you because you turned her down? That's amazing. You deserved it one hundred percent.

Wait, do you have like, a boyfriend at home? Girlfriend? Whatever?

Also, if you think I'm the bitch to ask for love advice, you've gotten some wires crossed somewhere.

[alttitude]

[That's a lot of questions, and he'll go in order?]

No, she punched me for a different reason - but you're not wrong that I would've deserved it for my answer as well.

I have my reasons for not choosing to pursue a romantic relationship, even with someone as lovely as Cardia.

[Which he won't go into, unless she asks.]

And lastly - I'm not really looking for advice? All I ask is for someone to watch over Cardia.

[disclosures]

[Lucky for him, Rebecca... doesn't care about his love life.]

Sure, those reasons are important, or whatever. [She doesn't sound invested at all.]

To... what? Protect her heart? I can't even do that with my own heart. Just so you know who you're dealing with.

[alttitude]

[Thank god for Rebecca's endless self-centeredness so Jae-ha doesn't have to go into his own personal matters.

He thinks this is working out great.]

Do you think she'd need something like that....? I was thinking more in terms of a shoulder to lean on, or a listening ear.

[you know like

normal friends do]

[disclosures]

[Her self-absorption is endless. Never underestimate it.]

Nah, she's perfectly capable of protecting herself. Also she's way stronger than I am. I can't believe she stopped me from mauling Sandalphon.

Do you want me... to tell her that I'm there for her? I'm sure she's already got that down.

[alttitude]

[He came here to ask for someone to look after someone important to him.

He didn't

think he'd have to go step by step.]

... well, it wouldn't be bad for her to hear, I'm sure. Don't you enjoy the reassurance of someone's care and concern when you've received bad news?

[disclosures]

[She's just...Like This.]

The last time that happened she said "just be yourself".

[Rebecca's face scrunches up like that's the absolute last thing she ever wants to hear.]

[alttitude]

... do you think that's not enough?

[to be herself.]

If that's what dear Cardia said then...

[disclosures]

No, that's what my friend said when I got bad news at home. And anyway, ew, why would I want to be me.

We get bad news every week. [Rebecca, this is about Cardia. Rebecca. Please.]

[alttitude]

[this was meant to be about cardia, but jae-ha is slowly realizing that's looking less and less likely

but like

well, he tried]

... I don't think it's such a bad thing to be you. I haven't gotten the impression that you're any kind of bad person.

[just really self-centered]

[disclosures]

[This was definitely supposed to be about Cardia.

It's not about her anymore.]

You haven't known me long enough, that's all. Don't worry, everybody decides I'm awful and leaves. Well. Every man does. Every single time I think I find the right guy he just leaves without any explanation. Except for once, and it was "you're bad for me". What the hell am I supposed to do with that!

[Rebecca, this is a library.]

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha is too level-headed for this because all he's going to offer is:]

Self-reflection?

[disclosures]

Ew, gross. There's way too much there.

[That's not happening.]

[alttitude]

[Okay, but that's anyone's experience - ]

Maybe you just need help working through it all?

[disclosures]

Do you have any idea how many times I've been in therapy? It clearly didn't help.

[alttitude]

[what's therapy]

Then - how about just a friend?

[disclosures]

I could probably use more of those.

... Especially around here.

[alttitude]

[And Jae-ha laughs faintly and he tilts his head.]

Then we can be friends.

If you'd have me, anyway.

[disclosures]

[It's like she didn't even notice he was offering his own friendship.

She stares at him for a moment. A long moment.]

What? We're friends?