WEEK 4.

[trustwellness]

WEEK 4 Three more have died this past week. Milla Maxwell was killed for breaking a rule, Chiyuki was murdered, and you all had a hand in executing Yoshikage Kira. It seems like this isn't going to stop any time soon. How many more will join them this week? Saturday is given to regrouping and rest; on Sunday morning the clock chimes as it always has, but at least there are no bodies to find today. It seems you're safe for now. The night before wasn't necessarily a peaceful one, however; you'll probably feel a bit groggy when you wake up, and it seems you've regained something that you didn't realize you'd lost... Despite the Wordsmith's reaction to the last trial, it seems as though you've been rewarded once again for a job that was...well, it was done, even if he didn't explicitly say it was well-done. Another door has opened in that stairway, it seems, leading you further down into the building; once again, there are more rooms down there, more things to occupy yourselves with. Or perhaps just more means to get creative with regards to how you take initiative with your fellow Apprentices. APPRENTICES REMAINING: 23 APPRENTICES REMAINING: 22 APPRENTICES REMAINING: 20

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[OOC: Welcome to week four of Trustfell! Feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget to save those threads for coins and the activity check!

If you'd like to get in contact with the Wordsmith, you can do so through letters or the switchboard!]

Comments

[introspects]

[ Today is not a good day for either of them, it seems. Orihime's going about her usual routine as best as she can, when she sees Hanyuu walking into her room. She takes note of Hanyuu's gloomy expression and immediately grows concerned.

Orihime walks to her room and gets there right as the door closes. Hanyuu probably wants some alone time, but Orihime's going to at least try to talk to her. Knock knock. ]

[oyashiromama]

[After the adventure at the vending machine, all Hanyuu wants to do is block everything out. At least, it's all she feels like doing. Naturally, though, as soon as she does-]

...

[Almost, almost, she ignores it. But...she can't ignore anyone's cries. That's not what it is to be a god. That's what she decided to do, isn't it? So, bag from the vending machine still slung over her shoulder, Hanyuu opens the door back up, haggard and tear-stained.]

A-aah... Orihime, I... What is it...that you need...?

[introspects]

[ Her hunch was right. Hanyuu isn't...okay. Orihime's never seen her like this before, and despite herself, she's sure Hanyuu's dream must have been a lot worse. ]

I just wanted to see if you'd like some company.

[ She's learned that not everyone wants to talk, and maybe people just need a friend. That's what she's here for. ]

[oyashiromama]

[One hand's clenched at her chest. She squeezes it as she considers.]

I... [She hates being alone. Truly.] I-I wouldn't mind it.

[introspects]

Alright. Do you...mind if I come in?

[oyashiromama]

[She steps back, ushering Orihime in.]

Could... Close the door please?

[Her room's...not exactly a mess? But the blankets are thrown about, so very unlike the air Hanyuu gives off. She drops the bag by her bed, not bothering to unload it, and takes a seat.]

[introspects]

Of course.

[ Hanyuu didn't even have to ask. She shuts the door quietly behind her, removing her shoes near the front as she patters into Hanyuu's dorm. She notices that the blankets are everywhere, which...may or may not be typical of her, who knows, but Orihime sits down across from her. ]

Do you want to talk about it?

[oyashiromama]

[By this point, she has, with a few people. But... But she remembers the aftermath of the first trial. Her heart aches.]

Rika died. She was murdered...and I turned back time to try and save her.

[introspects]

[ Orihime only vaguely knows about Rika, but this breaks her heart. She hears the sadness in Hanyuu's voice. She doesn't know what to do except put a hand on her back and rub it soothingly. ]

Hanyuu-san...

[oyashiromama]

Turned back time... That isn't really accurate to say. I jumped worlds. I didn't want Rika to die. Rika didn't want to die. We ended up...in a world above the realm of humans. Maybe... Maybe it's connected to where my people came from. I don't know. I could never do this before.

[Everything sounds almost robotic. Like she's just relaying this horrible tragic tale and...and she can't do anything about it.]

