Step-sister. [He gives a low whistle, shaking his head.] Best of luck to the both of them, I don't fancy untangling that knot.
[They're both glad to be away from it. Even if what they're going back to is hell of a different kind. Richie sighs.]
I'm going to wind the clock back a few hours. There was a point where two of us got attacked. Blindsided by an old bully of ours — they pinned the killings on him back in the day, locked him up in an insane asylum, and I guess he really did go crazy. Enough that he would do what It told him, and It said, "Hey Henry, your old pals are back in town. Why don't you take this here knife and pay them a visit? One by one."
So. If I stick around in the right spot and make it a two against one, maybe we eliminate him and keep our numbers up to six instead of five. Maybe that'll keep the later casualties down. I can hope.
[There's a beat. He digs in his pocket suddenly.]
By the way — I've got no idea if they'll keep their juice once we go home, but considering our other conversation, I thought you could use an extra edge.
[And he'll pass her an eggplant keychain, which will make someone go blind for three hours, and a dried fish, which forces someone to answer one question truthfully.]
They'd be more effective on your "monster" than mine, I think.
[hmm. honestly, she is still so fucking worried about richie's whole situation and can't help but wonder if a few hours will be enough. but it's not as though she has any better suggestions. maybe keeping the group's numbers up is the key his survival...?
or maybe richie will get the honor of being the first person to cash in on god's promise to welcome them back to heaven. who knows.]
... Then I wish you and your group the best of luck. And that the additional time will be enough to turn the tides in your favor.
[but she is still going to be kind of stressed about it. absolutely hateful. also? handing me back my own cyoa item... i see... she'll take the fish easily enough, already thinking of one good use for it if it still works. but the keychain gives her a pause.]
Are you sure you won't need it? For your "old bully," perhaps...?
[she will take it if he really doesn't need it, but.]
[it was really unfortunate that i was gone for that last trial or i might have used it. Or even abused it to out a ship....tch.
But this is ICly what he would use it for, because my god Mizu your circumstances. They are so dire. Richie's brows pop high.]
On Henry? Please. Every time that man takes a piss he needs to look up instructions how to do it. If he's still got two working braincells to rub together I'll eat my shoe.
The man is violent, but he's no genius even in combat. All he had was the element of surprise and extra meat on his bones, and now he's down to just the meat. Besides which, tragic circumstances aside, I'm much better prepared to take out a fellow than I would have been two months prior.
Meanwhile, you blind a bigga-time general mid-seige? Or just before you get the drop on him? Sounds like a much more strategic manoeuvre to me. Keep it, I mean it. [He smiles.] It's the least I can do.
[HELP... it's okay. the ship was not outed ic but at least now we can perceive ooc...
still a little hesitant, but ultimately, she nods and accepts the keychain.]
If you're certain. [a small hint of a smile, bittersweet.] It's no worm, but it ought to save me some trouble. Thank you, Rich.
[but on that note? there's a pause, and then the smile fades from mizu's face. she turns to look at their surroundings, then glances up at the sky. very blatantly avoiding looking at him for what she has to say next.]
... I cannot afford any distractions until I have fulfilled my vow. So this will be goodbye until our next afterlife. [just so he's aware she will not be responding to any messages, if she even keeps her phone.] I truly do wish you the best, you know. You deserve a long, uneventful life.
[I hope there's a game where the kiss list gets posted icly and anonymously to sow chaos. Or a fake one to gaslight people.]
I am deadly certain. [He smiles himself, though it's not carrying his usual mischievous lilt.] I trust you'll use it wisely.
[Which she might not. For all that he's a hot head in the matters of the heart, she's a sucker for the heat of battle. She might make good enough use to wiggle herself out of the sticky situation she's made. Maybe stop the fire before it starts, maybe come out with less bandages and bruises. He hopes.
Because before she even says it, he knows that he'll never get an answer. His smile thins. Chagrined, sure, but knowing, matching the way he nods his head and turns his gaze downcast a moment.]
You mean you'll text as much as you usually do? No problem. I'll expect zero messages. [Or maybe a singular "k" for old time's sake. Though he doubts it.] What if you finish your vow and have extra spare time on your hands? You couldn't send us a victory pic, just for show?
[Still. It's stinging already. Richie puts a hand to her shoulder, looking into her eyes. Bright blue and shadowed. Surly, keen to cut. But soft, if you catch her in the right moment. It's rare. She makes sure of it.]
