[open RL]

[aquaticrush]

*Retasu is still reeling. She hasn't been talking much since she saw everything. You can find her in the temple, heavily guarded just in case, sulking in her Felt dress and hugging herself.*

...um, hello.

(This is an open RL! Anyone who wants to come yell at Retasu or just talk to her is welcome. Threadhopping very encouraged.)

Comments

[aquaticrush]

I don't know what to do now.

[heavenlyhome]

Take one step at a time. Once the others are sure of you, home is first, I think.

[aquaticrush]

R-right. I don't want to impose upon Issei-san.

[heavenlyhome]

[That's not what she meant.] ...where would you be the most comfortable?

[aquaticrush]

What's wrong, Kasumi-san?

[heavenlyhome]

[It takes her a moment to respond.] I hoped you'd know. It is no burden on Issei-kun. You are his dear friend... even though you are being kept like this. He simply wishes to keep you safe.

[aquaticrush]

I know. Even though I don't deserve it.

[heavenlyhome]

[But you do, she wants to say, even though she knows the girl has trouble believing it. Kasumi settles for squeezing her hand gently.]

[aquaticrush]

...*She looks down and sniffles.* You're just trying to be nice, right?

[heavenlyhome]

[Kasumi intentionally meets Retasu's eyes.] I would that you were comfortable.

[aquaticrush]

*looks up, shaking* I... I was really afraid, Kasumi-san.

[heavenlyhome]

Of what you were doing? [she coaxes gently]

[aquaticrush]

I'm afraid of what I did to everyone else. I was afraid that everybody would hate me before and now that I know what I was doing. I was afraid that...

[heavenlyhome]

[Kasumi waits patiently for her to finish.]

[aquaticrush]

Th-that, um... I was afraid that I could never make it up to Issei-san, and so I tried to protect him but he wouldn't let me, a-and then Scratch-san said I could do this and help everyone I cared about.