[ Seems like Shinobu's running into quite a few people today in the Saloon. Not that she really minds, of course, just as long as they aren't out to kill her. Especially since she has a little bit of alcohol in her system.
Still, it's not enough to make her slack off, and she looks over at the place's newest guest and visibly relaxes, just a little. ]
[Noah is like. Fine? Technically?? But after getting more drunk than he ever intended to (thanks Sampo), he's slow to react and startled by Kuki's sudden appearance by his side. Did she materialize out of nowhere, or is he that far gone?
In reality, Noah wandered out of the saloon for a time and somehow managed to amble his way right back inside. He's completely lost in the sauce, his words slurring.]
She doesn't drop him but she gives him an incredibly stern look. ]
You're feeling unwell, and you don't know who's going to take advantage of that in our current situation. I'm not one of those people, so I am not letting you go back alone.
It's not an inconvenience for me to make sure you're safe.
[Noah is used to being the one doing the scolding when his hot-tempered, bad-decision-making friends start acting up. Being on the flip side of that is certainly a new experience, but ah... he feels bad for putting Kuki through this.
Noah's smile is sheepish and apologetic.]
I suppose you're right. I'd say I can hold my own, but... I know better.
[He doesn't need his Blade or Ouroboros powers to throw a punch, but he does need hand eye coordination.]
I'm sorry for putting you out. I appreciate the help, Kuki.
[Eh? Eh?? He feels like he's being carried at this point, so Noah scrambles to put some energy into his legs and carry his own weight. He doesn't need to inconvenience Kuki any more than he already has.]
Are you sure? You can leave me there if you've got other plans. I really don't mind.
As for that? It's really up to you. I've found that sparring and exercising's a good way to pass the time with something familiar to me. It's all about adapting and making do with what we have.
We really are shockingly alike. If I weren't so disoriented, I'd suggest a sparring match now... but as it stands, you'd easily trounce me. Tomorrow, perhaps?
[His eyes remain trained on the steady bob of waves in the distance, their peaks thinly illuminated by the light of the moon.]
Only on rare occasions. Before my friends and I had broken free, we spent all our days on the battlefield. Even now, we're constantly on the move. There's little time to waste enjoying ourselves.
[ She trails off suddenly, like she had a thought that she lost immediately. Her gaze shifts to the sand, then her brow furrows, like she's trying to say something but the words won't come out.
... ]
...Sorry. I -- I don't know what came over me. I just feel like I've been through something similar, but I can't really put my finger on it.
Our memories are significant only to us. If they mean to strip us of our identities, why have they only taken some of our memories and not all of them? I can't work out their reasoning.
Me neither. Why not make us blank slates? We'd be more likely to do their bidding that way.
[ She says it bitterly, but ah. Now isn't the time to get too fussy. This should be calming. ]
Anyway...we'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure. Maybe now's a good time to make better memories. Maybe they'd be better than the ones we had before.
[ She knows this is overly optimistic, with the threat of murder looming over their heads -- but she's never been one to accept being treated unfairly. Maybe this is her way of fighting back. ]
[Overly optimistic? Perhaps so, but one has to aim for optimism if they want to maintain a hold on any sort of happiness in life. To that end, Noah nods firmly in agreement.]
That's a much better suggestion than giving in to despair. There's only so much in our lives that we can control, but doing what we can makes all the difference.
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Still, it's not enough to make her slack off, and she looks over at the place's newest guest and visibly relaxes, just a little. ]
Hey, Noah. ... Holding up alright?
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[Noah is like. Fine? Technically?? But after getting more drunk than he ever intended to (thanks Sampo), he's slow to react and startled by Kuki's sudden appearance by his side. Did she materialize out of nowhere, or is he that far gone?
In reality, Noah wandered out of the saloon for a time and somehow managed to amble his way right back inside. He's completely lost in the sauce, his words slurring.]
Ah, yeah. I believe so. Just a little... fuzzy.
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[ Sighs deeply!! Noah!!
Shinobu moves to put an arm around his shoulders, leveraging him so he doesn't eat shit on the ground. ]
Maybe we should get you back to your cottage.
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[Drunk... He can live with never getting drunk again.]
Please, you don't need to pay me any mind. I'll find my way back. Don't let me inconvenience you.
