pc catchall for shess (nonbelligerent)

[foodbin]

Comments

week one, friday.

[nonbelligerent]

[and so begins another day of running around.

inevitably, shess finds himself back in one of his preferred areas: the flower garden. doesn't seem like he's alone here, though. he pauses.]

[foodbin]

[She raises a hand once she sees him upon entering, offering a small, tired smile.]

Hey there. You're in here a lot, aren't you?

[nonbelligerent]

I could say the same of you.

[foodbin]

[She shrugs.]

It's familiar. I was going to school for botany for a while.

[nonbelligerent]

What happened to make you quit?

[foodbin]

[She hesitates for a moment, but—]

I can tell you, but I don't think you'll like it.

[Him especially, maybe, judging by other things he's mentioned to her.]

[nonbelligerent]

If it's an uncomfortable subject, you don't have to force yourself.

[foodbin]

I'm not forcing myself.

[But, spoken quickly all the same:]

We may have gotten attacked by aliens who wanted to destroy us all.

[Which might explain why she wanted to change the subject during another conversation of theirs.]

[nonbelligerent]

That would definitely be an issue.

[foodbin]

[As joking as she can make it:]

Yeah. Makes going to school pretty challenging when people are constantly trying to kill you, you know?

[nonbelligerent]

[...]

Other humans?

[foodbin]

[She shakes her head.]

Nah. I just said people because... they looked the same as everyone else. [...] Anyways, that's not important right now.

[nonbelligerent]

[he's a little used to nonhumans not being called people, humanoid or not, so it threw him off.]

The most difficult enemy to deal with is one you cannot tell apart from an ally.

What are you doing now, then?

[foodbin]

[Whether it's the question or the point about disguised enemies, it's clear from her expression and hesitation that she's thrown by that, too.]

...I think you'd like that answer even less.

[And from her tone, it seems as though it's an answer she's less willing to discuss.]

Sorry.

[nonbelligerent]

[...]

No, that was intrusive of me. I apologize.

[foodbin]

[She waves a hand, as if to dismiss that.]

Nah, it's just a long story for another day.

[nonbelligerent]

Yes... Today might already be depressing enough.

[foodbin]

[It's then that she glances up at him, her head tilting slightly.]

Were you close?

[nonbelligerent]

To be honest, I only really spoke to was Nana. Still, it's unfortunate regardless, and I'm sure all of them were well-regarded by at least one person here.

[foodbin]

And even if they weren't... They were so young.

[That's the sticking point for her, what she keeps thinking about.]

[nonbelligerent]

Yes, they were. Young, and mostly defenceless.

[perhaps he should have taught nana better.]

[foodbin]

...Mostly?

[hm.]

[nonbelligerent]

Nana and presumably Junna had some experience with stage weapons. However, they were unused to actual combat. Nana asked me for self-defence lessons.

I don't know about Tokidoki.

[foodbin]

...Those might have paid off if she had more time.

[It's meant to be comforting, at least.]

[nonbelligerent]

Perhaps. There's little point in reflecting over what-ifs now, though.