on being reserved at Forest Covered

[singingly]

[ Inori looks... in one word... uncomfortable. ]

...you want to send me away. [ There's something mildly accusatory there, behind the soft, sad way she says it. ] Away from my friends... my family... [ She lowers her head. ] Away from Shu. And Gai. Somewhere where they'll strip away my name...

How am I supposed to take that?

Comments

[solokun]

And having a debt on top of that even.

[decoyer]

[ The stranger's words make Hinata pause in thought, growing unusually quiet as he thinks about the idea of not having his teammates in a place he might be going to ]

I guess if I didn't have friends there then it would be harder to want to go... [ It takes a moment, but he's, as always, quick to find things to be positive about, even if only for her sake ] Oh! But you can make new friends! And, you know, it's not permanent or anything. If you work really hard you'll get to go home really fast!

[ At least, that's what he's gathered. Things are that easy, right? ]

[singingly]

I owe a a lot of people many things... but none of those people are there.

[ She definitely doesn't understand having to pay dues back to someone completely completely different. ]

[singingly]

...If I work hard then I can go back?

[ Well at least that got her attention. It isn't that she doesn't consider making new friends only that... it's harder for her. ]

[solokun]

[... Woops, he sort of didn't do any sort of comforting there, huh? It's rough being socially inept.]

W-Well, I'm sure you can make new friends, and the ones you know might show up eventually anyways. It's not all bad?

[decoyer]

Yeah! Definitely! I mean, I think so. That's what I heard. You gotta work off a debt or something, then your wish comes true! ... Whatever that is.

[ He's scratching at the back of his head uncertainly, and because he seems rather clueless he's probably not the most reassuring, but he's trying his best, because seeing someone sad isn't nice ]

[singingly]

I wonder... [ That doesn't seem to help much, though she hardly seems to blame him for it. In a way, it's better. It's sincere, even if it's awkward.]

I don't think I'd be very good at that.

[singingly]

My wish...?

[ It seems to spark a light in her eyes though, even if she still sounds like she's uncertain. ]

...can I wish for anything?

[solokun]

Mh. [He pauses in thought for a moment before continuing.]

Your friend list isn't very big either, huh?

[Making friends isn't exactly his specialty. It's a wonder anybody puts up with his rude, blunt behavior.]

[decoyer]

[ He takes that as a good sign, Hinata's own eyes brightening up in response ]

Uh huh! It's like a reward, y'know? For all the work. Then you'll get to go home and see your friends and everyone again!

[ A beat, and then he's offering a smile easily ] That doesn't sound too bad, right?

[itsyour_funeral]

[Yeah and he's not happy with this at all.]

No. No one can do this to you, Inori. What do you mean strip away your name?

[singingly]

[Inori shakes her head.]

I never know what to say to others...

[People she knows are easier but casual conversation, well... she's not good at it.]

[singingly]

...no.

[ It seems at least that she's starting to feel better about the prospect. ]

Then... I'll work hard if it means they can grant my wish.

[singingly]

They want to give me a new name... I guess it's the price for working there...

[solokun]

I know how that feels.

[A little facepalm here before he peeks through his fingertips.]

I wonder if we're distantly related, hah hah.

[itsyour_funeral]

Why do they want to give you a new name? What's wrong with the name you already have?

[decoyer]

[ He agrees with that, and there's some relief when he feels as if he's done a good job helping ]

I will too! And, if you want, we can work together. Two heads are better than one! [ He pauses, as if making sure he's said the phrase properly, and then grins ] We can be friends!

[voidance]

Inori?

[She looks so... so sad.]

Wait a minute. You can't mean--! Your player's taking you somewhere. Away from Funeral Parlor, from everyone you know?

[singingly]

Friends...?

[It's strange. She didn't think friendship was something she'd find so suddenly. But... how to put it... she doesn't think it's a bad thing.]

...okay. [She nods.]

[singingly]

I don't know... my name is fine the way it is.

[In fact, she's upset at the idea of being parted with it.]

[singingly]

Shu... [She looks happy to see him. But the topic quickly has her looking serious again.]

Yes... If she goes through with it then I'll have a new home for a while... [And who knows when she'll get to see everyone again if that happens.]

[singingly]

I don't think so...

[Catching on to jokes isn't a strong point of hers oops.]

[itsyour_funeral]

Inori is a good name. People should leave others alone and keep their noses out of other people's business. [He frowned.]

Is there no way you can refuse to go?

[voidance]

Is that okay with you?

[Self-pity tinges his words even though he's trying to ignore it.] You said Gai gave you the thing you needed most. Are you just going to let someone else tell you what to do?