So do you. [He laughs a little, a soundless huff. Lets his thumb run over the fabric of her infinite layers.] In spite of everything.
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Step-sister. [He gives a low whistle, shaking his head.] Best of luck to the both of them, I don't fancy untangling that knot.
[They're both glad to be away from it. Even if what they're going back to is hell of a different kind. Richie sighs.]
I'm going to wind the clock back a few hours. There was a point where two of us got attacked. Blindsided by an old bully of ours — they pinned the killings on him back in the day, locked him up in an insane asylum, and I guess he really did go crazy. Enough that he would do what It told him, and It said, "Hey Henry, your old pals are back in town. Why don't you take this here knife and pay them a visit? One by one."
So. If I stick around in the right spot and make it a two against one, maybe we eliminate him and keep our numbers up to six instead of five. Maybe that'll keep the later casualties down. I can hope.
[There's a beat. He digs in his pocket suddenly.]
By the way — I've got no idea if they'll keep their juice once we go home, but considering our other conversation, I thought you could use an extra edge.
[And he'll pass her an eggplant keychain, which will make someone go blind for three hours, and a dried fish, which forces someone to answer one question truthfully.]
They'd be more effective on your "monster" than mine, I think.
no subject
or maybe richie will get the honor of being the first person to cash in on god's promise to welcome them back to heaven. who knows.]
... Then I wish you and your group the best of luck. And that the additional time will be enough to turn the tides in your favor.
[but she is still going to be kind of stressed about it. absolutely hateful. also? handing me back my own cyoa item... i see... she'll take the fish easily enough, already thinking of one good use for it if it still works. but the keychain gives her a pause.]
Are you sure you won't need it? For your "old bully," perhaps...?
[she will take it if he really doesn't need it, but.]
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But this is ICly what he would use it for, because my god Mizu your circumstances. They are so dire. Richie's brows pop high.]
On Henry? Please. Every time that man takes a piss he needs to look up instructions how to do it. If he's still got two working braincells to rub together I'll eat my shoe.
The man is violent, but he's no genius even in combat. All he had was the element of surprise and extra meat on his bones, and now he's down to just the meat. Besides which, tragic circumstances aside, I'm much better prepared to take out a fellow than I would have been two months prior.
Meanwhile, you blind a bigga-time general mid-seige? Or just before you get the drop on him? Sounds like a much more strategic manoeuvre to me. Keep it, I mean it. [He smiles.] It's the least I can do.
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still a little hesitant, but ultimately, she nods and accepts the keychain.]
If you're certain. [a small hint of a smile, bittersweet.] It's no worm, but it ought to save me some trouble. Thank you, Rich.
[but on that note? there's a pause, and then the smile fades from mizu's face. she turns to look at their surroundings, then glances up at the sky. very blatantly avoiding looking at him for what she has to say next.]
... I cannot afford any distractions until I have fulfilled my vow. So this will be goodbye until our next afterlife. [just so he's aware she will not be responding to any messages, if she even keeps her phone.] I truly do wish you the best, you know. You deserve a long, uneventful life.
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I am deadly certain. [He smiles himself, though it's not carrying his usual mischievous lilt.] I trust you'll use it wisely.
[Which she might not. For all that he's a hot head in the matters of the heart, she's a sucker for the heat of battle. She might make good enough use to wiggle herself out of the sticky situation she's made. Maybe stop the fire before it starts, maybe come out with less bandages and bruises. He hopes.
Because before she even says it, he knows that he'll never get an answer. His smile thins. Chagrined, sure, but knowing, matching the way he nods his head and turns his gaze downcast a moment.]
You mean you'll text as much as you usually do? No problem. I'll expect zero messages. [Or maybe a singular "k" for old time's sake. Though he doubts it.] What if you finish your vow and have extra spare time on your hands? You couldn't send us a victory pic, just for show?
[Still. It's stinging already. Richie puts a hand to her shoulder, looking into her eyes. Bright blue and shadowed. Surly, keen to cut. But soft, if you catch her in the right moment. It's rare. She makes sure of it.]
So do you. [He laughs a little, a soundless huff. Lets his thumb run over the fabric of her infinite layers.] In spite of everything.
I wish you the best, too, Mizu.