[ Her reaction isn't immediate; though her feet more forward, Koharu grows shocked enough by what she hears that Richie's demand barely registers for a long moment. Eventually, she snaps back, and then nods. ]
O- okay!
[ And that's when she slaps both hands over her ears. It isn't perfect—it's no set of earplugs—but she tries to distract herself long enough for it to come and go. ]
[bless her, truly. It aches to be running her through this, but goddamit where was the fucking exit?
In short order he watches the kids stumble through the sewers and hear two of their lifelong bullies die. Then there's the grown-up gang, two short of the ideal seven, discovering that Bill's wife has irrationally, horrifically become involved. Down into the sewers they go, following the blueprint they made twenty seven years ago.
And at last, it's over. Richie slows his pace, gives her a soft pat on the back.]
[ Her hurried steps slow; she would have preferred to reach the exit before everything played out, but it seems like that wasn't possible. They zig-zagged around so much, Koharu has no idea where they could've possibly ended up. ]
I know, and I'm sorry too. It wouldn't have been happening if I weren't in here with you.
[He'll snug her close. A one-armed hug still feels only half-fulfilling, but he hopes it does the trick. He hates not being able to do better. Rerouting and coming up short.
A silly thing to get fixated on in this particular moment, but a thought that simmers at the back of his mind nonetheless.]
I think we're near the exit though. It can't be that much further. Stick with me for another minute, kay?
[ In spite of his thoughts, Koharu leans close against him, like her only means of protection against—wherever they could possibly be in. Given everything that had played out before them, with no way to tell they were simply in a room with mirrors playing a horribly cruel joke, it makes their surroundings feel that much more chilling. She does, at least, take comfort in his presence. ]
I will. Just lead the way.
[ But that isn't enough, of course. Just when it seems enough time has passed to feel safe, images ripple back to life upon the reflections of the mirrors, and another scene plays. (p. 6-19!!) ]
The memory that kicks up now is a tragedy of a different flavour. He doesn't understand at first. Why Koharu is stood behind a pair of college girls on a bench with her gun, watching them have an intimate conversation? One they never acknowledge party member number three for?
The more they talk though, the more clicks. Richie had tried to keep them moving out of respect but hearing that the girl had died slows his pace all too quick.]
[ It's fine; Koharu slows too. She can't see what shows up, but the moment a familiar voice starts speaking, she basically freezes in place, face paling as the horrible realization dawns on her. ]
Wh... what.
[ Oh no, oh no. All things considered, it isn't a terrible conversation—it's a bittersweet moment. But... ]
...How did it happen? If I might ask? [He'll shift his hold on her to be a more comforting hand to the back, rather than an urgent push.] Your passing and becoming a cupid.
[ While it isn't an easy talk, it isn't the most difficult; Koharu's had time to come to terms with it and where life has lead her now. It hurts at times, like a wound that hasn't quite healed yet, but she can manage. ]
It was—some freak accident. Aki and I were walking home from school like we usually do, but we... stopped. And talked for a little bit. [ He might be able to guess why. ] But the building we stopped under was still under construction, and a part of it collapsed on us.
[He knew it had to be a sudden thing. She never mentioned being sickly, or showed any signs of prior conditions. He supposes he ought to be grateful that it was an accident. Too many people here got gutted in gruesome ways, it would break his heart to hear that she suffered the same.
This is just heartbreaking in a different way.]
I'm sorry, Koharu. That must have been painful. [He has an urge to ruffle her hair. Fix her bangs or something, but he thinks it might be out of line in a way. She's a teenager, not a child, and not his child for that matter. He shouldn't be overbearing, not when this shit was already so damn hard to talk about. It's just hard to see her go through it, is all.]
Was that the first time you saw her since the accident?
[ She gives a small nod, standing still, gaze fixated on nothing; it's difficult to know where her eyes should settle when she can't see. ]
It was, but it didn't seem like long for me at all. [ One moment, she felt the world fading around her; in the next she was staring into the sky, not unlike waking up from nothing more than a deep sleep. It truly was a blink of an eye. ] Even now, it's weird to think that years have gone by.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
O- okay!
[ And that's when she slaps both hands over her ears. It isn't perfect—it's no set of earplugs—but she tries to distract herself long enough for it to come and go. ]
no subject
In short order he watches the kids stumble through the sewers and hear two of their lifelong bullies die. Then there's the grown-up gang, two short of the ideal seven, discovering that Bill's wife has irrationally, horrifically become involved. Down into the sewers they go, following the blueprint they made twenty seven years ago.
And at last, it's over. Richie slows his pace, gives her a soft pat on the back.]
You can uncover your ears now. It's gone.
no subject
[ Her hurried steps slow; she would have preferred to reach the exit before everything played out, but it seems like that wasn't possible. They zig-zagged around so much, Koharu has no idea where they could've possibly ended up. ]
I'm sorry. I tried to ignore it...
no subject
[He'll snug her close. A one-armed hug still feels only half-fulfilling, but he hopes it does the trick. He hates not being able to do better. Rerouting and coming up short.
A silly thing to get fixated on in this particular moment, but a thought that simmers at the back of his mind nonetheless.]
I think we're near the exit though. It can't be that much further. Stick with me for another minute, kay?
no subject
I will. Just lead the way.
[ But that isn't enough, of course. Just when it seems enough time has passed to feel safe, images ripple back to life upon the reflections of the mirrors, and another scene plays. (p. 6-19!!) ]
no subject
The memory that kicks up now is a tragedy of a different flavour. He doesn't understand at first. Why Koharu is stood behind a pair of college girls on a bench with her gun, watching them have an intimate conversation? One they never acknowledge party member number three for?
The more they talk though, the more clicks. Richie had tried to keep them moving out of respect but hearing that the girl had died slows his pace all too quick.]
...Koharu?
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Wh... what.
[ Oh no, oh no. All things considered, it isn't a terrible conversation—it's a bittersweet moment. But... ]
Do you—see it?
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[He swallows thickly.]
But they couldn't see you, could they?
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... No, they couldn't. Humans aren't able to see cupids, so we're able to work in secret.
[ ... ]
Aki was my first target as a cupid, and... she has no idea that I'm out there. To her, I'm still dead.
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[ While it isn't an easy talk, it isn't the most difficult; Koharu's had time to come to terms with it and where life has lead her now. It hurts at times, like a wound that hasn't quite healed yet, but she can manage. ]
It was—some freak accident. Aki and I were walking home from school like we usually do, but we... stopped. And talked for a little bit. [ He might be able to guess why. ] But the building we stopped under was still under construction, and a part of it collapsed on us.
no subject
[He knew it had to be a sudden thing. She never mentioned being sickly, or showed any signs of prior conditions. He supposes he ought to be grateful that it was an accident. Too many people here got gutted in gruesome ways, it would break his heart to hear that she suffered the same.
This is just heartbreaking in a different way.]
I'm sorry, Koharu. That must have been painful. [He has an urge to ruffle her hair. Fix her bangs or something, but he thinks it might be out of line in a way. She's a teenager, not a child, and not his child for that matter. He shouldn't be overbearing, not when this shit was already so damn hard to talk about. It's just hard to see her go through it, is all.]
Was that the first time you saw her since the accident?
no subject
It was, but it didn't seem like long for me at all. [ One moment, she felt the world fading around her; in the next she was staring into the sky, not unlike waking up from nothing more than a deep sleep. It truly was a blink of an eye. ] Even now, it's weird to think that years have gone by.