♟ [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]

She is? Sakura has friends? I'm so glad to hear that. [And he does sound glad.]

I know you're from another time. How old is she? How is she?

[eighteen_winters]

I know that she is a year younger then my big brother, so I think that would make her fifteen or sixteen. My brother seems to like her a lot, beyond that I'm not really sure.

[vermicompost]

Oh, she's so much older. Does she seem happy? [That's what he cares about most. He feels happy, but also sad, knowing that no matter what happened, he must be gone. He'll never see her grow up.]

Sixteen...

[Wait a second. Something is dawning on him.]

Then how old are you, Illya?

[eighteen_winters]

I'm nineteen. I know I don't look that old but after awhile I just stopped growing.

[vermicompost]

Nineteen? No, you don't look it. I thought you were a child. I'm sorry about that. I felt someone should be looking after you.

[He looks hopeful.]

Please, can you tell me what Sakura's like? Is she happy?

[eighteen_winters]

It's all right, I know you meant well. And besides, it makes me happy that people care enough to look after me.

[Her smile quickly dampens. She very well knew that Sakura lived perpetually in the hell crafted for her by Zouken in the name of his own twisted ambitions. In the end it would be best to tell the truth now then lead poor Kariya on forever.]

She's gone through a lot lately. But I think things will turn out ok in the end.

[Or at least they would if she had her way.]

[vermicompost]

I do care. Even if you're older. But I suppose you don't need so much looking after.

She has? [This could mean many things, but he knows some of the things Sakura has had to deal with.] Yes. I'm sure she has. No one should have to go through what she's been through.

I have to believe that things will be all right, too. I'm glad you think they will. All I want is for things to be better for her.