Office Hours - We Could Be

[shieldof]

[Faith's door remains closed, the brass "PRIVATE" plaque silent and unyielding. Trying to force the door yields no results, but- she said you could contact her here, so just go ahead and knock. Worst case scenario, you're no worse off than before, right?]

((OOC: Please tag your top-levels with the appropriate week and day.))

Comments

[Week 2 - Tuesday, post-motive]

[composalvation]

[Yeah she doesn't linger too long, even with the others asking after her. Eventually, Faith will get a knock at her door, a bit more frantically than the last time Kanade showed up...]

[shieldof]

[It takes a noticeably longer time than last for the door to open, and Faith opens it herself instead of it swinging open on it's own.]

Lady Kanade, is- what-

[Pause. Just for a second.]

Yes-?

[composalvation]

[Look, Kanade is thankfully not about to break into tears or a panic attack, but her voice is definitely wavering a bit more than it usually does as she stands in the doorway, hands wringing.

Before she says anything, she gives Faith a quick once over - does it look like she's hurt anywhere?]

A-After what happened... how are you feeling?

[She's not going to ask "are you okay", because. How can anyone be okay after that?]

[shieldof]

[Good, good, she wasn't worried someone had already taken the bait on this motive or anything. And she doesn't look hurt, at least. ...You know, physically.]

I am- fine. Now. Thank you.

[it's fine, she's definitely fine, we're all fine here now, how are you]

I expect you should save your concern for yourself and the rest of your fellows. Considering these circumstances.

[composalvation]

... But you're part of everyone here. At least to me. Seeing all of that...

... I'm going to worry. It looked like it was really scary for you...

[shieldof]

...it was unexpected.

[ha ha]

[lmao even]

I was not harmed, if that concerns you.

[composalvation]

... But what about outside of that? Even if you're not hurt physically... you can still be hurt.

[Kanade was worried she'd been hurt physically, yes. But... it's clear that's not the only thing she's worried about.]

[shieldof]

Solarinace would not seek to harm me.

[That's basically the same as a "no, I'm fine", right?]

I had- believed. Hoped, maybe. That the same was true for you all, despite the rules.

[composalvation]

[... This feels... uncomfortable. It feels so much like listening to Mafuyu talking about her mom, about how much she truly does love her. About how much her mom wants the best for her.

... And yet. In the end. She chose to run away, because being with her mother meant killing her feelings.

Kanade's hands curl to fists at her sides.]

But then why have that rule in the first place?

[shieldof]

...I don't know. Not anymore.

[composalvation]

[...]

You told me last time that for as long as you can recall, it's just been you and your god. So that rule... it's been there, even when you were alone?

[......]

... Can you... remember how long you've been here?

[shieldof]

The rules are new. From approximately a month before your arrival. It was quite a preparation.

[like suddenly deciding to foster two dozen cats, some of whom are feral, or something]

And I've been here my entire life.

[composalvation]

[... God, that's... terrible. Speaking as someone who rarely leaves her room and lived mostly alone for the past two years until Mafuyu showed up at her doorstep.]

... Isn't there anywhere else you wanted to go? Somewhere far past here?

[shieldof]

For a long time, there has been nowhere else to go.

[seriously the world outside this place is gone to shit]

Now- ...I think I would like to see your homes, if I am ever able.

[composalvation]

[... Oh...]

That sounds like it would be fun. And I'm not sure if my world is as interesting as some of the others, but... you'll be welcome with us. Mizuki and I can introduce you to Ena and Mafuyu, if you want.