[During the afternoon, Emma's exploring around the library, flipping through a book at one of the tables. When she sees Julius, though, she raises a hand in greeting. Just loud enough to be heard, not loud enough to disturb anyone else:]
[ He blinks just a little at being addressed unprompted, up and over the book he's commandeered with his expression caught somewhere between wary and owlish. When he does catch sight of her, though, the tension in his shoulders slackens just a little as he sighs. ]
It's not really because of anything I did of my own merit, but thank you anyway.
[ Is that how you respond to a 'I'm glad you're still alive'. What's the precedent for this. ]
[ He opens his mouth reflexively, then snaps it shut and eyes her again, clearly debating something and only speaking again when it's clear he's decided one way or another. ]
In all honesty-- no, but there's really nothing to be done about it. And if I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure I trust myself very much at all right now, because while I like to think I'm fairly reasonable, a lot of things seemed rather reasonable when the corruption was staring back at us.
[ Hm. Yeah. Bad. ]
... But you didn't come here to hear me talk about that, I think. So what did you come to me for?
[There's a smile, a little bit self conscious, but she continues after a moment regardless.]
Lune always talks about how important it is to understand how the darkness affects people, and what it does to them, so... I was wondering if you noticed anything when you got repartnered.
... Think of every intrusive thought you've ever had. All the things that you catch and would make you think: 'That's awful, I'm a terrible person.' Or the things you don't, and instead agree with, despite hating yourself for it regardless.
[ a pause, somewhat hesitant- but he presses onward after deliberating over his words. ]
All those thoughts are perfectly fine, normal even. You don't see anything wrong with snapping at anyone who even slightly offends you. You're angry, they're wrong, you're perfectly justified in what you're doing. They don't know anything. Who are they to judge you?
... Is how I think I'd describe it. I'm not so sure that it's a completely foreign influence so much that it just... magnifies everything wrong in a person, and shoves it to the front.
[ it's discomfiting. but the gaze he turns upon her after he finishes is questioning: did that help? ]
[ The afternoon finds Julius wandering through the village restlessly, though at a pace hampered by his leg injury. When he does see Emma though, wherever that happens to be, he'll try to wave her over.
Seems he's actually looking for her, rather than it being by chance? He's frowning, though, even if it's hard to see in the low light. ]
[ That's convenient, then, because don't mind if he settles down on a bench and rests his head on his hands. ]
Something that might or might not be important. I hadn't said anything earlier because I was concerned about what it might mean, but now that one of the people implied is dead...
Are you aware of anything that you and Hisoka might have in common?
... Well. I wouldn't put too much stock in it unnecessarily, then, considering it was unsigned and rather deliberately nondescript. I haven't been, considering how vague and cryptic it is.
But still, I figured you should know.
[ since like, it's probably her name on the mysterious note. ]
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week one, sunday.
Hey there. Glad to see you're still kicking.
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It's not really because of anything I did of my own merit, but thank you anyway.
[ Is that how you respond to a 'I'm glad you're still alive'. What's the precedent for this. ]
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Well, if I knew who had done it, I'd make sure to thank them. Since I don't, though, here we are.
[She stands up to head closer, looking at the seat closest to him. Just so they aren't having a conversation from too far apart:]
Is this seat taken?
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[ He inclines his head just a little, politely. If it's just a little too stiff, too formal, well. ]
By all means.
[ Closer up she can probably tell that the book he's grabbed is one of a few similar ones- things on toxicology. ]
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Are you feeling okay..? I mean - as much as you could be, after all that.
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In all honesty-- no, but there's really nothing to be done about it. And if I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure I trust myself very much at all right now, because while I like to think I'm fairly reasonable, a lot of things seemed rather reasonable when the corruption was staring back at us.
[ Hm. Yeah. Bad. ]
... But you didn't come here to hear me talk about that, I think. So what did you come to me for?
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[There's a smile, a little bit self conscious, but she continues after a moment regardless.]
Lune always talks about how important it is to understand how the darkness affects people, and what it does to them, so... I was wondering if you noticed anything when you got repartnered.
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[ a pause, somewhat hesitant- but he presses onward after deliberating over his words. ]
All those thoughts are perfectly fine, normal even. You don't see anything wrong with snapping at anyone who even slightly offends you. You're angry, they're wrong, you're perfectly justified in what you're doing. They don't know anything. Who are they to judge you?
... Is how I think I'd describe it. I'm not so sure that it's a completely foreign influence so much that it just... magnifies everything wrong in a person, and shoves it to the front.
[ it's discomfiting. but the gaze he turns upon her after he finishes is questioning: did that help? ]
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So Lune and Sol were right when they said it just brings what's already there up to the surface.
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[ after a long, appraising moment, he tilts his head a little before inclining it. ]
But I'm also only one person. Have you talked to the other partnerless about this? To compare?
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[She gives him a thumbs up, though.]
That's next on my to do list.
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[ Hisoka's a creep but Axel was right there all week. Also, Val and Cinnabar... probably aren't that bad. Maybe. ]
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I don't know you as well, and they keep mentioning how important it is to get to know everyone... I thought this was as good a chance as any.
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Well, since that's what we're doing-- have any other questions for me while we're here?
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You didn't notice anything physically? It didn't hurt, or anything like that?
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[ all that swirling darkness and stuff, right.
he shakes his head. ]
If you were looking for symptoms like, I don't know, chest pain, or something like that, I don't know what to tell you. Unfortunately.
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If only it were, right? Sorry.
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[...]
Hopefully it didn't feel like I was grilling you.
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I offered, didn't I? Why should I be mad at you for taking me up on it?
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It could've still been uncomfortable once we started. But, I'm glad if it wasn't.
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[ It's very faintly amused. Teenage understatement and wryness at its best. ]
So you're fine, really. It's in the best interests of all of us to try to figure this stuff out, isn't it?
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Yeah, it is. So if you find out anything else that might be important...
[She trails off, but her meaning is clear enough.]
w3, friday post-announcement.
Seems he's actually looking for her, rather than it being by chance? He's frowning, though, even if it's hard to see in the low light. ]
Do you have a moment?
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Sure thing. What's up?
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Something that might or might not be important. I hadn't said anything earlier because I was concerned about what it might mean, but now that one of the people implied is dead...
Are you aware of anything that you and Hisoka might have in common?
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I have nothing in common with him. [Ugh.] But, why...?
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Fr, mm, Hsk.
[ imagine that he rattles that off letter by letter, capitals included. ]
Assuming order and capitalization matter, you're the only person who fits the bill for 'mm,' as far as I'm aware.
[ of course, the same goes for Hisoka to 'Hsk'. ]
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...No, I don't know what that might mean. Even if someone was talking about me - I can't think of anything I have in common with Four, either.
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But still, I figured you should know.
[ since like, it's probably her name on the mysterious note. ]
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Yeah. I'll ask around and see if I can figure out who sent it. I appreciate you telling me.