IC || THE LAST CASE || VIDEO
[From the moment the video feed rolls, the audio is distorted with static and a tinny, dual-toned laughter that lacks any real warmth or cheer. No, the sound is instead cold and cruel, cutting through the tranquil silence of night like a knife, as sharp as the smile that now twists its owner’s lips. Crowing, Tohru Adachi stares straight-on at the
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Ange.
She'd been through enough already. That had been what he wanted - to change things for her, to show her something different. Barely two weeks in and what had he given her, but more of the same. The how of her death doesn't matter. All that matters is that it's happened and he wasn't even there - where was he?
Soundly asleep, blissfully ignorant.
He could laugh, but the raw, hysterical amazement has fallen aside into a dull, mute sort of horror.
He becomes aware that he was staring at the forest floor and looks up again, meeting Adachi's eyes. What colour was left on his face is draining away. He'd thought he could end this here and it'd be alright. That, despite his mistake, noone would have had to suffer for it beyond the battle itself.
Now it seems he'd failed before he even started.
He sucks in a thin breath. He's too tired, too hollow to summon a persona, but he can feel them there, their presence keeping him up. Izanagi. Loki. Tam Lin. The only way he can move is forward. He still has a duty. He still has to finish what he started.]
Who else?
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I suppose that depends on the nature of your question. Who else did I dispose of? Who else did I fight? Who else did I...play with?
[He begins to circle Souji.]
You really want to know? Heh, well, let's just say most of this blood isn't mine.
[A smirk.]
It's Karkat's. What a chump. He honestly thought he had a chance!
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This isn't a game! These people aren't here to entertain you!
You could have had a second chance here! [Hope was his blessing, but sometimes, it was more folly than anything else.]
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[Peculiarly, he's speaking heatedly now. He doesn't actually believe any of this bullshit, or care really, but lying about it...it's a second nature to him. So easy to slip into the role of furious victim. He continues circling, anger furrowing his brow.]
You're damn right I could have had a second chance, but not under these circumstances! You made a deal with me, Seta! We had a deal!
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He doesn't have the luxury of wondering about it right now. Instead, his head snaps up again, and he meets his eyes once more, terse.]
And you were any better? You attacked Saki Konishi - [and what had souji done? so very, very little.] - and would have harmed her if it wasn't for a passer-by. Your secret was still kept!
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Do you know why I attacked her!? She tried to run screaming from the building! Do I honestly have to reiterate my point about how you seriously fucked up keeping your people under control? I tried being diplomatic, but that bitch wouldn't hear any of it! Should I have just let her run and confess everything that happened? Grow up, brat! Sheik came in after the fact and it was only through him that she'd listen to damn reason.
[His eyes are cold.]
It shouldn't have been him. It should have been you.
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Come on.
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[A powerful adrenaline rush possesses him now, bringing new energy to his movements. He can sense it, can see that Souji is struggling with himself, is fighting a losing battle with his conscience. It's almost disappointing how easy he is to manipulate. But enough is enough.
His circle loops tighter and tighter until he is standing shoulder to shoulder with the boy, watching him askance. The anger has been flipped off for the time being and replaced with amusement.]
I guess I should thank you, Seta. If not for your inaction, I wouldn't have been able to collect Saki's debt. You remember it, don't you? The day that I found Link asleep in the woods... I let you speak to her on my communicator.
Where were you, hero, when she got on her back and let me fuck her...all for information on where her precious boyfriend was? Well done, Seta. She trusted you to be there.
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His head turns abruptly to look at Adachi directly, eyes wide, mouth ajar in shock.
He's lying, he tells himself, weakly, and he forces himself to ignore it, knowing it's stupid, knowing that's the lie. He can't start trying to delude himself, not now - he's turned from that possibility long ago, and besides, he owes it, owes it to --
who? Who would care? Will it change anything? If he accepts it or not, it still happened, it won't help Saki. The best of intentions don't mean a damn thing when you're too late.
Loki's anger is venomous, Tam Lin's unease flaring to a twisting ache, Izanagi's scorn bound by Souji's own horror.
He moves, suddenly, whole body jerking as he flings himself at Adachi. End it end it end it!]
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[One leg slides back to brace himself for the impact and then, arms outstretched, he seizes Seta's forearms as the boy launches himself at him. Throwing his whole body into it, grimacing in pain as warm blood spills fresh from his gunshot wound, he hurls the boy to the ground and immediately follows, putting all his weight into his knees as he comes down hard on Seta's legs. Without pausing, he releases one of Souji's arms to wind an arm back and aim a punch at the boy's jaw.]
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His sword half-trapped by their position, he knows he needs to move. he needs space. Reeling from the punch - Adachi is stronger than he looks, it's hardly surprising - he aims to throw one of his own, gritting his teeth and trying to shove him off.]
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But he has no intention of letting it happen, either.
(He had no intention of letting anyone get hurt, either, an insidious little voice whispers. He ignores it.)
Instead, he focuses on stopping the bastard. He still has a duty. He still needs to end this. With Adachi's fingers around his throat he tries to swallow down air, beginning to feel light headed - this time, his hand goes for Adachi's bloodsoaked shoulder.]
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Y-you...argh!
[Picking up a leg, he slams it down towards Seta's kneecap, grabbing his gun and moving back into closer range before the boy can unsheathe the sword. Quivering with rage, he takes the butt of the gun and repeatedly smashes it into Seta - his face, his head, his hands, all the while snarling like an animal.]
You - piece - of - shit! Before - you - came - along... I - was the - one - who...!
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Then there's the shadow of Adachi's arm blotting out the moonlight and he can't go for his sword, he needs to protect himself, somehow. His arms come up and cross over his head.
He can barely hear Adachi over the whistle of the gun but Adachi has this way of making himself heard regardless.
Souji finds his strangled, panicked breathing drawn into a snarl. He can't die. Not here. Not to Adachi.]
You what?! [He spits it, arms moving, swiping out suddenly to try and shove Adachi's away.] You were - stuck! You didn't have the strength to - change a damn thing, did you? If it wasn't for - [Her.]
You'd still be exactly the same! [A righteous fucking fury drives him - his actions are too wild, but it feels better than sitting back and taking it.] Right, Adachi?
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Just shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut the hell up! Before then you...! F-fucking dumbass! Inaba - !
[He can barely manage the words, so choked up with fury is he.]
I could have been...you!
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