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[mapsio]

TEXT。VOICE。VIDEO。ACTION

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[mapsio]

[She responds, but it’s obvious that she’s exhausted.]

Yes? I’m here. I can talk right now.

[rebells]

[Yeah, he wasn't really expecting different.]

I just wanted to check in on you. [ . . . ] And maybe, see if you wanted some company. How are you holding up?

[mapsio]

[At least she sounds like she's been trying to hold it together.]

Company is appreciated. I am holding up as well as anyone could expect right now.

[She isn't talking about it, really.]

[rebells]

[ . . . yeah, he hears what she's not saying.]

We're coming, as fast as we can. I'm sorry we can't move more quickly.

[mapsio]

I know it's taking time. But... I can say that they aren't being very kind to anyone down here.

[Haru wanted to protect her cellmates, but the monitors make that impossible. They are harsh and unforgiving.]

[rebells]

[He closes his eyes.]

I know.

We'll try and speed up the process.

[mapsio]

Please don't do anything rash.

We are all doing our best too.

[rebells]

I know you are. You're all strong people.

[He sounds tired, but firm.]

. . . I can talk about something for a while, if you'd like.

[mapsio]

I would love that. It would be a nice change of pace.

[rebells]

All right, then.

[He casts about for a topic--he's covered Norma's story enough, really--and, finally, says:]

I come from a world called Melfes. It was originally covered in water, populated by a people known as the Radiant. Ferines, I think, is their word for themselves. "People of the water." Humans came over later, on a strange rectangular ship whose secrets have been lost to time.

[mapsio]

Oh? Did the Ferines stay when humans came?

[It's the most logical question she can think up right now.]

[rebells]

Yes. That part isn't very pleasant, unfortunately. They created land on Melfes and went to war with the Radiant. That conflict lasted thousands of years.

Now, though, we're trying to live together.

[mapsio]

What brought about that kind of resolution?

[rebells]

[He hesitates, because--]

If I tell you, will you promise me something?

[mapsio]

Of course I will.

[rebells]

It involves someone who's here, in the coven. But she doesn't remember any of it.

I won't ask you not to tell her-- [He's not sure that's the right thing anyway, although he doesn't say it out loud.] Just be careful, if you do tell her.

[mapsio]

If it is something you would rather her not hear. I won't tell. Who is it?

[rebells]

It isn't that. I just haven't decided whether to tell her. I don't think that as it is, she'll listen to me.

You're with her right now, actually. Shirley.

[mapsio]

Shirley-san?

I have to say I am a little curious now.

[rebells]

She helped broker peace between the two sides. But she's from a time before she made that decision.

[mapsio]

Do you think that she wouldn't believe that she did that?

[rebells]

[He hesitates.]

. . . I don't think, as she is now, that she would like that.

[mapsio]

[She sighs, though it isn't audible to Jay.]

I see... so that would make it difficult.

[rebells]

It would.

[And then, maybe because he's tired, maybe because Haru is a friend, he adds:]

She's different from how I remember her.

[mapsio]

She seems... a little closed off. Just as something I have observed.