6/16: ion

[randori]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[fonlines]

[ It's probably testament to Natsuo's condition that Ion catches up to and intercepts him so easily, really, despite lingering around the garden a little while longer.

So to that end, Natsuo may find the end of a staff sweeping out in front of him. Gently, but clearly meant to stop him. At its other end stands Ion, still bundled up in cloak and all, clearly deliberating over things to say. ]

... You may use this, if you like. I think you have more need of it than I at the moment.

[randori]

[ He's moving slow enough that he doesn't run into the staff, moving his hand off his torso to block the stick before he bumps into it. There might be a little blood on there now. Sorry.

He pushes it away, and turns to face Ion. ]

Thanks, but... I already feel pretty pathetic without the support. I'll walk this off.

[fonlines]

[ Ion allows the line of his mouth to press thin in displeasure- like he's not used to being said no to, but acquiesces. The furrow of his brow does betray concern, but if there's anything he wants to say he bites it back and swallows it down instead.

There's a clarity in his dark eyes tonight, a drop of pleasantries usually rarely seen. ]

... Allow me to accompany you while you do, then?

[randori]

Hm? Yeah, I'd like the company. But it's not like I'm in any danger.

[ There's no other reason to walk with him, unless he's afraid Natsuo will collapse next to a suit of armor and get skewered by one of the spears. It's the care that Natsuo isn't used to- people offering him things and staying at his side unnecessarily. ]

[fonlines]

It isn't about any danger, or the lack thereof.

[ you fool. There is actual concern about Natsuo collapsing onto something inconvenient, but Ion only heaves a sigh, eyes remaining startlingly solemn. ]

Like you said. I thought you could use the company. And I thought you might like to know, about Akechi.

[randori]

[ Danger he never pays attention to, loneliness he acknowledges but immediately shoves to the side when Akechi's name comes up— there's hurt in his eyes more than anger or sadness, and his lips press tight together for a brief moment before he opens them again to speak. ]

What happened to Akechi?

[fonlines]

He'll be fine, for now. People are angry, but... I believe most should only want answers. He'll be perfectly able to face everyone's judgments of him after he recovers and wakes up.

[ from. the end of the trial, where he fainted dead away. Ion says this plainly, deceptively lightly, but there's a note of something in his tone that implies he also wants to ask Akechi some things himself. ]

If you don't catch him tonight, there'll be all of next week for it instead.

[randori]

[ What happened at the end of the trial while I tabbed out and sat there panicking on who to vote for...

But Akechi facing everybody's judgments is what Natsuo is afraid of, and he makes to turn around and go back. ]

I have to talk to him tonight. I'm going to. He's given people reason to dislike him— they might not wait until Friday to get to him.

[fonlines]

[ Akechi hyperventilated and laughed himself sick before passing out, basically. what a rollercoaster he's been on, right

Ion attempts to stop him with another frown. ]

... I believe his partner is taking him to their shared rooms. You won't get anything out of him now. [ on the one hand, Ion is supportive of this logic, on the other... ]

Don't strain yourself. I'm unsure... how calm he's likely to be, once he wakes up.

[randori]

That's why it's got to be now- you can't talk to someone when they're calm, or they'll clam up! If I talk to him now, I can press him! I know I'll get through to him!

[ There's something to be said about kindness, but it doesn't exist at this moment. He plans to twist that knife while it's still here. ]

[fonlines]

... Do you really? [ know that you can do it, that is. ] Because if that's the case...

Maybe you will have better luck than the rest of us.

[ Well, kindness does have its limits, after all. Ion may know that better than some. He's not entirely trying to talk Natsuo out of it, just to be careful. ]

I don't think I could muster up quite that kind of force if I tried.

[randori]

It's nothing to do with being loud or forceful or whatever— if you want to get through to people, the important thing is to not give up! Keep going after them and don't let them get away, and you'll catch up!

[ If he can't break Akechi tonight, he'll keep at it until he does; that's all he can do, all anybody can do. It doesn't take a special person for that- just persistence. ]

[fonlines]

And you'd do this for everyone you know?

[ Almost faintly, wonderingly, because it exhausts Ion to even think of it. So much effort to invest in everyone, and for how much in return? To be betrayed, such as with Akechi? ]

[randori]

[ It's for nothing in return but his own self-satisfaction, but that much is enough for him. ]

I'd do it for whoever I want! Maybe not all at once, but I want to get to know everyone! Akechi, and you too! I won't give up until we're friends too!

[fonlines]

[ . . . ]

I sincerely hope you're successful in that, Natsuo. I would like to see such a thing, and how it should come about. In that case, I won't stop you from doing what it is you think you need to do.

I just have a question.

Natsuo, do you still think we can end this with as little bloodshed possible?

[ They can't exactly say peacefully or without bloodshed anymore, given that five people are going to be dead as of the execution. ]

[randori]

Yes.

[ There's no hesitation, no thought behind the claim. It's yes because that's what he wants and intends to have happen— just how much bloodshed is the minimal amount isn't something Natsuo considers; he intends to prevent them all. He'd intended to prevent them all, from the first week, the first day, and he couldn't. But he still holds onto it, regardless. ]

I'm going to figure out how to put an end to this. No matter what, I'll figure it out! If people are being made to kill, then I'll protect whoever they're going to kill!

[fonlines]

... Haha.

[ No, he's not laughing at Natsuo, though the mistake would be easy to make, given that he can't help the soft laughter he lets out in response to such an impassioned declaration.

If they weren't standing Ion might have steepled his fingers. As it is, all Ion can do is adjust the way his weight rests on the staff that Natsuo had refused earlier, allowing it to carry more of him such that he can lean forward on it inquisitively without loss of balance. ]

Now, is that your title speaking? Or is that you yourself, promising to do such via sheer force of will?

[randori]

It's me. I haven't even thought about my title for a long time...

[ It's a moniker that doesn't really matter to him, a role he's cast aside for the most part because he's him— right now and for as long as he can manage, he's Natsuo, not some character in a book. ]

I'm saying all this 'cause that's what I want to do, so I'm going to do it. I won't let anything stand in my way.

[fonlines]

We were all given tasks, weren't we? We were told they would be important... You haven't thought about yours at all?

[ What a freeing, unchained outlook. What a pretty, ideal thought...

He closes his eyes, still resting heavily on his staff. ]

I suppose I should go ahead and get out of your way, shouldn't I?

[ go grill Akechi or something to your heart's content, Natsuo. ]

[randori]

Mine's something I don't want to rush, and I don't have to try real hard for it. It'll happen, so I'm not worried about it.

[ It should get done, and he knows it, but look. At heart, he's the typical high schooler who puts off the entirety of his summer vacation homework until the very last day of break and always manages to pull through in the end; procrastination is just how it is, even with something as direly important as this might be. ]

...I just got something I need to do by myself tonight. And then I'll come back to you! You won't be my way— we'll walk together!

[fonlines]

Hm.

[ His eyes open again to peer closely at Natsuo, head canted curiously, but after a moment of this scrutiny he nods and blinks once, standing back to full height. ]

Then I will wait for you, and look forward to that. Go, then. Do what it is you need to do.

You know where to find me. I won't be going anywhere, after all. Just don't hurt yourself further, all right?

[randori]

I won't! I'm just going to go clean myself up, punch Akechi in the face, and then I'll come right back. Just one hour!

[ These are his plans for the night and he intends to follow through with them. He almost does get Akechi in the face too... Almost. ]