video; un: shiro

[shiro2hero]

[Local man sits at his kitchen table, arms folded and a coffee mug in front of him. He looks... worried. Concerned. And is clearly preparing for a Speech.]

My name is Shiro.

I'm one of the Sleepers who came here from Deerington, the dream world. I don't actually know how many of you out there are in the same boat anymore, so... with a choice like we've been given, I don't know how many of you remember the last time we had one like it.

[He means the vote that ended the dream.]

That vote ended with Julia Sodder's death.

I want to think it's because a lot of us didn't fully understand the consequences. I want to think it was because a lot of people were hurt, afraid, and thought they were doing the right thing. Or they just wanted to protect the people they knew. Regardless, Julia Sodder died. The people she'd brought into her world to save her... they let her down.

[Deep breaths Shiro, because it really sounds like you were trying to say I let her down, there. He folds his hands, and props his chin up in them.]

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

I'm not saying don't give this Pthumerian your opinion. At this point, inaction is probably the worst idea we've got. These beings - they're a part of this world whether we like it or not. They have been for longer than we can probably realize. [He grimaces.] Aside from one...

[Friggin Mother Mercy/Superior.]

We should be careful, I think, to do anything that cuts them off from their world. Even if we think it might help the people we care about. Protect them. We could end up doing something we really regret.

[There's a long pause, Shiro debating his next words.]

Like always, I'm open to explaining anything to people who have no idea where I'm coming from. I'm more than happy to talk about what happened in Deerington. The way I see it, maybe that will help us understand this world.

Comments

[entreats]

[ There's definitely an emotional component as to why she's holding on to him like this. After all - she's absolutely been through the wringer, and even though she feels like she doesn't really deserve the support of the people around her like this right now, she craves it all the same.

It's only human, after all, to wish to be supported by those around you.

But there's a physical component to it too, considering.. well, she can't exactly stand by herself right now. She's still too tired. Shiro may feel that she's even kind of slumping against him right now, only kept up by his arms around her. ]

I'm..

[ She swallows.

It's hard to speak. Especially these words, especially when Ange is so strict towards herself right now as to what she can or can't say. ]

I'm so glad to see you.

[shiro2hero]

[She couldn't have picked a better person to lean into. Shiro's still a brick wall made of muscle, and he takes her weight easily enough. Holding on.]

I'm glad to see you too, Ange.

[He was so... so worried about her. About her and Ruby both. But here she is. Alive, in one piece. He won't say she's all right, because she's very clearly not. But who would be after that?]

So glad. I was - really worried about you.

[If she can be open about it, he'll just encourage her. Talk to her with the same honesty.]

[entreats]

I didn't get hurt.

[ Not physically, anyway. Every single other aspect of this entire situation is a huge mess, so there's no way she can reassure him about any of that, but..

.. well, at least there's this. At least this is something she can say that's actually true. Others may have gotten physically hurt, but she didn't. ]

So.. [ Her voice is still quiet. Weak. ] You don't have to worry anymore.

[shiro2hero]

Yeah... you did.

[Not physically, anyway. He probably shouldn't be insisting like this. Probably should let it lie, but he can't. Not really. Shiro can't let something like that alone, where someone he cares for is involved. Ange probably wouldn't, if their roles were reversed.]

[But he won't push harder than that. He'll let it go, if she wants him to. And just hold her up.]

I'm always going to worry about you. You're family - remember?

[entreats]

[ The reminder feels like a double-edged sword at a moment like this. Family. It's certainly a good thing, and Ange does feel some relief to still get to hear this from Shiro after everything that happened, but.. it's hard at the same time when it doesn't feel like you deserve it.

She wonders if she will eventually feel like she deserves it again. And when it'll be. ]

Even though I tried to push you away?

[ She doesn't say it out loud, but the implication is there all the same in her words. That's not what family does. ]

[shiro2hero]

Even then. It happens sometimes. I've done it sometimes...

[He's done it in the worst way possible. Pushed away someone who loved him, someone he loved, out of fear. Out of a desire to protect him. To be free. It was a selfish, fearful choice.]

[And everything ended up working out, thanks to this place.]

It's okay, Ange. I don't blame you. I'm not upset with you.

I'm just grateful you're still with us.

[entreats]

[ It's so strange, hearing after all of this that someone is grateful she's still around - whereas people used to get mad at her for just existing. It makes Ange suck in a breath, as shaky as said breath is with how upset she's still feeling.

But she's trying her best to embrace Shiro's words, rather than throw those away. ]

T.. Thank you. [ Even her voice is still shaky. ] I just-- I hope it's going to feel better. Eventually.

[ Because Ange is well aware it's not going to feel better that quickly. ]

[shiro2hero]

It will, eventually.

[He's sure of it. Probably not right away. It might take a longer time than she likes. But - it will happen. It has to. This wasn't her fault, this wasn't something she consciously chose to do.]

[So it has to get better.]

And we're here for you. Both of you. However long it takes.