WEEK 7

[parasomniacs]

Week 7

Monday - Thursday

[Despite earnest intentions to the contrary, last week had a business-as-usual murder trial. Well, you may not all act noble, but you'll be treated like royalty on this new floor. ...Except by Sheepy, who is still bugging you when you're awake. The strange distortions appear in the air before she shows up before everyone.]

Goooood morning! Sleep well? We unlocked the 8th floor, so make sure you move in and get cozy! The motive's on the way and it's one of my favorites! Have fun~

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[nevergraduating]

[There's a pause before he answers. It's not something he's had to think much about, not when he was focused on that one and only goal. Maybe there's a part of him somewhere that wonders what would have happened if he'd made different choices, if he'd met different people, if all of that had never happened from the beginning. But even so, even if he wandered about that meandering maze of possibilities, they couldn't change the past. They couldn't change what's happened, and they couldn't change what he's done. And isn't that what it all really comes down to?

But even so. Perhaps there was at least one thing.]

...You remember when I told you then, right? That I was a little sorry to be leaving it all behind? That wasn't a lie, but in the end, something like that isn't enough to steer you off a course you've charted for years - that we've charted for years.

If you think that's enough to qualify as regret, then I guess you have your answer.

[valimar]

Right... if it's something you lived your whole life for, then I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[ That he'd do it all over again if presented with the opportunity.

It's possible it could be just the corset he was wearing - it was tied a little too tightly for his taste - but for a moment it looks as though Rean's breathing turned shallow, shaky even, with his hands tightly clutching the skirt of his dress as he averts his gaze. He knew he was living in the past. Even right this moment, he was clinging to that false hope of bringing him back. Pretending as though things were the same as always - as if he never left them behind.

He couldn't deny he was stuck in the past, instead of moving on - pushing forward like he'd promised himself that day. And yet, he much preferred looking back at the past than facing what present he has to deal with back home. The present he didn't want or care to think about, the present that's nary even crossed his mind ever since he reunited with the past again. To Rean, it was very much a second chance. ]

You've accomplished everything you've set out to do. [ He says a little too quietly, still avoiding his best friend's gaze. ] I guess sometimes I just... wonder if things could have been different.

[ ...He really was such a spoiled brat. ]

[nevergraduating]

Whoa now, saying it's something I've spent my whole life for is pretty exaggerated, don't you think? What kind of deprived childhood do you think I had?

[He shrugs it off with a smile. 'It's nothing to take seriously,' his demeanor says, even though there's no point donning that façade to Rean - not to the nosy kid who already knows enough about his reasons to see it for what it is. But levity is second nature to him now, and if this is the one way he can get Rean to stop feeling sorry for him--

...But this kid. This spoiled kid who never knew when to let go, even after everything he'd been put through. Even after he had been told to his face that it was all too naïve to expect that things would go back to what they were, he still tore on desperately, with the ferocity of an ever-consuming flame. Perhaps it would've been better to take the chance right here and now; sever all those ties so he could continue onwards, fiercely and relentlessly. But--

(Maybe he was pretty softhearted too, in the end.)

And so, when Rean's breathing gets shallow and uneven, when he starts turning away, Crow simply takes a few step forwards to ruffle his hair lightly.]

Maybe. Maybe not. But keep getting caught up in the past and you'll turn out like me. And even if I don't regret the things I've done, that doesn't mean I'd want you following the trails I laid. You're a better person than that.

[valimar]

[ Had this been any other situation, the hair ruffling would be met with a put-upon look. In this case, though it still feels pretty weird with Rean all dolled up in a dress, the gesture isn't unwelcome. ]

...Do you really think so?

[ Rean's voice is still a little too quiet, still not looking at Crow. Because he really, honestly doubted it. Because Crow didn't know about that... Because Rean never said anything either, even if he's sure Crow's long since caught on by now.

He knew he promised to keep moving forward, relentlessly. Everyone else already set off on their own paths, following their own trails they've laid out. And where was he? What was he doing, having chosen to stay behind? To remain in the same place as always. Though it was his decision, there was no denying that it's never been the same since. ...Perhaps it wouldn't be too far off the mark for him to feel like he's stagnating. ]

Well, I have to admit you're right about one thing: I'm probably not cut out for that kind of work. Still, as long as you have no regrets, no loose ends... [ There's a brief hint of emotion in his tone. ] Then that's really all that matters, doesn't it?

[nevergraduating]

If I give you an answer to that, I'll be even cheesier than I've already been. ...But yeah. I think so.

[Even if Rean hasn't been saying certain things, hasn't mentioned much about anything after the last time they parted... he hasn't gotten the sense that it meant that Rean was in the wrong about it. And even if things were being hidden, it's not as if Crow has any room to judge. It's not like he'd been the most candid person in the months they've known each other.

Still, he's not sure if he should call it shock or surprise or dissatisfaction, but this wasn't the way he had thought things would turn out. With how far Class VII had come, with how far Rean had come... seeing him stopped in place, lingering on hypotheticals and what-ifs was something he doesn't quite know how to feel about. Maybe something resembling disappointment, but less directed at Rean and moreso at... whatever vague and undefined thing that was responsible. Maybe even himself, a little.]

Having no regrets isn't all it's cracked up to be, and I'd say what matters most comes down to making your own decisions. For me, I made my choices and I accepted the consequences that came with it, good or bad.

[And with eyes looking staring straight into Rean's own--]

I think it's about time for you to accept that too.