....They do...disturb me, yes. But that is not why I have come to see you.
[She shifts around, before -]
...This week....you will suffer.
I have...seen it in my flames. A great misfortune is coming for you, though it is due to what I have offered, I...believe me when I say I didn't force it to happen.
[It's the bonds of family that run between him and Syaoran, to be sure. She just didn't like seeing him tied down by that bond, defining himself by it.
Much like how she refused to be defined by her human past.
But after a moment of him asking that....she nods.]
...Very well. But I will not let you suffer any more than that.
This game...has taken too great a toll on you, more than it has me.
[For a moment, he is tempted. It's what he wants, isn't it? He wants to have Yuuko's name back, to protect her identity and her name. It's all he's ever wanted, and it's why this game was made in the first place.
But...if it ends now...
...]
...not yet.
[His heart is racing, because he's not even sure if this will work. He's well aware of his own limitations, and this is not within his powers, not without paying an enormous cost. It might kill him to do all on his own.
But...he's not alone, is he? He has others he can rely on now, and he'll have to trust in them.]
If you forfeit now, you won't have a face or identity. You'll stop existing, and I don't want that.
So, I'm going to find an identity for you. Please wait until I can do that.
[Things he is not telling Nirrti: that he won't be the one finding the identity, it will be his pieces.
Things he is also not telling Nirrti: the identity they're going to find for her will be, hopefully, very nostalgic.]
For a moment, she just...stares. She seems...actually shocked that he'd say something like that, to her - to someone he started this with by hating.
To someone who has ruthlessly slaughtered and cackled and enjoyed every moment of all the pain she's wrought -
aaah, a Witch truly is the most evil, disgusting thing imaginable, isn't it?
- to think that she could feel...happy from knowing someone cared enough about her to deny an offer of forfeit, enough to want to keep going for her sake-]
I....I see...
[She lowers her head, but it's clear she's crying, her shoulders shaking with emotion.]
[He's a rare existence among people in general. He's the one who, when given the chance to ask for anything he could ever want, asked for the chance to grant the wish-granter's wish. He's the one who embraced the powers he hates just for the chance to see a singe person one more time. He's the one who instantly forgave his murderer, and saved him from a fate worse than death.
He'll be fine, he thinks. He just has to help her now.]
We'll have to see, once we get out of this mess.
[He still doesn't know if he's going to be a Witch or a Human, but he'll figure it out eventually. Maybe.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Early Wednesday morning
But this time, she practically stays on the other side of the room, looking down until he wakes up.
Hm.]
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...Ah. Good morning.
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[She looks....worried.]
...I...came here to tell you something.
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[Because that sure has happened twice now.]
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[She shifts around, before -]
...This week....you will suffer.
I have...seen it in my flames. A great misfortune is coming for you, though it is due to what I have offered, I...believe me when I say I didn't force it to happen.
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[Yes, he is being a touch dismissive of her assertion there. Partially to protect his own heart.]
...but I believe you when you say you didn't make it happen.
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[She doesn't look at him when she says that, though her hands clench.]
...And even if it is temporary...I am sorry.
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What's going on with Syaoran?
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I cannot say.
It would...be against the rules of the game. Even this much...is stretching the limits.
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I understand.
[The way his fingers tighten on his kimono indicate that he doesn't agree with it, but he knows he's trapped in this as much as she is.]
Please...be gentle?
[Even if she can't say, he knows there's only one reason why she would come to him like this. And he doesn't want Syaoran to suffer.]
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she walks over, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.]
....I will be as gentle as I can.
And I...will take on that misfortune again for you. It's the least that I can do.
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But at that last bit, he shakes his head.]
Not his. We are the same person. His misfortune is mine.
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[She shakes her head, her hair flying around, smiling sadly.]
...You are your own person, Kimihiro. Regardless of your origins, you exist only as yourself.
....To me, you are the Witch of Dimensions...and my dear opponent in this game. You are no one else.
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If not 'me', then 'big brother'.
['Onii-san', literally.]
And...please. It's something I have to do.
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[It's the bonds of family that run between him and Syaoran, to be sure. She just didn't like seeing him tied down by that bond, defining himself by it.
Much like how she refused to be defined by her human past.
But after a moment of him asking that....she nods.]
...Very well. But I will not let you suffer any more than that.
This game...has taken too great a toll on you, more than it has me.
[There's a deep, deep pause.]
You...I will forfeit, if you wish.
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But...if it ends now...
...]
...not yet.
[His heart is racing, because he's not even sure if this will work. He's well aware of his own limitations, and this is not within his powers, not without paying an enormous cost. It might kill him to do all on his own.
But...he's not alone, is he? He has others he can rely on now, and he'll have to trust in them.]
If you forfeit now, you won't have a face or identity. You'll stop existing, and I don't want that.
So, I'm going to find an identity for you. Please wait until I can do that.
[Things he is not telling Nirrti: that he won't be the one finding the identity, it will be his pieces.
Things he is also not telling Nirrti: the identity they're going to find for her will be, hopefully, very nostalgic.]
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Oh.
For a moment, she just...stares. She seems...actually shocked that he'd say something like that, to her - to someone he started this with by hating.
To someone who has ruthlessly slaughtered and cackled and enjoyed every moment of all the pain she's wrought -
aaah, a Witch truly is the most evil, disgusting thing imaginable, isn't it?
- to think that she could feel...happy from knowing someone cared enough about her to deny an offer of forfeit, enough to want to keep going for her sake-]
I....I see...
[She lowers her head, but it's clear she's crying, her shoulders shaking with emotion.]
I - I ...will keep....this game going, then...
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Well.
Watanuki's sadness is clear on his face as he carefully reaches up, attempting to wipe away the tears with his thumb.]
It's just a little while longer. Two weeks, maybe three. That's how long it should take to find what I need.
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...I can endure it if you can, Kimihiro.
...I already have so for many years. What's a few more weeks?
[She's trying to stay light, but...it's strained.
You will hurt. You will hurt so badly, and I'm so afraid it will break you. Witches have broken over less.
But just like that day, she stays quiet. Just like that day, she doesn't fight, or voice what she's thinking.]
...You are...a rare existence, I think, among Witches. I hope...that after this game, I can continue to watch you grow.
...No matter how it is.
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He'll be fine, he thinks. He just has to help her now.]
We'll have to see, once we get out of this mess.
[He still doesn't know if he's going to be a Witch or a Human, but he'll figure it out eventually. Maybe.]
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[And in that moment, something...feels like it's changed.
Some small thing, but deeply important.
Ah, what is this? What has changed?
...Maybe, it's her own will.]
This future...will be painful. But...maybe, just maybe....
[She falls silent, before suddenly leaning against him, her hand curling on the fabric in her chest.]
....For...just a little while, could I....rest on you? I - won't be long, I promise.
[...And as she says that, he can still feel the gentle, wet warmth of tears falling on his shoulder.]
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[And he will sit there, hand resting on her back, holding her loosely as she 'rests' against him. It's alright, she's not alone anymore.]