video | un: k★RITSU

[centi]

[ The video comes on and shows a boy of thirteen, dressed formally in a dark button-up shirt, sitting neatly in the centre of the screen behind a desk, like the leader of a country making an announcement. If you know Mob, you might almost mistake Ritsu as his twin, though his hair is a little messier, his skin a little more kissed by the sun, and his face much more visibly emotive. ]

Hello everyone. My name is Kageyama Ritsu, some of you may already know me, but if not, it's a pleasure.

I just wanted to reach out to anyone affected by the recent disaster in Crenshaw. If you or your property was damaged in some way, I would like to formally apologize. The person... the person who did those things was fully unconscious and not in control. It was not a result of corruption and it's unlikely to happen again.

[ A slow inward breath, refusing to waver even though he can't really guarantee the truth of that statement. His eyes are determined, a maturity beyond his years clear in his face. ]

If anyone has grievances, it's better for me to hear them. If you know anyone thinking about seeking revenge please tell them they would be harming an innocent person. It would be my pleasure to visit each and every one of you to apologise and offer payment for any damages. Um, though I don't have any money...

[ It just seemed like the right thing to say. Maybe he could do odd jobs after school? Realizing he is losing momentum he hurriedly wraps this little press statement up. ]

Ah... Thank you for your time and understanding, everyone! Ritsu out.

Comments

[icanhearscreams]

Ritsu... you don't have to apologize for him. Anyone who's not stupid will realize that he didn't have control.

And if they are that stupid they don't deserve an apology, probably.

[centi]

I can't take that risk. I can lose face if it stops someone trying to hurt Shigeo because they misunderstand his intentions. What if a stranger thinks he's a beast? Better to address everyone directly.

[icanhearscreams]

If a stranger can't tell the difference between a beast and a Sleeper they're even dumber than I thought.

[He huffs a little bit, but softens.]

... I understand your urge to protect him, though. My sister tried to protect me, too.

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

If anyone actively seeks revenge upon him, tell me, and I will sort them out. He does not deserve to have to deal with fools who don't understand what happened.

[Given Maul's definition of "sorting them out" was intimidation followed by a good beating, that might not have been the best offer for either of the brothers to take him up on. Still, it was the thought that counted.]

[centi]

Um, I appreciate the offer, but I know you'll understand when I say that since Shigeo is my brother, I would rather be the one to take responsibility to start.

[ Since literally all he knows of Maul is "good brother". ]

[survivalthroughhate]

As you wish. Still, if you have need of the service of an adult, the offer shall stand. I have enough understanding of your brother's powers to know this wasn't his fault but not everyone here is so understanding all the time.

[With psychic powers like that, Maul figured it had just been a matter of time before there would have been an explosion. There was a reason he'd taken it upon himself to train a number of those with potentially-destructive powers in Trench.]

[centi]

Don't Sleepers sometimes become beasts?

[ He rubs his face. ]

Um, were you caught up in it, Ushiro-kun?

[icanhearscreams]

They do, but as far as I know they don't usually look like that.

I was. I just got a concussion and some bruising, but I'll be all right.

action!

[centile]

[mob isn't avoiding ritsu, exactly. that would imply there's a direction and intent to his aimlessness after what happened. if he were a little more present in his head he might be actively avoiding ritsu, given the situation. ritsu was the very first person he hurt when he lost control like this after all, many years ago.

mob's omen is what forces his hand. he's been sitting at mob's door like a guard, only breaking from his post to nudge and huff until mob looked at the network and saw the post ritsu made. so he knows, mob thinks a little distantly. his omen is jittery, agitated, vanishing in a puff of smoke when he tries to look at it.

after a long few moments he gets up to find ritsu's room.

he knocks, familiar. very soft, always just two small thuds of his knuckles.]

video; un: lady

[dohaeris]

[oh, this is...very sweet, in a kind of sad way. sansa looks a little frazzled in a grey linen dress and a thick leather belt with an elaborate chatelaine clipped to it; lady wears a matching grey linen collar with silver beads. sansa offers ritsu a small smile.]

Hallo, Ritsu. It's very good of you to try and help your brother. Both of you will always have the support of the Sanctuary in Crenshaw, and I should be very glad to do whatever else I can. You may send anybody seeking compensation for damages to me.

[people love paleblood and pale bloodstone, which sansa has in abundance!!]

Are you all right? Do you have enough clothes to wear? I'm always glad to make them for new Sleepers.

[would he like his own batcat jacket...or his own batcat...]

I hope Mob will be well enough to return to the Sanctuary soon. I think the batcats miss him very much. Of course you're both welcome to come by anytime.

[allen theoretically lives there and should be around nights, but shouto frequently keeps him overnight to help with various animals or his misbehaving omen.]

action

[good_mourning]

[Sunny watches the video post with his usual impassive expression. But... he thought this was good. Ritsu was going out of his way to look after Mob. He was glad.

After he'd heard their fight the day before the disaster happened, he wasn't sure how they were going to be towards each other. Sibling fights weren't abnormal but he was realizing now that it was something that he was actually terrified about.

Things could go so wrong, so easily.

He stands and heads out of his own room to go to Ritsu's. He knocks on his door.]

Ritsu. [There's a long pause, like he was only going to leave it at that. And he probably was, but manages to add.] Can I come in?

audio | un: sds

[fogsong]

You're more likely to encounter Trenchies getting pissed over it rather than the Sleepers. I know I heard some bitching on the streets but... I doubt anyone is going to try to get revenge, especially if they don't know who did it. [ hint hint ]

[centi]

I'm very sorry!

[ He bows abruptly. ]

A concussion sounds serious! Is there anything you need?

[centi]

Sansa-san!

[ Ritsu sounds pleased to hear from her. ]

Thank you very much for your kindness. Um, I found some hoodies in a shop and a pair of pants, and I have this shirt for school... but Shige and I pool our clothes so if you would be able to make us some it would be very welcome!

[centi]

[ Ritsu had set himself up to look as professional as possible to answer any questions people might have, and he's still wearing that formal shirt when he answers the door, the desk in his room rearranged behind him, his own omen piloting his omni.

He recognizes his brother's knock, and normally he'd just say, come in, or something casual like that. But instead he's up and at the door, no longer filming, standing and looking at Shigeo. ]

Um, Nii-san...

[ A tactful pause so Shigeo can explain what he wants. After all, for all Ritsu is passionately ready to defend him on the network... aren't they still fighting? ]

Video | un: goodfellowe

[wolfhunted]

...are you Mob's brother?

[Robyn remembers Mob mentioning a brother that he had some conflict with. But she also remembers him saying that his brother was still trying to look out for him. She knows how that feels.]

I live in Crenshaw, and I heard a lot of noise, but my house was alright.

[icanhearscreams]

... You can calm down. In this place it'll only last a few days. We heal faster.

And there's not much you can do for one anyway other than rest. And I'm being taken care of.

You don't... have to take the burden for your older brother, though. If you keep doing that you're going to burn through all of your emotions.

[centile]

[before everything happened mob had been ready and eager to see his brother. he had a lot of thoughts and a lot to say, a lot of apologies too. he was confident regardless that things would work out, because he loved ritsu and ritsu loved him and they were brothers.

of course then everything went horrifically wrong and he isn't entirely sure what to do or say. even standing here he's struggling to remember why he knocked.

ah, right.] You don't need to do this, with the network. It's my responsibility.

[and ritsu's taken enough on his shoulders over the years.]

[centi]

Thank you very much. Um, about the other people who live here and don't use the network, regular citizens... I'm probably more likely to need an adult's help with them. I don't really know where to begin with addressing it.

[centi]

I get what you're saying, but I do feel partly responsible.

[ For fighting with Shigeo and running away, for not warning people in the first place. ]

So it's not just on his behalf, you know?

[centi]

[ Hey, he tried to keep it subtle. ]

Haha, yeah, I don't even know where to start with that. Hopefully as long as it's all clear with other Sleepers, they can help keep the peace.

[centi]

That's me. Do you know my brother? We live in Crenshaw too!

[centi]

[ Ritsu is still in his formal outfit for the video, out of place in his room, which is small but chill, with a desk and bed and various off-brand action figures and cool rocks. It's the space of someone who has settled in here. ]

Sunny? Hi. Sure, come in.

[ He is generally pretty neat, the bed made, so he leaves the desk chair in case Sunny wants to sit down and sits on his bed instead, folding up one socked foot. ]

What's up?

[centi]

Yeah, but you're not gonna do it.

[ His brother has many strengths, but public speaking isn't one of them. ]

Better to avoid any misunderstanding.

[ Besides, it's helping with his deep guilt about the whole thing. He hopes Shigeo reads some of the comments too, since everyone seems pretty supportive. People love his brother just as much here as they did back home. ]

[wolfhunted]

Yes, I know him. I don't think he got here long after I did.

[They met when Mob saw one of Robyn's memories, which was a little awkward, but at least they became friends afterwards.]

...did that accident have to do with him? Is he alright? [Robyn knows Mob has powers that he's apparently had trouble controlling, but she doesn't know much more than that.]