♟ [video/voice] ♟

[vermicompost]

[The video feed comes on first, for an instant showing Kariya's gaunt, haggard face. The left half of it is badly scarred, wasted away, the muscles slack, his left eye dull and pale. He blinks, then frowns at the screen, and the video cuts off as he switches to voice. He didn't mean to show himself.]

Hello. My name is Kariya Matou.

I know so many of you have been suffering, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that's been done to you. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll try to do it. Even if you just want someone to talk to. I don't think we should be alone here.

[He pauses to catch his breath, a little winded. He's not really sure how to broach his next subject, but he forges ahead.]

There's a question I want to ask, too. If someone could help me-- I have a condition, and I was wondering... If any of you know anything about magical healing, can you contact me? Thank you.

Comments

[vermicompost]

I've met some kind people here already.

[They might not all actually be good...]

There's Ruler, and Lancer, and Eva, and more than that. And there's you, Rin.

[Being her uncle, he has to think Rin is good, too.]

[angramaintsu]

[ ... ] I'm not good enough.

[ But since he mentioned some of those names, may as well damage his reputation of them. ]

Is that so? The same Lancer that tries to kill me every time he sees me? I suppose if he wants to bring an end to my life that he must be some kind of hero.

[vermicompost]

That isn't true. You're more than good enough.

[Don't break your uncle's heart.]

Lancer did that? He must be confused, if he'd try to hurt you. He didn't seem like a bad person. I can talk to him about it. That's not heroic at all.

[angramaintsu]

[ Wait until she starts to tell him all of the cruel things she's done. His words leave her silent for a while before she forces herself to speak up. ]

He says I'm corrupted.

[vermicompost]

If he thinks that, he should try to help you, not hurt you.

[Kariya's logic: flawless. Not that he knows exactly what Lancer means by corrupted.]

I'll speak to him. He shouldn't do that.

[Not that he knows if that will do any good, but he'll try.]

[angramaintsu]

I don't need you to fight my battles for me, uncle Kariya. [ Her voice retains it's usual coldness. ] I'll simply kill him for his arrogance if he makes another attempt.

[ Look at his little niece threatening to kill people. Aww. ]

[vermicompost]

I know you don't. You're stronger than I am.

[He says it simply, because it's simply true.]

No, please don't do that. He isn't a bad person. I don't want to fight for you, but maybe I can help make peace between you. That's all.

[angramaintsu]

If he isn't a bad person and I'm a good person he wants to kill, then well... I'm sure you can see the contradiction in that, Uncle Kariya. One of us is wrong, so which one is it?

[ She's not asking him to choose between Lancer or her, but instead seeks to prove that there's something wicked within her to him. The sooner he realizes that, the quicker he can move on away from her. ]

[vermicompost]

I think it's a misunderstanding.

[See, not a contradiction.]

He's wrong about you, that's all. That doesn't mean he can't be a decent person, too.

[Of course, Kariya would side with Rin if ever forced to choose between her and Lancer. He won't easily believe she's wicked.]

[angramaintsu]

A misunderstanding... That way of thinking is too innocent for someone such as yourself, Uncle Kariya.

[ She sighs, relenting to his will. ] If you think it can be resolved through talk, then go right on ahead.

[vermicompost]

I don't think so. I talked to him for a while. I don't think he would act the same if he understood the situation.

I know things happened to you, Rin, but you're more than those things.

I'll try talking.

[angramaintsu]

[ Tch. ] I'll allow you to get into my business, but just this once. You should try to find better things to associate with your time after though.

Alright?

[vermicompost]

[Kariya's not making any promises.]

It's hard not to want to help you. You're important to me.

[angramaintsu]

It's important that you live your life here while you can. You never know if you'll end up leaving, Uncle Kariya.

[ Yes, that's why she's bothered. ]

[vermicompost]

I know. I'm trying. Helping people is one of the things I want to do with my life.

I didn't do enough, in the past. [He'd made mistakes. He wants to make up for them now.]

So if you want me to live, you have to accept that I'll want to do things for you.

[angramaintsu]

When you word it like that... geez, it's really hard to tell you no.

[ Huffing up. ] But not because I'm weak. If I wanted to tell you no, I could.

[vermicompost]

Thank you.

It's not weak to accept help. I'd never think you're weak. I know you're much stronger than I am.

[angramaintsu]

Getting aid is a sign of weakness, but it's okay if you need help. I won't apply that logic to you because you're family.

[ Hmph. ]

[vermicompost]

I'll take help if it's given, but I'm willing to do things on my own, if I have to.

If I'm family, it's only natural for me to want to do things for you. That's what family should do. [He has strong ideas about family, having been raised by such a terrible one.]

[angramaintsu]

I wouldn't know about any of that.

[ Her father used to give her the world, so a part of her deep down inside does know. She spent many hours trying to make him laugh and smile, only to fail every time. ]

Is that it then? I don't know how to end one of these things properly.

[vermicompost]

If that's all you want, Rin.

Have you been all right? You know you can always talk to me, even if you only want someone to listen. I'd like to see you again.

[angramaintsu]

[ ... ] I can talk to you..?

Tch, I know all of that. I can talk to anyone I please! [ Huffing up. ] If you want to see me again, then you should have said so much sooner.

[vermicompost]

You can tell me anything.

I know, you can do what you want. You're a young woman now, and you've always been independent.

I thought I made it clear that I'd like to see you more. I've enjoyed spending time with you. [Your Uncle Kariya loves you, Rin.]

[angramaintsu]

[ Murmuring: ] Then we can do something together. Maybe... Maybe we can eat meals together or something.

[ She's trying to make an effort here, even if she's awkward in going about it. ]

[vermicompost]

I'd like that very much. [And he does seem happy about it, not seeming to notice, or mind, any awkwardness.]

Where do you usually eat? In the cafeteria?