[ after all, they may as well make the most of it while they can here. something about indulging in memories and in the moments while they still can. but, they seem a little reassured at least when he replies they'll both do their best. good. very good. overing... ]
Are there? It's the first time I've heard of these cool park benches... [ a joke, stifling a little chuckle. ] I'll have to follow your lead.
Hey. Being cool is an artform that must be respected. That's all I'm saying. [ he says, not at all really believe he's a cool guy but easily throwing up that front before throwing himself down on a bench. ]
It's an artform and a secret, yeah. You're lucky, I'm letting you in on it just this once. [ he is so full of shit. but he settles on the bench and pats the spot next to him. sit. break time. ]
And a secret? How lucky of me... you're so considerate, Jonas. [ he really fcken is. but they seem amused by it, still smiling as they sit beside him. nice lil break time... relief. ]
I won't forget it then. [ it's a brief moment of silence, but when he sighs do they lean against him. ]
...I feel as if your side may have gone through it worse. Since the beginning and throughout the whole trip, I was aware that it was an excursion, so I felt like I was a bit prepared going in but... there are effects after it all. [ and the bit of emotional torment from what they saw there. they glance down, their expression faltering. ] It's on and off, compared to the lack of.. bravery I had always the first time. This time I feel like myself sometimes, when other times I don't. As if... [ ... ]
[ a shake of their head. ] Admittedly, I'm not too sure which is better. But I'm okay otherwise. And.. I feel better now.
I mean...we were aware of it at first, too, but the longer we stayed the harder it got to remember. Eventually, our memories of this place had become less relevant. [ but he frowns at that. ] I don't think we got hit with effects. I don't like that you guys did. What do you mean you don't feel like yourself?
[ "how can i help" is the unspoken question. ]
I mean I'm glad you feel better. But these missions aren't good for anybody.
Mm... We didn't have all those years built up over it. [ which is why it feels like Jonas' group has gone through so much worse. to the point that everything here became less revelant? they're frowning deeply. ] ...I don't know. It feels like... I'm no longer human. That I only have one purpose and it's the mission-- whatever that ends up being.
[ just a weapon meant to complete their task. they stare off a bit distracted. ]
I was prepared for the rest of you to go on one, but I really didn't expect I'd be going on another one as well.
...hopefully that doesn't last long. It'll be like Kazuki's where it wears off after a few days. And until then, we'll just have to remind you that there's more to you than being a tool. [ he refuses to let this happen to them. until they die, apparently. ] It comes and goes? We'll figure out a way to make it less isolating for you.
[ he doesn't like!! ]
I was surprised you were on another mission, too. And I definitely didn't expect to run into you guys.
...Thanks Jonas. Just.. [ a hesitant look. ] If I say or do anything... it's not.. me.
[ whatever happens in that state, it's not how they really think or feel. not entirely. ]
I was surprised of my group I was the only one doing another. [ wenzhou and Valerie both new trip babies. ] When I saw the posters of both Missing and Wanted I just... figured it was trying to make use of people I care about again. So I was just as surprised when it was really you guys too. It's the first time there had been so many of us in the same place.
I thought that part was a little weird, too. I wonder if it's because this place thought you did well on the first mission. We never saw your missing posters. But we came across the wanted posters, like, a while after we were there. After we'd built up a reputation amongst the people. [ not a good one. ]
I'm kind of wondering if it's because there were two sets of memories involved. Vash's and Wolfwood's. It would be hard to complete a mission like that with only three people.
It could be that... or maybe it's repeating through again, unless there's still.. someone else around who has yet to go on one. [ but im gonna be honest idfk who hasn't gone on one from the living at that point. my brain is fried ] Right, it was also... as if our side had an alternate life there too. At some point, I did have memories that were mine... but not actually mine.
[ a hand goes to their head, eyes closing tight as the memory still comes to mind. oof. having a happy and warm childhood with the rest of their team... something like that, would they have been as happy as it made it sound to be? ugh. head ouchy. they shake their head. ]
That would make sense. Though, I know when I mentioned a bit of it to Livio, he recognized the cult that we were involved with on our side.
I think there are still a few people who haven't gone yet. Yuzuriha comes to mind. But most of us have by now, yeah, so maybe they are just starting to repeat us. Not that that makes it right. [ he frowns. ] ...we were making new memories and started living our lives out in the same way I think Vash did. It wouldn't surprise me if some of the memories you think you got were similar to what Wolfwood has himself.
[ just a pat on the shoulder for support when they clutch their head. ]
The Eye of Michael or whatever, right? Livio knowing would make sense. He and Wolfwood have known each other for...a while. And that came up in a memory of Livio's I saw.
