[Oh, Tenn... Those words hit hard, and he realizes how stupid he's been.
He finds himself being unable to look the boy in the eyes yet again, only this time because he's trying to hold back tears of his own.]
A sad sack like me really doesn't deserve an amazing kid like you.
[He'd always done his best to comfort Tenn despite not being the best at it, but how can he possibly comfort him now? What words of encouragement can he offer when he's become the thing that he was trying to shield Tenn from?]
I'm sorry to have even put you in this position. I should've never...I should've never let you get this close when I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd have to do this.
[ He shakes his head, like he doesn't want to believe it. He really doesn't, and he refuses to. Raven is anything but pathetic. Even if Tenn will never agree with what he did, even if there's still some hurt towards him for doing this -- ]
What you told me applies here. You -- you are a good person, Raven-san. And it's like you said: Good people can make mistakes. I believe it, now. Ever since Moriarty-san told me what he did, when Rika said her piece -- and now...you...
[ His voice is cracking so much, but he wants to get the words out before it's too late. ]
You had your reasons. I don't need to know what they are to believe it, and I'm not letting you shoulder all the blame for this, either.
This isn't going to erase everything you've done for me. And...I hope that I was able to help you in some way, too.
[Ah. His own words of wisdom being applied to him. He walked right into that one, didn't he? Part of him tells him to not believe it, that he doesn't deserve it.
...But the stronger part of him refuses to do that to Tenn. If Tenn believes in him, then maybe he does have something else to offer.
Or did, at any rate.]
Of course you were, kiddo. More than I can properly express.
[He wipes at his eyes with his sleeve before turning to face Tenn properly.]
[ He still does have something to offer. At least, Tenn wants to believe that. He does communicate with the dead, after all, and maybe Raven can help them over there. That would be more than enough for him, honestly.
He'll also listen to Raven's request. It may be the last one he'll hear from him, after all. Tenn nods and moves closer to the iron bars, looking Raven in the eye. ]
Tenn gets choked up again, but he manages to smile. It's a sad one, of course, but it's affectionate all the same. He's going to miss Raven so, so much. He laughs a little through his sniffles. ]
As long as you forgive me for putting you back there.
[ He looks back at Raven...and then he reaches into his pocket.
He pulls out something that Raven might like. It's a silver ring. ]
Have you seen the protective charms from the shop? I bought one, to keep myself safe so you wouldn't have to.
I didn't want you to use it on me too much, anyway. My thought was that there are other people who need defending, too, and I didn't want to have to rely on others as much to keep myself safe. So I'll definitely keep this for myself, as selfish as that may seem. I promise. I'll get you out of here, too.
[ He smiles, because he's glad Raven believes in him so much. He wishes he could take out Hamelin with Raven around, and wipe that stupid grin off of Hamelin's face. But...that's neither here nor there. ]
Speaking of knightly powers, though, I wanted to ask you something.
[ His look turns a little more curious. His tone isn't accusatory, just wondering: ]
The fairy I'm working with. I had mentioned your role to them. [ He looks a little guilty about that, but what's done is done. ] They said something that made me curious, though -- they mentioned that there shouldn't be any third parties involved in this game. I thought that was odd, so if you're okay with it, I'd like to know more about the person you were working with.
Tenn, you're really not givin' yerself enough credit. But I'll let this one slide because I like knowin' that you'll be safe no matter what.
[That second bit, though... He squints and tips his head a little.]
So the fairies don't even know about 'em? That's... [He thinks about it for a moment.] I guess that would make sense, actually.
[And now that he's thinking about it further, and about what Hamelin said at the end of the trial. Shit.]
...It's someone who apparently knows Hamelin personally. And if he's aware of 'em, I... [This time he audibly mutters shit under his breath.] I really hope I didn't blow their cover.
[Yeah, this is...mega bad. Please be okay, Red...]
I actually don't know fer sure if they're a fairy or not, but I didn't get the impression that they are. I just know that they're here like the rest of us, and they wanted ta help give us a leg up on Hamelin.
[...which he fucking squandered, but he's already spent enough time hating himself about that tonight.]
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He finds himself being unable to look the boy in the eyes yet again, only this time because he's trying to hold back tears of his own.]
A sad sack like me really doesn't deserve an amazing kid like you.
[He'd always done his best to comfort Tenn despite not being the best at it, but how can he possibly comfort him now? What words of encouragement can he offer when he's become the thing that he was trying to shield Tenn from?]
