locked_down | it only hurts for a moment - you get used to it quickly

[ After everything's said and done, Shirou's going to go ahead and set things up for today. It's the same as always; nothing has changed-- but he still wants to believe that there's something worth in doing this, so he'll at least go ahead and do that once he's given out notes (or told a person verbally, one on one) under their door, a small neat note stating: ]

For those who don't want to be alone today:

I know it's been a hard month. And I know it's probably going to get even more difficult from here. But I don't want anyone to give up just yet. If you'd like, there'll be food and drinks in the simulation room.

- E.

[ And for those who decide to make the trip to the simulation room, they'll find themselves walking into what seems to be a karaoke bar! Shirou's made it pretty spacious and there is, in fact, a table set up with some food for everyone to take - primarily burgers and ramen (hell, there's a bit of ramen burgers, too, the Biggest Cancer) - that he's made the decision to make, so feel free to take it, and he's willing to even get drinks for everyone, too.

This includes virtual drinks, as he actually has some experience working at a bar, even if it was more menial tasks and less bartending. But hey, there's a first time for everything, yeah?

And there's also the option to sing your heart out-- although that might not be the most appropriate, given the last execution, but he's. He's trying, anyway. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I see.

[ Just going to down his drink -- and he's done. One glass isn't going to kill him, he's not like some people who can't drink responsibly. And he only drinks very little to begin with and isn't exactly drowning his sorrows in it, either. ]

This place is pretty nice, huh. It can turn into whatever you want it to be.

[Poe eyes Shirou drinking with worry... but doesn't say anything. It's Shirou's choice after all.. and he'll respect it. He trusts him to not drink too much.]

It is... although... I do have to wonder how exactly we are able to consume the drinks it makes.

Technology, probably. Or maybe the drinks aren't real to begin with, even if you can still taste it. It's all fake. Maybe that's why I feel at home in this place.

[ Because everything in here is as fake as he is. Shirou idly runs a finger around the rim of his glass as he puts it on the table. ]

Shirou.

[Poe stops drinking and turns all his attention to Shirou. He's been keeping his silence on this for a while... but with some alcohol in his system, Poe feels confident enough to talk about it.]

You... you need to stop regarding yourself as fake. You're as real as anyone else here. You have emotions, feelings, experiences, and memories completely separate from both this other Shirou Emiya and Angra Mainyu. You are a unique existence separate from both of them. The fact you go by Shirou Emiya... it doesn't make you any less real. There are plenty of people out there in the world who have the exact same name as another person. It's not his name anymore, it's just as equally yours at this point. Your identity... your existence... is separate from the both of them. You. Are. Your. Own. Person.

[Poe looks mildly surprised at his own outburst... but he means every word of it.]

Just because I exist outside of the loop... it doesn't make me any less fake. But I'm not a copy or anything like that. I just became Emiya Shirou. Maybe there are people out there who have the same exact name. But I have his memories and experiences and feelings. I have his appearance in its entirety.

[...]

But don't get me wrong. Just because I'm a fake doesn't mean that I feel like I don't have any right to exist. Or that I believe that I'm not a separate person from 'Emiya Shirou'. Because you're right about one thing-- the things I've done here are real. Those experiences are real. They're not scenarios that I created.

....

[Poe's not sure how satisfied he is with that explanation.... but it's something. So.. he'll accept that for now.]

Alright... just... never forget those last things... and ah... sorry for the outburst.

[He remembers why he doesn't usually drink now. He gets more open about his opinions.... and open in general.]

I'm not angry, you know. You don't have to apologize to me.

I know.

[Still. An awkward silence takes over as Poe sips his drink and tries to figure out what to say next.]

.... Why a karaoke bar by the way?

[He'd be okay with a bar... but did there need to be karaoke???]

I promised Akira that I'd sing.

Ah. I... I see.

[Akira why did you enable this???]

.... I'm... glad to see you two have found some happiness in this place.

[He'll be upset if either of them die.]

Ah--

[...]

Thanks.

... It's rather ironic how many relationships have formed and have been cut short in this place.

[This is the worst place to care about others in... and yet... people care.]

Yeah.

But that's why... I'm worried.

.... I see.

[It's a valid feeling.]

Have you talked with Akira about that?

Yeah, I did. If we both make it out... I promised I'd make a contract with him.

.... I'm glad you've made that decision.

[That means Shirou will continue to exist and not just... disappear.]

Well, I was honestly surprised at how he easily accepted it...

Shirou... it's ah... very clear he's utterly smitten with you. Also... it's Akira.

... I mean, I know that. But someone doing that to keep me alive is still a little embarrassing.

.... For the sake of my own sanity... I’m just going to pretend you didn’t share that.

[Poe mutters to himself before properly responding.]

Well... I suppose this means you’ll be returning to his world then?

After I get things done back home... yeah, probably.

it only hurts for a moment - you get used to it quickly

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject