the truth is, everyone wishes to be saved.

[finalring]

The execution has come and passed with the death of two more Agents. However time moves on without cease and so must the living. There are no celebrations, only the silence that grows heavier and heavier with every day and the feeling that something is pleased with what it has done.

There are two more days before the new week arrives: what will you do?

Comments

[boardreversal]

I....should have.....told everyone to vote for me, instead...! I'm the one who's worthless!! And it's not just here. It's everywhere! I keep having to see it. See everyone I care about die in front of me, and I'm the only one who keeps living...!! I don't want it...!!! I - uwaaaah, hiku....I don't....wuooooh....!

[He collapses in on himself, holding his head in in hands and weeping.]

[finalring]

You're not worthless. And neither was Rin.

[ romani doesn't know what to do. not in this situation, faced with such raw emotions from someone that...deserved far better than that. ]

Rin knew that you were an incredible person, and she wouldn't have accepted if any of us had even thought about voting for you. [ hesitantly, he settles a hand on battler's shoulder. ] No matter what...whatever we did was going to bring pain. That's what it wants.

[ .... ]

You should grieve. Cry and scream as much as you think is necessary. But please, please Battler. Don't give up.

[boardreversal]

[It's when he feels that hand on his shoulder that he really breaks down, leaning forward to try and grab Romani and just..sobs, placing his head on the nearest firm part of Romani he can find.

He can't speak, lost in the ebb of his own sorrow, the currents sweeping him away and making it feel like he's drowning. Like he's lost the last bit of land under his feet, and now he has to save himself or die.

But he can't find which way is up, except...]

...Sen, hic.....sensei.....Please....

[He doesn't even know what he's asking for, but there's such a desperateness that is as sharp as a knife contained in that single word.]

...I....I won't.....I won't, so....please...

['don't die.']

[finalring]

[ romani lets battler hold him, uncaring of how loud he cries or how tightly he grips onto him. there's not much that he can do, except bury his own feelings further and further with every sob that comes from battler.

this is what he helped cause. now he has to deal with the consequences, even if it feels like a hot knife that is tearing into him repeatedly.

i'm sorry.

i had to do this. ]

I won't go anywhere, Battler. We'll make it out of here. I know we will.

[boardreversal]

....

[His only response is a tightening of his grip, as he rides out everything, lets everything out.

When he finally does stop, and manages to detach himself...he looks at Romani, right in the face, tears still dripping down and face flushed, but...

...There's a little life back in his expression, as he gives the smallest, weakest smile.]

...Thank you....Sensei. I....I really do...appreciate you telling me that.

...Thank you....for being here....

[finalring]

[ ....

when battler pulls back, romani tries his best to smile back at him. it's a small, uncertain smile, but he wants to try the best.

after doing what he did to battler, that's the least he could do. ]

I'll do my best, Battler. I won't give up on anyone in this group. I promise.

[boardreversal]

....I know, sensei.

[His smile is...so, so sad, but there's the flicker of genuine happiness that always has, even so.]

...I'm glad...that at least, you're still here....As bad as this, if I had lost....my friend, too...? I don't...think I would've...been able to handle it....

[He wipes his eyes on his arm, sniffling.]

...Thank you. For being my friend, Sensei...Just in case....I don't get to tell you that.

[Because...anything could happen, next week.]

[finalring]

....

[ i don't deserve to be your friend, battler.

and battler's smile is genuine-- enough to make it hurt. ]

You're welcome, Battler. I'm here to do the best for you and the group.