★ ( bookmarked: sunfish. )

[afterword]

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[malewife]

[ He allows and they can stay in the silence together. Niah is just resting on the bed, already having noticed that Kaeya, Rupert, and Polaris will no longer be with them after the meeting. ]

I do not think I would be satisfied… If we had found Kaeya Alberich’s killer and received a verdict.

[ Because so many of these are against people’s will. ]

[afterword]

[ i'm so sad because jin will probably take a while longer to notice that kaeya and polaris aren't. going to show up again any time soon. so she's just peering at the door.

Dokja listens on, still quiet, pressing his head against Joonghyuk's as he closes his eyes. ]

..No. I don't think I would be satisfied either. [ humming lightly. ] Sheila Hammond had no choice because of the shadow, while she was glad it was her over the kids.. she wish it hadn't been Rupert.

[ it's a genuine answer. but further proves the shadow doesn't give them a choice or much of a say in that matter. ]

[malewife]

… The more this goes on, the less inclined I am to follow the Nightman’s schedule.

[ It’s just plain defiance and festering hatred from the very beginning. Even with their heads pressed together, he looks to the space between them as anger sweeps away all other emotions. ]

I’m sick of being a puppet.

[afterword]

[ fingers gently brush hair back, humming with thought before he presses another featherlight kiss to his head. ]

Then we simply won't play by its rule. We'll figure out a way to deal with it. [ it's both reassurance to him and himself. ] There's always an alternative.

[ haven't the life they've led back home been proof enough of that? bypassing scenario after scenario. there has to be something. ]

[malewife]

[ To that kiss, he does that slow blink that cats do when they are content.

There’s always some underhanded way, is there? ]

While keeping the Nightman entertained… [ Hm. ] From what Hua Cheng said about his trip, I wonder if all of this is just a stage. Similar to execution.

[afterword]

[ cute.. nuzzles a little against his hair. ]

Mmm... It seems like it. There was talk of someone having gone a stimulation so, if this is all a stage I wouldn't be surprised. [ which is just. exhausting to think about. it's streaming entertainment all over again. ]

[malewife]

... We should be learning more about our situation by now.

[ He is antsier now that one of our chasmas is dead and tbh diluc is going to be next, he's sure. ]

[afterword]

There's probably something out there, given we have a bit of our own we've gathered.

[ closes his eyes, pondering. ] If we held a Town Hall meeting we would know for sure but. Not sure how effective it'll be if the Nightman learns of it.

[malewife]

Do you plan to share with others then? A circulation of information is important and we do not benefit from keeping it to ourselves.

Not that I know what we can do with what we know.

[ It's... Fine... He guesses. ]

... I want to return the dead as soon as we can.

[afterword]

I've spoken with Mikazuki Munechika and Shinobu Kocho regarding the break-in. I'm sure they'll share it with others. You can show the postcards around as well.

[ though it isn't really a whole lot. ]

Normally we would have some kind of sign by now. [ which they will learn tomorrow but ] There's bound to be a way to get them back though.

[malewife]

Someone had mentioned not to steal their items.

[ So! Here’s to hoping? ]

[afterword]

It's a good enough sign as any.

[ sets his book down finally, turning a little in Joonghyuk's hold to rest more against him. ]

We had Watchers helping deliver things to us, so I'm wondering if the staff here are doing the same.

[malewife]

I plan to talk to them and see, but they are tight-lipped. We may need to figure out a way ourselves.

Perhaps sending postcard... Or leaving flowers. That means learning flower language.

[ bleh. ]

[afterword]

Which we could... if we had more information.

[ though he has a point. ]

We do have a library for learning. Otherwise we can rely on Hua Cheng to translate. [ raises a brow at yjh. ]

[malewife]

It wouldn't be that difficult for us to learn the language or to hold a book on the meanings. At least in comparison to Hua Cheng bettering his handwriting.

[ no one asked to be MEAN ]

[afterword]

Maybe you can offer some writing lessons.

[ Stop being mean and take responsibility then. ]

[malewife]

He won’t accept them.

[ Which is funny, so he’s going to keep dunking. ]

The handwriting sessions are reserve for Xie Lian, anyway.

[afterword]

Guess we'll leave it at that then.

[ threads fingers through Joonghyuk's hair, pondering with thought. ]

Mikazuki Munechika is pretty informative.

[malewife]

I’m sure he sees himself as one of humanity’s guardians or protectors, maybe not so grand but similar position.

[ He rests his head against Dokja some more, then. ]

Being a sword makes it easier. Certain mortal or human proclivities make people unlikable.

[ Joonghyuk thinks humans are annoying and while swords can be annoying they’re just… So different? ]

[afterword]

I'd agree with that. There's also the given fact of being an observer in his own game, just like Hua Cheng's own Watcher role.

[ the npc role embedded into your soul. humans truly are annoying and tbh swords have been quite helpful so far. ]

[malewife]

Hua Cheng is unfortunately more annoying like a human would be.

[ but hc was once human, so… ]

[afterword]

He is also very reliable.

[ even if you find him annoying, he is a powerful companion. i think it's really funny they're just cuddling here talking about hc now ]

[malewife]

He is trying too hard to be a babysitter.

[ Joonghyuk says that only because he has never... Had a guardian aside from his Teacher who is a menace on his ass. ]

[afterword]

Less of a babysitter, more of a guardian. Protective, careful, seeming to step out to try and quell any threat or danger towards us.

[ they are his responsibility, is what it feels like. ]

[malewife]

Don't defend him.

[ Stahp. ]