["Disbanded" is still ringing in his ears, honestly. Had... had they no Lives together after the MDM? Had even the concept of Aira's autumn project just vanished into the ether in Tatsumi's version of events? What about the further stuff? Like the SS? All of it...]
[Tatsumi's hand on his shoulder brings him back. He nods before finally looking up at him.]
Yes ...Of. Of all the memory discrepancies shared between us, the MDM seems to be the one event most of us can't agree on. There are other things, too. Ah, Hiiro is missing the event I mentioned before, the one with Aira-san, but he recalls more after that fact.
This place has tampered with us in unsettling ways, Tatsumi-san, and we're not yet sure why.
[ Unsettling ways indeed, and the mystery hanging over it makes that unsettled feeling intensify. And never mind how upsetting is to think that one of his most important memories, even if it's a bad one, might not even be real. Since, after all... ]
I suppose if most people agree with Hiiro's version of events, that's most likely how it really happened.
[ That's not really any comfort, but maybe Mayoi will get some relief from knowing that the 'disbanded' option is perhaps less likely than the alternative. ]
[It should be relieving, but Mayoi is someone who does not have a complacent, optimistic bone in his body. He runs under the assumption of a worse case scenario at all times, because the moment he grows comfortable, he risks slipping up and losing everything.]
[It makes him come off as a pessimist, but really he is just wired to be on edge at all times for his own survival.]
That has been the consensus as well, however I-I…
[He does not want to worry Tatsumi, though. So …he tries to be gentle about his opinion on that matter.]
I do not feel comfortable assuming that’s the case until we have proof. This place may yet toy with us further, we truly do not know, so. W-We can assume nothing. That is why …
[The next important order of business.]
Tatsumi-san should have woken with a palm sized gem of some sort on his person. Is that true?
[ Tatsumi, conversely, isn't exactly an optimist himself. He knows how to be practical, though, and knows that it's important to avoid catastrophizing. While he won't entirely trust the information, he's willing to take it as likely that Hiiro's recollection is correct.
The gemstone, though. Tatsumi nods, reaching into one of his pockets to withdraw the rock in question. It's diamond shaped, unsurprisingly, a vibrant teal color with flecks of gold throughout. Two of the corners are chipped and there's a crack right down the center, but it's otherwise in fine shape. ]
[They strike a good balance for a reason. Mayoi is content to let that subject go for now. The gem is far more impressive to them immediately.]
[Mayoi can’t help but lean in close to look at it once Tatsumi has it out. Now that they know what they mean, looking at them feels very intimate. That Tatsumi’s is still diamond shaped even after knowing ALKALOID was disbanded in his memories, it brings a certain amount of fondness to Mayoi. That bond truly was forged of steel, wasn’t it?]
[Very gently, Mayoi takes his hands, folding Tatsumi’s hand securely over the gem and then clasping it between Mayoi’s hands]
Keep it safe at all costs. Our… our lives are bound to these gems. Our bodies are capable of dying, but so long as this gem is safe, we will revive.
[There is a beat before Mayoi tightens his grip on Tatsumi’s hands.]
I-I know it sounds impossible- it should be, truly, but— A-Amagi-san has experienced it first hand.
[ Ah. Mayaoi isn't the sort of person to run hot, be it physically or emotionally, but in the sharp evening chill his hand is very warm against Tatsumi's skin. It has Tatsumi's expression softening, going from tense and thoughtful to warm and relaxed. He lifts his free hand to clasp Mayoi's in return.
But the tension comes back just a moment later, and Tatsumi's grip on Mayoi tightens. Dying and coming back? That's both extremely uncomfortable and extremely alarming to think about. But more importantly... ]
Does Hiiro-san know?
[ Because Rinne dying seems like the sort of thing that would make him fully lose his shit. ]
[Mayoi nods gently, though his eyes are turned away for now.]
Yes. I- I was not there when he found out, I think they had a very private conversation about the matter, but it is public knowledge in this town that Amagi-san died.
[And then he offers a small, humorless little smile.]
I imagine he felt his pride was not worth withholding such information from the rest of us, so he announced it at one of the town meetings.
[There is a small pause, and Mayoi looks decidedly uncomfortable.]
I have also sustained injuries that ...likely should have killed me, but did not.
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[Tatsumi's hand on his shoulder brings him back. He nods before finally looking up at him.]
Yes ...Of. Of all the memory discrepancies shared between us, the MDM seems to be the one event most of us can't agree on. There are other things, too. Ah, Hiiro is missing the event I mentioned before, the one with Aira-san, but he recalls more after that fact.
This place has tampered with us in unsettling ways, Tatsumi-san, and we're not yet sure why.
no subject
I suppose if most people agree with Hiiro's version of events, that's most likely how it really happened.
[ That's not really any comfort, but maybe Mayoi will get some relief from knowing that the 'disbanded' option is perhaps less likely than the alternative. ]
no subject
[It makes him come off as a pessimist, but really he is just wired to be on edge at all times for his own survival.]
That has been the consensus as well, however I-I…
[He does not want to worry Tatsumi, though. So …he tries to be gentle about his opinion on that matter.]
I do not feel comfortable assuming that’s the case until we have proof. This place may yet toy with us further, we truly do not know, so. W-We can assume nothing. That is why …
[The next important order of business.]
Tatsumi-san should have woken with a palm sized gem of some sort on his person. Is that true?
no subject
The gemstone, though. Tatsumi nods, reaching into one of his pockets to withdraw the rock in question. It's diamond shaped, unsurprisingly, a vibrant teal color with flecks of gold throughout. Two of the corners are chipped and there's a crack right down the center, but it's otherwise in fine shape. ]
Is this what you mean?
no subject
[Mayoi can’t help but lean in close to look at it once Tatsumi has it out. Now that they know what they mean, looking at them feels very intimate. That Tatsumi’s is still diamond shaped even after knowing ALKALOID was disbanded in his memories, it brings a certain amount of fondness to Mayoi. That bond truly was forged of steel, wasn’t it?]
[Very gently, Mayoi takes his hands, folding Tatsumi’s hand securely over the gem and then clasping it between Mayoi’s hands]
Keep it safe at all costs. Our… our lives are bound to these gems. Our bodies are capable of dying, but so long as this gem is safe, we will revive.
[There is a beat before Mayoi tightens his grip on Tatsumi’s hands.]
I-I know it sounds impossible- it should be, truly, but— A-Amagi-san has experienced it first hand.
no subject
But the tension comes back just a moment later, and Tatsumi's grip on Mayoi tightens. Dying and coming back? That's both extremely uncomfortable and extremely alarming to think about. But more importantly... ]
Does Hiiro-san know?
[ Because Rinne dying seems like the sort of thing that would make him fully lose his shit. ]
no subject
Yes. I- I was not there when he found out, I think they had a very private conversation about the matter, but it is public knowledge in this town that Amagi-san died.
[And then he offers a small, humorless little smile.]
I imagine he felt his pride was not worth withholding such information from the rest of us, so he announced it at one of the town meetings.
[There is a small pause, and Mayoi looks decidedly uncomfortable.]
I have also sustained injuries that ...likely should have killed me, but did not.