Cracking Facade

[majestic_keiki]

1

[After they get back to base following the mission to the Kijin world, Kei did some basic cleaning up afterwards before going to the hangar to take a seat next to the immobile Grungust while waiting for Izuru to get out. She did think to bring a book to pass the time, but she's barely looking at the pages or much of anything, really.]


2

[For most of the day Kei kept up appearing normal, if rather unproductive while waiting for Izuru to come out, but not anymore. She's in one of the less used kitchens working on what looks like a half-finished sandwich that she stopped making. For once there are no attempts to be cool, no awkward attempts at maintaining composure, just a vulnerable kid finally breaking down into tears while nobody is watching.]

Comments

2

[star_of_sad]

...

[Setsuko stays far away, and is unsure about approaching. In a situation like this, Kei should be left alone...

At least, this is how she thought, when she was in a similar situation.]

Re: 2

[majestic_keiki]

[Noticing somebody nearby, Kei looks up, wiping the tears away and generally trying to compose herself. Her voice is very thin when she says something.]

Hi.

[star_of_sad]

[Setsuko waits patiently for Kei, all the while considering if she should just leave. But doing so right now would be the worst course of action.]

Hello.

I'm sorry.

[Not the best of efforts at consoling, but she at least stands a little closer now.]

[majestic_keiki]

[There's a long silence as Kei tries to compose herself some more, without any real success. In the end she just quietly moves over to make the whole thing less awkward than talking at a distance. She still doesn't say anything, she moves as if she's about to start, but ends, just getting one word out for now.]

...Thanks.

[star_of_sad]

Kei...

[Setsuko takes a deep breath. This is not easy for her to admit. Too many painful memories.]

What happened to Seta hurts. I knew her, a lot of people did. And they must be hurting too.

There is no need to pretend that it didn't hurt you.

[majestic_keiki]

[With that, all the fake composure Kei had been trying to build just melts away. She isn't crying, but she still seems a lot smaller. When she speaks, her voice is similarly small.]

...I'd just resolved to pull the trigger.

[star_of_sad]

You were trying to do what's right. What... had to be done.

[Setsuko draws in closer. She is not too comfortable with acts of physical affection, but she tries to put a hand on Kei's shoulder.]

1

[cloningblues]

...He might be in there for a while.

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

I know. But somebody should be here when he comes out.

[cloningblues]

We were ready to shoot. How will he react to that?

[majestic_keiki]

I don't know. But somebody should be there.

[cloningblues]

...

We did the right thing, right?

[majestic_keiki]

Probably...At least I think so.

2

[sakimori]

[Now this was a sight Tsubasa didn't expect. She knows that kind of breakdown all too well. Not too long ago, Kei was the one addressing her grief, so having the reverse of that is not something she's prepared for.

...Which is why she stays silent by the nearby door, almost out of view.]

Re: 2

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei hasn't noticed you yet, instead just sobbing for now. After a bit she does see Tsubasa, a faint hint of embarrassment flashing over her features as she tries to recover.]

[sakimori]

[Noting Kei's attempt at regaining composure, Tsubasa immediately speaks.]

It will hurt more unless you let it all out.

[Words spoken in a knowing tone. Clearly, it's from experience.

She turns slightly, looking ready to leave, but not just yet. Something gives her pause.]

[majestic_keiki]

[It doesn't look like Kei is following your directions, Tsubasa. She's clearly trying to maintain composure in front of you.]

You heard what happened, right?

[sakimori]

[A small, but noticeable nod from her.]

My condolences.

[She's anticipating that it won't mean much, though.]

[majestic_keiki]

She was begging us to kill her before it was too late...

[booty_chaser]

[Ashe had intended to make herself a sandwich, so she headed for the kitchens. From outside, though, she heard someone crying and peeked a little bit before dodging out of sight again, not sure of what to do.

But, well. Kei's her friend! She has to at least try to help cheer her up. So after waiting a little bit to let Kei cry freely for a while, she sidles quietly into the kitchen]

Um, hi.

[majestic_keiki]

...Hi. [The voice is still cracking a bit from all the crying.]

[booty_chaser]

[Oh boy. Ashe sits down next to Kei, supportive, but noot touchy yet.]

So, um... they told me a bit about how that last mission went.

...how're you holding up?

[Yeah, she has no idea how to even go about this, but she kind of has to try.]

[majestic_keiki]

As you can see

We'd won. Then...that happened.

[booty_chaser]

Yeah...

At least it was Seta's decision, right? If I had to go... well, going out surrounded by friends to save the world is... not as bad as it could be.

[majestic_keiki]

She just got possessed. We had to kill her...Or try to fight the battle again. And then have the same choice with somebody else.