[not again] catchall for akira

[fishingforcompliments]

Comments

[fishingforcompliments]

...truthfully, part of me wants to check Dimitri. If he has some kind of a role, and I would not have to keep secrets from him... that would be wonderful.

[she's so tired of secrets.]

But that is me being selfish, I suppose.

[survivaltricks]

[he shakes his head]

No. I think that's a good idea, too.

And even better if he turns out to be someone we can talk to.

[fishingforcompliments]

...then I shall try that, if I am given the chance to review someone next week.

[gods, she hopes it turns out well]

Have you thought about who you want to protect?

[survivaltricks]

[haha. well. about that]

Mm. I have.

It's you, actually.

[fishingforcompliments]

...me?

[she looks shocked - and then she shakes her head]

[survivaltricks]

Yes. You.

[there's no hesitation in his voice when he says that]

You were right. I should've shielded Sanji. I didn't because I thought he'd be safe-- because I thought. . .

[he trails off]

[and he shakes his head]

I don't want to make that same mistake again.

[fishingforcompliments]

That—

[...okay, she can understand that, but. she doesn't look all that happy about the idea of being protected, either.]

What reason do you have to believe that someone might try to harm me, though? Everyone... everyone here has been exceptionally kind to me.

[survivaltricks]

[after Sunday he might have a different answer to this question! but. . .]

I didn't think there was a reason for anyone to harm Sanji, either.

[annnnnd now]

[fishingforcompliments]

[okay, but to be fair, "fighting for his life" is a valid reason for yasusada to try to kill her]

Still... I do not know that I could live with it, if I was kept safe and someone else died.

[survivaltricks]

[I MEAN. TRUE. BUT WHAT ABOUT EVERYONE WHO LIKED YASUSADA???]

[. . .]

[and he understands that. he really does. he doesn't blame her for feeling that way, because he knows he would feel that way, too]

[and yet. . .]

. . . then maybe I'm just being a little selfish.

[fishingforcompliments]

...

If that is the choice you want to make, I... cannot take that choice from you. But... I do hope you will at least consider what I have said.

[...]

It is okay to be selfish, sometimes. If that brings you peace.

[survivaltricks]

. . .

I will.

[he always considered what Sanji had to say on the subject, after all. but listening to Sanji is the reason Sanji died, so. . . it's difficult]

If there's anyone else you think might be in grave danger next week, let me know by Monday. Otherwise--

I think I will protect you. Okay?

[fishingforcompliments]

...

[she nods once]

I— only hope that I will not be too late, if I do figure something out.

[survivaltricks]

[he flashes her a soft, grateul smile at that. teamwork!!]

[fishingforcompliments]

[TEAMWORK...

her smile in return doesn't quite reach her eyes but also her boyfriend is dead, so]

[survivaltricks]

[yeah that does tend to put a damper on things. IT'S TRUE]