Video.

[supercilious]

[ It's well after midnight. The camera feed is a mess of black and grey, the Forge screen the only illumination. It turns Arthur's face sickly, throws unusual shadows across it. His voice is low. ]

Tell me a story.

[ There aren't many left familiar with the way he demands this in bored, petulant tones. ]

About someone you lost.

[ An

Comments

[inpiecesofcloud]

I have a story, Arthurin.

It was a long long time ago when I was a little baby. I had a mommy and a daddy but I don't remember losing them. I was too little. We were in Kusajishi - that's a really bad part of Rukongai, almost the worst part! - so they were probably killed. Or maybe they're the ones who lost me.

[She pauses, thinking, as if considering this for the first time.]

Maybe that's why all I remember from before Ken-chan found me is blood.

[supercilious]

That's a rather sad story, Yachiru.

I don't remember my mother, either.

[inpiecesofcloud]

You don't? But you have a papa, right Arthurin?

My story's not too sad. 'Cause that was when I met Ken-chan and he gave me my name and he never let me be lonely.

[She frowns.]

He would still be here if he could. He wouldn't have gone away if he had a choice, so I know he'll be back for me. So that's why he's not lost.

[supercilious]

Yes. Back home, my father's still alive. When he passes on, I will be King.

[ He presses his lips together for a moment. ]

I'd have liked to meet your. . . Ken . . . chan. You'll have to introduce be when he returns.

[inpiecesofcloud]

I will! As soon as he comes back! Ken-chan's the best, so I know you'll like him!

[She tries a smile, but it's a little weak. She's trying to be strong, but it's very very hard.]

It's not like this where I came from. People die... but it's not the same thing. Why do people keep going away, Arthurin?

[supercilious]

Have you ever been on a holiday before?

[ Arthur certainly hasn't, but the vacation comparison was not his metaphor. ]

We're on holiday in Anatole. We get to spend time with wonderful people while everyone waits, but eventually we must all return home. At least you know that no matter what happens, you'll see Kenpachi there, eh? And you'll have a hell of a lot of stories to tell him.

[inpiecesofcloud]

I guess so... But why don't we get to say when we stay or go? I never went on holiday or anything, but you get to decide yourself then where you want to be, right? And you get to say goodbye so people don't look for you and not know where you went.

[supercilious]

It's a really awful holiday.

Want to help me look for Zack?

[inpiecesofcloud]

Yeah, can we?

[supercilious]

'Course. City first. Someone else is doing Dismas.

[inpiecesofcloud]

Okay. I don't like Dismas anyway. I feel all wobbly down there.

But I'll go there too, if we're looking for Zack-Zack. I'll go anywhere.

[supercilious]

Not a fan of Dismas myself.

Tomorrow morning, then? Early?

[inpiecesofcloud]

Yeah. Early-early. Then we can look everywhere 'cause we'll have all day, right Arthurin?

[supercilious]

I'm always up at daybreak.

[inpiecesofcloud]

Me too! Well, almost always.

[supercilious]

I'll meet you outside the Patrol Headquarters front gate at first light. I'll buy you breakfast.