Initiative.

[trustmods]

The Conductor - Solf J Kimblee - is dead. You've won. You have three new keys, a philosopher's stone, and twenty-three mysterious potions at your disposal. You've had enough of people leading you around, haven't you? So now it's your turn to take initiative. What will you do now?

Comments

[crimsonchin]

What was that thing you would always say? Nankurunaisa? That's Okinawan, right? "Everything will be fine"?

[ Hope you don't mind Monster-chan giving you a pat on the back. ]

Looks like you were right.

[nankurunaisa]

Mm, that's mostly what it means. But it's not about sittin' around and waitin' for everything to be fine, it's about movin' forward knowin' you can make a difference.

[Is that true? Well. Maybe. Hibiki believes it. And no, she doesn't mind a pat on the back. Really, Asuka is much less of a monster after what Dio and Rick did, but even more than that...she matured, right?]

So, what're you gonna think about next, Asuka?

[crimsonchin]

You're the only one who can make a difference for yourself. That's something I've always believed.

[ She's not the only one. ]

But I did a bit of soul-searching, after we killed that bastard shadow. And I think that...it's too late for me to really turn back now, now that I've started...letting people in. I used to think that being alone was strength. That being with other people was only going to hurt me.

...But being alone...that hurt, too, as much as I hate to admit it. I feel like I've sort of tasted forbidden fruit. I can't go back to the way I was before if I wanted to. And as complicated as people are, as bad as I am at talking to people and making friends...

Well, maybe it is worth it, to at least try. As someone I know back home would say, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," right?

[nankurunaisa]

It looks like I'm not the only one who learned somethin', huh?

[You matured, Asuka. Hibiki's a bit cheeky sometimes. The World is All One. ...That's probably a song she won't be singing live anymore unless they can cover her scar, but the title is still inspirational.]]

Y'know, I'm really hopin' everything works out for ya. I never really thought I'd say that for, um, obvious reasons...but seein' you on the other side really changed my mind about a lot of things. I kinda thought before I died that you'd all be arguin' or not workin' together...but maybe I can learn to try and see things how other people see 'em now.

...You...you probably felt really trapped, huh? I think...I really think that it was wrong of me to blame everthin' on you, but...you're not allowed to do that ever, ever again, okay?

[...]

You can take my word with you when you go, okay? I'm givin' ya special permission.

[crimsonchin]

[ She tips her hat again, just a bit. ]

You can thank Ashley for that. She's the one who brought all of us together. ...I just did the dirty work, helping kill the shadow.

...I did. Trapped is...the best way to describe it. And I thought all relationships were like that. Just a trick that always ends in you getting yourself hurt. ...I'm starting to come around, though. It's not gonna be an easy road, but...I'm going to try and take it one day at a time, just as I always have.

...That said, I don't blame you for hating me. What I did...it really was monstrous. I always knew that. But I'm not quite the cold-blooded remorseless backstabber everyone wanted to see me as that day. And, honestly, I don't know if that makes it better or worse, but...

I'll carry my weight. And I'll do what I have to do.

[nankurunaisa]

Ashley's really great...I honestly thought I could bring people together just by believin' we'd all knock it off and stop hurtin' each other. But it wasn't that we couldn't, it was just never that simple.

[The things one can figure out when they're dead...]

W-well...I don't wanna talk about that anymore. Even if you and I aren't friends, we have a bond now, right? So for better or worse, I'm gonna keep rootin' for ya. I'm never gonna be able to understand ya, but...but I think I understand enough now to know I was thinkin' too simply.

But before we go we can talk about what kinda pet will be good for you. That'll help ya get used to bein' in relationships! I think you're gonna be just fine, but a little furry help never hurt anyone.

[She's actually trying to help, okay.]

[crimsonchin]

Right. Things aren't always black and white. Personally, understanding others was always a challenge for me, as well...But I wish you the best, as well.

[ And she means that. She really, really does. ]

...

I was always fond of the idea of having a cat. I thought it was a pretty good arrangement. They're self-sufficient. Not needy, or clingy, or co-dependent. ...But if I feed it and groom it and take care of it and love it, it'll love me back.

And that's all there is to it. ...Much, much easier than a person.

[nankurunaisa]

That means a lot to me. Um, I've never really said this before...and geez, I just said I wasn't gonna talk about it...but whether it was true or not, I'm sorry I called ya that. It sounds like Kimberly had a real obsession with that trial and who sided with me and who didn't...It feels like forever ago.

[Rubbing the back of her neck again. Right, right. Moving on.]

I think a cat fits you perfectly! I bet Susan and Ashley would agree, too, we could give ya all kinds of cat tips before you leave if you want. I mean, we've still got a bit of time so it doesn't have to be right now. It sounds like everyone is gonna need to talk to everyone else almost.

[crimsonchin]

It's fine. Like I said, I thought of myself that way, too, so I don't blame you. ...I appreciate you apologizing, though, all the same.

[ She says with a nod... ]

I would get one, but I'd have no way to take care of one back in my world. I wouldn't have the time to take care of it, and I wouldn't have anything to feed it...

[nankurunaisa]

[They aren't really a good match for hugging...so Hibiki thinks extending a hand will be alright.]

Well, cats eat all sorts of things, so I think you'll be fine! You and your cat are gonna get along great~!

[crimsonchin]

The Major probably wouldn't be happy with me if I brought home a cat from some foreign world, but...

[ Fuck what Misato said, basically. She grabs Hibiki's hand and gives it a good, firm shake. ]

...Do you have any suggestions for a name?