AUDIENCE: SHIRO

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

[ unfortunate. i had no idea. ]

... You'd be watching someone die either way.

[ they are very ? ? ? ? ]

[lionson]

If someone has to die because their nova is splintering, that's one thing. But having to watch someone get executed when they had no choice but to kill, that's what I have a problem with.

[retellers]

[ ... ah ]

Weekend hit you hard, huh?

[ clearly, that's it ]

[lionson]

That's not the only reason.

[It is a big reason though. Effect-induced paranoia is another.]

I just don't want to see any more kids face execution. So if murders have to happen, I'll do them. I already know I'm going to die soon, so it's fine.

[retellers]

... Right. Wanna explain that last part?

[lionson]

Shima is from my world, but several months in the future. He had no idea who I was when I should have been his teacher at school, and apparently my son was teaching my class. So at the very least, I know I'm dead within a few months of my time.

[retellers]

That's...

[ hm. they're frowning underneath the mask ]

So what, you throw it away here?

[lionson]

Who's throwing away what? You just said there's a way to bring people back.

But dying and coming back, that'll mess with people heads. I don't want to leave kids with that kind of mental damage.

[retellers]

You think watching people die is better? Because I'm pretty sure you're throwing a fit about it yourself.

[lionson]

No, it's not better! But I've done it enough times in my life that I can actually handle it.

And you said it yourself: eventually someone on this team is going to have to do it. If someone has to do it anyway, why shouldn't it be me?

[retellers]

Just because I mentioned the method doesn't mean I think we should do it.

[ shiro, please. but wolf sighs a little ]

You're not changing your mind about this, are you?

[lionson]

[Shiro is indeed oddly focused on the 'murder' part. But even though he's getting irritated, he does stop to ask something.]

What method do you think we should do instead then, huh?

[retellers]

Not the first thing that comes up that I remembered when the Realm was unstable, maybe?

[lionson]

[Shiro makes a disgruntled noise and runs his hand through his hair. He doesn't even realize it's weird for him to be so worked up, he's just got a really short temper today.]

Any OTHER ideas?

[retellers]

[ ... ] Starting to think I should've taken up the kid's offer to learn how to brew tea.

[ tea is calming, right. ]

[lionson]

...what?

[Tea is good. And that statement confuses Shiro to the point where he's not getting angry anymore.]

Why?

[retellers]

Heard somewhere tea is calming.

[ :| ]

[lionson]

Why do you need to calm down? You're being as calm as you always are.

[retellers]

[

they literally just stare at shiro ]

[lionson]

[Okay, NOW he gets it.]

Oh come on, I'm not the one who needs to calm down either!

[retellers]

You sure about that? 'Cause you definitely seem like you need some stress relief.

[lionson]

I'm fine.

[No he's not. He starting to pace, even.]

I'm just- okay, fine, I'm a little worked up over this. But who wouldn't be?

[retellers]

[ uh, well. they watch him pace... ]

You, the previous weeks. At least, not that level.

[lionson]

Constant murder trials will wear on anyone, you know.

[retellers]

... I guess...

[ ... but... hrmm.... they look a little unsure ]