memory! mingle!

[softlyfalling]

Who: Nostalgic Idols
Where: At the lantern-viewing and elsewhere
When: Late 199 to Day 200

[ hey, that's a pretty big landmark, right?

maybe time for some memories. ]

Comments

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ a few complicated expressions flit across his face as he watches that memory play out. and he doesn't immediately comment. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Understandable. He'll give Izumu a few moments to collect himself.]

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ eventually, all he asks is: ]

Were you going to come back?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

You think I'd leave Mokuba behind?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ ... ]

No. But you didn't answer him, so I'm asking.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

There was always a chance it'd be a one way trip.

Relying on magic is always a gamble.

[carnivorouscarnival]

So that's a risk you were willing to take.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[After a long pause (and with no additional explanation):]

Yes.

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ also with no additional elaboration: ]

I see.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

What would you bet your life on, Izumu?

Assuming that you had infinite spite.

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ in a tone like he isn't particularly interested in this conversation: ]

Did you forget my occupation? I bet my life all the time.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Yes. Right. The hitman.

Well then, if you have a problem with my methods, you can just say it to my face.

[carnivorouscarnival]

Fine.

You said you wouldn't leave Mokuba behind, and in the same breath, you said you went there knowing you might never come back. So which is it?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

The first.

[Because at the end of the day, denial is the best defense]

I'd give anything and everything for Mokuba.

[carnivorouscarnival]

So? What's the second part, then? Am I misunderstanding something?

1/2

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

. . .

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I failed.

Is that what you want me to say, Izumu?

Because it doesn't even matter if I came back or not because while I was gone, Hell took Mokuba. He certainly doesn't remember me coming back.

1/3

[carnivorouscarnival]

No!! I just—!

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ grits his teeth. ]

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ ... and then deflates, a little. ]

You said it was a risk you were willing to take. Then all you can do is accept the result and find a way forward from it.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Which still includes either finding a way to get him transferred back on this program or ensuring his safety from afar.

Yes. I know that.

[carnivorouscarnival]

... Forget I said anything, then.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Not an option I want to take. I respect your opinion too much for that.

And it's not like I haven't---

[Fucked up the whole Mokuba situation. SO]

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ oh. he seems to soften up significantly, at that. ]

Obviously I'm not questioning that you're doing everything you can now. I just couldn't overlook his place in all of—[ waves a hand at the surrounding screens, although they're no longer playing anything. ]—this. Not me. Though it might not be any of my business.

That's all it is.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[It takes him a long while before he can form some sort of coherent response that doesn't sound like he's trying to explain away his actions. Because he's not. He'd do the same thing again. He KNOWS that, but---]

Did she also indulge you---?