15strangers | sorry for your loss

[He's silent as he comes in, and though he's tempted to ask if Karma wants bandages for his hand when he sees it, he holds back for now, in place of just getting a little closer, and thinking of what he needs to say.]

I...I won't say it's okay. It's not in the slightest. When we don't know if we can fix it like some of the other incidents, and after...what we saw back there.

But...I don't think we can give in yet. We have to keep going, even if it hurts. We need to keep going for them.

[He's trying to be soothing, his tone's still on the sadder side, but...he's trying his best, and hopefully it'll be enough.]

[ At the mention of what they'd seen back there, King may notice that very noticeable flinch and how he almost seemed to go a bit pale again. Lasting only briefly before he wrenched his eyes shut, shaking his head as he grit his teeth for just a moment. He doesn't want to remember that, and yet he could never forget it.

The image of Kurama being skewered by that thing that vaguely resembled Lala or the sound of his cry before the darkness overtook everything. ]

I... promised Kurama I'd do it. To keep going, win... and give them hell. Make it through this. [ A laugh ripped itself from him, bitter and painfully sad. ] Easier said than done. Continuing on is hard... I know neither of them would want me to give up, but it's... it's so damn painful.

[ Maybe he is breaking down just a little, shoulders trembling slightly as he tried to keep himself in one piece. It's no better than someone trying to hold together something comprised of fragile, broken pieces, however. ]

I'm not used to this. I hate this... I...

[ He can't even finish that sentence, voice trailing off. ]

No one should be used to this.

[That response is swift and immediate. It’s the truth, after all.]

No one should have to be used to death like that. No one should have to be used to figuring out murders. No one should have to execute their friends so that an innocent doesn’t die. No one should have to be used to this.

And yeah, it’s hard. About one of the hardest things we could go through. But...that’s why I’m here.

I know I’m still more or less a stranger, compared to either of them, but it’s easier to get through this with someone else. Have a shoulder to cry on or keep you company during the worst times.

No one said you couldn’t cry.

[He means that whole-heartedly. He’s been through that before, trying to keep it to yourself-and he doesn’t want him to go through that.]

[ Initially it didn't even seem as if he'd been listening, but in reality he'd taken in every single thing, each word and statement crumbling that resolve and willingness to stand strong on his own. What would normally take much more effort, was broken through easier than he'd ever expected and it was as if those walls of his had been reduced to shards of glass.

He'd tried to speak but at first no words had come out, so that had Karma sitting up and it was at this point that King would be able to tell what was quite obvious right now. That tears were falling down his cheeks and for the first time, truly showed his age and the pain he was feeling.

No smiles. No putting up a front. Just pure vulnerability. ]

I... I'm not... the type to... cry in front of other... people... I...

[ His voice was choked up and he could hardly get the words out. It's clear he's afraid as well, and he's trying to handle it the best he can. ]

I... What if you die on me... just like they did?

[He feels terrible about bringing Karma to this state. Getting him to cry. But sometimes...it really is needed. Sometimes the only way to help someone is to help them get their emotions out. And if the way to do that is by getting him to cry, that's the way he'll have to go.

That doesn't mean he's not running up to Karma and pulling him into a hug. It may feel awkward, but he'd rather feel awkward for a second than feel like a terrible person. The kid needs comfort, and right now? He's the one that's got to give it.]

I...still won't lie. That's possible. Someone might see me as an easy target, and suddenly I'm just...gone.

But-you can't just shut yourself out because of the 'what if's! You can't just close yourself off from everyone because of what might happen! That's not living-that's just surviving!

You shouldn't...just want to survive through this. You should try to live through this. It's hard as hell and going to be painful, but...the other option is just going to be worse in the end. I promise that it will be.

[ While it may have seemed a bit awkward at first, it's the actual contact of that hug that seems to really cement things into place and that this was really happening. Perhaps that was why he slowly shifted enough so he could hug him back, shoulders trembling and breath hitching as the tears continued to fall.