Did you know there are many different versions of the same world? Like different pieces, like... We call them fragments. My power...lets me take Rika, her memories, her personality, everything...and transplant them into a different one. It's nearly exactly the same...but there are some differences. They're impossible to predict...at least so far. A tragedy happens, with a different journey, but the same outcome. At the end of same month of the same year, Rika is killed. That's how it's been...the four times I've lived through it so far, in each different fragment.

[introspects]

...

[ Different worlds, different realities with the same outcome. Rika dies. That's--that's what she's getting from this. She wishes this weren't the case. ]

I'm so sorry.

[ What else can she say? Encourage Hanyuu to keep on fighting? Is that what she wants to hear right now? ]

I...I think--I think Hanyuu-san's courage and determination to save Rika-san is amazing. I hope you'll find the world where Rika-san is okay.

[oyashiromama]

I-I do too. [Her heart lurches, and she trembles.] I-I just... I want her to grow up...a-and I don't...I don't want her to leave me...!

[It...puts her secret in new context now, at least for herself. Hanyuu Furude likes that she's gotten spend more time with Rika than anyone else. What...a disgusting thing.]

[introspects]

She won't. She won't leave you.

[ Orihime understands the secret now, and that's not something she's going to fault Hanyuu for at all. She never did, never has. Rika is important to her. Of course the time they shared is important. ]

I believe you'll find a way to save her and make things right. That's...the kind of person you are.

[oyashiromama]

[It takes some work to keep from crying at that. She can do nothing but lean against Orihime, eyes shut tight.]

All I can do is watch as her life falls apart around her, and take her to another when it does. I just- I just have to keep trying.

[introspects]

[ Oh, Hanyuu...Orihime continues to gently rub her back, allowing the other girl to lean on her. ]

Rika-san is lucky to have someone watching over her like that. You're so strong and brave for trying over and over again, Hanyuu-san.

[oyashiromama]

The only other option is t-to...to give up...and let her die...and be alone again.

[And she says it like that's not actually an option, at least from her perspective.]

...Th- thank you...I- ...I shut myself away but I- ...I'm grateful...for you, and the others who have, coming to ch-check on me.

[introspects]

[ She understands completely. If she were in Hanyuu's position, she would do the exact same thing: rewind time, open up new realities...whatever it took to save the person--or people--she cares about the most. ]

You don't need to thank me. I'm grateful that you trusted me with this; we're all here for you.

[oyashiromama]

...

[A hand finds Orihime's.]

I truly am glad I met you.

[introspects]

And I'm glad I met you, too.

[ She will take Hanyuu's hand and give it a gentle squeeze. ]

[oyashiromama]

[Her free arm wipes away a few stray tears, and she attempts a smile. ...It doesn't quite take, but she tried and no one can judge her.]

Let... Let me just...have a moment to wash my face, if that's alright?

[introspects]

Yes, of course. Take your time.

[ She'll even leave if you want time to yourself. Just say the word. ]

[oyashiromama]

[Hanyuu won't be long, but if Orihime's inclined to look around, even a little, she might spy something familiar on the desk!

In other words, your hairpin's sitting out there, girl.]

[introspects]

[ Orihime takes a seat at Hanyuu's desk, not wanting to sit on her bed or anything--that'd just be wrong.

So, needless to say, it doesn't take long for her to spot those hairpins on Hanyuu's desk.

Orihime takes them into her hands and stares at them as if they're most expensive of diamonds, the most valuable of treasures--and they're worth so much more than any of that.

When Hanyuu comes back out, Orihime will give her a wide-eyed look. ]

Where did you find these?

[oyashiromama]

[A-ah...?]

I... I got them from that machine, the gatcha. [...she still thinks of it as that rather than "vending machine."] I- d-do they belong to you? I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep them, I-I wasn't sure where to ask-

[introspects]

Yes. These...they're mine...I've been looking all over for them--

[ Oh, gosh; she's holding them close to her chest, now, and it looks like she may break down any moment now. ]

They're--they're from my brother...