second_star | IC Contact Post

[ it was another.

(a longer list of numbers. a longer list of area codes. divided and categorized. some unknown and some impossible. but each connected. each tried. every time. each rang back or ended. some led to voices, some led to recordings. some led to - )

and though the information on these were scattered, for now, he had strung the obvious together. he had strung the notable together. the small subtleties. some he had spoken to, some he had not. (all he had hoped would not pick up.)

some had led to exchanges of information, impersonal. (and even with that, it was easier not to talk. easier to simply call. to receive another empty dial tone. another empty number. another empty line. a thought. a scam.)

and so, when he calls this number - he waits on the (if luck would have it) dial tone. the recording. the answering machine, out-dated. ]

Edited 2012-09-28 23:40 (UTC)

[ He was going to take a moment right now and question...Why the hell was his book ringing?

Yuri took it from his sash, opening it up. That seemed to stop the noise. Of course, he shouldn't be surprised...it was the community after all. He saw a line of numbers, a combination he didn't recognize with any special meaning. ...Was someone trying to talk to him? ]

Hello?

[ it has reconnected. re-strung. retied. (and it is not the first time. it is not the first time. today. this week - it is not the first time. and there is a kind of deeper pause in it. a kinder of quieter pause in it. there is a kind of reluctance to answer. to respond. knowing this voice. knowing that voice. knowing -- ) ]

... It's a wrong number. [ and somehow, the words are mismatched. somehow, the words are too shortened for the sound of his voice. almost too boyish. too young.

he's quiet. ]

It's a person, not a number. [ This voice...he vaguely recognized it. Somehow. He's heard it on the community before. ]

This is Yuri Lowell. Got a name you can shoot back too?

Hey, Lowell. We need to have a talk so I can get some facts straight before I figure out exactly what I've got to do about this situation. Any time good for an in-person chat?

[ Well, this is unexpected. ]

Uh, anytime that works for you? We're just resting up in a city right now.

Anywhere you want to meet or should I just break your door down and kidnap you?

That'd make my life a lot harder than I'd like. Just meet me outside the city. It's called Dahngrest, I'll be waiting on the bridge.

Good thing I'm being extra benevolent today.

[ Extra benevolent meaning she's willing to hear his side of the story, anyway. ]

See you soon.

[ And she hangs up the phone, then goes to get her worldhop. It doesn't take her long at all to get there, even wearing her SSS uniform. Girl is here on business, bro. ]

[ She sure stuck out like a sore them. Approaching where she stood, Yuri gave a wave. ]

Didn't think I'd ever see you in my world. Hopefully it can handle two Yuris at once.

[ Not like her non-uniform clothes would make her blend in any better. ]

Don't worry, I'm already dead so it doesn't count toward the Yuri overload meter.

You're gonna have to explain to me how the dead thing works sometime. [ He crossed his arms, leaning against the bridge rail. ]

So...what did you want to talk about?

I want you to tell me exactly what happened on New Years with Ange. In your own words, with explanations as to why. Trust me when I say it's really important to your physical and mental well-being and that I'm the good cop in this scenario.

[ He just sighed at her words. He really didn't like thinking back over that night... ]

We met up at the party like we agreed to. She was thirsty so I brought us some drinks. I guess hers ended up being alcoholic, because she got drunk, but I was fine. [ Leave it to the community to do something like that. ] Anyway, she ended up kissing me, and confessed to me. I...turned her down. [ He was looking off to the side now. ]

I'm not really in a position to be dating anyone, right now. My life's a little hectic at the moment. [ That was an understatement. ] That's why I turned her down.

Okay, different question then. [ Though the great points would've been "the was drunk and I wasn't going to take advantage of her while she was drunk, it's not a horrible answer. ] Do you want to be with her?

[ ...His face contorted into a weird expression. How was he even supposed to answer to that? ] Does that really have to do with anything? It wouldn't change the situation.

It has everything to do with it. I'm not going to go run and tell her, don't worry.

[ He hesitated, before quickly answering, his expression making it obvious that he was forcing the answer out. ] I wouldn't mind it, I guess. But I'm not even good boyfriend material.

Nuh uh, real answer. Do you want her or not? It's a yes or no question.

[ Jeez. ]

Real answer? I really don't know. I never thought about it.

