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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[hamnation]

[That is exactly what happens. After hearing about Red's coming, Gundam had prepared his door so that he could upon it with dunamis at his moment of knocking.]

You may enter!

[His voice echoes. But it won't be hard to find Gundam sitting in the living room at a desk. He's armed with a scroll, a brush and a small pot of ink. And as he makes his way through the house, there's also a variety of small animals wandering around.]

[gottacatch]

[ Red's face speaks of the wonder the sort of atmosphere Gundam's decided to dress up his abode in, but it doesn't quite speak of the very real awe it gives him -- definitely because of all the tiny animals everywhere, some scurrying off to where he can't see or doesn't have the time nor permission to. Living somewhere like this must be cool...!

It's a small thing, anyway, by the time Red reaches him in his living room, eyes widening a little to see an actual parchment. Empatheias wasn't quite at the point of biro pens or printer-level paper, and while it's all very Gundam, well- ]

Is that for the letter? Do you really want to use something that nice? [ Maybe it isn't really that nice and Red's being fooled by how Gundam presents it all, but--he's nervous, he's got the letter written on less fancy paper tucked in the envelope in one hand, and is there anywhere he might be able to sit? He'll do that, even without asking first. ]

[hamnation]

[It's a pretty cool place to be, and it's one thing that he's worked on throughout the time that he's lived in Verens. At this point, his home practically doubles as another animal shelter.

Gundam smirks and chortles confidently at Red's response.]

Kehehe... Of course I do. When you ask something of a true overlord, he does not deliver in half-measures!

[Sitting is a good thing, isn't it? Luckily Gundam still sees some use in human furniture. There's a couch and a few wooden chairs that Red can choose from.]

Now, welcome to my domain, Red. Whenever you are ready, we may begin!

1/2

[gottacatch]

[ As long as the seats aren't literal human furniture, Red will take whichever of the options sits him at a respectable spot to Gundam, facing somewhere in his line of view. Plush seating or wood doesn't matter to Red as much as that. ]

Mm! [ But Gundam's given the word, and Red answers it with a confident sound, a small thing as he brings the envelope into both of his hands, his shoulders feeling tense and his stomach tight. It's just a letter, but he's puffing himself up internally, opening the flap and taking out the paper, unfolding it to get ready. He looks serious, and he sounds it, in the quick ] Alright [ to signal that he's about to speak. ]

Komaeda Nagito! [ ...he's not going in too loud, promise. ]

My name is Red. In case you don't remember me, we met in a place we shouldn't. We connected because we wanted to see that place get better, but then you left.

You told me about your world and your past. I want to say this because I want you to know that I wasn't blind to who you used to be. I knew him and I knew the person you became after him. I got to see all the pains you went through and all the hopes you saw like stars. I got to see all of you!

[ He got to feel all of him. The fondness etched into Red's voice doesn't waver, but the underlying melancholy to be expected is there, in the corners of his words and the dip of the smile on his face. Letting someone in as emotionally close as that would have scared him in the past, but now he's lost it, would he ever experience it again? Would he know that type of bond with another human being?

It would be sad not to.

The thoughts creates a beat in his words, adding a weight adds to Red's voice, but the tone isn't yet dismissed as he continues. ] I remember him, and I remember you ...and I miss you. You showed me how strongly two people can connect to one another, and how much it hurts when you lose them. I never got to experience it this bad until recently. How empty and lost it feels.

2/2

[gottacatch]

Just as we started to get closer than ever before, you were gone.

[ And now, the fondness is gone. The smile with it from his lips, and there's no air to put on, no sense of confidence or visible certainty. But he won't stop, even as his mood drops and the air around him is a little harder to breathe. ]

You said we'll always be connected no matter where we are, but I can't feel it. You're not here like I want you to be. Memories aren't enough.

...but they will be, one day. It still hurts right now, but I believe it too. We'll always be connected. That's why even if I want to see you now, I won't hope you here for me. I hope you return because you wanted to be here, and I hope Hinata is around if you do, and I'd hope you here for his sake, but I'm happy with what we had.

I can live with that much because you don't get to know everyone forever, and that's okay. They're a chapter in your lives, they're hands that touched you, just like you always said. You can tear out the pages or your memories can fade, but the time we spent together will always be real. It's enough that, even if you read this... and you don't remember me...

[ Through the words, the letter's been lowered onto his lap in one hand, and the other reaches now to touch the end of his hat, to bring it down with a face already looking nowhere but below. He breathes in, letting it out shakily, and it doesn't help much, but he wants to go on. He needs to, and he won't rush. ]

You'll always be my best friend, Nagito Komaeda, and I'll always love you! And I'll always be with you--like you're with me!

S-so... [ The hand drops from his hat, over his eyes, shoulders drawing into his body.

And barely: ] Thank you. For everything.

Red.

[hamnation]

[Gundam Tanaka dutifully puts pen to paper, writing out each word Red utters in authentic Japanese. It feels weirder than he expected. He feels like an interloper, hearing all of Red's deepest and most personal thoughts about their shared friend. And as he listens, sometimes his feelings show in the room around them. When Red talks about refers to Komaeda's past - most likely to Despair - a chill starts to ride in the room, but it quickly fades. For the most part, there's a warmth that fills the room, one that feels like a mix between the warmth of appreciation and that of embarrassment.

But even if his emotions leak out into the room, he doesn't show it on his face. His expression looks neutral for the most part - or frowning from time to time - and eventually they reach the end of the letter.

After Red finishes, Gundam lingers for a moment before he speaks.]

Is that all? Are there any enchanted runes that you wish to be inscribed? [He asks as if this is a normal procedure for this sort of thing.]