oathshackledbird | SoulGemmed Mailbox

[Chihaya, you have no idea how confused he was when the store clerk was very enthusiastically--especially for a normal town resident--explaining how it worked to him. There was a lot of smiling, nodding, and experimenting once he got home.

Think of it as magi-skype. It's close enough.]

Greetings. Can you hear me all right?

[Diarmuid has the tablet balanced against one knee now, speaker on. There is no one around at the moment, so he figures they will have all the privacy they need.]

[ Chihaya's always been at home, so she doesn't have to worry about privacy on her end. And if Kakyoin entrusted Diarmuid with his life- and those points- then she has no reason to doubt the ancient hero's judgment on this sort of thing. ]

[ Of course, it helps that she isn't familiar with the whole speakerphone thing. ]

I can, yes. Thank you for agreeing to this.

[ The former idol is silent for a moment, before deciding to stop beating around the bush and just get to the point. Which she does, her voice subdued and somewhat halting. ]

Um... Yozora told me that you were the one who... fought, her. [ Yes, that does sound better than "killed." ] A few days ago.

It's okay. You don't have to thank me. Some things are better discussed in private.

[He braces himself for the question he is fairly certain is coming, and sure enough, it comes. Fortunately, having an idea it was coming does make it easier for him to talk about.]

Yes, I am. What would you like to know about it?

[His voice is tinged with sadness, but also acceptance. In his mind, any blame is his and he will take it however it comes to him.]

[ Frankly, she'd like to know anything about what happened, but Yozora doesn't seem ready to tell her yet. It's not Chihaya's place to circle around and ask the person who'd actually been behind this... killing. ]

[ Strangely enough, hearing Diarmuid's voice does help put her mind at ease, at least a little bit; his bearing does confirm what Yozora told her. Still, it's hard to reconcile this individual, apparently trusted by Kakyoin and vouched for by Yozora herself, with the previously imagined killer who'd murdered her friend. ]

[ An awkward silence stretches for a few moments as Chihaya pieces together her thoughts, trying to figure out how to say... whatever it is that needs to be said. ]

She told me it was an accident. Is that what happened?

[ Not that she doesn't trust Yozora's word- she just needs to hear it from him. To hear how he'd say it. ]

Edited 2016-09-02 04:31 (UTC)

Yes, one I take the blame for, though it almost seems like she is bound and determined to take some of the blame herself.

[She may not have directly asked him how it happened, but he ends up explaining some of it anyway.]

I was given empathy when I came here. I think whoever did it was laughing at me, because I sometimes have troubles controlling my own emotions without having those of others thrown in on top.

I've gotten a lot better at it, but on that day I lost control, and the conflicting emotions that the game created inside of me ended up reaching out to influence her too. She acted to protect herself and the lifelong warrior in me misinterpreted those actions as an attack.

[He shakes his head, though she can't see it.]

I don't mean any of it as an excuse. What happened was my fault. That is just how it happened.

[The short version anyway.]

[ Chihaya listens as Diarmuid continues speaking, offering no judgment or any reaction, really, other than a slightly furrowed brow as she digests his words. Even after he finishes, she's silent for a moment or two longer. ]

[ Eventually, she does respond. ]

It's not my place, to say whether or not I forgive you. [ Diarmuid probably knows Yozora's slightly complicated stance, anyway. ] Even if it was, I don't know what to think. But...

[ When Chihaya looks back up, there's a faint smile on her face, measured but warm. ]

I... think I understand. Thank you for-

[ - for telling her about this, for being honest, for being so open, for trusting her- but she's not nearly that eloquent, not at this moment. ]

- ... for this.

It's all right. There is no need to rush. I am not sure most of us really know what to think right now. Everything is so complicated.

[Besides, he's not sure how he would feel to be forgiven so quickly. He wouldn't feel like he had done enough to earn it, that is for sure.]

You're welcome. I have always tried to live my life in an open and honest manner, even when it is difficult to do so. Your understanding makes that worthwhile.

[He is not quite ready to smile yet, but the warmth in her voice helps a great deal.]

"Complicated" doesn't even begin to describe it.

[ To say the least. Chihaya's smile turns a little wry, but she sobers up as she considers the rest of his words. ]

I suppose that's why you have- so many people's trust, here.

[ Sure, Kakyoin will come back soon, but it still feels wrong to speak lightly of someone who's so recently passed away, and by Diarmuid's hand. ]

Isn't that the truth.

[Diarmuid sighs, for a moment worrying about how much more complicated things might get before they become simple again, then he shakes his head and focuses back on her words.]

I value their trust a great deal and hope I never do anything to break it. I just worry someday this place will find a way to turn me against them.

[Especially with his time stop getting stronger, he would be a very real danger to everyone if someone or something hostile to them took control of him.]

[ Chihaya hesitates, digesting the implications of that as her mind jumps straight to the memory wiping event. Even without taking Diarmuid's abilities into account, the thought of being forced to turn against one's allies is really, really disturbing. ]

Do you think something like that really might happen someday?

I want to continue hoping it will not, but considering what is going on now? Who knows what might happen next. After all, there are times when our fellows become more like the normal city people than like one of us and then return to normal. If we can be controlled like that, who knows what else they can make us do?

[The thought is quite disturbing. Fortunately, as long as Kakyoin is around, someone will have some idea of how to deal with his time stop power. He just hopes it never comes to that.]

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