Thirtieth Rebirth [video]

[neverquitedies]

[The camera flickers on and finds Yuca, once again, sitting peacefully in his garden, an arm wrapped around his knees. He's got cuts and bruises here and there from his fight with Merlin, but for the most part, he still looks pretty okay. The flowers are just starting to bloom, and his fingers barely brush against one, as if he isn't sure of the

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[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

[Long silence. Almost like he forgot he started a recording, or that it triggered by accident.

Though in the end he only speaks up because he's annoyed with his own hesitance.]

Still taking care of your flowers?

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

...yes.

[He hesitates as well. Yuca clutches at the PCD and wets his lips, trying to think of something to say that didn't involve what had happened during that event.]

....they're- blooming. Still in the early stages, but they'll get bigger soon enough.

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

[Is terrible at idle conversation; still can't really make himself mention anything that happened before.]

If the seasons here obey normal laws of nature, you should still have a month or more to transplant what you want to.

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

Mmhm. But there are a lot of them, and I don't have any pots, or anything- I could use a bowl, but I only have two of those.

[Pause. Yuca chews the bottom of his lip.]

...I think I planted too many.

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

I might have some glass jars I don't need. Cracked; I can't store much in them, but I don't like throwing things away.

They're flowers. It's not something that comes in 'too many' or 'too few.'

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

I'd gladly borrow them, then, if you don't mind.

[A bit more cheerful- all false, of course.]

Thank you, mister Kurotsuchi.

[Aaaand silence. Awkward silence.]

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

[Even more awkward silence. This sort of discomfort was pretty much an alien experience.

But in the end, (some form of) directness wins out.]

...is it like that all the time?

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

...yes.

[Finally. Yuca sighs and swallows hard, shifting the PCD a little.]

So- you realize why I want it to end, now.

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

Realize? [That almost earns a laugh, though it's not remotely an amused one.] Yes and no. I can't pretend to understand what that's like on a daily basis.

[Small pause.] I remember when we first spoke, before I knew about your condition. I said then that immortality would be just another thing to overcome.

...I'll find a way to kill you. If for my own peace of mind to know that it can be done.

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

[He does laugh, softly, sadly almost.]

Are you alright, mister Kurotsuchi? I meant what I said- I am sorry for what happened. Now that the event is over, I can make you some tea or give you some other apology.

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

I'll manage. Though you don't need to apologize - even if it'd been intentional, I wouldn't really care.

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

I... still. I'm sure that wasn't something you wanted to experience.

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

It was new, for what it's worth. Besides, I was the one who wandered too close to you.

...Did I cut you?

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

Oh- not at all. I actually... it's a long story.

[Dismissing his slight injuries quickly.]

...How much of it do you remember?

[Private || Unhackable]

[law_of_reason]

That's good, at least.

Too much, and barely anything at all. It's not even a blur, more like something too sharp to look at. [In consideration, he sounds almost normal] Even touching your soul didn't have that effect.

[Private || Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

I still don't remember you touching my soul.

[He sounds sort of far off, as if he's trying to recall exactly what had happened.]

I felt what you felt, looking at me. I remember it wasn't pleasant, for either of us.