Then think about it, moron. Ange has a lot of problems and she really likes you, even after the alcohol. Just because you're in trouble a lot or you're not relationship material doesn't mean that you and she don't have a right to make each other happy. She doesn't have a lot that does make her happy and no matter what happens, she's going to lose someone that does. So if she can find someone that does, I'm damn well not going to stand by and not tell you off because you don't think you're ready to be in a relationship. So if you can honestly say you don't think being with her like that would make you happy, then I'll drop it and you can treat me to some food for coming all this way and we can be cool with each other.

[ He already knew that much. Not a lot going on in her life makes her happy...but...even knowing that... ]

I don't think being with her like that would make me happy. [ He said that with a serious expression on his face. ]

Hope you don't mind cheap food, though.

Fine with me, as long as it's not like ten day old stale bread.

[ Yuri shrugs. If he can honestly say that, she's not going to push him. Which means she's not going to push Ange toward him either if this is a dead end. ]

....Yuri Lowell.

[yeah just saying his first name feels so weird since he's with another Yuri but... anyways. They really need to discuss some things.]

I need to talk with you in private. It's about.... well, everything that's happened. Don't worry you know I won't rip your head off, I just have some things I need to explain.

I'm free to talk. I'm the only one awake right now. [ It seemed like what happened at the New Years eve party was still on everyone's minds. ]

You rather do it face to face?

Yeah... definitely... so you don't mind me going over there?

[Yuri is about to learn why he was so angry before.]

I don't. Just meet me outside the inn. The city's called Dahngrest. [ There's a questioning wimper behind Yuri, who whispers something back. His voice turned back to the communicator. ]

I'll be outside.

[ And the voice transmission goes blank, and within a few minutes, Yuri's outside, leaning against the inn wall. ]

[Alright... not like Battler has ever been to this world before, but... here goes.

When he arrives he's not wearing that cape of his anymore, not like this is Game Master business or anything, he's here as just Battler. He waves at Yuri, smiling a bit as he gets closer.]

Yo! Man.... I need to visit this place more often, it's huge. I guess it's since I'm used to being on an island.

[ Yuri smirked, waving back. ]

Yeah, sorry if I wasn't more specific. I'm still not used to the whole world-hopping business. [ An island? Well, it wasn't important to ask. ]

Besides, I bet those witches' games keep you from getting out much.

Yeah... they really do, I'm pretty cramped up in there.

[He shrugs... but then he just stops smiling as much.]

Anyways.. I wanted to talk to you about something... really important. It involves all of us, you, me and Ange...

[ He was tempted to crack a joke but...it really seemed to serious for that, right now. ]

Yeah. You said you had to explain something. What is it?

Well...

[Battler is just moving to go lean against one of the buildings, running a hand through his hair, he sighs a bit.]

The only other people that know are Yurippe and Minatsuki so.... I really should tell you, and don't tell Ange, this is all for her anyways.

[he takes in a deep breath before he talks.]

...I know you turned her down, but now I'm asking you to reconsider. You see I'm.... I won't be around for very much longer. I'm not exactly dead, but I will be soon.

The game board ends after two days, and after that time then there's just nothing, something happens and I cease to exist anymore... so.... yeah you could say I'm a talking corpse. In other words, I'll die soon Yuri.

[ Yuri's face crinkled slightly, the smirk becoming a slight frown. Die soon? And how could he say that so surely? Though Yuri was already aware that his world worked differently from anything he could imagine...his mind was rejecting that. Telling him he couldn't be serious.

Though...this didn't sound like a joke. Yuri closed his eyes, crossing his arms deeper across his chest. ]

...So, she won't have you anymore, is what you're saying? [ He breathed in. He could already tell what Battler was getting at. ] And you don't want her to be alone?

[Well, he didn't know if Ange had already explained to Yuri all about the red truth or whatever so...]

Battler Ushiromiya dies in 1986.

[Plain and simple, the truth comes out just like that. He smiles bitterly at the thought.]

I'm not in her world right? In 1998? It's because I'm dead thanks to the whole Rokkenjima incident... I figured that out a long time ago and this whole time I've been trying to figure out another game for her, another game so she can see that even if her family isn't around we're all there in spirit and she just.... needs to move on.

...But... yeah, you understand what I mean, I was just afraid since after I would be gone I didn't know what kind of guy you were- I didn't know if there would be anyone else around to protect her in case her heart got broken again... understand?

