[week 7] arumat
[So. That weekend sure was a thing.
Taking stock: Two good men were dead, one of them an older brother cut down in front of his sibling's eyes. After an extended trial where he'd helped contribute to getting an innocent man executed, the true killer (who he'd believed in even after telling himself not to believe anymore) turned out to be some alien parasite who seriously hurt a bunch of other people including a good friend by turning its body into stabby things(!) and then things got weird, what with the axing and the turning into demons and the Rhys thing and the AI getting angry--
Now, compartmentalizing is great, definitely recommend, but something like this is too big for Todomatsu to handle on his own. Not after the stress of the days and weeks before; not in this room, too cold and lonely and wrong even before the scratching started behind the walls.
And so it comes to pass that Todomatsu finds himself knocking on Arumat's door at some obscene hour, since-- Most importantly, since he's pretty sure Arumat will be awake to answer. He hopes. His rapping is quick, nervous; his voice a hiss that who knows if it even makes it though the door.]
H-hey! Are you there?
Taking stock: Two good men were dead, one of them an older brother cut down in front of his sibling's eyes. After an extended trial where he'd helped contribute to getting an innocent man executed, the true killer (who he'd believed in even after telling himself not to believe anymore) turned out to be some alien parasite who seriously hurt a bunch of other people including a good friend by turning its body into stabby things(!) and then things got weird, what with the axing and the turning into demons and the Rhys thing and the AI getting angry--
Now, compartmentalizing is great, definitely recommend, but something like this is too big for Todomatsu to handle on his own. Not after the stress of the days and weeks before; not in this room, too cold and lonely and wrong even before the scratching started behind the walls.
And so it comes to pass that Todomatsu finds himself knocking on Arumat's door at some obscene hour, since-- Most importantly, since he's pretty sure Arumat will be awake to answer. He hopes. His rapping is quick, nervous; his voice a hiss that who knows if it even makes it though the door.]
H-hey! Are you there?
1/2
Maybe you shouldn't have visited Arumat.
Arumat's in the least stable state of mind ever since he's arrived, and especially once he's gotten a chance to be by himself, he's tossed objects around in his room -- furniture that could be picked up, that is. The pale-haired male hadn't realized how much Frankenstein meant to him until that guy got judged-killed unfairly. So, yeah, there's that as well.
He planned to drink some wine with him (there was a bottle on a desk in his room) hadn't realized he never sorted out his fee--
There's a knock. And it opens.
Arumat's hair is undone from the small ponytail that usually hangs down his left shoulder and he's still wearing the uniform given to him by the ship which he had put on when he approached Clover during that trial. His golden eyes are bright and alight with rage. He's so livid and distraught he doesn't recognize the voice, nor the person standing in front of him. }
You. What the hell do you want?!
2/2
{ After that he pauses and realizes it wasn't someone who voted for Frankenstein, so he just steps back, lips curled downwards. }
...
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[Todomatsu immediately shrinks back; he's never been great with yelling, even when it's not a surprise greeting. But-- Well, maybe he's not the only one who doesn't necessarily need to be alone with their thoughts tonight.]
...I brought tea. So I'm coming in, unless you wanna come over.
[his tone is decisive, as if those are the only two choices out there, and he comes forward to position himself inside the doorway just in case, clutching onto the little thermos of tea like a lifeline.]
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For once, Arumat may be feeling a cross between awkward and extremely frustrated, so it's weird. But, Todomatsu's close enough that he begins to try to pick things up immediately and re-arrange them neatly ... if only because it seems he's allowed Todomatsu to come over. And, well.
No matter what state he's in, he doesn't want his room to be a mess when someone's in here. }
...
{ He beckons Todomatsu in with a hand gesture-- it seems he doesn't feel safe enough saying anything yet that wasn't angry or.. something he wouldn't want to say. So, here's the awkward silence as Arumat moves to sit on his bed, with his hands placed unfolded in his lap. }
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["don't worry about it" being the sentiment, as well as "if you're not gonna talk, I will." not that he thinks the chatter is welcome, but it has to be better than this particular silence, right?
once there's a space cleared on the desk or other flat surface, he'll pour out a mug and nudge Arumat's hands with it.]