There was so much to process and deal with, and getting all this out now was liable to help in the long run instead of letting him bottle it up and pretend he was fine.

He was more or less quiet as he did listen, though, eyes closed as he tried to sort things out in his head. Trying not to let the pain suffocate him while letting the rational part of his mind consider what had been said to him. So much made sense that it was completely hard to ignore it by any means, a soft sigh breathing out as his tears seemed to slow just a little. ]

It... sounds so easy, when you put it that way.

[ God. Karma knew his voice sounded a bit hoarse now, but it seemed just a little tiny bit more put together. Not by much, but it was a small improvement, right? ]

Guess taking the easy way through this isn't an option anymore. Me trying... to close myself off from you all... would probably be what IT wants, yeah?

[He's grateful to hear him speak and not sob. Even if it's coarse and rough, just hearing it come out without any tears gets a smile back on his face, even if its small. Baby steps exist for a reason, after all.

He has to rub at his eyes before any tears fall himself. He felt close to crying as well over the situation, and what he was thinking, what he was saying. He's not sure he wants to confront some of those thoughts again any time soon...]

Considering what IT put in our heads at the start of this thing? Maybe a little bit, yeah. Can't say I blame you too much for trying it at first, though.

[He's not sure if he would've been much different if it were Caleb instead.]

[ The tears had thankfully already begun to slow enough that he could speak without his breath hitching into sobs, but weren't completely gone. Not yet. It was a step towards recovery, trying to get past this and build himself up stronger, piece by piece.

Even now, parted from the hug from before, maybe he doesn't look nearly as listless or even as sad as he had been, for what it was worth. ]

That... just seemed easier. Better than letting myself get close to other people again out of fear I'll just be hurt again, but... what you said was right. I'd rather live through this and make them pay for what they've done to the people I care about, instead of just... surviving it.

[ A soft, slightly ragged laugh sounded and Karma raised a hand to wipe away the tears, trying to attempt to slowly put himself a bit more together somewhat. ]

[He lets out a small, short laugh, the kind where one can feel that the speaker relates to something more than he might've let on before.]

I can’t fully blame you for that, either. I wasn’t sure I wanted to risk getting close to anyone here, either. I was afraid of what might happen if I got close to anyone here and they died.

But if I did that here, or if I’d done that on the train...I don’t think I would be here now. It probably would’ve been me executed instead of Beatrice, or Eliza. I might not’ve even made it that far; I might’ve gotten killed by The Conductor for trying to kill her.

[He lets out another laugh, though more awkward this time.]

I guess what I’m try to say with that is...friends can also help you keep a level head, when you need it.

[He might’ve gotten a bit too personal with that, but...sometimes, these things need to be shared.]

[ Stilling as he finished wiping away any visible tears, Karma stopped to listen with a quiet, thoughtful look for a moment. Looking back up to King with a small, genuine smile that looked, for all intent and purposes to be rather heartfelt and understanding as well.

He didn't mind it when people decided to be honest and share things with him, and in a moment like this where he was emotionally vulnerable? It did kind of help when it happened; unintended or not. ]

Yeah. They can. That's... part of what made Akira and Kurama so important to me. They were my friends and I wouldn't be who I am today without them. For... all I know, I could have killed someone in my original game if I hadn't either of them to ground me, so I get it.

[ His voice hitched only once or twice as he spoke, the sadness flickering across his face briefly, but not enough to extinguish his smile. ]

So I guess I can consider you one of them, then. Someone who helped me get a level head back when I almost lost it completely and needed it most.

[ Yeah that sure was his way of saying you're someone he considers a friend, King. ]

[The genuine smile comes back to his face as he nods.]

Yeah, you can. And I’m glad I could help.

Do you...think you’re doing alright now?

[He seems like he is, but always good to check and see if people need more comforting.]

[ He nodded without much of a second thought, his body language a lot more relaxed and at ease than it had been when King had first come to check on him. ]

Yeah. I'm doing a lot better now. Still have to sort a couple things out in my head but I'll be okay.