It's both strange and interesting that this is the first time it's branched from two different people's perspectives. After all, Nahida and Kaveh are from the same city, but the one we had of their world was Shenhe's in Liyue. [ setsu there is no point trying to figure out cyoa please. turn off your brain ] But I do think it makes more sense, that you were more involved with Vash's and ours likely with Wolfwood.
[ appreciative smile, dropping their hands back into their own lap. they're okay. just really disorientating. ]
That's right. When I mentioned being involved with them to Livio, he was immediate to reassure me I wasn't a monster. [ which they know why he said that but. they're used to being the monster (Gnosia) sometimes, so. ] Some of the things I brought up, he mentioned was how they operate so he seemed aware enough.
I think....the missions are only meant to throw us off and aren't really planned out so much about why things happen the way they do. [ just...pointing that out. ] It's something to consider though.
Livio would know more about it, so...I'm glad he doesn't blame you or anything. [ haha. ] I don't know how involved he was with it or anything. We never really talked about stuff like that. It seemed a little rude to ask about assassination cults.
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Are there? It's the first time I've heard of these cool park benches... [ a joke, stifling a little chuckle. ] I'll have to follow your lead.
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I guess I can lead just this once. [ and he gestures for them to follow. ] Don't get too excited though. Be real cool about it.
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I'll do my best to not be too excited. [ holds up a hand in mock-friendly promise. they will follow after him. ] Stay cool... Right.
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Hey. Being cool is an artform that must be respected. That's all I'm saying. [ he says, not at all really believe he's a cool guy but easily throwing up that front before throwing himself down on a bench. ]
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Is it an artform? This is the first I've heard of it. [ he can be cool 🥺.... help they watch him do that, lips twitching into an amused smile. ]
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...how're you feeling? I already know how badly our mission screwed us up, but yours was different.
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...I feel as if your side may have gone through it worse. Since the beginning and throughout the whole trip, I was aware that it was an excursion, so I felt like I was a bit prepared going in but... there are effects after it all. [ and the bit of emotional torment from what they saw there. they glance down, their expression faltering. ] It's on and off, compared to the lack of.. bravery I had always the first time. This time I feel like myself sometimes, when other times I don't. As if... [ ... ]
[ a shake of their head. ] Admittedly, I'm not too sure which is better. But I'm okay otherwise. And.. I feel better now.
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I mean...we were aware of it at first, too, but the longer we stayed the harder it got to remember. Eventually, our memories of this place had become less relevant. [ but he frowns at that. ] I don't think we got hit with effects. I don't like that you guys did. What do you mean you don't feel like yourself?
[ "how can i help" is the unspoken question. ]
I mean I'm glad you feel better. But these missions aren't good for anybody.
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[ just a weapon meant to complete their task. they stare off a bit distracted. ]
I was prepared for the rest of you to go on one, but I really didn't expect I'd be going on another one as well.
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[ he doesn't like!! ]
I was surprised you were on another mission, too. And I definitely didn't expect to run into you guys.
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[ whatever happens in that state, it's not how they really think or feel. not entirely. ]
I was surprised of my group I was the only one doing another. [ wenzhou and Valerie both new trip babies. ] When I saw the posters of both Missing and Wanted I just... figured it was trying to make use of people I care about again. So I was just as surprised when it was really you guys too. It's the first time there had been so many of us in the same place.
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I thought that part was a little weird, too. I wonder if it's because this place thought you did well on the first mission. We never saw your missing posters. But we came across the wanted posters, like, a while after we were there. After we'd built up a reputation amongst the people. [ not a good one. ]
I'm kind of wondering if it's because there were two sets of memories involved. Vash's and Wolfwood's. It would be hard to complete a mission like that with only three people.
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[ a hand goes to their head, eyes closing tight as the memory still comes to mind. oof. having a happy and warm childhood with the rest of their team... something like that, would they have been as happy as it made it sound to be? ugh. head ouchy. they shake their head. ]
That would make sense. Though, I know when I mentioned a bit of it to Livio, he recognized the cult that we were involved with on our side.
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[ just a pat on the shoulder for support when they clutch their head. ]
The Eye of Michael or whatever, right? Livio knowing would make sense. He and Wolfwood have known each other for...a while. And that came up in a memory of Livio's I saw.
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[ appreciative smile, dropping their hands back into their own lap. they're okay. just really disorientating. ]
That's right. When I mentioned being involved with them to Livio, he was immediate to reassure me I wasn't a monster. [ which they know why he said that but. they're used to being the monster (Gnosia) sometimes, so. ] Some of the things I brought up, he mentioned was how they operate so he seemed aware enough.
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Livio would know more about it, so...I'm glad he doesn't blame you or anything. [ haha. ] I don't know how involved he was with it or anything. We never really talked about stuff like that. It seemed a little rude to ask about assassination cults.