023th Shattering * Audio

[breaks_destiny]

[He doesn't know what he was expecting out of it, contacting Bernkastel despite having decided to not do it again... It was just an attempt to catch her attention again, become another toy for her so Ange would have a breathing. Whatever he expected, though, it won't happen as the filter breaks the moment he tries to put it up

Comments

[voice]

[holyblade]

You sound normal. You're no longer a bear, Keiichi. [You can almost hear the smile that she has.] I apologize, for the arrow in your face from one of the last experiments.

[voice]

[breaks_destiny]

I sounded normal before too! Normal for a bear, that is.

[He laughs.]

I got a bit too excited on seeing you back and forgot that I was a bear. But if a bear came running to me out of nowhere I would probably also react like that.

[voice]

[holyblade]

It's quite all right. I had asked one of my friends if you were still here when I returned, so once I learned it was you, even as a bear, I was glad to know you were still all right.

[voice]

[breaks_destiny]

I'm glad you still remembered me as well. I had even forgotten that the possibility existed at all... Guess being a bear made my mind not work that well.

[ voice ]

[repudiationist]

[ 'Bernkastel is no longer in Luceti'. Just those words are enough to make Ange surprised, but.. it's a surprise that makes her feel so much lighter in just an instance. If Bernkastel wouldn't be here anymore, that would at least relieve some pressure off her - the idea that anytime she could be used as a piece again, as something for amusement at the near expense of her life. ]

... Yeah. [ It's soft, pretty hard to hear - like a near wordless agreement on meeting up.

But first.. well, it's Ange, so of course paranoia creeps up on her. She hesitates for the slightest moment before speaking on. ] Are you sure she's.. really gone?

[ voice ]

[breaks_destiny]

Come see it yourself. She's gone, without any other trace but her memory in our brains. Community building 6, floor 8, room 40.

[ voice → action ]

[repudiationist]

Fine. Give me a few minutes.

[ And with that she closes her journal and is off walking through town to community building 6. She vaguely recalls walking exactly here back in July too, when Bernkastel had told her to come, but.. now it was for hopefully a much better reason.

(Also, stairs are so inconvenient, especially when you live on the eight floor. At least going down is more easy since you can jump, right.. n_n)

After that little while she does arrive at the room though, glancing around a bit warily before spotting the boy. ]

[ action ]

[breaks_destiny]

[He still remembers the first time he climbed up there... And the... Jokes? He and Bernkastel made about it. He still has no idea how to feel and he can't help but remember how Bernkastel herself had waved off any connection between them due her similar appearance to Rika. Honestly, the thought annoyed him then and it still annoys him now, because while he mistook them once, he could see they were different. Completely so. Yet he had enjoyed her company at times, hated it at others, been wary of her always, sure they weren't friends and it was an experience he could have lived on without having it... But it wasn't bad enough he wishes he never had it. Even if her not being there is a relief, it's also a bit sad.

The door of the room is wide open and he's sitting inside the room, at a table, staring blankly at his journal, lost in thought. Maybe he had developed Stockholm syndrome or something after all.]

[Voice]

[no_use_running]

It's true we haven't had a chance to talk in awhile. Have you been well, Keiichi-san?

[Voice]

[breaks_destiny]

Besides kidnapped, turned into a bear and being an idiot in general... I've been fine. I'm kind of glad we haven't talked in a while, you didn't have to see me like that.

[He has enough friends thinking he's an idiot already.]

[Voice]

[no_use_running]

Please don't trouble yourself about those; the fault is really the Malnosso's.

[Voice]

[breaks_destiny]

Eh... No, the idiot part was just me, unfortunately. Though it feels good to know someone things well enough about me to think that comes from the Malnosso.

[He chuckles.]

How have you been, Ami-chan?

[action]

[breaks_destiny]

[Certainly no blue haired kid would want to hang out with this loser. Or mope around when he's taken and do nothing but make time until said loser returns. Not at all.

And Keiichi really doesn't expect that, anyway, so it's fine. It's also why when he returns and sees Minato there he doesn't think more of it.]

Hey, I'm back home.

[action]

[breaks_destiny]

[See if he cares, the moment he notices the cookies he makes a beeline to them, reaching out for one unless stopped.]

I tried to talk with Bernkastel today, but she has been sent home.

[voice]

[godbent]

-Who's this Ange?

[voice]

[breaks_destiny]

[What kind of question is this.]

A friend. She's... Ah... We have similar experiences and common problems. Why do you ask?

[voice]

[godbent]

Just.

Wondering.

[voice]

[breaks_destiny]

Okay... I asked her to move in with me and the others so if you visit again you may run into her once she packs and comes.

[Not sure why he should tell you but, whatever, as a friend you may want to know.]