041. [dictated]

[foolreversed]

[Now that the kid (the only way he could think of her in mind right now so as to not remember how attached he had foolishly gotten) was gone, it was probably time for Adachi to get something he'd been meaning to do since Souji and Yosuke left out of the way. For once, rather than a filter he thought it best to go straight to Kanji's room. At leas the two were on reasonable terms and lived in the same tower.

But when he gets to his room there's... nothing on the door.

Adachi blinks. Did he mess up? He scoped the tower out as some kind of "payback" after Kanji said he had done the same (and figured out where Adachi's room was as a result) and had even double checked castlenet before leaving. But... if he didn't mess up then...

He hesitantly opens the door. All that's left are the dolls Kanji left behind.

He clenches his fist without thinking, then runs a hand over his face.

Right, this is enough of the castle's crap for the day.]

[the first thing he does is make a few filters]

[Rin]

Um, hey, Rin-san...?

I can take my shift at the outpost whenever now. The sooner the better actually... unless you've got someone else lined up, which is fine!


[Galadriel]

[god did he even spell that right]

Um... excuse me, Miss Ga...Gala..dree- m-ma'am! Can I speak with you for a moment...?


[Nanako]

Um... Nanako-chan? I've... got something for you...


[and then finally he decides to say something to the castle at large. He honestly never saw himself as the kind of person who would announce this kind of thing, he thought it was kind of dumb when others did it. He especially never saw himself doing it for any of those fucking kids but...

Well...]

...If anyone who knew him cares, Kanji Tatsumi's been sent home.

[and he's not really sure what else to say about that, so he'll just end it there.]

Comments

This man

[inafadingcrown]

Galadriel. [It's a gentle correction. She's rather used to her name tripping people up by now.]

Of course, you may.

filtered forever

[foolreversed]

[oh god he's not even gonna attempt to say it again even with the correction]

Um... h-hi. My name's Adachi. Rin Asano wanted me to talk with you before I help her out with the Legato stuff?

[inafadingcrown]

I see. Did Rin chance to tell you just why she wished for us to speak? [Because she only feels it fair to warn him.]

[foolreversed]

Um... I think she just said something about trusting your judgement? That she wanted everyone involved to be run past you first.

[inafadingcrown]

[Why does Rin never warn people?]

Then I believe I owe you both explanation and warning. Rin does not simply trust my judgement. She also wishes to make use of certain gifts I have had since birth.

Put simply, I may see into the hearts and minds of others. [And she waits for a reaction. Because there always is one.]

Adachi;

[payback]

Aradia and Maladict are taking the first two weeks of June, but if you want you could ask one of them to swap? Otherwise, would the last half of June be okay? Did you talk to Galadriel?

[foolreversed]

Hearts...? And minds...? [hold on he needs time to let that set in]

Do... do you mean like mind reading and stuff?

Rin;

[foolreversed]

The last half of June is fine, i-it's not a big deal.

And y-yeah, I'm talking to her right now, actually.

[inafadingcrown]

I do.

If it brings you any comfort, I consider what I find with the use of my gift the fruits of a sacred trust. I will not delve deeply and, unless I believe you pose a danger to others here, I will speak of what I see to no one.

[foolreversed]

Wow, really!? That's pretty cool!

[oh but... wait... ahahaha that means Rin sent him here to get his mind read.

oh boy.

He could try to act like there's nothing suspicious in there at all, or he could tell Rin it was a no-go right now. It's not like he offered to go, Rin just asked him and he agreed because it would give him something to do. Would his heart honestly be that crushed if he was told that he couldn't do this now?

Maybe not but for some reason he still really wants to do it. Maybe it's because he really needed something to do, and reasons to stay away from this castle. Maybe because against his better judgement, he was starting to get caught up in the idea of being useful again.

...so maybe in this case, honesty is the best policy. Not HERE IS MY LIFE STORY honesty but... upfrontness.]

Um, just so you know though... i-it's kind of... "dark" in there.

Adachi forever;

[payback]

... Everything all right?

[foolreversed]

Y-Yeah! Everything's all right! It's just...

[payback]

... Yes...?

[inafadingcrown]

Most find it unnerving.

[She's not startled in the least by his statement. Everyone has some amount of darkness in their hearts and she actually thinks it takes some courage for him to admit this.]

I am quite certain I have seen far worse. But I thank you for your honesty and commend you for your courage in admitting it.

[foolreversed]

[he's quiet for a moment, trying to find it in him to keep sounding happy and smile

And he succeeds but it sounds incredibly shaky]

Ah... haha, I think the castle's just... finally starting to get to me.

[foolreversed]

A-Ahh, I-I don't really think it's all that commendable... but thanks.

So uhh, then this is probably a meeting we should have in person then?

[payback]

[... She sounds concerned now.]

I know the feeling, trust me... What's going on?

[foolreversed]

[Adachi normally doesn't share how he actually feels very often. He keeps things locked away and maintains a cheery disposition whenever possible. Sharing just wasn't something he was ever good at.

But for some reason... well maybe it's just he can't keep this in as well as he'd like to right now. His defenses are crumbling, even if just momentarily.]

I'm just... tired of this place constantly showing me how much better my life could have been if it wasn't for the stuff that happened back home.

[payback]

[A pause. Yeah, Rin is kinda getting the idea that this is a private thing. She keeps most of her history and whatnot under wraps consistently, but at least sometimes it's good to have people - invite talking.]

Well... what kinda situation are you in at home? Is it something that maybe you could change for the better?

[inafadingcrown]

It is. I will go wherever you would feel most comfortable.

[foolreversed]

Ahh...

No. Not really, I'm afraid.

[foolreversed]

U-Uh well... I don't really have any preferences... whatever's convenient for you is fine with me! Sooner rather than later though, of course. I think Rin-san needs people out there ASAP.

[inafadingcrown]

[Well, letting him choose was really about making him more comfortable- and thus, less likely to freak out- so she'll go with neutral ground.]

The lobby, then? Whenever you are prepared.

[payback]

Maybe it's trying to convince you you should stay here or something, then.

Mr. Adachi

[adorbs]

[hm? that's not what she's... expecting... and she sees his announcement below :'( but still, SEMI CHEERY RESPONSE? at least not as gloomy as she sounded last time they spoke]

What is it?