which is to say, at some point in the evening, mafuyu is there with a large bundle in one arm and a tray delicately balanced in the other, with a kettle, a mug and any tea flavorings he may like.
[ soujuurou immediately springs into action the moment that he sees that mafuyu is carrying so much— how did she knock indeed! he’ll clear stuff (not like there’s much on there) on his desk for her to set everything down.
soujuurou himself looks miles better from when he had slipped away from the rest of the group once they were out of the nekiya. fresh clothes, fresh bandages— his hair is slightly damp, even. there’s still a tiredness in his eyes, unmatching the way that his body is still straight as a rod. ]
Um… do you want me to call Haruka? He’s not here at the moment but if I text him I’m sure he’ll come over.
( he's been taking care of himself. good. she'd hate to have to nag him, since even with her own strength she knows she can't match up to him... if she even had the willpower to strongarm him. or anyone, really. )
I actually came to check on you. ... You seemed- ...
( she pauses to think as she sets the tray down. )
The past couple days seemed to have had more impact on you than on others, I noticed. So, I brought you some tea, and... this is a weighted blanket. I was told that it can be good to relax under, since the weight can soothe anxiety and nerves.
[ everyone underestimates how weak willed soujuurou is against someone that’s just a little more stubborn than him.
though his actions aren’t born out of the knowledge of self-care but out of a need to continue following routine. he’s someone that can adapt quickly, but routine activities are a necessity for any animal in captivity.
still, the look on his face is one of both surprise and shame as she explains herself. ]
I’m so sorry you had to do all this work for me… [ he feels ashamed. she had just gone through her own ordeal, and here she is having to take care of him. ] Though I really do appreciate it… I guess these events really have affected me. It’s just too much for me to wrap my head around.
[ he’ll immediately take the kettle and pours two cups, pouring one for her and one for him. ]
[ soujuurou tilts his head, as if genuinely surprised by the statement. he takes the blanket as she sets it down, folding it without much thought. the fold is perfectly straight, almost machine like. he sets it down on the edge of the bed. ]
Oh, you mean when I fainted, didn't I? [ once again he looks a bit meek. embarrassed. ] I didn't realize until recently but... I have a hard time looking at that sort of thing. It's difficult to explain, but it was just so unexpected that I guess I just couldn't take it.
[ and to protect itself, soujuurou's mind saw no option other than to simply shut down. ]
That, but also- it looked as if something was scaring you despite it already passing. Like something only you knew was there but not attacking, so you had to keep moving like nothing was wrong. Does... that make sense?
Honestly, it was very hard to look at. I don't blame you for being afraid.
[ ah, that's right. with a nod, he'll just pass her a random one. he figures that even if she can't taste it, it'd be rude not to do so. ]
That makes sense. I'm afraid of dogs more than any other animal.
[ he looks down at his arms, the discoloration of the scars visible now that he's wearing his t-shirt for sleeping. he brings the cup to his lips, taking a taste of the tea that he chose. apple, huh? ]
After that, I helped Jesse out. And then I decided that I wanted that fight to end as quickly as possible. So I summoned my Persona and had him attack.
I saw... I don't think I've ever noticed you use your Persona before, so it stood out to me. And I appreciate your timing. I'm not a fighter in any sense of the word, but it felt necessary... however, Atem clearly is, and he uses my weakness.
( she's pretty certain atem was going to destroy her if she kept going alone.
mafuyu fiddles with the teabag, watching the water change color in slow, dark swirls. it smells sweet, at least. )
I remember you got upset in my own palace, too. I know I wasn't in control, but- I'm sorry.
I never really think about using it. I don't like fighting in general, but I feel that if I just stand back and let it do all the fighting...it also feels off.
[ maybe it's his aversion to violence that incites him to jump into the fray. it reminds him of the weight of each punch. of the gravity of his actions. ]
I'm not sure why you're apologizing to me, though. You said it yourself, right? You weren't in control.
To be honest, not even I'm sure what happened. I was fighting with the your mother for the scepter and then... mm. I'm sure she used some sort of spell on me.
[ and when he came back to his senses, what he had was a scepter covered in black blood and...
he takes a sip of his tea, looking as if he's embarrassed with himself. ]
It felt like something within me snapped. I know what I'm capable of, but even then... that was too much. I didn't like it, even now.
