[pcs] ray of sunshine

[ritualization]

[maybe eventually I'll add images to these.]

Comments

[selfimmolates]

Oh, I think you'll accept this one, because I doubt I even need to ask.

[he smiles grimly.]

Look after Senri and Takaomi.

[ritualization]

...you're right about that.

[that gets a slight smile, tired as it is.]

I am trying, though Nito-kun does seem to have a talent for making that difficult.

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, he's a pain. Both of them are.

[ritualization]

I do hope you haven't found them to be too much of one.

[a hum, and-]

But you do not need to worry about keeping an eye on those two. I'll do what I can.

[selfimmolates]

Good. After this weekend, they'll need all the support they can get.

[ritualization]

...I know. We've already spoken.

[not that he wasn't worried before, but. extra concern.]

May I make a request of you as well?

[selfimmolates]

What?

[ritualization]

I do not know that they'll always share anything worrying, and while I will not ask you to betray their confidence outright--

If you should feel there's anything I ought to be particularly concerned with, I would appreciate you letting me know, if you're able.

[selfimmolates]

Sure. Though I don't know if they'd tell me anything they wouldn't tell you. I'm not that close with Takaomi, and Senri's not exactly the open type either.

[ritualization]

Perhaps not... but you seem to have a way of learning things, all the same.

[selfimmolates]

Not really. There's a lot they keep from me too and I don't find out until it's too late.

[ritualization]

Then I suppose all either of us can do is try.

[he exhales a breath, there, shaking his head. this is an 'us' situation now since ray asked and ray's just gonna have to live with that.]

[selfimmolates]

... Yeah. I don't expect you to keep them out of trouble, but just—try and keep them emotionally stable, or whatever.

[read: please give them emotional help because ray sucks at that.]

[ritualization]

It is not exactly my specialty, but... I am working on that.

[at least he's much better with other people's feelings than his own.

after a moment, he turns his attention back to his sword, returning to his work while he speaks.]

How much do you think things will change, tomorrow?

[selfimmolates]

[flatly,]

A lot. For the record, Piety's only going to have one follower left, unless anyone switches.

[ritualization]

-I should at least know which one, unless... something else happened to change their mind.

[his brow furrows at that. he doubts it, but-- still.]

But I will hope that at least one other person decides to join him.

[selfimmolates]

[he's quiet for a bit.]

... Someone targeted me with Advancement Opportunity last night. I'm considering it.

[ritualization]

...if you will at least consider it, that is all I can ask, but--

[...alright. he'll be a little more direct.]

I cannot go back to him yet, myself. If you are willing to help keep him safe... I would certainly owe you for that.

[selfimmolates]

What's keeping you?

[ritualization]

...I did not defect to survive. We'd spoken about it before that trial ever happened.

The reasons I originally chose to leave are the same ones keeping me from returning, although he still has my support.

[selfimmolates]

... Is it because you want to keep your current power?

[guess who was told. a few things.]

[ritualization]

This is exactly why I said you have a way of learning things...

[but after a moment, he nods.]

It is.

[selfimmolates]

[he nods.]

That's fair. Did it help at all this week?

[ritualization]

Not nearly as much as I'd have liked.

[he shakes his head, there.]

Just information that we gained during the trial regardless... but I at least have an idea of what to do differently.

[selfimmolates]

It's still better than what most of us can do. I'll admit that at the start of this competition, I was half-tempted to switch for that ability.