beware spoilers in the comments

[integralcandy]

I'm sure if you try, you won't do... too... badly.... Zzzz...

Muh? Sorry about that. How long was I out? Not long, I hope?

Well, I think you know where I was going with that, so maybe we can move on...

Comments

[yurifriends]

Only for a few moments, are you sure that you'll be fine?

[integralcandy]

It happens all the time, so... I'm sure I'll be alright...

[yurifriends]

Does it?

[...That doesn't sound normal, especially for a bird.]

[integralcandy]

I guess I'm just a... very sleepy bird...

[Narcolepsy is the worst, man.]

[yurifriends]

I hope you don't fall asleep while flying.

[integralcandy]

Hasn't happened yet.... But that's because I'm not very good at flying....

[how many quails have you seen fly around?]

[yurifriends]

[...She's not good at birds. She prefers fish. Mmm, salmon...]

...Oh, of course.

[She'll, uh, just try to side step that little flub.]

[integralcandy]

It's an easy mistake to make...

[no harm no fowl

:D? :D?]

[yurifriends]

This is my first time talking to a bird, I'm afraid.

[Oh no you den not.]

[integralcandy]

You're doing very well, actually! It just... takes a little practice...

[it might be a little hard to swallow, it's ok.]

[anoesis]

Um...

[Elle stares. That... sure is a big bird. Not that she hasn't... seen weirder, but.]

Are... you alright?

[integralcandy]

I'm fine, thank you. At least I wasn't carrying anything this time...

[tbh super intelligent pigeons are mild by mojave standards.]

[anoesis]

So this... happens a lot?

[legit]

[integralcandy]

I'm afraid so.... But it's not so bad... if I remember my alarm clock....

im sorry

[mourns_nought]

[ ... Hitori.

The mourning dove who had been observing the other pigeon quietly, speaks from behind his book: ] You're going somewhere? [ He can see him in this place, right? ]

get your tissues ready its about to go down

[integralcandy]

I-- is that-- you? I must be-- I'll wake up soon-- [Good news: he can. Bad news: he hasn't before.]

*heavy breathing* ps sorry for shaky

[mourns_nought]

You can see me, Hitori? [ This is it, finally. Nageki's chance to say everything he needs to say to him.

The mourning dove slowly hops over to the quail;

don't close your eyes... he needs to clear up so many things and lift your sufferings.. ]

don't worry, i'm new at this!

[integralcandy]

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Why can't I-- [Wake up.] So... I'll... I can... for just a little while...

Nageki?

ah alright c:

[mourns_nought]

[ Nageki became slightly downcast. So Hitori can't see him after all. Admittedly, it was rather silly of him to think that maybe. Just, maybe. Hitori could.. in this place. ]

Yes. [ he replies softly and gently as possible ]

Hitori, you're not dreaming. [ and then he reaches out the quail with his wing in an attempt to touch Hitori, to calm him down. Even though he knows very well that he probably can't ]

[integralcandy]

Don't-- don't say that... [You know how many times he's dreamt like this?]

It's fine. It's--[wait-- he shouldn't be... cold like this?] Nageki-- You're cold. Why are you cold? Are you-- are you sick again? You should--- you should stay in bed, just wait, I'll go get-- help, I'll get help--

[just because he can see him, doesn't mean he's really seeing.]

[mourns_nought]

[ The pigeon is surprised that he had touched Hitori somehow, but first he has to calm the quail down. Nageki shakes his head sadly ] No, Hitori. [ holy, get a grip Hitori

Nageki grabs Hitori's wing with his own ]

Listen to me, please. [ please please please, Hitori, you need to listen. He pauses for a bit before continuing: ] I'm not 'alive' anymore.

[integralcandy]

[no you calm down!!

he freezes up when he's grabbed, though.] I... [and sorta crumples.] I know... I was-- [there.] But can't... can't we... forget? Like it never happened.... [he's not crying his eyes are just a bit sweaty.] Please? Nageki...

oh no 1/2

[mourns_nought]

Hitori... [ He notices the quail tense up and lets go of his wing slightly

... he wants to forget? Nageki saddens a bit upon hearing this ] ...

[ and now his grip on the quail's wing gets slightly tighter as he said softly ] I.. understand [ ... ]

that you would want to forget about me. [ that's what he wants right? ]

[mourns_nought]

But [ ... ] I can't leave you alone. [ because... ]

You're blaming yourself, Hitori.

[integralcandy]

[!!]

No! Never. I could never-- Don't-- don't go. Nageki-- [... is he... clinging... a bit?] Stay. Please stay. I'll find-- I'll find a way, and then-- just don't--

[leave. Which is about when Nageki says the rest of it. Whoops.]

I'm not-- I'm going to fix everything, okay? I just need more time, and-- soon, I promise, it'll be soon--