Voice-testing and so worried about it. (Don't even ask about canonpoint.)

[photophilia]

Don't even think about it. I don't want to go to a game somewhere! I have things I need to do here, and... everyone I know. All my memories. Finding out more about Septimal Moon... Soubi...

... no, it doesn't matter what you say. I don't want to go if it won't help me find the ones responsible for Seimei's death. That's that.

Comments

[photophilia]

Oh... [ Now there is drooping. Lots of drooping. ] That makes sense.

[ Oh! He likes that idea. It isn't a picture, but it is kind of... memory-like. A reminder. ] "Nisei"? Okay. I'll keep this!

[bloody_spy]

[That was ... unexpectedly, completely worth it. He's never gotten to watch you wilt up close before, and it is dramatic. You feel things all the time, don't you? And it's so easy to influence - down, up. Like a ball attached to a string. When you don't know to be guarded, you're. He's not even sure how to classify it.]

Okay. [You get a slightly shuttered smile.]

So tell me about yourself. You're older than when I knew you.

[photophilia]

Yeah... I'm in a new school since when you probably new me. [ The old Ritsuka, anyway. ] Mom and Dad and I all moved after Seimei... Things are okay, though.

[bloody_spy]

[Oh, so you can lie. Just not with much conviction.]

Ritsuka, what part of 'I know your family' makes you think I'd believe that? [Nisei asks, wrinkling his nose comically.]

[He's obviously not offended at all.]

[photophilia]

[ Ritsuka shakes his head vehemently. ]

Really! I've been taking care of myself.

[ ... by letting his mother have her way because she deserves the old Ritsuka back. Semantics. ]

[bloody_spy]

[Nisei sighs and lets your statement sit there. He lets you hear all the things you're not saying, all the ways your mind would amend that in private. But it's not his job to expose your weaknesses to the whole world today, so he doesn't.

He's starting to fantasize about hurting things again, more insistently, which means it's probably time to go - and find someone that Seimei wouldn't care if he victimizes. His sacrifice isn't picky. Anyone who isn't you should work fine.]

It's getting late. But if your mun brings you here again, I may stop by to chat. Keep taking care of yourself, Ritsuka.

[The 'or start' at the end of his sentence is almost audible. But like most things that people don't say, it's hard to tell what he meant by that.]