Chasma: Allen

[aono]

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[lefthandpath]

[he's quiet for another moment because it does actually bother him but also last week.]

Then, you know which team has the higher numbers dead? And I'm... getting more scared, being on that team. That people might hold more stock in that than I have been...?

I only know for sure one other, and I won't say who, but... I'm really scared.

[aono]

[Oh. Oh, Allen...

Rin's face gets a look absolute sadness on it before he tugs Allen into another tight hug.]

Nothing's gonna happen to you, Allen. I'll keep you safe, you hear?

I don't think people are killing for the team nonsense, and that it's actually just bad luck that it's been more Temporals that have died so far. But logic doesn't help much with being scared, I know. So just let me handle it, ok?

[lefthandpath]

Don't... say "nothing will happen". Because... the fact is, nothing has happened so far, and really... my luck has never been this good before, so it's really unsettling.

I don't want you getting hurt if I'm dragged off to one of those "adventures" or something--not for that part, at least.

[aono]

[Okay, point taken. Time to rephrase.]

Maybe a better way to put it is "nobody's going to vote you out at any trial because I'll intervene if they try, and I'm already thinking of ways to protect you at night too." Because I'm serious about those two things.

And if you go on an adventure, then it'll be okay. The feather I just got this last Friday is for healing, so I'll heal you.

[lefthandpath]

[someone saying they are thinking of ways to protect him--d-doki???

he's finally lifting his hands to he can put them on Rin's shoulders, as if to keep him from getting too far ahead with putting things on himself.]

I'm... getting tasks so I can get my Innocence back. I've already done the first task for it, and Yomiel's given me a second task to level it up somewhat. It's not like I can't fight, and I have a few feathers that are... good for sneaking around, actually.

[aono]

[Rin, internally: "I can't ask Yomiel to help me protect Allen, I think I killed their boyfriend."

He does not say that, but he is definitely thinking that.]

That's your hand, right? So you'll be able to punch people really hard? That'll help, yeah. Though sneaking around might be the best option.

Or like...what if we talk to the Watchers about getting you an item that'll wake me up if you use it? That way if you find yourself awake one night you can get some extra help.

[lefthandpath]

["punch people really hard"... understatement.]

Only if you promise to get one for yourself with the opposite function.

And it's not just punching people--my left hand is the one that can destroy, so it's actually quite... sharp.

[aono]

Maybe one item that links us, so that if one of us stays awake the other does too.

[That seems like the easiest way to do it honestly.

Then, as cheeky as ever, Rin smiles.]

So what I'm hearing is that I should hold your right hand from now on, huh?

[lefthandpath]

That might be an idea.

[and okay, he can't help smiling back.]

I can only use it twice a week for ten minutes right now, so you're probably safe for now.

[aono]

Hey, we match then! That's how much I can use my fire.

...I still have two uses left this week, if you want to see it.

[lefthandpath]

Maybe after tomorrow. Just in case?

[who knows if something insane might happen.]

I do want to see it.

[aono]

Alright. After tomorrow then.

[But tomorrow is tomorrow and for tonight Rin is going to focus on making Allen feel safe. The problems that face them later are for after the sun rises.]

...oh! But there is something I can show you now. I was gonna tell everyone at the meeting this week, but then we didn't have a meeting at all.

[He'll pull away from Allen to go to a drawer nearby and pull out...a cutting from a tree? It looks petrified but also completely preserved, even with leaves on it.]

[lefthandpath]

[considering the stories that they were told... Allen gives a small frown? curious but also...]

Is that...?

[aono]

It's something important, I know that much.

The place we went to, it had a garden. Or...the angel there, Uriel, he called it a garden. All that was left was Uriel, a giant snake, and a tree. I think...I think it was the Garden of Eden, actually, and that tree must have been the tree of Knowledge.

He gave us this clipping before he was killed and told us to take care of it. Lawyer guy was holding onto it, but...well, you know. So I have it now. Alisaie and Akira know about it too, but we haven't told everyone else yet. We were kinda waiting for a meeting to come up to mention it. I think this is gonna end up being a key piece to everything.

There was a note with it too. It said "The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs. Nor will people say, 'Look, here it is,' or 'There it is.' For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst."

[lefthandpath]

So it was Uriel... Xie Lian told me some about what you told him? Mostly because he was asking about the story behind Eden.

[oh no, he'd gotten it wrong??]

Who killed Uriel, then? And why would Uriel be with the snake...?

[aono]

It was another angel on a chariot. The uh...Lord Regent? I think that's what Uriel called them.

And I dunno what was up with the snake, but I don't think they were buddy-buddy. It was more like they kept each other in check? The snake wouldn't attack because Uriel was there. When Uriel was killed, the snake attacked us.

I feel like each group is seeing something related to all of this. At the next meeting we should put our stories together and see what we get.

[lefthandpath]

[Uriel and Lucifer...???? Michael on a chariot???

he's so confused.]

That would... probably be best. I don't have anything that could help with that, but...

[aono]

But that's okay! You've seen what people look like when they come back from those 'adventures'. The scars from those last way longer than you thinks.

[Rin, still carrying the emotional baggage from his own CYOA.]

[lefthandpath]

... I think I'm well used to how scars are like.

[he's riddled with them.]

As long as people survive them, though... that's what matters. You can always keep going, even when the wounds were deep.

[aono]

I'm gonna be selfish now and say I don't want to see you get hurt. Your smiles are better when they're not filled with pain.

[lefthandpath]

[i can't believe you would assault Allen Walker like this. he flustered]

That--I'm a fighter, you know! I haven't done much but I can manage!

[aono]

You have a hole in your chest, Allen.

[lefthandpath]

I do not.

... my Innocence healed that hole in my heart, I'm fine.

[the fact that he once had a literal hole tho]

[aono]

But you had one there in the first place! Allen!

[He's going to set the tree cutting down long enough to grab Allen's shoulders. He's not shaking him yet but he really wants to.]

[lefthandpath]

[he holds up his hands reflexively, as if he's used to being shook at this point.]

That's what happens in a war! Your enemy tries to kill you but you live--actually, that's just how life is like, in general, in my experience. But I won't die so easily, and I'll be fine as long as I live. Even if it means I carry the scars.