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Who: Exael and the Unlucky Contestants
Where: The Game Tower
When: 86, Evening

[ Between one step and the next the walls (or streets, or open air) around you changes. The sight before you is a room inside the game tower, a new pressure at your neck. Reaching up or looking at the people around you reveals it to be a collar, titanium with a small green blinking light set in the center. ]

[ the screen flickers on, on your cellphone. It's a half-second, blink and you miss it— Exael, chewing on a nail, looking uncharacteristically nervous— then the moment's gone and she waves both hands and smiles for the camera. ]

"Ladies, gentlemen, honored guests! Units of all stripes and sizes! I come offering you a game and a few familiar words, rearranged for the occasion!"

Her carnival barker demeanor shifts for a moment as she lowers her head to say: ] "Glory to the highest, and on earth peace—" [ her head snaps up, her pigtails bouncing with it, and she's grinning again, all pomp and energy ] "even if we're not getting much down here! So let's kick up a ruckus, put on a show, and see how much good goodwill alone can manage! If you wish to save your fellows, now is the time speak!"

[ The rules appear on your phones. ]

[ Rules ] [ Rooms ] [ Results ] [ Endgame, Revivals & Winners ]

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[But that's hardly enough. He had been utterly useless in protecting her and Abi both. Raijuu, too. Gently, he cradles her head against him, his own head tipped in against her shoulders. He doesn't care if she soaks his shirt. He couldn't let go for anything.]

I tried-- [A broken sound. He swallows thickly, shaking his head against her.] I voted to protect Heart Soldier Senshi, but it wasn't enough.

[ Poor Hakuryuu. This was his first bad game--no, his first game, period. What a rough beginning he's had. ]

You did your best, Haku. Sometimes it just doesn't work out. But you can't blame yourself for this.

[He knows that. He does-- that what happened isn't the fault of anyone here. Knowing that doesn't hurt any less though.]

I would have gladly taken your place.

[Though of course, he knows she wouldn't have wanted that either. Even still...]

I know. But I'm glad you didn't have to.

[ she's going to stroke his hair. ]

When bad things like this happen, I can't heal you. But you have the ability to help me. And more than anything, I wanted you to be able to know that you and your unit are not hated.

[To think she was worried about his feelings on such an issue. He pulls back finally if only to check her eyes--- to look her in the face and ensure that she really is here and alive before him.]

I don't care what anyone else thinks about me.

[Brows knitting, he continues to hold her, and his head dips, tired, to gently rest against her forehead. It's his job to be worrying about her. But since his arrival, it has been the princess who has been worrying over and trying to protect him. He needs to step up.]

Princess.

[Quietly, lashes fanning his cheeks, eyes closed again.]

This mistake won't happen again.

[He'll see to it.]

Haku...

[ He's really not listening to her. But even though that should be frustrating, she can't be, because it's coming from such a genuine and caring place. she's mostly just worried. She doesn't want him to be so worried!!! how can she make him less worried? ]

... You promised me you'd look after yourself, too.

[ She reaches up to cup his face in her hands. ]

I don't mind if you do your best to look after me. I appreciate your care. But I don't want you to fight with your unit over me.

[Gently, tenderly even, his hands fall over her own, loosely cupping those small fingers that gently clasp his face.

He genuinely cares for his unit. He doesn't...want to see any of them hurt. But he doesn't want to see her injured, either.]

Princess, you are--- good at motivating others. [A soft smile touches his lips.] You inspire me, and I know that...you must do the same for others.

[He can't imagine a single person who could refuse her.]

I want...to talk to the other units. Everyone, all together. This tragedy, it-- there is a way it could be prevented in the future. If everyone works together for it...

[

Oh. He... has so much faith in her. In everyone. It's... endearing. And it fills her with a bright and painful desire--to clutch onto that hope herself. But what she has to say... will probably fill him with despair. How can she warn him, while also not crushing his spirit? ]

We've tried that, before. In the past. ... I won't say it's impossible. But we'd have to be very clever. You see, the last time we tried, we accidentally created a problem that nearly destroyed everything.

