[it's immediate how she's going to take his hand then, holding onto it and giving it a squeeze back as she guides him in, shutting the door behind them]
.... you didn't mention to me that we're both from video games.
[in that weird 'mood' kind of way. . . . even though she did guess from his memories.]
It's complicated. And not a lot of people knew, before trial. [ he follows, but he does talk, squeezing and holding on. not tight enough to be a lifeline, but just something grounding for the moment. ] The week of memories sort of gave it away to a few people, because they either saw something or I had to give context to something else, but it was maybe... five?
... Yoru is a part of all of it, too. [ from the memory that she saw.
but, yeah, mood. kon does smile at that a bit. ] I know. But I do have to go back - I can't leave all of those people in there.
Yeah. Yeah, I'm hoping it is - for Tsuyukusa, for sure. Especially since you know, and did, already. [ not many people would find him altruistic, given how he guns for what he wants, has used people in the past. but kon threw himself into amatsuki directly at the risk of his own self, and has spent six weeks with winter dorm. ] But when I can use that wish to guarantee that everyone gets out, I'm going to.
[ there is no if. he'll force this story's hand the way it's forced all of them. ]
Futaba's offered to help. Beau has offered going to Exandria with her, to give me more time if I need it. I think you'd tear Amatsuki apart from the inside out, really, if given the chance.
[she's just nodding at that - it makes sense to her. the wish is confirmed for all that iris can tell, and she has no reason to believe that they won't be able to get it. she needs it too - and so even if it isn't real, she'll tear this place apart until she gets it.
. . . . she nods.]
I would. You may return to my fief with me as well, if there is anything you need. I have all the resources you could need, if you can make do without much electricity - but gold, money, land, name it and I will procure it.
[sometimes you are a person who will give up so much of your own personal items for the people who mean anything to you]
[ he looks down at where she's holding his hand, taking a deep breath. this time, it doesn't come whooshing out of him in a snarl, but instead a slow, steady sigh. it's quiet, here, and there's comfort in the fact that it's iris' sanctuary in this messed up campus. safety, right? winter is safety. ]
We'll see how this story pans out. But I might like to go there, sometime, if not for resources. Maybe I can help you fix that electricity problem while I take a look at another video game world.
[ his other hand closes on one of hers, so they're just - holding each others hands like that. ]
I established a university - if you could sneak a few ideas into their heads, I'd like that. I'm trying to be patient with trying to live without modern amenities, but my time here has made me spoiled...
... but of course. You're mine and even when this ends, and you are mine no longer - I will always be in your corner. Iris Lana Armelia will always be at your side.
[and she can't go into battle - she would only be a liability. but she is smart, resourceful, and generous. there are other ways that she would wage war for everyone who matters to her.]
That wouldn't be too hard for me. I can clean up, when I want to, so I can look like a presentable scholar come from a foreign university. "There's a renewable energy, lads." [ in his driest voice possible. ] "We can make it happen, we can power the world, save resources, and bring a young lady her video games back."
[ some jokes, for now. he smiles back at her. ]
We'll still be yours, and you'll still be ours, when this is over. You're our dorm head, sure, but you're our friend, after all this. [ that jittery, tentative feeling of family from emotionshare week is present, but more solidly now as he looks at iris. ] Shinonome Kon will always have your back, in turn.
[ . . . it's a little different. and she's a little surprised when he says it.]
... friends... I'd like that. [ . . . because it does sound like her precious chosen family. she's not someone whose friendless, and not someone particularly unloved in her personal life. she knows that she's lucky.] Then we'll be able to look out for each other even past this, perhaps.
[ . . . she will just give his hands a squeeze]
Shall I give you today's clue then? So we can get through this.
I've sort of learned more about it, since getting here. [ being so used to working alone, to keeping a distance from others after what's happened to him and them, winter's bullied him with the power of friendship. ] So I like the sound of it. And being able to look after you, and the others in the dorm, when everything's said and done.
[amused, gently teasing. but she'll nod then - and once he gives her the vouchers, she'll have a paper in her hand. she offers it out to him.
same rules apply! if anyone else looks at the paper, it's blank. he can only describe what it says, and he cannot read the whole thing word for word. rather, he can use key phrases and parts of it, but otherwise it just has to be summarized. (school voice) no plagiarism.]
Not usually, but I think you and I have the commonality of "work until you drop."
[ so, keeping that in check. not that anyone has been able to stop either of them during their stay in wiwaldi.
but, oh.
oh, he takes that paper, and he immediately hates what he reads. kon holds it with both hands as he looks at it, silent, processing, and then closes his eyes. ]
[ one thing after another. kon looks up immediately, lowering the paper. this is not the first time that he's seen her touch her head, so it puts him on alert, sitting there in this room that is supposed to be a temporary sanctuary from everything outside. ]
somehow, he's not surprised. because of course, after everything, this is what would happen. after having the real person underneath - for iris, for annie, riku, hugo - they would be taken in the climax of this miserable story.
but that doesn't make the whamline any less painful. and kon can be a good actor, but the panic is still there for longer than a blink before he ducks his head. ]
- no, sorry, Vi. [ no, they had found her. and now they're going to have to get her back. ] Just misread something, here.
[ slowly, he rises from where they're seated, reaching to touch her shoulder. ]
It's okay - it's just been a long, long day, and I'm worried about how everybody is doing. I'm going to go check up on Beau. If you need anything... [ he looks at her, feeling that storm of worry for iris and the other dorm heads, the anger at wiwaldi growing more and more as time goes on, the exhaustion from weeks of running on fumes. ]
[ . . . . her head hurts so bad. there's still a pounding there that makes her wince, but she tries for nonchalant, tries to focus on just throwing her hair over her shoulder.]