It's why I said to stay away initially, I didn't take you into consideration so I wasn't ready for something like this but.... now I can see what you're like, I think she'll need you afterwards.

[ That red truth...Yuri knew what that meant well enough. It was undeniable. He was being completely honest right now. He could follow the explanation well enough...it wasn't too complicated. There was the whole other issue of why he'd try to tell her through a game, rather than just face to face, but...it wasn't his business.

Yuri didn't met Battler's gaze, his eyes still closed. ]

Being there for her and returning her feelings are two different things, Battler. I never told her we still couldn't be friends.

[Oh he knew that, he knows all about that especially with the person that he loves more than anything. He just... ugh, this was hard.]

I know but... I'm just... why did you turn her down? Maybe we can figure things out and fix it...

It's hard I know, I'm in love with Yurippe and she's dead- she told me over and over again not to go for her and that it wouldn't work out, but.... I just couldn't stop, and now we love each other and we're together.

Even if something seems wrong it might turn out for the better.

Congrats. [ He said, almost bitterly. ] I'm glad it worked out for you two. But that's just it, you know. You're dead, and she's dead, right? There's nothing stopping either of you. [ Yuri finally opened his eyes, looking up to the sky. ]

What if I said yes, and died tomorrow? [ He looked to Battler now. ] What then?

There was stopping something before, before I realized all of this- we definitely couldn't be together.

However! [Battler brings a hand in front of his face, making a fist.] That was then and this is now! The only thing stopping you in the way of love is you!

If you die then I'll just resurrect you, it's that simple! I'll keep that up until the day I leave this world for real! So please I'm asking you to reconsider your answer to Ange!

[ ...Yuri almost felt bad. He was really that desperate to see this through, wasn't he? All for the sake of Ange...but it was precisely because it was for her sake that he answered like that in the first place. Yuri turned his gaze away again, looking down at the ground. ]

I don't really get how your world works but...even if that was possible, I'm gonna have to say no. She still wouldn't deserve to deal with that sort of thing, on top of everything else. [ To be honest, he didn't believe Battler could really do anything like that either, but nothing he was gonna say would sound like a convincing argument against that. It was better to just tell the truth. ]

When you're gone, I can be there to help her. But that's all I can be.

W....what....?

[This was.... no really, what the hell was this?! Battler had, at first, been so overly against the two of them getting together- but he told Ange he would fix this, he told her that he would deifnitely help her out and everything so...

Dammit, he wouldn't let her be so sad about everything anymore, she needed something like this to help her move on too!

Battler moved towards the other man, reaching out to him and grabbing his collar. Battler was still taller than him, so he was looking down at him and little and pulling him up as he looked impossibly angry yet again.]

Lowell! How can you say that....?! Aren't you a man, don't you get it when someone wants to be with you so badly?! If you knew.... if you understood- you would definitely man up and do whatever it took to be with that person, regardless of how difficult it was!

It's dangerous? Then become stronger to protect both you and her. It's complicated? Then sort whatever it is you have to do out, or is it that you really just don't want to? Then don't act like some good guy and lead her on like that!

Just.... [he didn't know why he was getting so angry, but maybe it was because he had been in love with Yurippe so much and yet he had waited for her to finish everything, he had waited for her and she had eventually returned his feelings and it was something that completed his life, truly. It was complicated for her too, it was so complicated that she could have disappeared and yet she went with him- Battler was supposed to fall for Beatrice but he went with her instead so...

Why can't this guy understand nothing should stand in the way of love?!]

Just.... understand.... how important this is!

Edited 2013-01-23 02:28 (UTC)

[ If it wasn't love they were talking about right now...he could have sworn the words he was hearing come out of his mouth were Flynn's. Yuri just stared back at Battler, unfazed as he grabbed his collar and pulled him upwards. He knew Battler meant well, and...in some way, everything he was saying wasn't wrong. But...

Sometimes it didn't matter how strong you were.

Sometimes the complicated matters couldn't be solved so easily.

Yuri didn't say anything back as the young man shouted angrily at him. All he did was keep eye contact. He couldn't help but wonder...did he really know what it felt like not being strong enough? Not strong enough to save something? To protect something? Yuri pushed his hand out to the wall they stood next to. Different rock, but it felt the same as back then, didn't it?

Did he really think that all Yuri had to say was "yes, I'll return her feelings" and everything was going to be okay and work itself out?

