Do you think there's a chance that our worlds might be the same, then? Not exactly the same, of course, but... do you think you just might be from further in the future but still a world like mine and Junpei's and Nari's-- a world that's just Earth?
[ she muffles a scream into one of the pillows, mostly so she can hide her so very red face and looks back up at Arianna with an expression of total exasperation. ]
We-- we've barely discussed that, Arianna, I'm not-- I mean, I don't-- it's entirely too soon to be even thinking about the possibility of children!
[ dying at the concept of marrying and having babies with her boyfriend, so it seems
She blows up, fluttering her bangs out of her face ]
It's-- it's not like I haven't thought about it. Not. Not in any specifics but. The whole idea of it. You know?
[ she makes a vague gesture with her hand, a little frustrated with her own inability to get that idea across -- the whole concept of domesticity, family, home and making one together. ]
It just... for a very long time, it wasn't exactly a priority. I keep forgetting that it's an option now.
[ She looks a little caught off guard. Not by the hug (because really, she's used to all that by now) and more Arianna's reaction. It hadn't struck her as anything worth getting upset over, not really.
But that's the point, isn't it? She forgets sometimes, how bad her normal had been at one point. There's a weary smile on her face as she leans in and gently bumps her head against Arianna's. ]
I guess it's not. But it's... not really something you can just let go of. You know what I mean, don't you? It'll be a while until I'm not carrying it with me.
[ A while until she can sleep soundly on rainy nights without waiting for something to scratch at the door and break in. A while until she doesn't feel queasy at the sight of stuffed bears in the shopping mall. Maybe never. ]
You already do -- all of you. Just by being with me. I don't think I could ask you to do more than that.
[ She doesn't think to put it in as many words and maybe she hasn't even noticed the full extent of the difference herself -- but it really is a wonder what having a real support network has done for her. The School Living Club did what they could for each other but in the closed-off world of Megurigaoka survival was always more important than making sure you stayed sane long enough to enjoy it. ]
There's just... so many things I still haven't talked about. I wouldn't even know where to start with them.
[She was afraid of that. Yuuri's story just seems to get worse and worse. In a way, Arianna almost wonders if the network was doing her and her friends a favor by kidnapping them. Not intentionally, of course, but it's still strange to find herself in the position of potentially being thankful for such a thing.]
I could not say. But... if you wish to speak, I will listen.
[ Yuuri gives her a smile -- it's kind of queasy and wobbly, but she manages it before she rolls over onto her back so she can gaze up and the ceiling instead of at Arianna.
She's quiet for a little while and at first it seems like she's not going to answer. But then when she finally speaks up, it seems like she's picking an odd place to start. ]
How much of the season before ours did you watch? It was the whole thing, wasn't it?
[An odd place to start, maybe, but on the other hand it seems to make a certain amount of sense. How long has everything seemed to come back to that second season?]
Yes. I attempted to perform a "live ba-log" as well, but I was unsuccessful.
So then, you already know what happened to Kurumi, don't you? You already know she was bitten.
[ Saying it out loud feels like a horrible, awful betrayal even though she already knows that all Kurumi's secrets have long since been laid bare. She's never spoken much about what happened in that school, not in detail -- she's not sure she even would've told Junpei what happened if he hadn't been there when she's woken up wide-eyed and shaking on a Sunday morning, still convinced she could smell the rot of Kurumi's bite. ]
[Arianna isn't sure where this is going, but she's 100% sure she doesn't like it. The absolute best outcome here is Yuuri reflecting on being terrified of what was going to happen.]
I do. It was revealed early, in the aftermath of their first trial, though at first only Dame Frederica knew.
[Her hand idly drifts to Yuuri's upper arm, as if to confirm that there isn't a similar bite mark there.]
[ Yuuri glances over and gives Arianna a wan smile before reaching out her arm, stretching it out as if to let Arianna see and be assured: no bite. No scars, save for the one on her left, one Kurumi herself left with her trusty shovel. Just the black tattoo in all its elaborate Lucian glory. ]
... I didn't. I mean... I obviously knew when it happened. But it was one of the very, very last things I remembered during the game. And it didn't make any sense, because I'd already remembered things from so much later and Kurumi was still there. I couldn't understand how she could end up bitten and then still be with us.