.... I don't know. I intend on making every effort, of course - I don't want to be any type of puppet again, but...
You should probably prepare for the worst. I'm not a good enemy to have.
[ as he pulls back, heading towards the door, he looks at her one last time. ]
... yeah. We'll make you proud, Iris. But don't wait up for us - if you can tear her apart before we can get to the end, we'll be all the more relieved.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.... you didn't mention to me that we're both from video games.
[in that weird 'mood' kind of way. . . . even though she did guess from his memories.]
.... you know I won't let you disappear.
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... Yoru is a part of all of it, too. [ from the memory that she saw.
but, yeah, mood. kon does smile at that a bit. ] I know. But I do have to go back - I can't leave all of those people in there.
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... I understand. You - You can do whatever you put your mind to, but at least if wishes are true then... you can use that to your advantage.
[ . . . ]
We won't let you disappear. No one will. Not Tsuyukusa either. [a beat] I... have known his wish for a few weeks now.
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[ there is no if. he'll force this story's hand the way it's forced all of them. ]
Futaba's offered to help. Beau has offered going to Exandria with her, to give me more time if I need it. I think you'd tear Amatsuki apart from the inside out, really, if given the chance.
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. . . . she nods.]
I would. You may return to my fief with me as well, if there is anything you need. I have all the resources you could need, if you can make do without much electricity - but gold, money, land, name it and I will procure it.
[sometimes you are a person who will give up so much of your own personal items for the people who mean anything to you]
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We'll see how this story pans out. But I might like to go there, sometime, if not for resources. Maybe I can help you fix that electricity problem while I take a look at another video game world.
[ his other hand closes on one of hers, so they're just - holding each others hands like that. ]
Thank you for always looking out for us, Iris.
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I established a university - if you could sneak a few ideas into their heads, I'd like that. I'm trying to be patient with trying to live without modern amenities, but my time here has made me spoiled...
... but of course. You're mine and even when this ends, and you are mine no longer - I will always be in your corner. Iris Lana Armelia will always be at your side.
[and she can't go into battle - she would only be a liability. but she is smart, resourceful, and generous. there are other ways that she would wage war for everyone who matters to her.]
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[ some jokes, for now. he smiles back at her. ]
We'll still be yours, and you'll still be ours, when this is over. You're our dorm head, sure, but you're our friend, after all this. [ that jittery, tentative feeling of family from emotionshare week is present, but more solidly now as he looks at iris. ] Shinonome Kon will always have your back, in turn.
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... friends... I'd like that. [ . . . because it does sound like her precious chosen family. she's not someone whose friendless, and not someone particularly unloved in her personal life. she knows that she's lucky.] Then we'll be able to look out for each other even past this, perhaps.
[ . . . she will just give his hands a squeeze]
Shall I give you today's clue then? So we can get through this.
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[ but kon nods to that, returning the squeeze. ]
Ready when you are.
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[amused, gently teasing. but she'll nod then - and once he gives her the vouchers, she'll have a paper in her hand. she offers it out to him.
same rules apply! if anyone else looks at the paper, it's blank. he can only describe what it says, and he cannot read the whole thing word for word. rather, he can use key phrases and parts of it, but otherwise it just has to be summarized. (school voice) no plagiarism.]
... here.
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[ so, keeping that in check. not that anyone has been able to stop either of them during their stay in wiwaldi.
but, oh.
oh, he takes that paper, and he immediately hates what he reads. kon holds it with both hands as he looks at it, silent, processing, and then closes his eyes. ]
One thing after another.
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iris opens her mouth as if to say something - before she blinks a few times and then brings a hand up to her head, wincing.]
Mm....?
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Iris? [ softly, warily, worried ]
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... are you all still looking for this 'Iris' person?
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somehow, he's not surprised. because of course, after everything, this is what would happen. after having the real person underneath - for iris, for annie, riku, hugo - they would be taken in the climax of this miserable story.
but that doesn't make the whamline any less painful. and kon can be a good actor, but the panic is still there for longer than a blink before he ducks his head. ]
- no, sorry, Vi. [ no, they had found her. and now they're going to have to get her back. ] Just misread something, here.
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viola is not as sharp as she could be, perhaps, but she catches the little bit of panic and tilts her head in concern.]
... you looked bothered, Kon. Is there anything I can help you with?
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It's okay - it's just been a long, long day, and I'm worried about how everybody is doing. I'm going to go check up on Beau. If you need anything... [ he looks at her, feeling that storm of worry for iris and the other dorm heads, the anger at wiwaldi growing more and more as time goes on, the exhaustion from weeks of running on fumes. ]
We'll be here with you.
[1/2]
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... Oh. So that's how it's going to be.
[the
sharpness in her tone might imply that a certain villainess is back,]
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This place is a fucking joke. [ please, ] You going to be able to fight her back?
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.... I don't know. I intend on making every effort, of course - I don't want to be any type of puppet again, but...
You should probably prepare for the worst. I'm not a good enemy to have.
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I'll rally the troops. Do what you can - but we'll do whatever we have to on our end. Winter's taught me that we take care of our own.
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... Winter would make me most proud if they will be able to function even without a figurehead.
Remember that.
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... yeah. We'll make you proud, Iris. But don't wait up for us - if you can tear her apart before we can get to the end, we'll be all the more relieved.
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