I am so excited to use this icon.
She doesn't drop him but she gives him an incredibly stern look. ]
You're feeling unwell, and you don't know who's going to take advantage of that in our current situation. I'm not one of those people, so I am not letting you go back alone.
It's not an inconvenience for me to make sure you're safe.
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[Noah is used to being the one doing the scolding when his hot-tempered, bad-decision-making friends start acting up. Being on the flip side of that is certainly a new experience, but ah... he feels bad for putting Kuki through this.
Noah's smile is sheepish and apologetic.]
I suppose you're right. I'd say I can hold my own, but... I know better.
[He doesn't need his Blade or Ouroboros powers to throw a punch, but he does need hand eye coordination.]
I'm sorry for putting you out. I appreciate the help, Kuki.
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...who? Who is she comparing him to? She doesn't know, but the thought coming and going creates a momentary pause before she speaks again. ]
Good. You know your limits, and no apologies necessary. But if you need to sit for a bit, we can stay here for now.
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[ She'd grumble about this if he weren't so earnest, so she'll let it slide. She hoists him up a little more again. ]
Off we go, then. Don't drag your feet too much, now.
[ Onward, to the beach! ]
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Are you sure? You can leave me there if you've got other plans. I really don't mind.
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[ Come on, Noah, we are going to the beach. ]
You sound like you're allergic to hanging out.
[ Which...well, she couldn't blame him for, given everything. Still, she's trying to add a bit of humor to a shitty situation. ]
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[This isn't the first time he's heard that here. It's only been two days...............]
I've never had this much free time before. It's hard to come to grips with how I should be spending it.
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[ Oh, Noah, u silly boy. ]
As for that? It's really up to you. I've found that sparring and exercising's a good way to pass the time with something familiar to me. It's all about adapting and making do with what we have.
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We really are shockingly alike. If I weren't so disoriented, I'd suggest a sparring match now... but as it stands, you'd easily trounce me. Tomorrow, perhaps?
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[ HELL YEAH BROTHER.
Beach time, though. When they hit the sand, Shinobu will stop and help him get settled so he doesn't topple over. ]
There. Better?
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[A training buddy!! Noah had begun to worry he'd have to do all his training on his own here.
Once they've reached the beach, Noah sits down in the sand on crossed legs and draws in a deep breath of fresh ocean air.]
Much better. This place is so different from home, yet the ocean smells exactly the same.
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I guess that's one thing that's pretty universal.
[ Which is incredibly comforting, somehow. ]
You don't get moments like these in your world very often, do you?
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Only on rare occasions. Before my friends and I had broken free, we spent all our days on the battlefield. Even now, we're constantly on the move. There's little time to waste enjoying ourselves.
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[ She trails off suddenly, like she had a thought that she lost immediately. Her gaze shifts to the sand, then her brow furrows, like she's trying to say something but the words won't come out.
... ]
...Sorry. I -- I don't know what came over me. I just feel like I've been through something similar, but I can't really put my finger on it.
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[Noah quickly asks. He'd thought he was the only one, but could it be they've all lost memories important to them...?]
...Perhaps you have. Along with our personal belongings, it seems some of our memories have been taken too.
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[ She pauses, lets that sink in for a moment. ]
So you've noticed something similar, then? What would they have to gain from doing that...?
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Our memories are significant only to us. If they mean to strip us of our identities, why have they only taken some of our memories and not all of them? I can't work out their reasoning.
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[ She says it bitterly, but ah. Now isn't the time to get too fussy. This should be calming. ]
Anyway...we'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure. Maybe now's a good time to make better memories. Maybe they'd be better than the ones we had before.
[ She knows this is overly optimistic, with the threat of murder looming over their heads -- but she's never been one to accept being treated unfairly. Maybe this is her way of fighting back. ]
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That's a much better suggestion than giving in to despair. There's only so much in our lives that we can control, but doing what we can makes all the difference.
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[ Noah seems like a good dude. (She said the same thing about Sora, though!! So hey!!) ]
So...let's just kick back and relax for now. I know you don't know what that's like, but it's never too late to try it.
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[Both for the help getting back to his farmhouse and for the pleasant company.]
I hope we'll see more of each other. Remember, I'm always around if you'd like to spar or train together in the mornings.