rippled | yves

[ they just stare at yves for a moment long enough that it may seem like a rejection

but they will just walk into yves' arms. ]

Mm...

[ okay

yves will just give them a hug, squeezing gently but meaningfully ]

... I know it must've been hard on you, even if you were prepared for it. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help or make it any easier. I won't blame you if you don't forgive me.

But... I do understand. I promise.

[ more than anyone else really could right now (besides uruha), he thinks. what a terrible club they've made ]

... I think, if anything, I am disheartened that I was not able to say anything to him beforehand. Uruha handled that.

[ and saber was closer to claude than he was, but this is also something they can't admit to uruha without making him feel bad. ]

But that just a selfish thought, so keep it to yourself, please.

[ he nods and just brings up a hand to smooth saber's hair back ]

I won't tell anyone.

I'm sorry you weren't able to say what you wanted... Are you going to write to him?

I do not know.

I'm not sure what I would say to him.

[ he frowns thoughtfully ]

... I don't know either. I know Claude well, I think—as much as he could let anyone know him... but it's up to you and what's in your own heart, I think.

I still wrote to Firefly, even though I don't expect her to write back. I guess... even knowing that nothing we can say will be enough, I do think sometimes they just deserve to hear it.

... I will see.

[ they do not sound too sure about it though. ]

I suppose the other thing is that I wish it wasn't Uruha. I do not think he should do any more killing, but this is not a place where we can think like that. You often get forced to kill.

[ . . . ]

I do wish it wasn't either of you. But I think I'd feel that way about anyone.

[ even mizu and wis'adel who seem so down to clown ]

There's no getting around killing our friends here, even for the people who want it the least.

[ sweet laurence ]