∞ 08 ∞

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

[Angsty Kuhn is go.

He's sitting at the bar, and even though he's poured himself a beer, it's going untouched. He's resting his elbow on the bar and his chin in his hand, staring off into space with a frown. Every few minutes, he manages a sigh, but he's keeping quiet otherwise.]

Comments

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Ninja wavemaster go! Stares at Kuhn.]

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

[Kuhn has always hated the feeling that someone is watching him, especially when he knows it isn't true. Still, he can't help looking around and over his shoulder just in c-

Holy crap there's a wavemaster there.]

Naah--! [Kuhn starts a little, but relaxes quickly enough and exhales.] Geez, man. I didn't see you there.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Looks a little sheepish for a second, and then grins.]

It's your fault for not paying attention.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's not like it's normal to be stared at from behind. [He shakes his head, and then motions for Tsukasa to have a seat if he wants.]

What brings you here?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Sits down at the bar, but doesn't move to order anything.]

Everyone's asleep. It must be nighttime.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

[He halfheartedly glances at his drink and takes a sip.] Yeah? Everyone logged off, then? It's just after midnight for me.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[He nods.]

There's not much going on, and I don't really feel like dodging PKers right nower.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

I definitely don't blame you. Got a safe spot for yourself somewhere in-game, at least?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Hesitaaaaation.]

... I used to have a safe place I went to. But I don't think it's safe anymore.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

Ah. Did it get found?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

More like the one who gave it to me isn't so happy with me anymore. She didn't like it that I brought Subaru there, and when Subaru left, she...

[He doesn't know the word for it. He scrunches up his face and shakes his head.]

I don't know what it was. But it was a light that lifted me up... and then things tore apart. Again.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

[He blinks, stares... and then winces when he finishes his story.]

What the... Who, or what, has that kind of power? ... Are you alright now?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

Nn. I remember Macha was around the first time it happened, so I don't know.

... [He sighs, and puts a hand on his cap, slouching forward in his seat.]

I remember even less than before. But that was a bit ago.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

[Macha again. So many similarities...]

... So you think if you went back... it'd happen again?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Macha wasn't the one who did it that time, though. It was... the one whose name I don't know.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's... But, that wouldn't be right...

[He shakes his head.] I really hope you get away from whatever it is.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

... What?

Me... me too. [Headthunk on the bar.]

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head and waves a hand dismissively.] Aw, it's nothing. Forget I said anything.

Hah, though you look like you could use either a drink or a bed. Luckily, you're at the perfect place for the first. Want anything?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[He tilts his head and looks at Kuhn.]

No, what is it?

[He looks confused for a moment.] I don't eat or sleep. Sometimes things go dark for a while if I sit down, but I don't know why. It's not like normal sleep. I don't get tired.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking of all the parallels, and... thought maybe this "she" you were talking about... maybe it's something I've... sort of kind of come across.

Well, you look it right now. Even if you're not physically tired, you look mentally and emotionally gone. You should just hang out here for a little while longer, take a load off, you know?

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

What is it?

[He actually manages to laugh a little at that.] I guess you're right. It's not like time is going to pass while I'm gone, right? It's just...

I'm afraid the world's going to go away again. Like when I died, or when that attack... whatever it was... hit me. It's like... playing peek-a-boo, except every time your eyes are uncovered, you come away with a little less of yourself. Or a lot.

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

... Morganna. I'm not sure what she is, or was... Some of the other employees said that she was the ultimate AI, or at least somehow related to it. Maybe... that's what she was in the first game. ... [He shrugs it all off.] I wouldn't really trust that, though. Take it with a grain of salt. It's been years since I've played R:1, you know? I'm probably drawing parallels that aren't really there.

[He nods.] If it any consolation, nothing bad from there can get to you here, after all.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

Ultimate AI... that would explain why she can find me everywhere. Maybe. Wait. Other employees? ... Do you work at CC Corp?

[silenteden.livejournal.com]

She can? That's... really kind of creepy, not gonna lie.

Yeah, part time. I wasn't working for them while R:1 was around, though.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

... Mm. That's useful, though. Hmm... [Seems to think for a minute.]