[ there's a brief pause as they think this over. ]
..No, I know. He isn't exactly aware of my own situation with the time loops.. it took him a while to even get around the idea I come from a place where interstellar travel is even possible so I didn't want to put all of.. that onto him as well. [ imagine going from "yeah, i travel in space, but also i'm stuck in time loops"? with the most normie person. terrible. ] But... I think I'll tell him about it later today, if I can. It might.. clear things up, and get him to understand me a bit more.
[ and why they are the way they are because of it. ]
He's from Earth like me and Alex, so that doesn't surprise me. Even with what we've been through, interstellar travel is still weird to me, too. [ but...he nods. there's a little bit of relief there. ]
...Kazuki just wants people to trust him with things and for us to be people he can trust. Talking and sharing problems and responsibilities and listening to each other. He would probably appreciate knowing more about you and your circumstances so he knows how to talk to you better. I didn't...really want to get into it with him myself because it's your story. But I got the sense it's frustrating for him to feel unheard.
There are a few back on the ship also from Earth, so I often have to remind myself that there is a lot of time discrepancy there too. [ earth is similar in context, but the earth they semi-know is obviously much... much further along in time compared to other versions of earth. ]
...I see. [ a light idle tap of their finger on the counter. as a team, it's better for them to know their story so they can be trusted more, and they understand that. but there are parts of it that... for a moment, they go quiet, thinking it over. ] I'll try to mention what I can... Then work from there.
Our planet is definitely not as advanced as you might be used to. I can pretty much guarantee that.
[ but he watches their hand and he watches their face and there's the tiniest, quizzical frown as he waits for them to speak. ]
...tell him what you're comfortable with. It doesn't have to be everything, but at least the parts to explain why you may not be able to tell him everything he wants to know. Kazuki is the kind of person who doesn't like being shut down. We have to be more careful, as a team, to try and trust each other with everything we can.
...Yeah, you're right. I agree, we do need to be more careful, especially as the weeks get harder. [ which may sound resigned, but it isn't really. there's a light feeling coming from them. a reassured acceptance. though, there's the smallest bit of guilt as they look over at him. ] Thanks, Jonas.
You're... always listening and hearing me out. I feel like I hardly ever get to help you in return. [ whether it's about their story about home, or some of the problems coming up here, he's always been there to listen. of course they would want to return the favor. ] ...You know, if there ever is something, you can tell me.
[ why is it that this still surprises him a little? it's hard to say, but it's there and just the faintest blip before he settles to look at them again. ]
That's what we're supposed to do as a team, you know? As friends, even. I don't mind hearing you out even if I don't always know what I should say or what makes sense. Everything's going to get harder, so if there's a way I can help, then...I will.
[ but he pauses again. ]
But I know. If there's ever anything, I think I could tell any of the three of you. [ debatable if he would, but he at least feels like he could. ]
No, I know... it's just. [ a quiet pause, contemplating ] Even if I was never really in a position to before, it's.. not a topic I can just easily talk about.
[ only one person would have been able to understand back in their loops. there was no point in explaining to anyone else when the loop would end and the new begin. but, no, that wasn't the point. ]
I just mean... if there's something about your home as well, not just here and the game, that you want to talk about, I'm here, too. As a friend. [ not just as a teammate, but someone to confide in just as they have in him. ] I know our situations are different.. but, I'd say I'm a pretty good listener?
[ which. is both a serious answer but also part of a joke? cause they are used to gathering so much information? get it...? ]
I don't necessarily mean now, of course. Just... if you ever want to. I want you to be able to rely on me as well.
I know. Kind of crazy how things are different here.
[ there are tiny flickers of both amusement, curiosity and gratitude, followed by little questionable feelings as well. ]
Setsu, do you think there's something I should be saying? [ it's a tease, but he has to wonder actually if there is something he's projecting that he's not aware of. ] I do trust you. And I rely on you guys. No matter what else I'm dealing with, those things are true.
Not necessarily. I mean... I wouldn't really know if there was or not. [ don't tease... there's warmth there towards him, protective... some worry. ] I just figured I should say it. On the chance you weren't already aware.
...If I can help you even a little bit-- [ coming here had seemed like a curse at first. left haunted by the uncertainty and plaguing thoughts they had failed.
but already they've come to cherish some of these connections, more than they expected, and after being told they should make the most of everything... ] I just want to give it my all.
[ there's a moment's pause where he seems to be trying to think it over. like he's wondering if he did, in fact, need to actually have the reminder. ]
Well...thanks. Never hurts just in case. [ there's a soft frown at that though because...it shouldn't have to be just about that. ]
I think our entire team feels like that to an extent, you know? All of us want to help and rely on each other, and all of us plan on doing what we can. It's both a good thing and a bad thing when we're all trying to take care of each other and aren't great at taking care of ourselves or letting other people do it. I don't know. Maybe I'm just rambling about it now.
[ Sometimes, it's reassuring to the person themselves for it to be said out loud. it's fine.
...a quiet laugh leaves them then, leaning to bump their shoulders together. kinda, I forget smol. ]
No no, you're right. I know on more than one occasion I've had you guys tell me to look after myself. That's why, I want to make sure you guys do the same. We can't exactly help one another if we don't look after ourselves.
