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[handfast]

ok

nicknames

rafayel - scaredy cat
fiammetta - old lady
tokinaga - mr know it all

Comments

[transmit]

For our expedition, the only thing we had to worry about was going up a mountain and everyone around us dying along the way.

[ the more he asks the more confused he is. cool. ]

[handfast]

[ thinks about their baguettes and bursts into tears ]

That sounds worse than what happened to us.

[ does it?? ]

[transmit]

[ me after seeing exp33 sweep the game awards: i should really watch this now huh ]

How so?

… Maybe it's because enough time has passed that it doesn't feel as visceral anymore. It's only been a short amount if you look at the larger picture, but so much has happened between then and now. It helps that none of us blame each other for what happened, at the end of the day.

I imagine it's harder for… you guys to have that kind of conversation.

[ gazes at this grouping ]

[handfast]

[ YOU SHOULD......you should....

also (mod voice) this group's reticent ]

None of us blame anyone for what happened except Yuma. He just blames himself.

[ and hak, being an uncultured 18 year old, has no idea how to change that. ]

[transmit]

That guy might somehow be the most stubborn one here. That's saying something.

Despite being there with him, you haven't been able to break through at all?

[handfast]

[ a shake of his head. there's some irritation on his face, but it isn't directed at yuma. ]

Every time I say something he brushes me off. But Thorns seemed to get through to him a little bit.

[transmit]

… Huh. Here's to hoping they can help each other out.

[ peers over


and just stares directly at Hak. ]

[handfast]

[ with a cookie in his mouth: ]

What?

[ except it comes out sounding more like whuh because of the aforementioned cookie ]

[transmit]

Nothing. It's just hard to believe someone when they say they don't blame themselves. Especially if they've only recently come back from a harrowing experience.

[ staring intensifies ]

[handfast]

[






pokes elysium in the forehead ]

I blame myself for a lot of things but stupid memories that aren't even my own isn't one of them.

[ maybe if things had turned out differently he might have, but the worst never came to pass. ]

[transmit]

—Hey.

[ petulantly rubs his forehead. ]

Can't help that I'm around a lot of those types, you know? It doesn't hurt to be careful.

[handfast]

Do you just like meddling?

[ why are you around so many closed off guys (gender neutral) huh, ely...... ]

Or are you just a softie deep down.

[ reaches down to poke elysium's stomach ]

[transmit]

[ because he is also a closed off guy… it makes things easier… ]

—Ow. [ He instinctively jerks away from Hak's hand with a huff. ] I am a softie. I'm a bleeding heart. I can't leave people alone even when they say they want to be, yeah. But if there's nothing I can do for you, there's nothing I can do.

In any case! You aren't alone.

[handfast]

I'm fine. [ really, he means it. ] I know not to do everything by myself anymore.

[ the power of friendship......wow. ]

Go worry about Yuma. He needs it more.

[transmit]

[ The power of character development… wow… 🥺 ]

… I'm trying. But if anything ever counted as a long-term project, it's this.

[ He sighs, thinking back to their earlier encounter. It feels like it aged him months on its own. Still, he isn't about to give up—he's dealt with, and continues to deal with, much the same on a regular basis.

He gets up, rapping a knuckle lightly against Hak's head as he turns. ]

Well, regardless. Loud and clear. You know how and where to find me, man.

[handfast]

Sure, I will.

[ he.....sort of means it? there are other people he'd talk to first but if push comes to shove, he'll hunt down elysium. in the meantime i free us both. ]

Thanks again for the cookies.