[ What she doesn't voice is the fear. The possibility that she'd gone Yuki's route and just convinced herself that Kurumi was still there.
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What year was it that you were from, Arianna?
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[I'm not even a little bit sorry.]
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Arianna, I'm-- you-- [ LET HER DIE??? WHY IS SHE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ] I'm not even married!
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[Who knew this was what Arianna needed in order to grasp temporal mechanics?]
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We-- we've barely discussed that, Arianna, I'm not-- I mean, I don't-- it's entirely too soon to be even thinking about the possibility of children!
[ please chill your ship thirst, princess!! ]
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[Lies. Every moment Arianna spends not holding her baby niece or nephew is a moment wasted.]
...Rii-san? Are you well?
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[ dying at the concept of marrying and having babies with her boyfriend, so it seems
She blows up, fluttering her bangs out of her face ]
It's-- it's not like I haven't thought about it. Not. Not in any specifics but. The whole idea of it. You know?
[ she makes a vague gesture with her hand, a little frustrated with her own inability to get that idea across -- the whole concept of domesticity, family, home and making one together. ]
It just... for a very long time, it wasn't exactly a priority. I keep forgetting that it's an option now.
[ until certain princesses blindside her ]
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Then she hugs Yuuri tightly. It's really more of a cling, actually.]
Even after all this time, what happened in that place still has its hold on you. It... it hardly seems fair.
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But that's the point, isn't it? She forgets sometimes, how bad her normal had been at one point. There's a weary smile on her face as she leans in and gently bumps her head against Arianna's. ]
I guess it's not. But it's... not really something you can just let go of. You know what I mean, don't you? It'll be a while until I'm not carrying it with me.
[ A while until she can sleep soundly on rainy nights without waiting for something to scratch at the door and break in. A while until she doesn't feel queasy at the sight of stuffed bears in the shopping mall. Maybe never. ]
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If... if there is any way I can, then I will help you carry it.
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[ She doesn't think to put it in as many words and maybe she hasn't even noticed the full extent of the difference herself -- but it really is a wonder what having a real support network has done for her. The School Living Club did what they could for each other but in the closed-off world of Megurigaoka survival was always more important than making sure you stayed sane long enough to enjoy it. ]
There's just... so many things I still haven't talked about. I wouldn't even know where to start with them.
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I could not say. But... if you wish to speak, I will listen.
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[ Her voice is quiet and soft -- a little distant. ]
Some of it is... it's not...
[ She stops to think for a moment, pursing her lips before she can speak. ]
It might make you think of me a little differently, to know all of it.
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[She pulls back enough to be able to look at her.]
If I am to rule Caledonia one day, [which is kind of questionable these days but shh,] I cannot turn away from the truth for the sake of my comfort.
If you are concerned that I will no longer care for you after hearing this, I can assure you I will. You are my sister, and nothing can change that.
[...which is not to say that this isn't making her nervous.]
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She's quiet for a little while and at first it seems like she's not going to answer. But then when she finally speaks up, it seems like she's picking an odd place to start. ]
How much of the season before ours did you watch? It was the whole thing, wasn't it?
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Yes. I attempted to perform a "live ba-log" as well, but I was unsuccessful.
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[ Saying it out loud feels like a horrible, awful betrayal even though she already knows that all Kurumi's secrets have long since been laid bare. She's never spoken much about what happened in that school, not in detail -- she's not sure she even would've told Junpei what happened if he hadn't been there when she's woken up wide-eyed and shaking on a Sunday morning, still convinced she could smell the rot of Kurumi's bite. ]
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I do. It was revealed early, in the aftermath of their first trial, though at first only Dame Frederica knew.
[Her hand idly drifts to Yuuri's upper arm, as if to confirm that there isn't a similar bite mark there.]
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... I didn't. I mean... I obviously knew when it happened. But it was one of the very, very last things I remembered during the game. And it didn't make any sense, because I'd already remembered things from so much later and Kurumi was still there. I couldn't understand how she could end up bitten and then still be with us.
[ What she doesn't voice is the fear. The possibility that she'd gone Yuki's route and just convinced herself that Kurumi was still there.
Hah. If only she'd known how right she was. ]
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So why does she feel relieved?]
Because you were unaware of the medication.
[The medication that Kurumi concluded hadn't worked. But it must have, right?]
But you understand now, do you not?
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