video ● tenth reflection

[sweeperesque]

[At first, she's quiet for a little while. She opens her mouth as if she knew what to say before but now that the camera's rolling, she's second-guessing it. And so there's a pause before she starts talking.]

Matthew's gone.

[... and she looks a little confused, as if she never expected to say those words. They sound so foreign.]... sheesh. Can

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[aimforthesun]

[Her words don't register immediately. And when they finally do, it still doesn't quite sink in. Instead, he just stares, because Matthew can't be gone-that has to defy a rule there somewhere. Matthew's been here from the start, like him. He can't be here when Matthew's not.

It just... doesn't make sense.]

What?

[His mind's not capable of forming something more intelligent right now.]

[sweeperesque]

[... awww, Billy. Yeah, her reaction was much the same when he didn't show up at some point in her day and then when she went to call him, his name wasn't there. Very 'what?'-worthy.

Still, she has to convince herself that it doesn't matter to her. Better to think that he doesn't matter to her. So all you get is a shrug.]

Yeah. Pretty weird, huh?

[She laughs.]

[1/2]

[aimforthesun]

[He doesn't say anything for a few moments, and it's clear that the gears are still turning in his head.

....

Matthew is gone.

-And finally, it clicks. Matthew, the first person he ever spoke to here, the person he expected would always be here-is gone.]

[2/2]

[aimforthesun]

[... He shouldn't feel depressed over this, and yet he does.

In return for the laugh, Saya gets a smirk.]

Huh... and here I always thought he'd outlast me, for some reason.

[girlpowertouka]

I'm sorry, Saya-san.

[sweeperesque]

[She tilts her head at that.]

... for what, exactly?

Well, whatever it is, don't apologize. Not your fault, I'm sure!

[girlpowertouka]

Oh, no, I mean, like...it's an expression of sympathy?

[sweeperesque]

Oh! ... Haha.

[She shakes her head and laughs. Jeeze, she's out of it.]

Well, don't worry about it. I'm not really in need of any sympathy right now. I'm A-OK.

[countrybeloved]

[Silence]

... Sorry to hear that.

[sweeperesque]

[A wry grin.]

You and me both.

I think this place just got a bit more boring.

[countrybeloved]

[He returns it.]

I think I can appreciate boring right now.

[sweeperesque]

Really? I always thought boredom was a fate worse than death.

[She still stands by it, despite having died.]

What's been taking up your time that's so exciting, Zen?

[ceruleanvices]

Damn.

[sweeperesque]

[siiiiigh]

Tell me about it.

[ceruleanvices]

It's hard to think of this place without him.

[sweeperesque]

... yeah. My thoughts exactly.

[She's quiet for a few moments before laughing it off.]

Jeeze, what's with me? He'd be doubled over in laughter if he knew I was like this over him.

I'm starting to think these are one of those times where people say 'I need a drink'.

[tsujihi]

A friend? I'm sorry to hear that.

[sweeperesque]

Friend?

[She repeats it like it's in a foreign language. Some silence for a while before she laughs in realization.]

I guess he was my friend. Well, it's okay. No need to be sorry. I'm just fine.

[tsujihi]

Friends leaving can be lonely. Perhaps he'll come back?

[sweeperesque]

Eh.... I'd rather he didn't. Less problematic for both of us if he stayed out.

...

And I'm not lonely, if that's what you're thinking!