come out of hiding, i'm right here beside you

[barehands]

[A while after the execution has ended, everyone will find a simple note slipped under their door.]

If you don't want to be alone after everything that's happening, some of us will be in the dining room. Even if you decide not to come, please remember that you aren't alone here.

[The note isn't signed, but the handwriting is feminine and neat.

For anyone who decides to come, there's a good array of food laid out on the table. There are some small and simple cakes, cookies, and pastries, a healthy amount of okonomiyaki, okayu, and other Japanese dishes (with a focus on rice and eggs), along with curry. In addition, there are pancakes, and a large pot of soup. It looks like a few people collaborated to make enough food for everyone here.

Just like the meal they shared together earlier in the week, the candles from the storage room lend a more peaceful light than the fluorescent lights above.]

Comments

[cadmiums]

[ Off to the side it is then, he really doesn't want to invade his personal space.]

She likes music, so I don't know if she would be completely opposed to the idea. [ He plays with his scarf, for what seems to be no other reason than to have something to occupy his hands with.]

I think once things have begun, it's very hard to stop them. But I want there to be another way.

[armamenta]

[He's quiet for a moment as he considers that. He'll stack the papers up and then shove them into the desk drawer.]

Optimism like that doesn't have a place here. We always have to be on our toes.

[At least Ryoji's still being realistic about it, though.]

[cadmiums]

You're the second person who's told me that I'm optimistic. Am I really? [ He sounds unsure of it himself, because if he was, wouldn't he be doing a much better job at it right now? He's not as badly affected as some of the others, but he's still far from his usual cheerful self.]

[armamenta]

Not as optimistic as some of them, but willing to hold onto hope that another solution can be found is optimism.

[He raises his shoulders again in a shrug.]

It's not the worst thing in the world as long as you recognize that there may not be anything else we can do. Some of the people here probably don't get that.

[cadmiums]

I didn't say that. I want there to be another way, but I... [ What is he even saying? He doesn't even know why he feels so strongly about this and he pulls up his scarf, obscuring his face a bit.]

Believing and wanting are two different things, that's all.

[armamenta]

I agree. You're welcome to want it, but I doubt it'll happen.

[He was proven wrong already here, but just because it took a few days longer for anyone to die doesn't mean that he's wrong about the situation here.]

[cadmiums]

Can I ask you why you think that way? [ It's more of a curiosity than anything else.]

[armamenta]

I'm not the sort of person to let what I want cloud the reality of the situation. I'm a soldier - I'm trained to deal with harsh situations and if I focus on what I want, I could get myself killed. I have to face the reality of the situation and address that without letting personal feelings get in the way.

[...He's also just Like That because he's kind of fucked up.]

[cadmiums]

So you act accordingly to the rational choice and disregard your feelings? Isn't that... lonely? [ Maybe that's not the right word but he can't help it, as it reminds him too much of Makoto.]

[armamenta]

Lonely?

[From the ????? it's pretty obvious that he doesn't get it.]

That's how I've always operated.

[sometimes you sound more like a robot than a person, krauser]

[cadmiums]

Yeah. [ Nod.] If you think that way, it means you're not too close to your friends, right?

[armamenta]

I don't usually bother with friends anyway.

[And by that he means he has no friends.]

[cadmiums]

I think I know why you have Wesker on your profile now, you two are similar. Why don't you two be friends?

[ Everyone should have friends!!!!!!!!!]

[armamenta]

We aren't friends.

[i mean they share a room together and they don't understand why people throw parties and they're pretty similar but!! they're not friends!!]

[cadmiums]

But I see you both talking to each other a lot. [ Wait.] Doesn't that mean you're basically friends already?

[armamenta]

We only talk because there's nothing else to do here.

[and sometimes we fight with knives like sane people??]

We're not friends though, don't get the wrong idea.

[cadmiums]

[ He smiles.] You sound a little like someone I know.

[ Makoto isn't so blunt about it and his reasons are different, but he still sees the parallels.] I guess you don't have to call him a friend if you want, but it's important to have bonds with others.

Will you let me be your friend, Krauser?

[armamenta]

...What.

[The flattest "what". He is so lost right now, Ryoji. He's not even mad, just very, very confused.]

I just told you I don't do friends.

[cadmiums]

Ah my mistake, your "friend". [ Because saying it with airquotes solves everything???]

[armamenta]

[THAT'S NOT ANY BETTER, YOU KNOW]

I don't mind if you want to talk to me, but you don't need to go around calling yourself my friend.

[...]

Or "friend".

[you'd ruin his image??? oh my god ryoji please he is a badass who doesn't make friends with teenagers]

[cadmiums]

If you don't mind me talking to you, that's OK for now! [ He will consider this a victory and is way too cheerful about this?

Congrats on your friend, Krauser.]

[armamenta]

[...why does he feel like he's made a terrible mistake...???]

Don't let it go to your head, kid.