kujo tenn (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
incompletely) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
onceuponacomm2021-07-10 03:24 pm
incompletely) wrote in onceuponacomm2021-07-10 03:24 pm
the final afterparty
[
That sure happened, but everyone, by some miracle, made it out alive. No one else died, nothing blew up, no arson was committed, we're all still here. And being here, being present despite everything that just happened, is really important. This is for everyone, McGillis and Yuri included (and Jack, if he wants to party from the dungeon), because they all need it. Even with the new revelations, nobody should be left behind.
The party takes place in the bar again, and it probably looks a little...odd? Because there's all the alcohol in the back, and then...there's a bunch of donuts on one of the tables. Two whole baskets of donuts from the bakery, provided by Tenn. Next to the baskets is tea provided by Koto. Have at it, everyone. ]
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That's the spirit. What you're doing is certainly important, but that doesn't mean you should run yourself ragged over it. We'll figure out how to proceed tomorrow.
[Maybe. Hopefully. It certainly isn't going to be easy moving forward from here.]
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[ ... ]
What Jack-san said about fake bonds and all... I get what he's saying. I really do. We've been throwing each other under the bus at the trials, so he's not wrong about that. None of us are free of guilt and responsibility for all the blood that's been shed here.
[ He has a thoughtful smile on his face as he says this, though. ]
But...even then, I don't think it's wrong of us to want to rely on each other when we can, especially when there seems to be a greater enemy here that's not Hamelin. And even if it's just business and for survival, that's fine, too. I don't think the time we've all spent together was meaningless, either way.
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[Jack isn't wrong, no. They certainly have been quick to turn on one another the moment these trials happen... but that's just it: it's only during the trials.]
I agree with you. I'm not particularly fond of how things were handled today, but we have bigger things to focus on than Hamelin. We need to find a way to get as many people working together as possible - our advantage is in numbers, and that's something that shouldn't be underestimated.
[Not just because there are more of them, but because they all come from vastly different backgrounds and experiences and can bring new perspectives and ideas in.]
And really, the idea that our time together has been meaningless is just insulting.
[He got some goddamn character development and now he has to deal with it and it sucks, but it's definitely not meaningless????]
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[ He also does not mention Yuri's name there. Hm! ]
I tried to talk to Hamelin, by the way; he was just as stubborn and uncooperative as always. But there are people who can get through to him, I think. I know of at least one.
[ He can't help but smile when Yeager agrees with him, though, on the topic of the time they've all shared here. ]
Haha, see? Even you get it. ... Do you think you've become fond of anyone, Yeager-san?
[ HE'S LIKE. HALF TEASING??? ]
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Ja, I suppose we'll have to see how that goes.
[If Yuri isn't a traitor then maybe she can help us. If she is, then maybe she'll be sympathetic enough to at least drop a few hints our way. Either way, it looks like she's going to play an important role here.
As for that question, though... Well, his smile turns mischievous.]
Do you expect me to say I haven't? Of course I have!
[Element of surprise, clearly Tenn won't be expecting him to actually go for it!!]
I've become quite fond of several of you - yourself, for one, and Huaisang, and Marcus... and I never would have had the opportunity to get to know Raven as well back home.
So yes, even I get it~
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...friend. That's the right word. At least Tenn thinks it is. He really does look happy, and he lets out an amused laugh. ]
Good. If anyone tried to throw suspicion on you at the trial like they did weeks ago, I might've actually used the cherry bomb.
[ ...Okay, no, he wouldn't have, but that's the sentiment!!! ]
Too bad McGillis-san didn't get to carry you. What a missed opportunity.
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I appreciate your willingness to do something stupid for me~
[And despite the teasing tone, he means that. There's something charming about being willing to do a dumb thing for someone you care about.
Though at that, his expression turns sly.]
I wasn't going to say it, but that wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world~
[LISTEN HE WOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY FINE BEING HELD IN MCGILLIS' BIG, STRONG ARMS, HE JUST HAD THE DECENCY TO NOT SAY IT TO MCGILLIS' FACE]
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[ Take that, Yeager!!! Chaotic sap incoming!!
...Though it is absolutely interrupted by that statement, oh my god. He's just gonna give Yeager a shit-eating grin. There are more serious things he wants to talk to Yeager about, actually, especially regarding Yeager's history. But for now? Shitposting. ]
Yeah, definitely a missed opportunity. You should've agreed to it while you still could have.
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[On one hand, McGillis seems far too poised to haul off and punch someone. But on the other hand, he is so sick of our shit, he totally could have punched Yeager. It would definitely not have been worth it, but it would've been hilarious!!!]
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[ McGillis is a scary man, okay. ]
Jokes aside though, I am glad everyone made it out alright. It was for the best that the two of us didn't get too involved in all of that, I think.
