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[contract_star]

[Hei appears on the Plane not bleeding this time! looking a little indignant.]

Ms. Kirihara! You thought I was going to wear them??

[After a moment he sighs in a long-suffering sort of way.]

Mion, I'm not sure how much your vest cost...I brought some yen though, enough to cover it, I think.

Oh, and Mr. Tyler, if you've been...un-kidnapped yet--I have news.

Comments

[contract_star]

[Nods.] If you spot anything like the Gate, keep away from it, understand? And don't let your friends go near it either.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

[Oh yeah, bad memories. Mion nods frantically.] Of course!

[contract_star]

[Smiles a little.] Good. [Though now he's thinking of what a reality merger really entails, and the smile disappears.]

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

[Mion, however, is a little bit slower in realizing what Hei is thinking, but she sees the change in his facial expression, and she's a little iffy.] ...what?

[contract_star]

Just...[Pauses.]

If we let the merger go on, the Gate would probably end up in Hinamizawa. I didn't...think about that before. [Longer pause and any remaining trace of happiness disappears.] If my reality merges with anyone else's, they'd eventually have to deal with the Gate.

[Shakes his head.] I can't have that happening. [Looks away from her.] Closeness, is it? Then...

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

But... [Mion is clearly looking distraught.] C-can't you just...

You can't just expect to be able to cut ties with everyone, and push them away. [Yeah, she knows she's probably being selfish right now, but she can't help it. She loves her friends dearly, and would rather not lose them.]

[She moves closer to Hei and rests one hand on his shoulder, and the other on his cheek, in a sort of look-at-me gesture.] It wouldn't make things any easier, Hei.

[contract_star]

[Hei goes blank and emotionless.]

Why not? I've done it before. [Pauses, then,] A Contractor's allies are only temporary, anyway.

[Flinches just a little at the touch, but he does look at her.] It would make things easier for the rest of you.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

[Mion stares at him for a short while.] So, what? Only when it's convenient for you?

That's stupid. What if I want to be your friend?

I've already been near the Gates. It's not like I don't know about the risks. [Shifts her gaze to the ground.]

[contract_star]

That's how a Contractor operates.

[Looks away from her and after a moment he takes a step backward.] Then you should understand. No one should be subjected to that if they don't have to be.

[He turns.] You should stay away from me from now on, Ms. Sonozaki. [And he starts walking away.]

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

[Her voice is quiet.] But I wanted to...

[A hand reaches out to Hei, but she makes no attempt to pursue him as he walks away. Mion looks rather stunned, and recoils. She's totally not starting to cry. There's something in her eye.]

It's not fair...

[contract_star]

[He doesn't answer her, despite feeling like absolute crap, and he keeps walking until he's gone.]