PUBLIC CHANNEL | DAY 59, AFTER THE COUNT

[betheman]

[The moment the shadows begin to clear enough that it affects where Gongenzaka and a few others are, an announcement comes blasting through on the public channel-]

The shadows around myself, and those with me, are now clearing! [he shouts, voice strong and clear.] If it is the same for others outside of the carnival, then heed my words- we return to the Carnival Grounds at once! The sooner we are within our own 'home ground', the safer!

More importantly, the easier it will be to help in the recovery of those taken! [For after all, they know damn well that the Ringmaster won't just leave anyone behind. So.]

We move! Now!

If I, the man Gongenzaka, encounter any others on the path back, I shall be making certain you come with for that matter!

[NO BUTS.]

Comments

[pipers_son]

[Well, he doesn't need to smell it when it's that obvious. Thanks for being an open book, Gongenzaka.]

....Do ya want me ta manhandle 'em?

[betheman]

Auuhh...

[There is a furtive glance to make sure Yuuya does NOT HEAR THIS BIT, and if Joker doesn't come right down there he may even resort to direct radio line.] Y...Yuuya and I have been attempting to uphold an agreement to avoid forcing matters of safety upon the other...

...as we have done so in the past...

[That whole 'I WILL PROTECT YOU' thing became kind of an issue, especially back in the manor.]

[pipers_son]

[Oh boy. Yeah, he's flapping down a little. Feathers is a big boy, he can watch everything.]

....Is that what the issue was back there?

[CHILDREN]

[betheman]

...Mn-

Define 'back there'... [he notes, frowning. That could apply to many 'theres', Joker, this is sort of a big issue.]

Regardless it is...something which we were admittedly working to cease at home, as friends... ...here, unfortunately, there is simply that much more to be wary of, and so...

[well case in point he kinda lost an arm but]

[pipers_son]

Neither of ya would go while the other was still in the room, huh?

[Slowly, he shakes his head.]

I mean, it's admirable, but it seems like it comes with it's own problems...

[betheman]

For myself, I, the man Gongenzaka simply thought of my size, [He grumbles.] It took time to fit through that hole- time enough that, had the Queen not been preoccupied, any behind me would have easily been struck.

...Truthfully, if we were our proper size and forms... [If he thinks about it...] I would have gone, if I, the man Gongenzaka, was certain he Would follow.

...I had, in fact, [He notes, thinking back to the hole incident itself.] ...Though I, the man Gongenzaka, am glad I hesitated, for he also attempted to call to Steven before coming back...

[Sorry to throw you under a bus Yuuya, but you could have at least said 'ok just wait a minute' instead of telling him to head off- that was close!]

...To protect him is something I, the man Gongenzaka, have acted to do since we were in elementary school. We are of the same age, yet it felt as though that duty were there all the same. ...I, the man Gongenzaka...

...I admit, most certainly, that it is difficult to think, 'he shall be fine, for he is strong'.

...but when it comes to insisting... [Well. It's tricky to draw that line between overprotective insisting, and Normal Insisting as a result.]

[pipers_son]

Then... Have ya thought about talkin' with each other about what things the two of ya are strong about? So that ya can decide when one of ya should take a step back from the other and accept bein' weak.

[betheman]

Mnnhh... [He pauses to think about that.] Where our strengths lie... ...such is a thing we cannot deny, certainly...

However... [He lifts up his metal arm.] ...Certain things have occurred during the times where I, the man Gongenzaka, rose to his defense...

...and while I, the man Gongenzaka, certainly cannot say I would have acted differently in those situations... ...I can not question the reason one would have to insist at protecting me instead, as a result...

[Lose an arm, get stabbed through the eye... ...Bit of a mess. Bit of a mess...]

[pipers_son]

Well. Suppose that is a bit of a problem.

[And why does it feel like it's hitting too close to home...]

I think you'll want ta talk more deeply about that, when we're at the carnival proper.

[As it is, well... Kind of.... busy...]

[betheman]

Ahhh... ...Or at the very least, when things are more calm, [He admits, sighing.] Nonetheless, I, the man Gongenzaka, am glad for the time you took to ask.

[Even if things aren't 'solved' exactly, it IS nice to chat through what's what with someone that isn't his daemon.]

[pipers_son]

And remember I'll always be here for a chat~.

[But for now, he's flapping back upwards to join Feathers, and trusting people to not be too stubborn down on the ground.]