It's chamomile, since it's late, and since there's been enough to be jumpy about. I can't guarantee how fresh the leaves are, but it's hot at least. --You don't take sugar, do you? I didn't bring any.
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He's aware Todomatsu may be reassuring him in those first two sentences, so he is grateful for that, even if he cannot express it properly.
When he truly grieves on his own, he shuts down, and conversation becomes difficult for him. It's been awhile since he's been like this.
His hands, noticeably scarred and ungloved for once carefully, yet hesitantly wrap around it. He did have a preference for tea over coffee, but at Todomatsu's inquiry, he'll nod. Then, soon enough, he'll manage something. }
...Why?
{ 'Why didn't you leave', 'Why did you come', and why in general... why is he trying? He feels as if it were wasted on him, like this. Even if he appreciates his company. }
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'Cause today was shitty.
[which, he hopes, should answer any possible iteration of the question, and is also undeniably true.
another pause.]
...Did you want to talk? Or not talk? I don't mind.
[since honestly he's surprised he hasn't been kicked out yet...]
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Anyway the reason he hasn't been kicked out is because the person he was planning on confiding in is dead and he needs someone here that he trusts. }
...
{ He'll look at Todomatsu at his inquiries. He doesn't know where to start. Does he want to talk? The emotions from earlier seem to fade from his eyes to a gaze more blank, but he has a questioning gaze. }
About what?
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[he deflates from the silly self-jibe, raking a hand through his hair]
Look. I know I'm not-- I'm not trying to-- I know it's probably hard to believe, but I don't want to push. So if there's something you wanna say, I'll listen. If you just wanna hang out silently, that's fine. I just-- I mean, that's all.
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...Your assessment on our current situation? Report.
{ Is it hopeless? Can they truly expect to defeat their enemy? Other thoughts?
The true inquiry behind his seemingly straightforward question. }
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[he gives a gallows grin, arms folded tightly across his chest]
I mean, what are we supposed to do? The fickle whims of the people here, I knew that was a threat from the beginning. Thought they might act a little more logically by now, but what do I know, I've been played as easily as anyone. Then there's the vent monster, or monsters, who knows how many of them there are since nobody knows how to sense them, including, apparently, our incredibly inept robot overlord, which is enough of a shitshow in itself...
My assessment? Whether it's to stupid people falling victim to this stupid excuse for a game, or to the AI turning off control to our fucking bodies, or to the alien parasites who are possibly inside us right now just waiting to bust out in a spray of grossness, we're all gonna die here without even having the chance--
[he breaks off for a breath that's more ragged than he expects, and tries to force his voice back down the octave.]
--God! Sorry, that got-- You weren't looking for some feel-good hopeful friendship speech, were you? I could try again.
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{ He's assessing Todomatsu's answer. }
If they were able to act more logically, Frankenstein would still be alive then them deciding to throw him to be judged without a single thought. Instead some people are idiots who give into their emotions rather than wishing to look at evidence.
{ He's about to say, Of course it's a lost cause, it doesn't matter anymore. but the words refuse to come out of his mouth. }
Yet, surprisingly I don't think we're all going to die. A few of us will live. Likely Dorian will live since he seems to have so much power at his disposal for one. It's not entirely hopeless.
If you stick around that damned mage, he should be able to help you survive more than I ever could. As for my own fate, it doesn't matter, I'll be dead soon enough.
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[he needs to shut up, he knows it, but all he can think is that Arumat's statements are Wrong and More Wrong, with that rising feeling that some more shoes are about to drop way before he is ready to catch them.]
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Must be the stress of losing someone he cares about too much every week and then seeing a scenario that reminded him of someone close to him dying and of how much he failed in being able to save his comrades as well as most of his people.
