People like that rarely do. [she's seen it a few times, watching some people be so desperate enough it's driven them insane. but the idea that it happened to the four of them is uncomfortable, to say the least.]

...but it didn't work, right? [a gentle, non-judgmental prompt. what horrors did you experience that this woman used against you.]

I told her I wasn't going to accept any help from someone who helped get me into that situation in the first place, so she could fuck right off.

[ his tendency to react to emotionally stressful situations with anger and stubbornness actually worked to his advantage... ]

...I don't know about everyone else, though. I think Geto-kun took her up on it to some extent, at least, because she had enough influence over him to get him to attack the rest of us.

[ mostly him!!! because she was mad at him for rejecting her, he guesses!!!! ]

[honestly? good for him, she would support that so much.]

Can't say you're wrong for that. [like. why would you accept help from someone who essentially forced your hand? the rest though is...bad. and it kind of puts some context to some of the things geto's not telling her.]

Did you guys even have a way to really fight him back? [she sounds alarmed a little because, um, hello? between the three of you don't you technically only have alfyn's axe???]

Pickles and I both still had knives with us from the part where we were all separated, and Alfyn-san had his axe... and all three of the others had some kind of special powers.

[ which was good for alfyn and pickles, but geto ALSO had powers and was out there summoning deities and shit while todomatsu's normie ass just had a knife. ]

Eventually, like, halfway through the fight, I got some temporary powers too, though, which helped.

...I'm not sure where those came from, actually.

Edited (he didn't read her brackets where the axe was already accounted for...) 2024-06-23 12:25 pm (UTC)

[why did todomatsu not have powers. she's just frowning at this because what the fuck. she can't just ask why he doesn't have powers though, that feels rude.]

Temporary is better than nothing, you're right, but...it doesn't change what happened before that. [but she furrows her eyebrows a little.] They only appeared when you had to fight against Geto? Maybe it was a blessing in the end.

It was... specifically right after I ragged on him for being her puppet while he had me pinned down, yeah.

[ the exact phrase was "little bitch" actually, but he already reached his swear quota for this thread. ]

So. I don't know, I guess maybe the mystery power granter appreciates a good burn.

[you know what. that makes sense actually, why wouldn't random miracles come up at opportune times.]

Could be. [she would appreciate a good burn, frankly.] Or it's the fact you kept fighting back at all. Some people would still fall apart under those circumstances. I'm kinda impressed.

[this probably sounds mildly insulting even if she doesn't mean for it to be, but he is so painfully normal.]

Yeah? Thanks...!

[ given that everyone else there DID cave to some extent, he will accept this as an actual impressive thing worth complimenting and feel flattered by it. instant mood boost. he would probably be blushing a little right now except his blood is not currently circulating. ]

I suppose I can be kind of stubborn sometimes, haha...

[NOT HIS BLOOD. it's fine, we are just going to be grateful he did not join our five-body pileup.]

Pretty sure being stubborn is gonna be one of the things we need to get out of here. This place...really, really wants to make us cave in different ways. This feels like another attempt, but you got through it. You should be proud of yourself for at least that much. Even if the rest will take time to heal from.

["you came back", goes unsaid. that's enough.]