...Sorry if this came out a little sudden. As I said, I just wanted for it to be said. [ Their emotions seem to relax more afterwards. a quiet, calm warmth, a softer feeling as they look at him. ] Anyways, that's all.
[ he takes a moment where he's just looking at them. and there's a little bump back instead. ]
It's not that sudden. I mean it is, but it's not like I don't know why you said it. So...don't apologize. I get it. [ there's a pause. ] We'll just have to keep reminding ourselves ,and Alex and Kazuki, too. We're only going to be as strong as our team lets us.
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..No, I know. He isn't exactly aware of my own situation with the time loops.. it took him a while to even get around the idea I come from a place where interstellar travel is even possible so I didn't want to put all of.. that onto him as well. [ imagine going from "yeah, i travel in space, but also i'm stuck in time loops"? with the most normie person. terrible. ] But... I think I'll tell him about it later today, if I can. It might.. clear things up, and get him to understand me a bit more.
[ and why they are the way they are because of it. ]
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...Kazuki just wants people to trust him with things and for us to be people he can trust. Talking and sharing problems and responsibilities and listening to each other. He would probably appreciate knowing more about you and your circumstances so he knows how to talk to you better. I didn't...really want to get into it with him myself because it's your story. But I got the sense it's frustrating for him to feel unheard.
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...I see. [ a light idle tap of their finger on the counter. as a team, it's better for them to know their story so they can be trusted more, and they understand that. but there are parts of it that... for a moment, they go quiet, thinking it over. ] I'll try to mention what I can... Then work from there.
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[ but he watches their hand and he watches their face and there's the tiniest, quizzical frown as he waits for them to speak. ]
...tell him what you're comfortable with. It doesn't have to be everything, but at least the parts to explain why you may not be able to tell him everything he wants to know. Kazuki is the kind of person who doesn't like being shut down. We have to be more careful, as a team, to try and trust each other with everything we can.
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...Yeah, you're right. I agree, we do need to be more careful, especially as the weeks get harder. [ which may sound resigned, but it isn't really. there's a light feeling coming from them. a reassured acceptance. though, there's the smallest bit of guilt as they look over at him. ] Thanks, Jonas.
You're... always listening and hearing me out. I feel like I hardly ever get to help you in return. [ whether it's about their story about home, or some of the problems coming up here, he's always been there to listen. of course they would want to return the favor. ] ...You know, if there ever is something, you can tell me.
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That's what we're supposed to do as a team, you know? As friends, even. I don't mind hearing you out even if I don't always know what I should say or what makes sense. Everything's going to get harder, so if there's a way I can help, then...I will.
[ but he pauses again. ]
But I know. If there's ever anything, I think I could tell any of the three of you. [ debatable if he would, but he at least feels like he could. ]
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[ only one person would have been able to understand back in their loops. there was no point in explaining to anyone else when the loop would end and the new begin. but, no, that wasn't the point. ]
I just mean... if there's something about your home as well, not just here and the game, that you want to talk about, I'm here, too. As a friend. [ not just as a teammate, but someone to confide in just as they have in him. ] I know our situations are different.. but, I'd say I'm a pretty good listener?
[ which. is both a serious answer but also part of a joke? cause they are used to gathering so much information? get it...? ]
I don't necessarily mean now, of course. Just... if you ever want to. I want you to be able to rely on me as well.
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[ there are tiny flickers of both amusement, curiosity and gratitude, followed by little questionable feelings as well. ]
Setsu, do you think there's something I should be saying? [ it's a tease, but he has to wonder actually if there is something he's projecting that he's not aware of. ] I do trust you. And I rely on you guys. No matter what else I'm dealing with, those things are true.
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Not necessarily. I mean... I wouldn't really know if there was or not. [ don't tease... there's warmth there towards him, protective... some worry. ] I just figured I should say it. On the chance you weren't already aware.
...If I can help you even a little bit-- [ coming here had seemed like a curse at first. left haunted by the uncertainty and plaguing thoughts they had failed.
but already they've come to cherish some of these connections, more than they expected, and after being told they should make the most of everything... ] I just want to give it my all.
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Well...thanks. Never hurts just in case. [ there's a soft frown at that though because...it shouldn't have to be just about that. ]
I think our entire team feels like that to an extent, you know? All of us want to help and rely on each other, and all of us plan on doing what we can. It's both a good thing and a bad thing when we're all trying to take care of each other and aren't great at taking care of ourselves or letting other people do it. I don't know. Maybe I'm just rambling about it now.
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...a quiet laugh leaves them then, leaning to bump their shoulders together. kinda, I forget smol. ]
No no, you're right. I know on more than one occasion I've had you guys tell me to look after myself. That's why, I want to make sure you guys do the same. We can't exactly help one another if we don't look after ourselves.
...Sorry if this came out a little sudden. As I said, I just wanted for it to be said. [ Their emotions seem to relax more afterwards. a quiet, calm warmth, a softer feeling as they look at him. ] Anyways, that's all.
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It's not that sudden. I mean it is, but it's not like I don't know why you said it. So...don't apologize. I get it. [ there's a pause. ] We'll just have to keep reminding ourselves ,and Alex and Kazuki, too. We're only going to be as strong as our team lets us.
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Hehe... with the four of us, we will be plenty strong. I believe in that for sure.
[ they'll tilt their head to the menu after. ]
Let's eat. My treat!
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Sounds good to me.
[ gently closes this thread. ]
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