IC Contact

[laconism]

[ audio / video / text / action ]

Current Residence: Inn

[Red has a smartphone as of 11/30 thanks to one of Akira's bonuses and his generosity!]

Comments

[laconism]

[Hearing Akira cut himself off like that, Red quickly looks up at him with concern. The look on his face causes a pit to form in Red's stomach. He already had a pretty good idea of what the significance of his Persona attacking him like that was, but Akira's face confirms it. This is why he didn't want to tell him. He shouldn't be freaking out this much over someone like Red...

A flash of pain runs through his head. No. Stop that. He winces and lowers his head again.]

How...?

[How does Akira plan on fixing this?]

[infiltrationtools]

Well firstly you're going to talk to Amarok. Me and Arsène will be there.

Either that, or...

[Augh, he didn't want to say it like this, but Red asked what his plan is and Akira doesn't think it's gonna help anyone to lie to him.]

...Or we figure out what inside you made him want to hurt you so much.

[laconism]

[So... he basically needs to overcome his inner issues, huh? Red was hoping that there would be an easier solution than that. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. He frowns.]

...I... I know what it is. So, I'll... take care of this myself.

[After all, the only person who can truly help you anyway is yourself, right?]

[infiltrationtools]

What is it then?

[Akira doesn't sound aggressive, but he's not going to back down here.]

I'm not leaving you by yourself. Not like this.

[laconism]

[Red just... goes quiet, staring sadly into his water cup. Explaining the dark, shameful part of himself to Akira... He absolutely can't do that. No way. He's not ready for that. He wouldn't even know where to begin.

After a long while, he just shakes his head. Sorry, buddy.]

[infiltrationtools]

[ ... ]

Alright.

[He doesn't want to do this. Leaving it in Red's hands alone is a bad idea -- but Akira's only thinking that, he knows, because he's scared for the smaller boy's wellbeing, and wants to take all the responsibility upon himself when really it's not his place at all.]

Just... be careful, Red, okay?

I don't-- I don't want to lose you, and neither do they.

[Meaning, of course, Red's partners.]

[laconism]

[Akira... Red feels so bad that he's making his friend this worried over him, but that's all the more reason he needs to overcome this, right? Running away, or doing something even more permanent, will just make Akira and Red's Pokémon suffer more. The only way for all of them to be happy is for Red to come to terms with all the negativity he feels towards himself and make it better so they won't have to worry about him anymore. He still isn't confident that he's up to such a daunting task, but...]

...I'll... I'll try.

[He's starting to get tired, so he sets his cup back on the table and lays down on his side again.]

[infiltrationtools]

[Akira stands up. He moves over to Red's bedside, waits a second -- like he's interacting with a cat, to let Red know what his intentions are -- and then gently reaches a hand onto Red's head. Somewhere without bandages. He would do the shoulder or the arm, but he can't, for obvious reasons. If Red flinches or shows any sign of pain, he'll take it off immediately.]

You don't have to do this alone.

Just tell me you understand that.

[There are fractures in his voice. He's trying really hard to sound firm and strong.]

I know it might seem like doing this by yourself is the only option. Easier to cut out the middleman, easier to hide everything from everyone, easier to look strong so that no one will doubt you or worry about you.

But you don't have to do it alone.