[ Mostly just sorting out some thoughts and figuring out what to do, mainly. Though he did pause and look at the palm of his hand, blinking a couple times out of slight surprise. ]

Huh. Didn't know that happened.

Good. Come to get me if you think you need to, okay? I'm always willing to help.

[He looks at Karma's hand and...right, that.]

Like with that. Do you want me to get some bandages? I still got the ones from the vending machine.

I will, don't worry. [ Something occurred to him and a soft laugh sounded before he could stop himself. ] You know, if I grew up having a dad as caring as you, maybe I would have turned out a bit more well-adjusted.

[ Normal, too. Though he leaves that out. Oh well. He likes the way he is now, but that compliment's been said so he'll leave it at that. ]

Yeah. That'd be great. It's better than risking having them bleed everywhere.

[He gets off the bed and starts walking to the door at that, though his movements are a bit slow, like he's ready to go back to Karma if he needs him to.]

Okay, I'll go grab it from my house, but if you think you need to, you might want to grab some toilet paper to stop the bleeding a little bit.

[Don't need blood going everywhere, after all.

And he smiles a bit, though it's smaller and a bit more sad.]

Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you.

[It really does, as far as he's concerned. But the sad smile quickly goes to a genuine one, though also a little scheming.]

Do you wanna teach him a lesson when we get out of here? Or is he just not the best in the parenting department?

[ Even now with just those actions alone, it's almost like King might think he'd need him back again in the next couple moments. Truly something that resembled the action of a parent caring for their child, and instead of annoying him? It actually had him chuckling a bit. ]

Don't worry. If I feel like it's bleeding too much in the meantime, i'll go make sure it's taken care of.

[ At least it seemed as if they were on the same wavelength for what it was worth, coming to an understanding with the meaning behind what he'd said. Infact, the smile he wore was even genuine now to match as well. ]

You're welcome. It's not something i've said to anyone before, either. So take that as you will.

[ Karma waved one hand dismissively, being careful of the one that was bleeding a bit more than the other. ]

Eh, it's pretty much the last one. My dad travels around a lot, and isn't usually home much so he kinda slacked in the parenting department a bit. Same with my mom.

What a shame. It could've been interesting, planning revenge on a dead-beat parent.

[Just a little bi of sarcasm, because hey, the idea is a bit fun to think about, even if he's not taking it too seriously.

And a healthy bit of sass never hurt anyone either, usually.]

I was thinking I would take it as a complement, if you didn't mind. Not sure how else I'd take it.

Alright, I'll be right back with the bandages then.

[And he goes out the door, heading to his own house. Karma shouldn't be alone for too long before he comes back.]

Oh really? I mean, I wouldn't say no if you wanted to plan some kind of prank on him or something. I'd be game for that.

[ This is how much he appreciates that sarcasm. Unafraid to make suggestions like that regarding his own family members. ]

Good. Just figured I should toss that out there all the same.

[ He nodded, closing his eyes for a moment as he got up and stretched a little. All while being mindful of his hands. Honestly he didn't think he'd really messed up his hands that bad, but there had been a lot of emotions involved and it'd been too easy to dig his nails that deeply into his palms.

Either way by the time King comes back, he's sitting more upright on the couch while trying to keep his palms upturned as to not get any blood on anything here. ]

[He comes back quick enough. Maybe it’s because of he’s used to having to be quick, short legs and all, maybe it’s for some other reason. Doesn’t really matter much.

He’ll walk over and wait for Karma to offer his hands, or ask for the other way around. He’ll also talk on the way there.]

Do have one idea for a prank. If there’s something little that’s a constant in your life, maybe change something and make it the opposite, like dying your hair green and saying it’s always been that way. Something little, but big enough that they’d notice and it’d mess with their heads.

[He may be stealing an idea from The Office a little bit, but in his defense, it’s a good prank.]

sorry for your loss

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