Yuri was doing all he could. That's exactly why his life was the way it was. That's exactly why, even if though he liked her too...he didn't want to be with her. She didn't deserve that, she deserved better.

Did Battler really think it was that easy to be strong? ]

Must have been an easy life you lived. [ Yuri closed his eyes. ] Ange doesn't deserve me. She deserves better.

[...And easy life....

An easy life?!

Battler grit his teeth at that, feeling impossibly angry at the words coming from the other man. He wasn't getting it, he wasn't understanding this at all, and even saying that his life had been easy...!]

You..... how dare you.....! After my mom died I felt like I didn't have a place in that family anymore, don't you see?! I ran away and in the end it was me that caused that entire incident! Me! It was due to my sin that all this happened...!!

Someone fell in love with me and I left them behind, I promised I would return for them and that sorrow and hatred grew for six years before it finally festered into what happened on that island, and it was all because I was a dumb kid that promised to return for someone that needed it the most! I can never forgive myself for turning my back on someone when they obviously just needed someone to rely on, someone to be there and save them from the sadness and loneliness they went through!

Even now.... [Battler slowly let go of Yuri.] ....even now I'm letting that person down and it pains me every day, every goddamn moment.... but there would still be no way for me to make up for the sins that I've done, so instead I'm trying to correct everything now, trying to change the present so the future can become important...

[Battler can already feel the tears reaching his eyes, and he brings a hand up to his face to try and stop them before anything happens.]

....So don't tell me that Ange deserves better, I know what she's capable of, she's strong.... she deserves someone that's just as strong as her and not someone like her brother that messes up more often than not....

I just.... want you to keep her safe, okay? I want you to be close to her when I can't, I want you to support her and comfort her when she's down... pat her on the head when I'm not around....

So.... realize your past, understand your sins, and try and change everything for the better so people don't have to suffer anymore.... you're a better person than me, that's for sure.

I couldn't even remember a promise I made six years ago, so don't forget anyone like I did.

[ Yuri stumbled a bit, as soon as Battler's grip disappeared. So, that was the situation for him, wasn't it? ...His words to Yuri made more sense, knowing all this now. Yuri stayed quiet when Battler spoke, and even after he had finished saying everything, Yuri didn't move a muscle. Not until a minute or so later. He sighed, his eyes closed, as he moved from his spot, and began to walk towards Battler's side.

Realize your past, huh?

He didn't turn to face Battler, but instead, put a hand on his shoulder. ]

I promise. I'm going to keep her safe, okay? I'll be there for her when you're not around. [ His tone of voice, though Battler couldn't see his expression, was evidence that there was a small, small smile on his face. ]

You're a good big brother, Battler. I'm not gonna let you down. [ His hand moved off Battler's shoulder as he took a few more steps past Battler, still facing away. ]

Can we just drop love out of the equation, though? I can be everything else. I can say that much.

[Ugh.... this... this guy! He wasn't understanding, he wasn't getting it at all! He knows that Ange won't be satisfied with this, it'll all be pointless if he can't accept the fact that they should be together- that they need to be together for Ange to even be fully happy again....!

He knew this could ruin everything, and if Ange isn't happy and willing to move on then things won't go well.]

Lowell.... [he choked out his name, sniffling a bit and trying to get himself under control again.]

You might not let me down but you'll be letting her down if you don't accept her love- don't you see? I know you said you can be everything else but.... that's so useless, so impossibly useless....!

At least consider what I'm saying! You said you'll be there for me after everything so that means you can't die, so it might be dangerous but you'll live so it's fine...!

[ He really just wanted this conversation to end. Yuri let go of Battler's shoulder, walking forward a little more. It was already way too late for this kind of stuff, and they had to face who knows who in the morning. ]

...I'll consider it. Let's stop here for now. We're both tired. And I left Repede to guard duty. [ He looked back to Battler. There was no trace of the small smile he had before. It was obvious he didn't want to talk about this anymore right now. ]

I'll see you around, Battler.

[...This guy is really walking away?! When he feels Yuri's hand leave his shoulder, Battler immediately turns around and looks at the back of the guy.]

Lowell...! I just.... I'm sorry for everything you know? I know it's hard and all but... thanks for at least staying by her side, even after all this!

[Jeez, he really didn't want to shout something like that, it feels almost like admitting defeat since Yuri isn't going to say he'll accept her feelings, but... this is the best he can do for now.]

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