Nov 28, 2009 22:14
[Fumbling noises as he tries to set up this inbox]
Hello, you've reached Kaien Shiba. Thanks for calling! I may or may not be available, since...I'm having a little trouble figuring this thing out, but please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
[Beep]
ic contact
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You will explain yourself.
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I--oh. [Pause.]
Just for a few days. Get back my nerve a bit before I go back into the mist.
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It was a mere illusion. You have nothing to recover. I will not permit your request.
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[...]
[Another few moments of silence]
I know, okay? I know I'm being a coward doing this...
But at this point, I'd be nothing but a burden to you if something dangerous attacked us. I'm...not ready to go back into the mist.
I'm sorry.
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Shinigami have no fears. You have no right to be a coward.
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What the hell do you mean, I don't have a right to be? That doesn't make any sense. I know it's wrong to feel this way...but I do. I can't help it.
I can't pretend like I don't.
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I will say it once more; I will not accept your selfish request.
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I know it's selfish and I'm sorry, but I'm not going for a few days. You planning to drag me out, Byakuya?
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I will do what I must, Shiba. Do you intend to give me reason?
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Listen, I wouldn't be saying any of this if I wasn't serious about it, and about following through. I struggled for months just to win a sliver of respect from you and I know I'm basically throwing it away. I know exactly how stupid I'm being, Byakuya. You don't have to tell me.
But I'm not going. You can try to find me, if you want.
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[It's curt, like everything else, but there's an extra bite. Hadn't Kaien been the one to seek his approval? And now... now he backs down, does what he could not see Renji doing. How could Kaien not be replaced if he was this unreliable?]
Do as you will. I have no more need for someone as unreliable as you.
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