17: dead man walking [OPEN]

[paladaddy]

Who: Shiro and OPEN
When: Just after the Station Master meeting
Where: the Villa + various locations
Style: action
Status: open

[In the evening hours, after the station master has talked about what is to come, Shiro can be found going to various places within the bubble. If this is all to come to an end soon, then there are things he would like to have taken care of first.

So, that evening, your character may suddenly have a visitor on their doorstep. Or they may come across him while he is walking from one place to the next.]

Comments

[wavesofjade]

Shiro...

[What does she say to that? Even if some of the meaning is lost to her, she can see how much it's bothering him. She smiles gently, reaching out to place a hand over his.]

There is no shame in fear. I will help you, if I can, even if it is only by listening.

[paladaddy]

[Shiro smiles a little at that, but then he scratches at the back of his head as he tries to think of the best way to say all of this.]

Talking's the hard part, I've been keeping this stuff to myself for decades. I never had a wife or anyone else to share it with.

[wavesofjade]

What of a friend?

[There must be a reason he's bringing this up, and she can only assume he wants to talk about it, even if he's beating around the bush about the issue.]

Would you share it with me?

[paladaddy]

[Shiro has had countless friends over the years, and some are still alive back at his home. But there's always been one thing holding him back.]

Back home, I was at the top of my Order, and had been so for several years. I always had to look strong, to inspire everyone else to be strong. How would it look if everyone found out that the guy who sent everyone on dangerous missions, who sometimes had to send people to their deaths, was afraid of death himself?

[He sighs and leans back, closing his eyes as he does so.]

Though that's the nice part about being here. Titles don't matter, so a guy can be more open with his friends.

[Just like he's doing right now.]

[wavesofjade]

[When Shiro finishes speaking, the Dolorosa is quiet for a long few moments before she moves and sits beside him instead of across from him, still with her hand covering his.]

You know... [She pats his hand lightly.] Speaking of being open amounts to little if it is only words. Talk to me, dear one. I will listen.

[paladaddy]

[Oh right. He's just stalling here, even if it's unintentional. He is glad that the Dolorosa is being patient with him, though, and he flips his hand over so that he can take hers in his and hold it.]

I'm just...worried, I suppose. And it bothers me, because I've never been one to worry, not like this. I'm worried about what's going to happen in the afterlife, what's going to happen to my boys, hell, even what's going to happen to everyone I've met here, even you. I've been doing a good job at not thinking about those worries, but hearing what I did tonight just brought them to the front of my mind again.

And I know, worrying doesn't do shit besides give you wrinkles, but I can't help it.

[wavesofjade]

[She clasps her free hand over both of theirs, watching him with a quiet intensity. Meeting another species, from another planet had never been something she thought she'd do, and becoming so close to an alien was a thing even less likely than that, yet here she is.]

On my planet, we do not have the concept of an afterlife as you do. When I return, it will be to unawareness, and I do not wish that any more than you wish for what may await you.

[Her fingers squeeze his hand lightly.]

But you are correct. Worrying will solve nothing. If we wish to make an impact, we must take action. The question then becomes, what action do we take?

[paladaddy]

[Shiro nods in agreement.]

We should make sure the kids all get out of here, at the very least. I'm fine being here or there, it doesn't matter much to me where I die. But if everyone here is to be killed, then we should make sure the kids aren't here when that happens.

[He is actually glad to move to talking about plans. When he has something to focus on, he doesn't worry as much, mostly because he doesn't have time to worry.]

[wavesofjade]

How do you propose that we achieve such a thing?

[Despite the change in topic, she still keeps hold of his hands.]

You know that many of them will wish to stay and help.