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

[nachetanya]

I wouldn't mind. Is there anything you'd want to know?

[relieable]

[Osomatsu considered, tapping his lower lip with his fork before answering]

I guess... like, what sorts of things did you do there?

[nachetanya]

Well. People live their lives? [ She knows that's too general ] For me, much of the last several years has actually been training in some capacity or another, as a swordsman, a saint, and to some extent as a ruler.

[relieable]

[people were people! but a princess was something else! Osomatsu was mostly wanting to know about her. he shovels some food into his mouth as he listens]

A swordsman, a saint, and a ruler... Wow! [and you can do all that with one arm? fortunately, he doesn't say that out loud] You're all over the place!

[nachetanya]

I suppose it is, when you list it like that!

[ She laughs a little at this, shaking her head ] In truth, the swordsmanship and saint powers go hand in hand, though. I'm the Saint of Blades.

[relieable]

[don't say it don't say it don't say it]

...Izzat how ya lost your arm?

[OSOMATSU]

[nachetanya]

[ . . . Haaah. ]

I don't know. Not during my training, at least. But I actually woke up here with my arm missing.

[relieable]

[?????]

You... You did, huh? That's... worrying.

[nachetanya]

Yes, I'm been worried about it for a while now.

[relieable]

[that would be really worrying, waking up without an arm when you don't remember how you lost it... Osomatsu should consider himself lucky, but then... he doesn't really feel lucky about any of this]

Well. I hope that you can find it soon! Maybe you'll gt it back when we go home.

[nachetanya]

[ That... makes her giggle. She laughs, bringing her hand up in front of her face. Really? ]

I-- don't think arms can just grow back, Osomatsu!

[relieable]

[aww! he made her laugh. not his intention, but he'll take it]

You never know! Maybe that's your secret talent! Growin' back limbs.

[nachetanya]

You're building me up a little too much here!

[ Pffthahaha...!! ]

[relieable]

[hehehe! he laughs too now, feeling almost like his normal self. she deserves to be built up, doesn't she? after all, she's doing so many things, and she's here suffering with him.

his laughter dies down after a moment, and he picks at his food again]

Well, even if ya don't get back your arm, I'm sure you'll be okay. You're pretty strong.

[nachetanya]

Thank you, I'm glad that you think so!

[ With a little wave, and ... well, let's actually get back to eating. That seems fair. ]

You seem in higher spirits already.

[relieable]

[he's eating! just also interested in talking]

Yeah, guess I am. [heh,it's because of you, he wants to say. but, well, he's buttered her up enough already, hasn't he?] You, too.

[nachetanya]

Well you are fun to [ tease ] talk to.

[ Okay, so. Back to forking out some of this curry, man. ]

[relieable]

[fun to talk to! amazing! Osomatsu feels really good now, because... yeah. a girl is being nice to him. great!

anyway, now he does feel like he can eat, so, yes. he'll eat, just enjoying Nachetanya's company]