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Agreed. Picking a fight we have no chance of winning really would be a dreadful idea... So I'm glad you kept your wits about you!
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[ ...more like he would've begged Yeager to swing his briefcase around, because what the fuck is Tenn going to do, but details. ]
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I can understand that, certainly, but I'm very glad it wasn't necessary. I think everyone could tell that picking a fight now would go poorly.
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Thank goodness for that.
[ A little sigh, then: ]
You know, I've been curious about something. Is your home world somewhere you want to return to?
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It is, ja. Terca Lumireis certainly does have its problems, but in the end it is home, and I have two very important people who I need to get back to.
[Here's hoping time passes weirdly back home because otherwise he's been gone for over a month and Gauche and Droite probably won't take that well!!]
Why do you ask?
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[ Oh, man. Now here's where he's about to get embarrassed, rip?? ]
I've been offering the world Riku and I are from for some people here to live in, after all of this is over. It's peaceful, and I think it's a place that some would prefer to stay in. I made the offer to Yuri-san and Makoto so far.
[ He clears his throat. ]
But, you seem like the kind of person who likes something a little more exciting. Unfortunately we don't have magic or monsters where I'm from, and most people don't know how to wield a briefcase with twenty weapons, so.
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It's six, you know.
[apparently the briefcase and shield have been upgraded into actual weapons now????]
It's a wonderful idea, truly. A safe world for everyone to return to likely is a wonderful option for some people. I really do appreciate the offer as well! But I can't leave Terca Lumireis behind; there's... something I need to do there, if things go the way Alexei thinks they will.
[It's complicated and involves timelines and other worlds and things he doesn't fully understand, so who knows, maybe his plans will change.]
Thank you for the offer, it's a very kind one.
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[ Tenn...please. ]
I get it, though. It's hard to leave those kinds of things behind. I'd be the same way if someone made that offer to me, too.
[ He's too attached to his work and the people back at home. ]
Speaking of Terca Lumieris, I wanted to ask you something. It's somewhat about Raven-san, if you don't mind.
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But anyway, he nods at that.]
Ja, go ahead. I don't know how well I'll be able to answer, though.
[He knows Raven pretty damn well by this point, but there's a difference between knowing who Raven is and knowing anything about Raven. Which is the sort of distinction most people probably wouldn't think to make, actually.]
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[ He frowns a little. ]
I can't say I know what it is, but is that why you two have been more resistant to checks during trials?
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I'm a bit surprised you're the first to ask me about that, honestly.
[Because he didn't react to it when Raven revealed it during the execution, and he didn't have to ask how to kill Raven; he knew to shatter that thing in one blow.
Well, there isn't much of a sense in pretending otherwise. He's already told Huaisang about it, just in case he needed to deal with another strip search. So it's fine if Tenn knows about its existence now.]
That's correct. I have... one of those as well. It's a bit different from just showing off some old scars, ja?
[Not to say that old scars aren't traumatizing, because they definitely are. But there's old scars and then there's body horror.]
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[ Are any of the Tales characters okay. Oh my god. ]
You don't have to tell me more details, but if you feel inclined to share anything about the story behind it, I'll listen. I've been pretty curious about the woman you saw in your mirror after the trial, too.
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[Makes sense for Raven, since his was over his heart!!]
I... can't really discuss much more about that one. It's a rather complicated story. But I can tell you about the woman.
[Technically the two connect really well, but even now it's difficult to properly acknowledge and address it.]
Her name was Casey. She led a brigade of knights - she was everything you'd expect of an ideal knight. Courageous and steadfast, and perhaps a bit too stubborn... but she always wanted to look out for everyone.
The knights were almost exclusively nobles; or at least, the ones the Empire cared about were all nobles. But Casey and her brigade were made up of commoners and nobles alike, all working together.
She... died ten years ago, during the Great War. She fought bravely until the end.
[It's obvious he's fond of her; his voice is a little more gentle than usual, but it isn't melancholy. He does miss her, certainly, but he's finally gotten closure he didn't realize he needed after so long.]
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I see. That's why your visions were unpleasant, back when the Christmas area had first opened up.
[ That puts a lot of things into perspective. ]
Raven-san knew her, too?
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[Visions of knights in blue and that familiar woman instead of his current life reflected in those fireballs; a painful reminder that maybe he doesn't value what he has now as much as what he did have once upon a time.]
And yes, he did. Raven... worked with her for a time.
[That isn't exactly right, but Raven isn't here to give a better answer, so he's going to have to do the best he can.]
He was there the day she died. He knew what happened. I didn't; all I knew was that she never returned after that battle. It was only here that I found out what happened to her.
[That she continued to fight bravely, that she died with a smile on her face.]
It was... quite a relief, really. I didn't realize how much it was troubling me until he told me what happened.
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