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

[covertizer]

That's my title, don't wear it out.

[throwabookatit]

I haven't been quite clear on just what that means.

[covertizer]

I'm pretty sure the dictionary lists it as having something to do with resisting authority, control or convention.

[throwabookatit]

Really funny. I meant in regards to you.

[covertizer]

I know.

[ Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Hm. ]

[throwabookatit]

Just going to dodge it, are you?

[covertizer]

I have the right to remain vague.

[throwabookatit]

And I have the right to question.

[covertizer]

Let's just say there are people out there who think they're above the law, and can treat people as disposable objects.

I like to prove them wrong.

[throwabookatit]

...But, you're...a teenager. Isn't that the kind of work for...for detectives?

[covertizer]

Detectives paid off by the same people who think they're above the law? I don't think so.

[throwabookatit]

[ She frowns, lightly. ]

Certainly some of them, but... Not every one of them is crooked, out there. There's... [ Ashton, and her heart clenches, hand goes to the feathers she's strung on the drill necklace. ] ...Well, there's Hank, and Connor.

[covertizer]

Not all of them, sure. But enough of them, and high enough up the ladder that they don't face any consequences for what they do.

[throwabookatit]

You're still... You're awfully young, to take on something so big like that.

[covertizer]

No one else would.

[throwabookatit]

...Do you...have any adults in your life to turn to, Akira?

[ It's a question she's been wondering, for awhile. ]

[covertizer]

... One or two, yes.

[ The people he'd met because of confidants. Iwai, Toranosuke, even Kawakami had all proven themselves to be good and decent people at their cores. And Sojiro had ended up being someone he could rely on more than he'd thought... he'd found out about the Thieves and he'd listened to what he and Futaba had to say.

There are some adults he trusted, definitely. But... ]

But for all the good ones there are a lot ... rotten apples in the basket. So to speak.

[throwabookatit]

...That's...sad. There are a lot of horrible people in the world, but-- but the good ones should be looking out for you. Not the other way around.

[covertizer]

The few good ones do. But the majority are out for themselves, and everyone is a convenient stepping stone to what they want.

[ He shrugs. ]

That's just how it is.

[throwabookatit]

[ The worst part of it is, she knows he's right. Though idealistic in some regards, Rebecca's never been blind to this part of the world. That's why people like Ash exist--to protect those who can't protect themselves.

Sometimes...she forgets not everyone has an Ashton Frey in their lives, to be a hero. It leaves them with the world like this...or left to be the hero themselves. ]

...I'm sorry. I wish...there was more I could do, about that.

[covertizer]

[ He shrugs. ]

I’m not asking you to. There are enough of us doing something about it ourselves. No help needed.

[throwabookatit]

You may not be asking, but that doesn't matter. A person doesn't have ask, for me to want to help.

[ She's a meddler that way. ]

[covertizer]

I have all he help I need, and trust, back home.

It's fine, sensei. We're doing our best.

[throwabookatit]

Can't stop me from being concerned. It's practically my job to be.

[covertizer]

Right. Teacher, yeah?

[ He can say this much now: she's more of a Kawakami type of teacher. That's. That's better than nothing. That's good. ]