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week 4, friday
[ although they might have been elsewhere yesterday, Mizuki, predictably, returns to their usual haunt the next day. It's well before noon when they return. Considering the events of the past night, one might think they'd be going to the courtyard to investigate; however, they pass it by entirely for the time being. Once they've shut the door behind them, they make a beeline for the piano - at least until they suddenly notice the sorry-looking blanket burrito in one of the booths. ]
I -- Ishi-san?!
[ stopping in their tracks - they sound very surprised to see him there. ]
... Are you alive?
[ ... and looking so inelegant, too. ]
I -- Ishi-san?!
[ stopping in their tracks - they sound very surprised to see him there. ]
... Are you alive?
[ ... and looking so inelegant, too. ]
no subject
It would be easy to blame it on a monster attack in the West Wing. A lot of people were heavily injured. Was anyone paying close enough attention to you to know you'd be lying?
[ they weren't there, so they honestly don't know. ]
Your way -- technically, it's fine. But you're putting a lot of faith in everyone to understand and not to take drastic measures, and I don't just mean the vote.
[ if he got attacked at the trial, he couldn't protect himself. ]
no subject
[he winces a little at the thought of what he's about to have to explain, though mostly for mizuki's sake. he'd hoped not to go into detail.]
I have learned that if one is too late to intervene in a death, the body and evidence simply disappear. There is no way to investigate what happened during curfew with my ability, if you are not there when it occurs. And that... may have happened to something besides Luna's body, though I cannot be certain that is the case.
[but this is just sort of delaying the point, which is:]
--I cannot explain it away if they find my hand at the scene, Mizuki-san. I don't actually know what happened to it.
[that comment about needing a one handed weapon? not just because of his broken arm.]
no subject
Ishikirimaru-san, you lost your hand...?
[ how is he just sitting there?! Mizuki's hands ball into fists on the table in worry - but they can't do a damn thing, and it's so frustrating. ]
Why didn't you say anything?
no subject
[the fingers of his good hand curl, and there's a slight strain in his voice, though he doesn't raise it.]
There is nothing to be done but to keep going through the weekend. I cannot fix this, I can't-- I will barely be able to protect myself, much less others.
There... isn't anything I can do now, beyond try to help with tomorrow's proceedings as I can.
[it's something he's tried hard to avoid thinking about, but it all comes to the surface at once, and it's difficult to simply shove back down again.]
no subject
Your well-being is more important than whether I'm worried or not, Ishi-san, [ they reply, sounding distressed, too, but they shake their head, dismissing the topic. ] Don't talk like that. There's more you can do than just fight. I know you're a sword, but you're more than that, too - that's why you've got that body in the first place, right?
[ they look him in the eye, serious. ]
I can't fight at all. If someone comes after me to kill me, I'm sure I won't have a chance. Even so, I'm trying my best to save everyone. As long as you're not dead, you have to try.
no subject
[he shakes his head, takes in and slowly exhales a long breath to steady and center himself. being emotional won't get him anywhere.]
You may be right. I might be able to claim an attack-- I can ask the person who helped with these injuries to say I have trouble walking because of that instead. If you or someone I trust checks me privately, we can claim there are no suspicious wounds... and I can also try faking the chill I received last week to remain covered up. Past that, I... do you have any other suggestions?
no subject
They seem slightly relieved that he's backing off on his plan to crucify himself from the start, at least. If this goes south, it might land all three of them in a sticky situation - themself, Ishi, and this mysterious third party. But that's a risk they're just going to have to take. Mizuki nods. ]
... That's a decent plan. If things go sour regardless of all of that, I can still save you with my power - from the gods, at least. [ a pause. ] And, at that point, it'll be best if you come clean. But only at that point. Until then, I'll do my best to keep you safe, Ishi-san.
no subject
... thank you, Mizuki-san. I know involving you in lying about this puts you at some risk as well; I don't know how I can repay you for your help.
[he bows his head, deeper this time, more an approximation of a proper one. this is more than he should be asking of anyone, but-
much as he still feels guilty, he needs to live. even if he is willing to accept the consequences, others want him to escape them, others still need him around-- he has them to think about, too.]
no subject
Don't worry about that. I'm helping you because we're friends, you know? I'd be cold-hearted if your life was on the line and I did nothing.
[ it is true that this is a risk. They're putting their position in a bit of danger for Ishikirimaru's sake - and, by extension, their goal. Maybe that's stupid... but for all their talk of sacrifice, they've always been bad at letting go. As long as nothing goes catastrophically wrong tomorrow, they should all be fine. And the people here are soft and emotional, for the most part - Mizuki has a feeling they'll be swayed by Ishikirimaru's story, if the way they reacted to Piety's promise of hope last time means anything. It's a risk, but a calculated one. ]
I know you'd do the same for me, anyway. You're too nice.