[Week 1, Monday: Undine]

[purrtagonist]

[of course he seeks her out after the meeting is concluded. like he was going to let that flash of pain on her features go so easily]

Yo, Undine. Can I steal a bit of your time?

Comments

[alchemicalwater]

I think that's starting to become a habit by now.

[She says that in a good-natured way though. You've got her attention Akira, what's up?]

[purrtagonist]

Hopefully not a bad one.

[jerks his head to the side. TO THE MCDONALDS. . .]

. . . I just wanted to follow up on you after the meeting. Are you sure you're okay?

[alchemicalwater]

[TO THE MCDONALDS!

But her steps falter as soon as he asks that, and she comes to a stop for a moment. Normally she would throw up an 'I'm fine', but that won't work with Akira, will it? He's too perceptive.

So instead she purposefully looks away, so he can't see her face. She manages to speak with an even voice, though.]

Have you ever had someone count on you, only for you to fail them?

[purrtagonist]

[he stops when she does, turning slightly to face her, hands resting in his pockets. she hides her face, and he doesn't try to seek out her gaze. for now, he just listens]

[he doesn't expect what comes next, but it punches right through him, pierces his heart and leaves a hole similar to the one he had when Akechi had killed him the first time]

Yes.

[his answer is quiet]

[he doesn't elaborate]

[alchemicalwater]

[Good. Then she doesn't have to elaborate either.]

Then you can understand where I'm coming from.

[...]

I thought I could make it up for them by helping them through the Game. But I've been doing this for years, and I haven't found any of them yet. Not a single one.

[Yep, 'any of them'. She's got several people she has let down.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

Undine. . .

[he can only imagine how much that hurts]

. . . can you tell me about them?

[alchemicalwater]

...

[She hesitates again.]

Sally was as fiery as her powers. She was always the first to run in and start punching monsters, and she had such a short temper. But she was such a good friend to me...to all of us. She was reckless, but she meant well. She just wanted to be a hero.

Sylvia was the most responsible one. She's the oldest out of all of us, and I think she took that responsibility seriously. She was always looking out for us, making sure that we didn't get blindsided or anything. And she took care of a lot of PR stuff for us too. That's what she was good at: being the 'face' of our team.

Gwen didn't talk much, but she grounded us. She was the strong one who was always there to catch us when we fell, or to help us back up afterwards. She was strong, REALLY strong. But she was gentle too. I think she was just happy to be able to do her part.

Kokoro-

[That last name is where her voice cracks, and she falls silent again.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . he doesn't say anything. he just remains silent, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder, quietly encouraging]

[she can take her time]

[alchemicalwater]

[Yeah she's. She's absolutely crying now. It's been years since she has seen them all, but the memories are as fresh as the day it happened.]

Kokoro died because of me. She was trying to save me, and I couldn't- we both-

['Eaten alive', her profile says.

She tries to laugh, but it's hollow.]

Well you can guess how well that went.

[purrtagonist]

["eaten alive." he remembers. his hand stays on her shoulder, squeezing lightly, trying to offer as much comfort as he can]

I doubt it's truly your fault, Undine.

[he knows why it feels that way, though. he's felt that, too]