IC Inbox [Empatheias]

[hamnation]

[What's wrong, sinner? Wish to communicate with Gundam via telepathic amulet or messenger bird or even in person? Then come on over here and specify the format!]

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11/09; action

[gottacatch]

[ Now the temperatures of the desert city Shaarnath were cooling with the ending day, the coming night. Hanging lamps had begun to be lit upon the streets, sparked by a dunamis that would help to keep them ablaze through most of the night on more than just fuel, for the weather was unpredictable at all times, and it was in those little areas that too much care wasn't nonsense, never wasteful of what any Shaarnathian could do with a snap of their fingers.

It made the city sparkle behind them to catch, a little picturesque against sandy stone and the flourish of greenery hanging wherever there was room, but the section Red had led them to was as farm-like in dirty trails, questionable smells and perhaps the more familiar of locations in the city below than any other, where the wyverns and wurms were cared for. True, that familiarity was what made Red bring them to the area, but not out of comfort -- he wanted somewhere private, where people were less likely to mingle and come to meet themselves, only caretakers and those about to begin their shifts for outside patrols to be seen moving about in their own tasks if one were to search between the small buildings, and scarcely so.

There was nowhere really to sit nor rest due to this, but the now empty pen kept for the younger wyverns seemed to be where Red decided stop them, hands patting on the woodwork as he looked in, then turned to face Gundam, the older guy he'd ask to come out for him for a while here, without much of an explanation why at the time. Now with more privacy, Red doesn't make him wait any longer. ]

When we went to look for Piphron, I asked you if you wanted to know what I've heard about your world and your classmates. Do you?

[ Whether this spot was fine for conversation, or even farther from the buildings, or in mind, or not a discussion Gundam wanted to have at all -- Red would find out now. ]

[hamnation]

[Gundam had quietly and swiftly followed Red, doing his best impersonation of a wraith. The whole time, Gundam wondered about the purpose of meeting. Had Red put together an alchemy circle that Gundam was needed to power? Was there a new beast to tame? Or maybe, just maybe... Had Red uncovered a hellmouth?

Each possibility was filled with its own personal excitements, but Gundam bade his time as Red led them onwards. And then finally, in the wyvern pen, his intentions became clear.

Gundam now became tenser and folded his arms, with a chill starting to invade the air around him, because he could see where this was going. He realized that he probably should have expected this topic, now that he recalled that past conversation. And it only made sense... part of the reason he had decided to spend so much of this month in Shaarnath was to try to come to terms with everything that he had learned about himself and despair.

He glances around quickly to ensure that the pen is empty, and then he finally speaks.]

...You may tell me what you know. [Maybe now he can find out if there's some misunderstanding, because he still can't grasp why Red would still want to befriend him if he knows the truth about him.]

[gottacatch]

[ One day, there may be an alchemy circle to power up. For now, there's the chill that drifts off from Gundam and into the air, one which reaches and pricks at Red's arms, but he doesn't react to it. He looks at Gundam a moment longer instead, before his gaze falls somewhere between them. ]

...Komaeda and Hinata told me about it. Everyone from your world comes from a school called Hope's Peak Academy along with Junko Enoshima, and somehow she found a way to get into your heads and make you all as obsessed with despair as she is, so you would spread it out into the world with her.

[ ... ] You did, and your world was changed forever because of it.

[ Lives were lost--but they both knew that without it needing to be said in more than words already chosen. Red falls into a moment silence, taking a glimpse at Gundam just to acknowledge his presence there. Thanks to Komaeda, he knew it didn't end at that for them. ]

Somehow after you were all put into some kind of...program, where you forgot everything about what happened, before Junko got to you. Except she was in that program too, and you were made to play a game. Some sick trial where you were made to kill each other, and then--

[ Where his voice was beginning to become impassioned in its low spoken way, Red stops it as his mind catches up into other details--the reason Sonia had the Dark Devas in the first place, how Hinata had told him about a passed away friend who had a connection to animals.

His lips press tightly, before he resumes, voice losing speed again and anything but a sombre tone. ]

...And then the killer was killed. ... That's what I know.

[hamnation]

[Gundam listens silently as Red speaks, and the temperature of the air around him keeps dipping down towards the icy chill of despair as he thinks about what he now knows and what he saw in the memory petal.

The last part is an extra hit, because it reminds him so keenly of his last memories of home. The end that he faced there.]

...So you know that much about my sins. I see... [He sounds a lot more tired than usual.]

And yet, you've still chosen to associate with me.

[gottacatch]

Because everything I've heard and seen of you guys, I can't believe Junko didn't somehow manipulate and twist you into following her.

[ The chill can't get under his skin, because he won't allow it. Where the energy in Gundam's voice dims, Red's increases, the look of his face firming as well with his position. ]

The Gundam I've known since we've been together, the one I've been hanging out all day today with and let use my pokémon -- that's you. You've never lied and hid some side of you that enjoys going around murdering people. That part of your past... that's what you have to deal with. Anyone else can judge you how you want for it, but this is my decision.

The only reason I wanted to talk to you about it was so you knew. You don't have to tell me anything unless you want to. [ His hands lift off the wood, and he spreads them out a little. ] I don't want anything to change between us.

[hamnation]

[Gundam pauses for a moment as he looks up at Red. And he considers the himself of the present... the he who is not that person. The chill starts to fade into warmth, the hint of a smile tugging at his cheeks. So, Red truly does accept him.]

...Very well. I will accept your conviction. ...No, I will respect it. The connection between us shall remain a constant! [Basically, nothing has to change.]

Thank you... Red.

[gottacatch]

[ Where there's only a hint of one on Gundam, a smile blooms upon Red's face in time with the short laugh that escapes him, something just so -- nice, and glad, to feel that tension leave. A tension he invited, but happy to see go all the same.

He approaches Gundam, and without any hesitation pats him on the shoulders in a gesture that's rather playful, matching the expression he looks up at the Ultimate Breeder with, but not before softening to something more genuine. ]

If things get hard, just remember... there's always more to you, and a lot you can do and achieve! That's what I believe!

And I wanna see it: everything you're capable of! -- That means that sleeping spell I showed you too!

[ Have you been practising!! ]

[hamnation]

[Gundam does tense up a bit at the pat on his shoulder, but he otherwise doesn't object, and luckily his barrier doesn't go up. Now he looks amused.]

Hmph... You take far too many risks for a mortal. But your devotion is noted.

[And the air around him feels warmer. He raises a hand.]

Fuhahaha! Do you wish for me to cast Hypnosis upon you? Should I unleash my true power, you would be locked in a nap that lasts for eons!