She likely did- she had a lot of tricky spells to disrupt your thoughts.
( she doesn't really remember the final battle very much, though she thinks she tried to help as best she could for a broken puppet, but she remembers her multiple escape attempts. )
I wish you hadn't had to have experienced that. I hope... that this week can be peaceful, for both our sakes.
[ he smiles at her, giving her a small nod. he doesn't know that he's going to be sent to dangan rompa land, but it seems he's at least handling that a bit better than these two last hells.
he sits down at the edge of the bed, taking a sip from the mug. ]
... After my own palace, I felt... light. Like something heavy was finally gone. And I think it's still there... but right now, after all of that, it just hurts. Atem's, I mean. It was confusing, and then overwhelming, and I'm still not sure what happened sometimes...
I know I got off easy, but I was terrified for all of you, and even though I know you're all okay, it's still... hard to think about.
Edited (THANK YOU TORI AND ALSO SORRY TORI) 2024-10-03 04:17 (UTC)
[ soujuurou hums, shifting on the bed to sit cross-legged, back straight. ]
I can’t imagine how it must have felt to watch that happen to us. Honestly, when I was trapped I… felt like I was going to die again. Senses can fool you really easily, you know? I knew I was in the palace, but all I could see, feel, hear, and smell was…
[ soujuurou’s gaze darkens as he remembers that sensation, that desperation and pain. even now, he feels the sting of the claws and fangs ripping through him.
he takes a sip of his tea. ]
I’m sorry for being one of the ones that worried you like that.
I'm guessing it's because we lost at a game. He said we would have to play a penalty game if we lost. [ he shrugs. who knew that penalty games could be so merciless? maybe he and alice could have a chat.
but there's not much time to ponder about that, as mafuyu's question leaves him confused. ]
Why would it be bad for me to be there with you?
[ beyond his difficulty comprehending things like good or evil, the question simply doesn't make sense to soujuurou when the answer is right there in front of him. ]
Isn't this job all about making bonds? So it only makes sense that we would want help from our friends in tough situations. I don't think anyone could have solved one of these things on their own-- it's just too much.
I feel bad for it because it means that you suffered and I was still partially relieved for it. You shouldn't have had to go through any of that. No one should have, I know, but...
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[post atem's palace]
which is to say, at some point in the evening, mafuyu is there with a large bundle in one arm and a tray delicately balanced in the other, with a kettle, a mug and any tea flavorings he may like.
how the fuck did she knock, actually- )
no subject
[ soujuurou immediately springs into action the moment that he sees that mafuyu is carrying so much— how did she knock indeed! he’ll clear stuff (not like there’s much on there) on his desk for her to set everything down.
soujuurou himself looks miles better from when he had slipped away from the rest of the group once they were out of the nekiya. fresh clothes, fresh bandages— his hair is slightly damp, even. there’s still a tiredness in his eyes, unmatching the way that his body is still straight as a rod. ]
Um… do you want me to call Haruka? He’s not here at the moment but if I text him I’m sure he’ll come over.
[ that’s clearly why she’s here, right? ]
no subject
I actually came to check on you. ... You seemed- ...
( she pauses to think as she sets the tray down. )
The past couple days seemed to have had more impact on you than on others, I noticed. So, I brought you some tea, and... this is a weighted blanket. I was told that it can be good to relax under, since the weight can soothe anxiety and nerves.
I thought maybe it might help.
no subject
though his actions aren’t born out of the knowledge of self-care but out of a need to continue following routine. he’s someone that can adapt quickly, but routine activities are a necessity for any animal in captivity.
still, the look on his face is one of both surprise and shame as she explains herself. ]
I’m so sorry you had to do all this work for me… [ he feels ashamed. she had just gone through her own ordeal, and here she is having to take care of him. ] Though I really do appreciate it… I guess these events really have affected me. It’s just too much for me to wrap my head around.
[ he’ll immediately take the kettle and pours two cups, pouring one for her and one for him. ]
If you’d like.
no subject
( she'll set the blanket down as well and accept the cup. it's hot and pleasant to hold, at least, and that in and of itself is soothing. )
It's hard for me to remember what happened in my time as the Marionette, but I remember you seemed... haunted, almost? And then Atem's palace...
...