... We shouldn't talk about this here, though. It isn't safe.

[Brows knitting, he looks back and forth between her eyes. Of course she has much more experience here than he does. Above a number of people, she could tell him what has worked in the past and what hasn't.

His claw gently clasps the hand upon his cheek and brings it down to his side. He gives her hand a gentle squeeze.]

Come back to SensitIV with me. We can safely talk there, and any other care that you might require can easily be tended to.

[He doesn't...want to let her go. Now that he has her, safe, in his hands.]

...I'd like that, but ... is that okay right now?

[ We all just went through a really bad game and your unit is.....

well.

sensitive. They're probably crying somewhere right now, knowing them. ]

[Wow are they being judged by their name? Just because they cry sometimes, gosh.]

Of course.

[His hand tightens upon hers gently.]

Loki knows you. I realized this while locked in that strange room. And I can't imagine that anyone within my unit could object to your presence, princess.

[She's like a light. No one would dare turn away from it.]

Please-- I would like to talk with you further, and--

[His hand shakes upon hers]

I.... I do not...wish to part yet.

[ NO but she hasn't forgotten that one time all of SensitIV came down and threatened to cry and/or stab people over it being too noisy at night!! His unit has. An interesting legacy.

His words are--her cheeks heat up in response, and she can feel her ears burning a little too at the tips. He might just mean it as friends, but--given what she knows now--that definitely has a romantic ring to it.

.... but it's not disagreeable, and before he can get any ideas about changing his mind, she turns her hand to get a good grip on his fingers. ]

Not everyone likes me as much as you do, Haku. Or necessarily at all. ... But I'd like to stay with you right now as well.

[ She just. Also can't quite look at your face at this exact moment. Please give her a few seconds. ]

[Oh-- her face is red. Probably she is still struggling from what has happened to her. It's no wonder, too. He wishes he were able to erase it from her memory. He wishes that she had never had to experience that terror and pain, to begin with.

The scar upon her neck bothers him more than he can say. In the shop-- they have the ability to purchase scar removal if he remembers right. He thinks he saw that before. Once they have a more appropriate moment and time, he will send the money to her to have it removed.]

I cannot believe that. Unless they are fools.

[She is kind and gentle and sincere. There is nothing to dislike about that. But she is flushed and clearly still not well, and that is his priority right now. He smiles down at her as her fingers softly squeeze his own-- before he bends down carefully, and softly catches her behind the knees. Easily she is swept off her feet and he holds her in his arms princess style. ]

You're still recovering, and your face is flushed. Are you catching a cold too, or... is that connected to this, too?

[This terrible game they have all just experienced. Either way, right now more than any other time, she deserves only the most tender of care.]

Let me carry you back. Please just focus on feeling better.

[ OH BOY. He has a lot to learn.... At least as far as her popularity is concerned. She could make him a (short) list of people who truly do not like her, whatsoever, and she quite nearly (in-advisably) tells him so.

But uhm. What was that? ]

Carry me?

[ THAT's not why she's flushed! --But she doesn't want to explain that. ]

You don't need to do that. I'm just fine, Haku.

[ He's not serious, is he? ]

[It's too late he already has her in his arms...!!! She isn't really heavy, though he's sure it would be much easier were he to have his claw still. Nevertheless, he won't let her see one second of strain.]

I don't want you to strain yourself anymore.

[Just let him do this. Because he's carrying her to his apartment anyway...]

[ EEP ]

It's--not a strain!? Haku, you're sick! You shouldn't be overexerting yourself like this!

I am the white dragon....! This is a simple matter for me.

[Think strong, think strong...!]

Haku--!!

[ you really

didn't need to go this far for her.

but. you did. and well. that's a doki. ]

[HE DID IT. He carried her all the way there and he didn't fall or stumble once. Which is why he will carefully put her down once they reach his apartment. And hold onto the wall while trying to get his phone out so that she doesn't have to see how tired and dizzy he feels after the event.]

We made it...

[But once he opens the door, he is quick to usher her inside and make her comfortable.

The fretting only continues from here on out...]

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