And he hasn't slept for a week. Remember when they talked in the archives and Arumat said he was going to sleep. It didn't happen. }
An intervention for what?
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...You can't commit suicide, okay? Not just because it probably won't work. But because you're important, okay? So no dying allowed.
[he says, not five minutes after declaring they're all gonna get canned in space, because obviously scolding is how these things are sorted. in fact, even totty is aware enough to know that's not how it works but he's kinda running on autopilot for now]
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... Not to mention, he was a Death Seeker. He wanted to take out the creatures that destroyed his comrades in battle or go out in battle gloriously... and had no intention of surviving it either. }
...
{ Yet, what Todomatsu said just now... yeah, just give him a moment. }
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[Todomatsu stares up at Arumat until he's too self-conscious to continue, so only a few seconds before he switches back to scowling at his hands. Stupid.]
It's not that surprising by now, is it?
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{ He'll just say that right now, golden irises watching him with a semblance of curiosity, among other things.
He's unsure how to answer Todomatsu's question himself, but. He never figured as much, apparently. }
... It is surprising-- but maybe you're the only one who thinks so.
{ That's not true, but Arumat's not in the right state of mind to be making the right judgment calls at the moment. }
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[he almost goes as if he's about to work up to something, but instead he cuts himself off, shaking his head and waving his hands no. they are both waaay too tired for this conversation.]
Look, I'm not arguing this with you right now. You're wrong, and I'm right, just accept it. Now, lie down and shut up.
[and he even dares attempt to lightly(?) push Arumat over to the bed, what a jerk]
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He'll look at Todomatsu. }
... You're an unusual stubborn idiot.
{ ... }
You can stay the night if you want.
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[he feels something in his gut unclench a little, a tiny, hesitant smile tugging at his lips. There were still so many points he wanted to argue, but he knows that anything further after this hell of a day--week--whatever--is just going to end in tears. Probably his, in fact, just being invited to stay was almost enough for his eyes to sting; Totty'd been planning on somehow sticking around anyway, but it was different when it wasn't his idea.
...So, are you sending me up to be first vent defense or are you going to scoot over?
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Don't be a smart-ass...
{ The Eldarian will grumble before shifting over and indeed 'scooting over' for Todomatsu.
There's a beat, before he says something-- }
Didn't expect you to stay over, after all of that.
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[Too soon?? Probably, but hell yeah he's taking that spot, oddly enough, 22 years of sharing a futon makes it awful hard to sleep alone, even without the whole looming spectre of murder thing. It feels...safe. Considering.]
You're the one who forgot to kick me out. 1-2-3 no takebacks, by the way. But it's not a big deal, so don't worry about it. Honestly, I...
[he trails off, silently pondering how to continue...until he breaks into a big yawn]
...Just pretend I said something reassuring and heartfelt. I'm too tired to come up with anything good right now.
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{ Todomatsu's right -- even if some people may have thought what Todomatsu said may have been too soon, Arumat doesn't think so considering how dire their circumstances were. }
Whatever. I prefer honesty and frankness as opposed to something that involves attempting to sweeten blows or the like.
{ He'll grunt, sounding irritable rather than ... well, calm. Typical temperament for him, and considering what happened, its still difficult for him to settle down. He closes his eyes. }
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[which is actually true, he realizes. ...huh.]
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{ Congrats, his voice sounds a little softer now. }
Makes it harder to deal with.
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I don't have time for that crap.
{ He literally doesn't. }
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[and some people like being stuck in a rut and avoiding the truth. at least, he's pretty sure he liked it... he sighs, it's not like it matters anymore.]
It's hard to outrun reality forever, though.
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{ Arumat already knows the truth -- or thinks he does -- that in the end he'll continue to lose everything. He's already dead inside, its only a matter of time before he is on the outside as well. }
Outrunning reality screws you over in the end either way.
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In that case, why not enjoy what you've got while you've got it? The moment you're dragged back to Hell's gonna be just as bad whether you wait or not. If everything's awful all the time, then what's the point?