Would you like to talk about it? I can listen, at least.
no subject
[ soujuurou tilts his head, as if genuinely surprised by the statement. he takes the blanket as she sets it down, folding it without much thought. the fold is perfectly straight, almost machine like. he sets it down on the edge of the bed. ]
Oh, you mean when I fainted, didn't I? [ once again he looks a bit meek. embarrassed. ] I didn't realize until recently but... I have a hard time looking at that sort of thing. It's difficult to explain, but it was just so unexpected that I guess I just couldn't take it.
[ and to protect itself, soujuurou's mind saw no option other than to simply shut down. ]
no subject
That, but also- it looked as if something was scaring you despite it already passing. Like something only you knew was there but not attacking, so you had to keep moving like nothing was wrong. Does... that make sense?
Honestly, it was very hard to look at. I don't blame you for being afraid.
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[ he says this plainly, pulling out one random tea bag. he doesn't even look at it as he sets it in the mug to let it steep. ]
Oh, which one would you like?
no subject
( but- that does match up with what she was able to put together from the punishment games... )
From my understanding, everyone who was dealt a punishment was trapped in their own worst nightmare.
no subject
That makes sense. I'm afraid of dogs more than any other animal.
[ he looks down at his arms, the discoloration of the scars visible now that he's wearing his t-shirt for sleeping. he brings the cup to his lips, taking a taste of the tea that he chose. apple, huh? ]
After that, I helped Jesse out. And then I decided that I wanted that fight to end as quickly as possible. So I summoned my Persona and had him attack.
no subject
( she's pretty certain atem was going to destroy her if she kept going alone.
mafuyu fiddles with the teabag, watching the water change color in slow, dark swirls. it smells sweet, at least. )
I remember you got upset in my own palace, too. I know I wasn't in control, but- I'm sorry.
no subject
[ maybe it's his aversion to violence that incites him to jump into the fray. it reminds him of the weight of each punch. of the gravity of his actions. ]
I'm not sure why you're apologizing to me, though. You said it yourself, right? You weren't in control.
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( with some silence, she takes a sip of tea. it's akin to just drinking hot water, yes, but the warmth is welcome still. )
It was still sourced from me, and it hurt you. Maybe it doesn't make sense, but it's how I feel.
no subject
[ and when he came back to his senses, what he had was a scepter covered in black blood and...
he takes a sip of his tea, looking as if he's embarrassed with himself. ]
It felt like something within me snapped. I know what I'm capable of, but even then... that was too much. I didn't like it, even now.
no subject
( she doesn't really remember the final battle very much, though she thinks she tried to help as best she could for a broken puppet, but she remembers her multiple escape attempts. )
I wish you hadn't had to have experienced that. I hope... that this week can be peaceful, for both our sakes.
no subject
[ he smiles at her, giving her a small nod. he doesn't know that he's going to be sent to dangan rompa land, but it seems he's at least handling that a bit better than these two last hells.
he sits down at the edge of the bed, taking a sip from the mug. ]
What about you Mafuyu? How are you feeling?
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I know I got off easy, but I was terrified for all of you, and even though I know you're all okay, it's still... hard to think about.
no subject
I can’t imagine how it must have felt to watch that happen to us. Honestly, when I was trapped I… felt like I was going to die again. Senses can fool you really easily, you know? I knew I was in the palace, but all I could see, feel, hear, and smell was…
[ soujuurou’s gaze darkens as he remembers that sensation, that desperation and pain. even now, he feels the sting of the claws and fangs ripping through him.
he takes a sip of his tea. ]
I’m sorry for being one of the ones that worried you like that.
no subject
... I wish I could have helped everyone. When I tried to use Energy Shower, he stopped me. That's why we were fighting.
( that, and she had a feeling he wouldn't listen to anyone if he was still strong enough to fight. )
I'm sorry that you had to experience either of the palaces. But... at the same time, I'm glad that you were with me or there to save me. Is that bad?
( wait fuck he is so the wrong person to ask- )
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but there's not much time to ponder about that, as mafuyu's question leaves him confused. ]
Why would it be bad for me to be there with you?
[ beyond his difficulty comprehending things like good or evil, the question simply doesn't make sense to soujuurou when the answer is right there in front of him. ]
Isn't this job all about making bonds? So it only makes sense that we would want help from our friends in tough situations. I don't think anyone could have solved one of these things on their own-- it's just too much.
no subject