15strangers | the sum of our parts is greater, but a few of them might have been broken

[Immediately following the strange insanity that took place in the aftermath of that trial, Towa decides that enough is enough-- she has to attempt to do what she can do. For too long she's let herself be daunted by her own abilities or lack thereof... but she can't do that anymore. If she can support everyone, even in any small way, then she's going to do that now.

Before they're dismissed she calls out to the group--]

I'm going to prepare the lounge for a proper meeting. It'll take me a little bit to get everything set up but please... I want everyone to come. We have a lot to talk about and I don't want anyone shouldering this burden alone.

[And as soon as that's done, she gets to work. Coffee, tea, soup, cookies... she prepares a small, but fairly simple collection of foods as quickly as she can and works to make the space as comfortable as possible. It feels like a lifetime ago she did this the first time. A lot has changed but some things really haven't. If anyone would like to help, she certainly wouldn't turn away the help.]

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Nope. Nope, nope.

[He pulls Minato close and ruffles his hair.]

If I am not allowed to turn this into the self-pity train, neither are you.

!?

[The sudden move is a pretty bad startle, honestly, but he doesn't fight it. He would argue, but.... Self-pity. That's selfishness, isn't it? So he closes his mouth an resigns himself to his fate.]

[He lets the other one go and sighs.]

I am trying to not think of what I am currently doing to her, so you should at least try to focus on the future and not what you did. I know you would never want any of us to come to harm. You did what you thought was right, even if it was wrong. It is okay.

I killed someone.

[Let alone nearly killing everyone. He's.....not sure he can go on, as he has been, after this. And he jusr - sighs. Resigned.]

What future?

... Well, you know my past. You know that's not exactly a deal-breaker for me. You made a mistake. A bad one, yes, but a mistake. I am not saying it will not affect you and you should not take responsibility for it, but that does not mean you throw your life away - or your friendships.

[You are a friend, Minato. ... More than that, but he doesn't quite have the words.]

[...There's.... It's a strange blend of gratitude and bitterness, in a small almost-chuckle. Not happy, for certain, but...friendship, that's something.]

Not....actually what I meant, this time. [He won't deny that line of thought, though.] Liberation of Night cut communication and thanked me for my sacrifice. Intended to kill all of us.

Not hard to guess what happens when they find out that failed. Might let the rest of you go, will try to bargain, but.... I'm a loose end, now.

Oh, well, you know that's not happening. I will kill all of them before they get to take you.

[With how casually he says that, it's... hard to tell if he's joking or not.]

[He stiffens. Swallows.]

Enough people have died because of me.

We will try to talk first. But I do not intend to let any of them hurt you.

[He reaches down and takes one of Minato's hands, holding it carefully.]

I have already done enough of that. Now let me protect you.

[He's still trembling....]

....Killed the real Gary-san.... Think it was some kind of venom. Worked in seconds....he barely had time to realize.

...

[The corners of his mouth twitch slightly. He's seen that sort of poison before.]

Again, I do not judge you. Others may, but I do not.

Had a....knitting needle, coated in it... Dark green.

[He's...struggled, not to think about it. But it isn't easy to wear the face of a man he replaced, after watching him murdered.]

What did you do with the needle?

[The needle?]

She... She kept it. Auntie.

Who is 'Auntie'?

Agent I had the most contact with.....she was nice. Kept fussing over me, trying to make sure I ate enough.

... Is she on the train?

[Headshake.] Only met her in person in Menahoven. Had contact through a mirror.

Ah. The mirror you had earlier.

... I am proud of you.

Yeah.....cracked when they....abandoned me, for lack of a better word.

[He's sure there is a word for it, when an organization sends someone on a suicide mission, but it's not coming to mind.]

.....You- You are? Why?

There were many times you could have revealed secrets, or you could have simply given up during the trial. But you waited for the right time.

... And it must have hurt, keeping secrets. You... are more of an honest person than I am, I think.

....They wanted me to....tell them, about everyone on the train. Did...spy. Why I followed into the Stations in the shadows. Didn't tell them, though, didn't feel right.

[Keeping secrets isn't in his nature, but isn't hard... Promises on the other hand, and trust. If someone entrusts a secret to him he will take it to his grave.]

Have to keep SEES business secret, so...not like it's new. Doing things unnoticed. Finding ways out while no one's looking. Not letting on that I'm up to....less than innocent tasks.

Some of my group are subtle. Some are... very much not.

You've carried a large burden. You can set it down now, or at least let us help.

Some of SEES is less subtle, but.... Mitsuru-senpai's family basically owns the city, can silence anything we need to.

Can't rest yet...have to keep going. Don't get to stop. [He will keep moving steadily forward, even though he knows he's headed for destruction, because what else can he do?]

I'm not saying stop entirely. But you have other people willing to help carry it. You need not be alone in this.

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