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{ For once, there's almost a laugh -- but it doesn't come out as unsettling or anything. It just is.
He doesn't seem to know what to think of Todomatsu's words. Enjoying what he has left...
Maybe its because no one has ever said that to him. He's felt too much guilt and too angry with himself among other things that he hadn't even considered the idea himself.
He doesn't know if Todomatsu has presented forth a valid prospect or not -- he's...flummoxed, he realizes. And it's strange. }
... And you think there's merit to that. Even if what you enjoy can be taken from you in a heartbeat.
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[Totty pauses, realizing more words are going to be necessary but trying to work out what they are... He can't imagine not trying for more and better, despite knowing the way these things always end. And while he's fairly certain that the stakes for Arumat are a helluva lot higher than having his pachinko winnings stolen or his chances at going to a mixer ruined, you've gotta go for what's yours, right?]
I mean... Just because something's gonna get taken away doesn't make you enjoy the time you've got it any less. [ugh so corny, say something else] --And there's always someone--or someones--who're out to drag you down and screw you over. But...you're better than them, so you deserve more than to settle for what they want.
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{ Yet, maybe he finds something to Todomatsu's words because he hasn't completely shut him or them out. Listening is a thing he actually does, despite how reckless and brash he can be. }
Of course. I'd never get into whatever they want -- despair and ...
{ Arumat's words trail off, in a startled realization what he was going to say. 'Despair and death' -- even if the latter had been something he was seeking for himself in battle, its what their enemy wanted, right? His lips curled into a frown and he just grunts, trying to see if he could pull the cover more over his head. But then he realizes there's someone right next to him so he just immediately stops right after.
But then: }
If you're telling me this, then you must realize you can't settle for what they want either.
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[he has no idea who they are or what they've done, but maybe they shouldn't have been so wrong.]
...So?
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{ What they did-- what those things did to him. }
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[it's a knee-jerk deflection, he suddenly realizes, automatic bullshit to lighten the mood, to disengage when things start getting serious, and he cuts himself off with a sudden flush. Maybe that's why-- Either way, this isn't the time?]
But, um, kinda. If you want to talk about it.
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{ Arumat had been already hesitant enough to speak about it, and the attempt at deflection that was habitual for Todomatsu makes him even moreso. That and the 'if' portion of the other male's words. So he chooses to fall silent instead, as if he weren't cognizant of his surroundings in the slightest. }
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...Sorry. I'm not really used to this. Talking. About stuff that matters. So it's not that I don't... It--it's just surprisingly hard!
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It's fine.
{ His tone's lighter and his voice almost dead quiet. }
It's not something I'd want to burden anyone with anyway. Our circumstances are bad enough.
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That's dumb. Don't act like you're a burden, you're not.
...If you don't wanna talk to an asshole like me, that's fine. Backing down isn't. And don't--don't feel guilty about it! There's been like twenty murders here, what the hell's a "burden"?
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I'm not backing down.
{ But he was. Arumat has been there, where he was devoid of all hope, and decided that he'd be doing everyone a favor and just die off. }
When I was 17, I was still Captain of the 13th Independent Armored Division from Eldar. Eldar's the name of the planet I hailed from and it was a planet that hung close next to a large, red gas giant that was set to go off in about two hundred years or so. Around the time I commanded my forces at this age, I found that soon my allies were wiped out easily by a menace called the "Phantoms". These creatures were mysterious beings from space that had the ability to copy ships and people and return the strength of them tenfold.
We had no chance, but somehow I wound up surviving that encounter. Following that, I worked hard to be able to eventually counter the threat that destroyed my unit. However, my efforts were for naught.
The Phantoms returned nine years later, when the red giant suddenly became abnormally ready for a supernova well before its time -- the reason behind that being was the Phantoms themselves induced the sun artificially into that state. All of Eldar begun its evacuation of its people almost immediately following that... only of course to encounter a mass wave of ships brought upon the Phantoms waiting for us. It was a trap -- and even though we fought back, the conclusion became rapidly clear:
We were severely outmatched and our efforts would end in the near slaughter of our entire species. And this is what happened.