I'm sorry to have even put you in this position. I should've never...I should've never let you get this close when I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd have to do this.
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[ He shakes his head, like he doesn't want to believe it. He really doesn't, and he refuses to. Raven is anything but pathetic. Even if Tenn will never agree with what he did, even if there's still some hurt towards him for doing this -- ]
What you told me applies here. You -- you are a good person, Raven-san. And it's like you said: Good people can make mistakes. I believe it, now. Ever since Moriarty-san told me what he did, when Rika said her piece -- and now...you...
[ His voice is cracking so much, but he wants to get the words out before it's too late. ]
You had your reasons. I don't need to know what they are to believe it, and I'm not letting you shoulder all the blame for this, either.
This isn't going to erase everything you've done for me. And...I hope that I was able to help you in some way, too.
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...But the stronger part of him refuses to do that to Tenn. If Tenn believes in him, then maybe he does have something else to offer.
Or did, at any rate.]
Of course you were, kiddo. More than I can properly express.
[He wipes at his eyes with his sleeve before turning to face Tenn properly.]
Can you come closer for a second?
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He'll also listen to Raven's request. It may be the last one he'll hear from him, after all. Tenn nods and moves closer to the iron bars, looking Raven in the eye. ]
Of course. What is it?
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S'not much of a hug, but you'll hafta forgive me fer bein' stuck back here.
[As his usual speech pattern returns, he affectionately ruffles Tenn's hair. That one's for getting him all choked up, damnit!]
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Tenn gets choked up again, but he manages to smile. It's a sad one, of course, but it's affectionate all the same. He's going to miss Raven so, so much. He laughs a little through his sniffles. ]
As long as you forgive me for putting you back there.
[ He looks back at Raven...and then he reaches into his pocket.
He pulls out something that Raven might like. It's a silver ring. ]
Have you seen the protective charms from the shop? I bought one, to keep myself safe so you wouldn't have to.
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I never blamed ya in the first place.
[His eyes drift down to the ring when Tenn pulls it out, and he can't help but grin.]
You're every bit as smart as I've known ya ta be. Even my knightly powers coulda kept ya safe fer only so long.
[Ah...but thinking of his role gets his grin to fade into a melancholy smile for a brief moment. There's another person that he's let down today.
He...tries not to dwell on it for more than a moment, though, and brings his gaze back up to Tenn.]
Keep it close, kiddo. And don'tcha dare go givin' it ta someone else. If anyone's gotta get through this and take out Hamelin, it's you.
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[ He smiles, because he's glad Raven believes in him so much. He wishes he could take out Hamelin with Raven around, and wipe that stupid grin off of Hamelin's face. But...that's neither here nor there. ]
Speaking of knightly powers, though, I wanted to ask you something.
[ His look turns a little more curious. His tone isn't accusatory, just wondering: ]
The fairy I'm working with. I had mentioned your role to them. [ He looks a little guilty about that, but what's done is done. ] They said something that made me curious, though -- they mentioned that there shouldn't be any third parties involved in this game. I thought that was odd, so if you're okay with it, I'd like to know more about the person you were working with.
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[That second bit, though... He squints and tips his head a little.]
So the fairies don't even know about 'em? That's... [He thinks about it for a moment.] I guess that would make sense, actually.
[And now that he's thinking about it further, and about what Hamelin said at the end of the trial. Shit.]
...It's someone who apparently knows Hamelin personally. And if he's aware of 'em, I... [This time he audibly mutters shit under his breath.] I really hope I didn't blow their cover.
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I don't know how Hamelin knows, but somehow, it doesn't surprise me that he knows about the existence of the other roles, period.
[ Which is not good for them at all, and he's certain Hamelin has some kind of target painted on his own back, too, but. ]
So they made it to this world somehow, too, and they're not a fairy? Interesting. I didn't know that was possible.
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I actually don't know fer sure if they're a fairy or not, but I didn't get the impression that they are. I just know that they're here like the rest of us, and they wanted ta help give us a leg up on Hamelin.
[...which he fucking squandered, but he's already spent enough time hating himself about that tonight.]
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[ HMMM. ]
How are you communicating with them, and do you think it'd be okay for me to try to seek them out?
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I don't think I should give up the way ta contact 'em. Not that I don't trust ya, but if they're this well-hidden, I don't wanna put 'em at risk.