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

[swordsinternally]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[swordsinternally]

Just don't get too surprised when I look and sound different, Akira.

[ He knows it all too well that making a promise like this is not good. But he wants to believe that they'll both make it out of here, alive. So he just strokes Akira's head a little more. ]

[covertizer]

[ He reaches up without looking and gives Shirou's hair a soft tug. ]

There's always hair dye.

[swordsinternally]

We're not going to dye my hair.

[covertizer]

Not even a different colour to red? Blue?

[swordsinternally]

... No. I actually like my natural hair color.

[covertizer]

[ He just grins at that. ]

Which is...?

[swordsinternally]

In my normal form-- it's black.

[covertizer]

[ Akira tilts his head, imagining Shirou with a head of black hair... and then chuckles. ]

You have to dye it, I can't have you stealing my look.

[ He is teasing though; the words and his tone of voice are both light. ]

[swordsinternally]

I'm older than you. It means you're stealing my look.

[ Shirou can fire back at Akira's teasing pretty easily. ]

[covertizer]

I wear it better.

[ Can he strike a pose with a hoodie on, while half over someone's lap? Watch him try. ]

[swordsinternally]

You don't even know what I look like with black hair!!

[covertizer]

[ He shifts back a little and does... a pose that is familiar to him, framing Shirou within the frame of his hands. ]

I can imagine.

[swordsinternally]

Do you think it would look bad on me?

[covertizer]

Nope. I think it'd suit you a lot, even if it might take a little getting used to.

[ ... ]

I just look better with it.

[swordsinternally]

Guess if I do get my old hair color back, I'll just have to stop going by "Shirou".

[covertizer]

You should do whatever you feel comfortable with. Name wise, hair wise, either.

[swordsinternally]

I mean... I'm pretty indifferent, I guess.

[covertizer]

[ Akira just tweaks his nose. ]

Don't be. It's important.

[swordsinternally]

Hey. Don't do that while you're laying down there.

[ He frowns. ] I just... I don't know. I'd like to be called something else, so that it's unique to 'me'. But at the same time, I'm used to being called Shirou.

[covertizer]

Oh. So it’s okay anywhere else?

[ He quietens down though, listening to what Shirou has to say. The idea of wanting someone to make him belong; something to represent an identity without letting go of what you’ve already known for so long... in a way, he’s reminded of Morgana, and all his cat like ways despite the heavy handed insistence that be was human.

Morgana had just been looking to define his identity too. ]

I think... whether you own something or not is up to you. You can still be Shirou, if that’s what you want, but you can change how you define who “Shirou” is. There are probably thousands of Akiras in the world, but I’m the only Akira like me. I don’t see why you couldn’t be a Shirou as well; you’re the only Shirou like you.

[swordsinternally]

I didn't say that.

[ He frowns for a moment, although if Akira did compare him to a cat, he'd probably have to get back at him for it.

So be glad that Shirou's being nice for now. ]

Maybe that's true-- any other name that I'd get wouldn't be exclusively unique to me, either. But... I probably just don't want to be constantly reminded of who I'm not.

[covertizer]

Let me have a little fun.

[ Shirou should keep being nice. He likes nice Shirou. ]

So... breaking away completely instead of clinging to an old identity that doesn't suit you?

[swordsinternally]

I never said you could stop. Anyway... yeah, something like that.

[covertizer]

You got moody at me. [ Or does he secretly like being nose-booped? ]

It's not something you decide overnight, I don't think. No one's rushing you. [ Except the big ol' threat of potential murder, but hey. ]

[swordsinternally]

...

[ He's not going to say anything about his moodiness. ] Yeah... that's why I'll think about it.