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[siriusly]

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[aetherweaver]

[He looks surprised for a moment, but then nods, gritting his teeth. He doesn't need the Echo to see this attack coming as he gets up and -]

[Gods, Manabu can punch hard. He staggers a bit and shakes his head, ears flicking wildly.]

... Yeah. I deserved that one.

[He's not going to pretend he didn't. In his right mind or no, he still hit Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[he's a short guy, which puts him at a bit of a disadvantage in a lot of ways. but just because Manabu's short doesn't mean he can't throw his slight weight into a hit - and he does. there's frustration backing the blow, tightly controlled into one shot. just one. no more. so even though his fist remains tightly clenched, and though his hair is sparking at some ends, Manabu steps away. one and done.]

It's not about deserving. It's about remembering. Next time your blood starts acting up...your jaw better hurt and remind you to do something about it.

[aetherweaver]

... I'll do my best.

[He's not going to promise, not in a place like Trench that can warp them so wildly. He rubs at his face and... yeah, he's probably going to bruise from that. It's fine.]

You're... a good friend.

[Not the kindest, but bluntness is appreciated.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu nods. that'll have to do, and he'll have to settle for it; the anger he will need to manage on his own terms himself.

while walking around the bar:] What do you want to drink?

[aetherweaver]

I trust you not to poison me, so whatever you've got a lot of.

[It's a valid concern, okay? Or it was, at least.]

Are you taking the time to rest, too? You can't be on edge all the time...

[siriusly]

[with an offended edge in his tone:] Why would I kill you twice. [that's stupid!!! ugh. Manabu's so cranky.

as Nara'a sits back down, Magnet ambles over to sit at his feet. Manabu's back is to them while he's combing the shelves for something suitable.]

I'm fine. [...] I'm pissed off, but I take care of myself. Otherwise I can't take care of anybody else.

[aetherweaver]

... Bad joke. Sorry. I've... been poisoned before. Seen someone get poisoned in front of me. Drinking from containers I haven't seen sealed still makes me a little nervous.

[Magnet gets scritches. What a good boy... he deserves all the pets.]

That's good. I... I'm still working on that. The 'taking care of myself' thing.

[... Obviously.]

[siriusly]

[none of the booze seems favorable, so Manabu's just opting to grab hold of a kettle of water and heating it up by hand for tea.

as he does so:] Well, get better at it. You getting messed up or having a hard time doesn't happen in a vacuum in a place like this.

[jeez. he can hear himself and how harsh he sounds and...and he's not crazy about it? but it's also...

it feels like Bruce is with him. talking through him. saying the things he'd said to Manabu again and again as a rookie.

time really has changed him, despite all his efforts to stay true to himself...]

[aetherweaver]

[He winces a little at the bluntness. It's fair, but it's very blunt.]

I know. And I know I hurt the people around me when I don't take care of myself. I'm... going to have to try harder to do that.

[siriusly]

[it's good to have his back to him - the chance to try and stamp that anger and unhappiness down to vent later...while using some of it to heat up some tea. by the time leaves have finished steeping, he turns, pushing the cup Nara'a's way.]

I usually...take it bitter. But I have honey if you want.

[aetherweaver]

Honey would be nice. Thank you.

[... He's just tired. He doesn't want to hurt people anymore. He's done enough damage. His hands run through his hair and he sighs.]

You can punch me again, if you want.

[It won't make anything better, but...]

[siriusly]

[wearily, as he's turning to find honey:] I don't want to hit you again, Nara'a. I didn't even want to hit you once.

[he turns, setting the honey jar down with a small spoon.]

It's just...the only way I know. To make my feelings clear. Okay?

[aetherweaver]

[Right. Right, okay. He bites back the urge to just tell Manabu to use his damned words - now isn't the time. He just rubs at his jaw and stirs the honey a bit before spooning a bit into the tea.]

Manabu... I know. I just... there's a reason I tried to tell you to stay away. I didn't want to hurt you...

[siriusly]

[Manabu leans away, folding his arms and looking toward the door.]

And if I didn't go out there, you'd have hurt someone else. [well, besides Kazuma.] It's not really a question of what to do there, you know?

[aetherweaver]

[He winces, but Manabu's right. Again.]

... You're right. I just... you shouldn't have had to take me out. You're my friend.

But I... understand what you mean. I... would have done the same. Even if it's not the best idea...

[siriusly]

No, it is.

[he looks back over, his expression sullen.]

I'd need you to take me out. Because there's no one else I could trust to. Besides you...you and D, really.

[everyone else he would trust to do so is gone now. and he can never ask Ryunosuke or Kazuma or Jun to do such a heinous thing.]

[aetherweaver]

... That's...

[He sighs and nods, rubbing his face. Gods, how many people would he trust to take him out? Not many. He's surprised that Manabu managed it, but... well. He's a good shot. It was probably something like that.]

[He can't remember much anyway. Maybe it's for the best.]

Yeah. D's on my list, too.

[He takes a sip of tea while he thinks.]

Thank you. For being kind, even when it was hard.

[siriusly]

[everyone should feel bad for putting D on their "please kill me list" but honestly? D would sign himself up on it anyway. this just erases a step.

Manabu looks away again at the thanks. he'll never be good at gracefully accepting it, even when it's warranted; that's just the kind of guy he is.]

Just... Avoid it at all costs again, okay? That's better than thanks.

[aetherweaver]

I'll do what I can.

[He closes his eyes for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths. It's... frustrating. He can't excuse his behavior, but... mm. He has a lot of people to apologize to.]

... Do you have somewhere to go back to? If you went home, I mean. I know some people don't.

[siriusly]

Eh?

[he looks back, blinking. what's this now...?

he hesitates.]

...Mn. My mother's waiting. And my platoon.

[aetherweaver]

I see. I wasn't sure.

I have... a lot of people waiting for me. Relying on me. There's someone I need to rescue... a friend's sister.

I've got family, but they're content to stay where they are. Most Moon Keeper men don't ever go home after they leave, anyway.

[siriusly]

[Manabu watches him with a troubled expression, one that grows more sullen as he listens.]

...So...You can't really be spending too much time here. A lot of other people, too. [he looks back toward the window.]

If I knew how...I'd have gotten the SDF here. To connect this world to others', let them go home...

6.2 spoilers

[aetherweaver]

She's been trapped in the Void for thousands of years, but recently she's been having powerful fiends eating her essence.

[Azdaja... she's powerful, but she can only last so long.]

But... it's neither of our faults that we can't get home. We... have to deal with what we've been given. We can only do so much, right?

[siriusly]

[his expression tightens a bit.]

If...if the forces-that-be here have no interest in helping, it's on us to figure it out at the end of the day. Somehow. That's why-- [he exhales in a huff, unfolding his arms so he can rub at his brow.] That's why I thought...exploring the wilderness would do something. Mean something. Help us...find something...

[but Manabu lives a short life and big changes take a long time, so his impatience is palpable. it's a good diversion, though: it redirects his frustration with Nara'a's circumstance back into the bigger picture.]

[aetherweaver]

Yeah... I want to know what's out there, too. If they could help us... somehow? It's frustrating to think that we're alone. There's got to be something out there.

I mean I explore in the unknown for fun just because of my nature, but there's got to be something to find. And we have to explore every available option we have.