[ 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?

[alttitude]

... well, if you'd like to be?

[listen

he won't force his friendship on her but]

[disclosures]

... Sure, what's the harm? We can be friends.

You can't be my best friend though, Paula would throw a fit.

[alttitude]

Then for the sake of lovely Miss Paula, I'll refrain from ever assuming I'm your best friend.

However, I am happy to be your friend.

[disclosures]

[We'll see how long that lasts.

She bites down on actually saying that out loud.]

Great. What do you usually do with your friends?

[alttitude]

[topple corrupt governments, pose as bandits, find cures for illnesses, and pursue an ancient prophecy?





hm]

Travel and go to festivals?

[disclosures]

It's going to be hard to do either of those in here.

[alttitude]

Point.

Well - we do often just talk.

[disclosures]

Alright. Let's talk about you. I already talked a whole lot about myself.

[alttitude]

Oh? Do you care to listen?

[he hadn't gotten that impression]

I don't mind if you'd like to talk about yourself some more.

[that's the basis of self-reflection after all]

[disclosures]

What else am I going to do? Agonize over an unfinished book?

Besides, I'm real tired of myself.

[alttitude]

Really? I think you're quite captivating.

[she's??? got so much going on? how can he be bored]

But if you're interested, I can speak about myself, I suppose. Anything you're interested in?

[disclosures]

I'm a headache.

Anyway, talk to me about your... dragon legs? The way you fly, I guess.

[alttitude]

A fun headache?

[he's trying.

anyway.]

Oh... that? I've been told it's rather... far-fetched to someone, but it's all I've known. There's an ancient prophecy where I come from about four dragon warriors that are meant to serve the king, should he ever be reincarnated again. I'm the Green Dragon, who was gifted with a leg that could send the warrior into the skies.

[disclosures]

That doesn't exist. [About those headaches.]

That's pretty far-fetched, but we're in a murder castle with titles that correspond to fairy tales. So, like, as far as believably goes, your life sounds pretty plausible.

[alttitude]

It's not exactly something I'd care to make up. I'm very proud of who I am, beautiful soaring monster and all.

[disclosures]

If that's how you want to say it.

Can you still do that jumping-flying thing?

[alttitude]

I can!

[it comes with a downside

but he doesn't seem to show any signs of side effect]

[disclosures]

Did you use the coin from the first week, or did you get it from your objective? The one from the trial had a... lot of down sides.

[alttitude]

... the first week.

[ . . . but.]

You needn't worry about the downside. I promise that I'm not someone you need to have too many concerns over.

[disclosures]

If you say so.

Are you thinking about doing your objective? Any other wishes you want granted?

[alttitude]

[ . . . . that's sudden.]

Oh?

Why do you ask?

[disclosures]

I'm thinking about doing mine, but it's sort of... weird?

[alttitude]

.... is it? Dare I ask?

[disclosures]

You have to tell me if yours is as weird as mine, okay?

[alttitude]

[he has very little to lose]

If that's what you'd like.

[disclosures]

I have to lead a sing along as a distraction. [As she talks her sentence seems to take on a questioning tone.]

[alttitude]

... interesting?

[though he'll share because - ]

I'm to find a family.

It's a rather sappy thing.

[disclosures]

Really?

Like... you need to make your own family or you need to find a family of people in the castle?

That doesn't sound too bad.

[alttitude]

The latter, hopefully - I don't intend on ever following through with the former.

[no dragon children]

[disclosures]

What, having kids or having a wife?

[alttitude]

Both.

[disclosures]

It doesn't have to last forever. Besides, we're all from different worlds anyway.

Besides, families break apart easily.

[alttitude]

... do they?

[he's not familiar with that concept]

[disclosures]

Of course they do. That's why the divorce rates are so high. One parent usually ends up with primary custody of the kid and sometimes that kid never sees their other parent.

It's totally normal.

[alttitude]

[ . . . ]

I'm not sure if we're speaking the same language?

[disclosures]

Families break apart and find other people.

[She shrugs like what she said explains everything.]

[alttitude]

[can you believe that's the saddest thing he's heard about another world]

... you must come from very troubled times.

[disclosures]

[While we have actual murderer Goro Akechi?!]

It's just how life is. Besides, when whoever stays alive goes home? There's no way they'll stick together.

Better to be used to it.

[alttitude]

... you're very frank, dear Rebecca.

[disclosures]

Why shouldn't I be? If you try and sugarcoat it and lie, that makes everything worse in the end. Happily ever after doesn't exist.

[alttitude]

- that got very extreme!

[disclosures]

[She gives him a very strange look.]

No it didn't. Life doesn't end in happy endings! There's so much after the end of those stories. In the end the characters in the stories have to die because that's how humans are.

[alttitude]

... do you think living forever is a happier ending?

[disclosures]

No. I don't believe happy endings exist. At all.

[alttitude]

.... I hope something happens to change your mind.

[disclosures]

I used to believe in them. The longer I'm alive the less I believe they exist.

Anyway, you wanted to talk about... What were we talking about? [Rebecca!!]