AUDIENCE: HIKARU

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

[ ... ]

Our team has already been aware of the situation for a while, and they have discussed it. They will take care of everything they need to.

... I do not know for certain what will happen. At the very least, though, I don't think all remaining three will die.

[heartablaze]

[She'll nod, looking a little relieved. Sometimes you are the Child and nobody tells you jack shit. :(]

I tried to let him know how much is left, and to try to have people talk a little more if they can. If we only have two weeks... five more people still need to die.

[Her grip tightens as her eyes fall to the floor.]

...I wish there was more I could do from here. That I could talk to the Realm. That... I could give up more of myself, like Goat-kun, if it meant I could help them all a little more.

[retellers]

... Even so, you must work with what you have. That is how life is.

[heartablaze]

[She lets in a frustrated breath... then lets it out, trying to let the tension in her shoulders unravel. Her daemons settles onto the floor, lying its head down.]

I know. I'm gonna do whatever I can, remember?

Goat-kun, if I asked you a favor, could... you try to do it, as best as you could? It's for Chijin.

[retellers]

What is it?

cries thank you goat mod i love you

[heartablaze]

I think, for Chijin, it's important that he knows he's... remembered, you know?

If he ever comes and talks to you, until we can get our team together again... could you give him a flower from the forest, whenever you can remember, any day you can remember?

[Her hands sink in front of her, fingers clenching tight.] I think all of this is getting really hard for everyone to watch, but Chijin... he's gentle, just like you, and I... I'm really worried about both of you. I can still talk to Goat-kun, and still let you know I believe in you no matter what... but I want him to know I still believe in him, too, even if I can't pray like I want. Even if...

Even if he thinks he's just repeating something horrible. I think he needs to be reminded that he's loved, and that he isn't alone.

[retellers]

... All right. I can do that.

[heartablaze]

[She nods quietly.]

Thank you.

I know he's really fond of you.

[retellers]

And I am fond of him as well.

[heartablaze]

That means you're friends!

I think... especially, some place like this, it's really good to know somebody understands you. I know you said you have memories you'd rather nobody see, and I think Chijin is the same.

So I'm really glad you both have each other, Goat-kun. I hope you both treasure that.

[retellers]

[ he nods. ]

I do. People's kindness is never something to take for granted.

[heartablaze]

Mm.

Chijin's been helping me to... mmm, well, not really change it, but to have a different view on it. He's lived a lot of life where I haven't .

It's why I'm glad I have friends like him, and like you. I know you'll tell me if you think my kindness is leading me down a path that's difficult, so I can make that choice as best I can.

I... know the next couple weeks are going to be really hard. But I hope you know you can always talk to us, just like we ask to talk to you, Goat-kun.

[retellers]

... Yes. [ softly, ] Thank you. I will keep that in mind.

[heartablaze]

[She leans back into him, her hug a little less insistent this time.]

Thank you. For seeing me a few days ago, and for... for letting me feel safe. I'm really, really sorry if I worried you.

[retellers]

You do not need to thank me for that—or to apologize. I am here for you, if you need it.

[heartablaze]

[She shakes her head against his torso, not looking up as she repeats his words back to him.]

"People's kindness is never something to take for granted."

[retellers]

[ ...

darn it, he hates it when people use his own words against him! ]

[heartablaze]

[yall old types need to listen to yourselves]

Somebody wise once told me that, anyway.

Not everyone is as kind as you. I think... it's good, to be reminded of what people appreciate about you.