[Week 6, Saturday: Setz]

[purrtagonist]

[things are quiet when the trial ends. without the threat of an execution tomorrow hanging over their heads, Akira is left with nothing but his own thoughts, and a slight buzzing anxiety over what may happen tomorrow]

[he toys with the bracelet still wrapped around his wrist as he stares at the graffiti without really seeing it]

Comments

[subordinacy]

[Setz is exhausted, but his own anxious thoughts keep him up for yet another night. Tomorrow—tomorrow is when it's decided, once and for all. How could anyone not be restless?

Slowly, he approaches Akira.]

... Nervous?

[purrtagonist]

[he starts once when he hears Setz's voice, gaze flickering up, towards his friend. his hand falls away from the bracelet, hanging limply at his side]

[he breathes in and out slowly]

Yes.

[a little]

But even then, I think we'll be okay.

[subordinacy]

... I hope so. [His optimism has been kind of chipped away lately, but.] It seems we did all we could.

[Though still, even now, he wonders if he could've done anything differently—better.]

[purrtagonist]

I don't know about "all we could."

[it isn't over yet]

But we need to see what happens tomorrow, first.

[subordinacy]

... That's what it always comes down to, doesn't it? How we'll be judged, and how the Angels will respond to that judgment.

HOW DARE YOU MAKE FUN OF MY MANY EDITS--

[purrtagonist]

And how we respond to their decision.

[because, quite frankly? if they give them two thumbs down, Akira sure as shit ain't gonna accept it]

LISTEN

[subordinacy]

... Yeah.

[He meets Akira's eyes.]

If need be, I'll fight back as well.

[purrtagonist]

[he holds out a fist, fingers curls, knuckles exposed. brofist!!]

Mmm. Right. I think everyone here will.

All the way up until the bitter end, right?

[subordinacy]

[...

Setz stares awkwardly, because he doesn't understand??]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . oh, right]

Bump your knuckles against mine. It's called a brofist and is a sacred way for two friends to convey their trust and belief in each other.

["sacred"]

[subordinacy]

... Is it...?

[But sure, he'll... very hesitantly brofist Akira...]

[purrtagonist]

[HESITANT BROFISTS ARE STILL A BROFIST]

Not bad, for your very first one.

[subordinacy]

... Thanks?

[purrtagonist]

No, thank you.

[?]

For everything. For helping me, for standing by me even after figuring out who I was. For never once losing sight of your goals, and for helping me convince the other Players to reach for it, too.

[subordinacy]

[...

Suffice to say Setz hadn't been expecting that whatsoever, so he stares, frozen and, temporarily, uncomprehending.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

Are you going to look at me like that every time I say something sappy and honest?

[subordinacy]

S-Sorry. I'm just... not used to it...

... Thank you for everything you've done, as well.

[purrtagonist]

[fondly]

Anytime, Setz.

When this is all over. . . will you go back home?

[subordinacy]

Yes. Being a Reaper isn't for me.

[purrtagonist]

It isn't for everyone.

[. . . he rolls his shoulders back in a shrug]

And it's the kind of choice you can't take back once you make it. I don't really blame you at all.

[subordinacy]

... The one thing that might tempt me is the knowledge that—I won't be seeing anyone again, like this.

But I'd rather not take the risk of having to erase people.

[purrtagonist]

Well.

[he inclines his head in Setz's direction]

I'd come visit you.

[subordinacy]

... Can you do that?

[purrtagonist]

Mmm. Absolutely.

[wags a finger at the sky/ceiling/whatever it is, like he's pointing to something above]

The universes are connected by the whole. . . Angel agency, I suppose. They oversee all of the Games, and as far as I know, Reapers can jump from UG to UG at will.

Reapers can also go between the UG and RG at will, so. . . [he drops his hand back to his side, fingers slipping into his pockets]

I'd come visit you.

[subordinacy]

... I don't know what... circumstances I'll be in, if you do.

[Or if he'll even be alive, regardless of how this Game ends, though he chooses to believe he'll survive.]

But if it can happen... I'll look forward to it.

[purrtagonist]

Of course.

[he kicks at the ground idly, toes bouncing off the concrete]

I don't know what circumstances you'll be returning to, but whatever they are? I bet you'll be able to conquer them just fine.

[subordinacy]

[Honestly, that's more faith than Setz feels he deserves, but.]

... Thank you. I hope so, as well.

[purrtagonist]

[and to Akira, Setz deserves the most faith out of anyone here]

Mmm.

Too bad our last night here is in the middle of a bunch of sewers. [ew] We never got to play video games together.