I watched as the ship I was on began to crumble in its defenses even as I attempted to command my new unit to back up my people and ships' that held innocent civilians' were targeted as well as destroyed. Fires broke out and killed all of my men once more and not only that, but I was sure I'd die there as well, given that I was knocked back by an explosion due to the loss of my ship's shields. I wished I had at the time, because when I rose to my feet, I could see painfully clear when the red giant consumed my homeworld-- Eldar--within its fiery depths of hell.
The Phantoms left after that, and I stood there, staring forward into the abyss of death. Unbeknownst to me, a man had arrived with a rescue team and he boarded the ship despite the danger to rescue me. His name was Crowe. Crowe F. Almedio. He saw the despair in my eyes and my wish to die there with my brethren, but he took me anyway. I didn't thank him because I couldn't comprehend why he would want to save me. I had thought there was nothing left. My home, my people were gone, and I.
{ ... }
That man told me to "blame my regrets" and I had work to still do and...
"Now that you've survived this, you have to fight until the very end. I'll be there to witness the moment you finally burn out."
He valued my will, and never told me I had to live or some other such nonsense. Somehow that kept me going and saved me, but now...
{ He laughs, a little bitterly now, but its a free and one without restraint. }
I don't know why I even told you this. About him, or any of this.
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What's he even supposed to say to all this? "Sorry everyone you know is dead"? Give some inept, hackneyed reassurances? How can a trash-caste loser like him say anything at all? Ugh, maybe he shouldn't have been such a flippant, entitled ass, or at least not 100 percent of a dick 100 percent of the time. If he had only known, then...
...Then what? He'd have pussyfooted around like Arumat was some fragile thing seconds from breaking? He'd have said only the "right" things, thrown in some shallow, false sympathy, treated him different from every other person he'd ever met? That's--dumb, insultingly so, and leaves a bad taste in his mouth he's quick to try and forget. He'll figure something out. Nothing was different anyway, so...]
Sure don't do things by halves, do you.
[He could be allowed that one, right? Seriously, who survives not one, but two catastrophes like that? Just in case, he lays a hand on Arumat's arm, he's not trying to push away.]
...It wasn't a bad thing, was it? The talking part, not the content, obviously. I mean, now that you've told it, you don't feel worse...right?
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{ He actually feels better. Maybe it really was a good thing Todomatsu came over after all-- he struggles to show his appreciation. When was the last time he's ever properly given his thanks? He doesn't remember--and his eyes open briefly to stare tiredly at the other beside him. He's vaguely aware there's some physical contact going on, but he just closes his eyes after giving Todomatsu a slightly annoyed look.
He's not a fan of it, but from people he trusts, he can put up with it briefly. }
... If you hadn't visited, I'm not sure what would've happened. What I'd be doing next.
That's why, if you need the same, I'll lend the offer to you or if you feel the need to drop by for whatever reason.
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...Really? I take full advantage of offers, you know.
And, uh. Thanks, for not kicking me out, and all the other stuff.
[The trust, mostly. But hopefully that much was understood.]
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I'll make sure to be careful with any other types of offers in the future, then.
{ ... }
It is no problem. It's only common courtesy at this point.
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[Another beat, then he settles back down with a sigh, hands folded over his chest. Now that Arumat's relaxed a bit (probably as much as he ever does), Todomatsu finally feels the tension in his gut release as well, leaving him simply exhausted. And it's only--no, he probably doesn't want to know what time it is anyway. "Bedtime" is enough.]
Hopefully next week won't be so...much.
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He wonders if Todomatsu realized how much he just saved him, and now he'd be very willing to do the same. Either way, he'll allow himself to fall to sleep soon enough. }
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And then before he can think too much further, the sound of Arumat's even breathing and just the feel of not being alone washes away everything else, soothing him to sleep almost as easily if he'd been back home.
Finally, something today turned out alright.]