It's a rather quaint town when you get down to it. At least, that's what the Sheriff would argue. Warm and dry in the mornings and afternoons with a brisk coolness in the evenings. The perfect type of weather to just sit out on your rocking chair and observe the comings and goings.
... Of course, there's not much in the way of comings and goings when there aren't any actual people here to watch. Nevertheless, don't let that get you down! The town is your oyster and those roosters won't stop crowing until everyone's out of bed. Up and at 'em, rise and shine, it's time to make the day yours!
After all, there's nothing wrong with the town today and you might just want to savor it while it lasts.
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[ It doesn't take her long to return with a shovel. She's limping very badly, with only one crutch, and as the adrenaline seeps out of her, the pain from her fall is catching up to her. Even if Shinnosuke could see her, though, she wouldn't be giving any sign. The blessings of a high pain tolerance and a poker face that only works when she is too emotionally overtaxed to realize she needs to pretend to be okay. ]
I don't know how much I can help, [ she says softly. ] But I can tell you where to dig.
[ Xion will pass the shovel to him, and if her fingers linger against his hands for just a moment too long, it's probably because she wants to cry again and this is the most reassurance she'll allow herself. ]
[After attaching Sei's sheath to his belt, he takes the shovel. And when Xion's fingers linger... he knows he should shut down whatever path she's heading towards; whether these signs are from a simple need for comfort or something more is beyond him at the moment, but it shouldn't matter. In spite of that—it's too late for everything, isn't it?
He's already made his decision.
And so he lets her, before his grip tightens around the shovel. He swallows the lump threatening to form in his throat]
[ Xion will lever herself down slowly to sit beside her friend's corpse. Maybe it's morbid, but strangely, it gives her some small comfort right now. To be near Sei, even as just a watchful guard in these last moments.
She'll remain quiet for a while, only speaking up to murmur needed changes of direction for Shinnosuke, but finally she asks: ]
[ There's a shivery laugh in her voice that might just be the threat of tears. It's hard to tell. She'll murmur a change in direction before continuing: ]
Who knows? Because you seem like you'll break otherwise, probably.
[His tone is flat, as he follows Xion's instructions. He doesn't entirely know how to answer her, when that's not the sort of thing people tell him—he's never needed the reminder.
When you're not living for yourself, giving up isn't an option.]
Living is hard work. Harder work than being dead, at least. It's easy for the dying to tell those who survive not to give up.
... Well, that's how people are. Like I said at the start of this game... how you feel is probably "normal".
[It never really gets easier in the moment. He knows this well as someone who, unfortunately, has been through this song and dance more times than he'd like.]
Go through this enough times and either you learn that you can't handle it, and so you give up, or you learn how to suck it up and deal with it.
[Again, even if in a different context, he's already made his decision.]
[ That conversation.... that feels like a whole lifetime ago now. When Shinnosuke called her normal, and they didn't know anything about each other, and she wanted to believe he'd be wrong about this game.
He wasn't. ]
I'm not so sure that's what being strong means, anymore.
[ She'll pause to offer some directions, and wait a moment for him to correct course. ]
I don't think being strong is not showing emotion, or even just surviving. I think ... it's about supporting other people, and letting them support you, too. So that everyone can keep going.
I really don't know if I'll live till the end of this game. But until then, I want ... to keep going.
[He listens to her directions, remaining quiet for a few moments even once she's finished speaking.
He doesn't know if he personally agrees, but...]
Whatever you've decided, stick to it. If you want to die, then die. If you want to keep going, then keep going. In a place like this, there's no time to waste on people half-assing decisions.
[ The words are sort of irritated, but then, all at once, she stops herself. Realization of what she was about to say, the defense she was about to make, silences her. For a long moment all she'll do is provide quiet directions. ]
... I'll keep going. I was never going to do anything else.
Then do whatever works for you. If you think that's getting close to and "supporting others", then just remember that this might not be the last friend you'll have to bury.
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robowest2017-02-13 12:00 pm
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I don't know how much I can help, [ she says softly. ] But I can tell you where to dig.
[ Xion will pass the shovel to him, and if her fingers linger against his hands for just a moment too long, it's probably because she wants to cry again and this is the most reassurance she'll allow herself. ]
no subject
He's already made his decision.
And so he lets her, before his grip tightens around the shovel. He swallows the lump threatening to form in his throat]
Got it.
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She'll remain quiet for a while, only speaking up to murmur needed changes of direction for Shinnosuke, but finally she asks: ]
Did you hear what he said? Right before he died.
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No. I wasn't standing close enough.
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[ There's a shivery laugh in her voice that might just be the threat of tears. It's hard to tell. She'll murmur a change in direction before continuing: ]
Why do people keep saying that to me?
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[His tone is flat, as he follows Xion's instructions. He doesn't entirely know how to answer her, when that's not the sort of thing people tell him—he's never needed the reminder.
When you're not living for yourself, giving up isn't an option.]
Living is hard work. Harder work than being dead, at least. It's easy for the dying to tell those who survive not to give up.
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Maybe it's just ... a way of expressing the things they wanted to do, but can't, anymore.
[ ... ]
I keep thinking I'll get used to it. Watching people die. Especially people I love. Somehow, though... the pain is always the same.
no subject
[It never really gets easier in the moment. He knows this well as someone who, unfortunately, has been through this song and dance more times than he'd like.]
Go through this enough times and either you learn that you can't handle it, and so you give up, or you learn how to suck it up and deal with it.
[Again, even if in a different context, he's already made his decision.]
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He wasn't. ]
I'm not so sure that's what being strong means, anymore.
[ She'll pause to offer some directions, and wait a moment for him to correct course. ]
I don't think being strong is not showing emotion, or even just surviving. I think ... it's about supporting other people, and letting them support you, too. So that everyone can keep going.
I really don't know if I'll live till the end of this game. But until then, I want ... to keep going.
no subject
He doesn't know if he personally agrees, but...]
Whatever you've decided, stick to it. If you want to die, then die. If you want to keep going, then keep going. In a place like this, there's no time to waste on people half-assing decisions.
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[ The words are sort of irritated, but then, all at once, she stops herself. Realization of what she was about to say, the defense she was about to make, silences her. For a long moment all she'll do is provide quiet directions. ]
... I'll keep going. I was never going to do anything else.
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You prepared to deal with that?
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When she does speak, her voice is firm with that same resolve. ]
Yes.
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[If Xion can stay on that path, then... that'd be heartening. Shinnosuke, after all, gave up on that a long time ago.]