Wednesday, 9:00 PM

[dhaosu]

[ Dhaos wasn't going to just leave it as is after last week. He remembers painfully clearly the events of the past days and so it comes to no surprise he is knocking upon Urashima's door. After all, checking up on him was prudent. He certainly thought this. ]

Urashima, I would like to speak with you.

Comments

[minogame]

( When Urashima answers, he looks tired but that shouldn't be so surprising, considering how absolutely stressful this week has been for him since the motives were announced but if it helps, he does manage a smile for Dhaos when he sees him, )

Is everything okay?

( It's a little late, isn't it? Or well, it's getting there. But he'll step aside to let him in. )

[dhaosu]

On my account... I suppose I am doing well enough. Although, it could be better. Just a tad bit tired.

[ He nods his head politely as he comes in, and he hope Urashima does not mind that he takes a seat immediately upon one of the beds. He makes sure that when he's done, though, he is facing the sword spirit. ]

However, I wish to have extended the same question unto yourself. Is everything faring well with you?

[minogame]

( Urashima exhales and inhales carefully, cross his arms across his chest and making a face to himself as he tries to think of an answer. He's been stressed and he knows it shows so it's obvious that he isn't okay but could he be worse? The question is pretty subjective and he thinks about his answer for a moment, )

I'm really, really afraid. ( He settles for being honest. ) It's not just us in danger this time.

[dhaosu]

No. It isn't. I cannot blame you for feeling such a thing. Surely, there were the motives where technically others in our lives could be involved--vengeance upon one of those people or fixing a mistake which may or may not have included them in it to name two of those.

But now...

...

[ Dhaos knows he's more calmer and less... well, truly bothered about the motive than some for now. He just also thinks that those people they showed earlier might just be fake versions of their loved ones. Might.

He knows others reacted very adversely to it, however. Urashima one of those people for sure.

Yet, what else could he say? This motive was one of their worst thus far. Someone would die by the end of the week and not just because someone felt that their hand was forced in order to save someone dear to them.

He thinks of something, and well. Arrives to a decision, sure enough, and extends his hand towards Urashima. ]

...Urashima, could you come a little closer for a moment?

[minogame]

( He isn't sure how he feels about being understood. Really, even if it makes sense and Dhaos is completely right, he'd hoped that he'd be wrong. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone tell him right now, "This isn't important so don't worry."? It would be nice to have an order right now, like the ones the saniwa would give so he could have a clear direction but here, without a master, he knows he has to make his own decisions. )

Ah... ( He looks down at Dhaos' hand, head tilting curiously to one side and then nods, stepping forward without hesitation. He trusts Dhaos. And he'll give his hand to Dhaos if he has to? ) Mhm.

[dhaosu]

[ Dhaos could never truly coddle someone, Urashima included. If the worst occurred, it would make that moment, well... very much something he would regret. Even if he would like to say 'Everything will be alright.' or 'Obviously, this is a lie.'. He was too unsure for it to be any of those things.

The blond took carefully the other's hand within his own, remembering how the other did so to him one or two times in a gesture of comfort. ]

... I cannot deny I do not feel a little fearful myself. But, regardless of what happens, we must remember not to lose ourselves. Even if the people around us eventually do, and even if the worst comes to pass regarding the hostage situation. Some of those hostages would surely not wish for innocent blood to be spilled for just their sake, or for someone to give in if their life were taken.

I know...this is a small comfort, if it is one at all, and it certainly is not easy, so to that note, I shall be glad to offer whatever I can reasonably do so to make it bearable. I can continue to lend you an ear, as you once did on my own occasion and then some, or otherwise. It is the least I can do.

[ He will never forget what could be considered simple acts of kindness to Urashima--given to him by the sword spirit a few times. The times where it mattered most. So he'd gladly do the same. ]

[minogame]

( Ah, he immediately recognizes what Dhaos is doing and he's a little shocked! It's something very familiar that used to be very common for him in his life before arriving in the town but has been scarce these days. He's quiet, looking down at their hands and let's the moment sit.

He meant it when he said this was something his brothers often did for him when he was upset and it's because it really is calming for him. He's still stressed-- he's built up so much here, it can't possibly dissipate in a single night, but he's able to relax and once he relaxes, he can feel something that hurts in his throat and he begins to cry quietly.

Head bowed, Urashima blinks and tries to stop because really, crying won't do any good here and he knows that but he's so stressed. )

I... I want to go home...! ( That isn't a reasonable request at all and he knows it but he's a childish spirit so he just shouts the first thing he wants. ) I want to go home and s-see Hachisuka and Nagasone a-and master and everyone...!

N-no one deserves to be here!

( Eight weeks into this place and up until now, he'd been hopeful. He'd help everyone here, he'd protect his friends, help everyone get home, and his brothers would come to help them. All wishes that had been for everyone else as much as him and he'd been obvious with hinting his own desires to go home-- talking about his brothers, being convinced he'd see them again-- but this is the first time he's ever explicitly said he wanted to go home. Him. Of course he wants to help everyone here but he wants to go home too because this place is awful.

He's older than he appears and he's stronger spirited but at the end of the day, he's still very much a young spirit-- practically a child compared to all of the others he knows. )

[dhaosu]

[ Some people thought keeping their emotions all bottled away and hidden from others was something good. But, they couldn't be any further from the truth.

Dhaos had learnt such a thing the hard way himself, even if he was prone to doing it naturally. With that, when Urashima begins to cry, he certainly does not judge either-- maybe he's even a little relieved. Although only because he thinks being earnest with one's feelings and letting it out could help, even if only a little. ]

Indeed, no one does.

[ He'll say that, even despite the current assortment of people here, and their actions, because even when factoring them in, he thought the same on this matter (except for one or two individuals admittedly). Even those who were "killers" weren't all normally before a motive took effect.

Dhaos thought to slowly rise to his feet when he felt steady enough so that he can properly and carefully draw the other into an embrace, like he had done so once before-- although the other one time Urashima surely does not remember. ]

We have to believe we will all find a way out of this situation... somehow.

[minogame]

( Head bowed down to hide his face as he sniffs and cries, he doesn't even notice when Dhaos when rises to hug him until he's embraced. There's a small part of him-- an older part of his soul-- that can recognize how far Dhaos has come here. When they'd first met, he'd been much more distant and now, here he is, close enough to touch. But for now, Urashima takes a moment to keep crying, sniffing and sobbing quietly because even if he is letting out his emotions right now, he still wants to keep a strong face. Give him a minute or so and he'll begin to quiet down and wipe his face with his sleeves. He's fine. He's okay now. It just takes him a second to get that lump out of the back of his throat and find his words again, )

... S-sorry.

( For letting that all out suddenly. He's a Kotetsu so he should really be stronger than that. )

[dhaosu]

'Tis fine. There is nothing to forgive.

[ Or rather, this is what he'd thought. One could not always be expected to put on their brave face. Especially in a situation like this.

When Urashima is done, he gently lets go. ]

Letting it all out now can keep it from boiling over later, or ease it a little at least.

[minogame]

( There are still sniffs and his breath hitches as he tries to calm himself. )

I don't... like crying. ( Mostly because of the feeling associated with it. Sadness, grief, anger, loss-- things he's never really had to feel before. ) P-people shouldn't have to worry about swords.

( There are more important things. )

[dhaosu]

[ Crying was never associated with many things good, as far as he knew. So, it was no surprise the other did not like it all that much. ]

Why shouldn't they? Swords are also sentient and need to have proper care at times as well. Even besides that, you are someone deserving of such a thing--you are your own person besides being a blade.