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6/16: eichi
[ The moment votes were cast, Natsuo had left. He didn't want to hear the results. He didn't want to be a part of it at all. So he picked himself off and left— slow, staggering, blood seeping through the bandages around his stomach that dots a trail from the garden back inside the castle.
He probably wouldn't be able to get very far, but the path he takes is directly up the stairs to his room, and he can be intercepted at any point between the garden and there. ]
He probably wouldn't be able to get very far, but the path he takes is directly up the stairs to his room, and he can be intercepted at any point between the garden and there. ]
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Natsuo-kun? [He's staring down at the blood drops, concerned.] Is it alright if I enter?
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[ His voice comes... right on the other side of the door, actually. Like he'd been sitting there with his back pressed against it, staring out into an empty room.
There's a shuffle of somebody taking their sweet time getting up, and then the doorknob turns, door swinging open. ]
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...Are you alright, Natsuo-kun?
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I'll be alright. [ He pulls a smile, though it's a little forced and painful. ] What about you? It must've been hard on you too.
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I... feel as though I didn't help at all. I stood by and watched, with my life also in the balance. But now Natsuo-kun is in danger again, despite everything, and...
I don't want to be left alone, you know? I thought you had done that, when you appeared through that door so injured. It was so lonely that it was crushing, and I ran away and hid, like a child.
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Wednesday felt like so long ago. He remembers lot of visitors, snatches of conversation, and even fewer faces; it'd all blurred together and culminated to today. If he was that close to death, he wasn't conscious enough to know, but now that he's partnerless, that axe hanging over his head is as real as any, save for a miracle like last time that would spirit it away. ]
...Akechi's still here, so you won't be alone. [ He catches Eichi's hands instead of letting him see how bad the wound is, holding them a little further from him, but still holding. ] Some things can't be helped. But this— I don't plan on leaving you alone yet.
I'm going to see Tiger, and Dragon, and beg for my life. I still have that token, I can still make a wish. I'm not gone yet, okay?
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[It's blunt, serious, and Eichi reaches with his other hand to cover Natsuo's holding his other. He just wants to hold onto him, like that might help keep him safe.]
Those wishes are dangerous, so don't rely on that. I broke a part of the well in my frustration and it burned me from the inside out, as well. It's not enough.
[He doesn't know what to do. He pauses.]
Natsuo-kun, I saw you speaking to Tiger-chan about a note. Could you tell me about that?
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...I found it yesterday, in my room. It was somebody writing that they were looking out for me. I thought maybe it was Dave who left it while I was asleep- that he knew somebody was trying to kill me while I was vulnerable, and that he'd headed them off and that's why he died. But Tiger says it wasn't him. She wouldn't tell me who sent it.
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[At the very least, this is something to focus on that's not his near death experience and Akechi's breakdown. Or his running from Natsuo out of fear.]
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It's in our room. [ His and... Dave's, who he'd failed to find closure for. But it isn't too late for that. He can still figure out who did it, and he won't have the pressure of time or votes to come to that conclusion. ]
I left it there, if you want to come see it.
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It's a selfish thing, isn't it? Of course, I'd also just like to know who it is that's looking out for you.
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[ It's not a defense so much as it creates another target, isn't that it? Natsuo doesn't say anything, though, just holds Eichi in his gaze for a moment longer before turning towards the bedroom in question.
Messy. Bed unmade. Stiff bandages thrown into a corner where it blends in with the rest of the room. Natsuo rummages around inside one of the pillowcases for the note, a rumpled piece of paper that reads:
"Keep going, Natsuo. Don't let them break your spirit. I'm keeping an eye out for you." ]
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He quietly passes it back.]
It may be strange, but it's a relief to read. If someone more capable than me is watching you, as well, then perhaps I can rest easy.
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It's somebody who couldn't tell me directly, though... I want to find out who they are, so I can thank them properly. Do you think you can help?
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Whoever it is... it may be possible that they're not allowed to tell you, or something could happen. So do be careful.
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I imagine there's punishment if that is broken.
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I don't care about what they're called, I want to know who they are. You think looking after people might be a special gift? They could've used it this week. They could've saved Dave.
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[Eichi brings a hand to his chin, looking thoughtful.] Revealing that they wrote the note could mean revealing something like their extra title, so if someone refuses to admit, don't push them too hard. That's all.
Beyond that... I doubt that Tiger-chan and Dragon-chan would allow everyone to be protected at once.
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[ He's bleeding but he's probably going to die tomorrow anyways? It's this title, against Tiger's and Dragon's rule of the partnerless, and he's pretty sure which one would win out. ]
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[Says mister faints in the hallways, but Natsuo didn't have to see that so it's FINE]
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[ Just. Sometimes. This week had just been Bad, but a lot of people got hurt too. Steph and Fane, for example. Eichi's just more aware of Natsuo because they hang out, he's convinced of this. ]
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He reaches and yanks hard on Natsuo's ear.]
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[ let go;;;;;; ]
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Good boy. [This is how you teach lessons when words aren't enough. Like a child yourself.]