sageguidance | brandishes a knife

[At some point after that hellish trial, Souji's going to go around to make sure everyone in this crusty mansion is doing okay. WHERE'S THE LAD, he's here with a tray balanced on one hand and Saizo following dutifully behind.]

[ Alphinaud has since moved outside to the yard, sitting down near the garden. Good thing he made tea earlier, because he sure as hell needs it right now! Which he has.

He's clearly lost in thought; meanwhile, carbuncle is curled up on the grass beside him. ]

[Souji pauses for a second, upon spotting him, but then moves over to sit nearby. On the tray is a little bowl of cut fruit, along with two cups of freshly poured tea. Spearmint, this time.]

Do you mind if I join you?

[ He blinks, looking up. ]

Oh—of course. Pray, make yourself comfortable. I had only thought to get myself some fresh air.

[Setting the tray down between the two of them.]

Help yourself, if you'd like. I think we could all use a little bit of refreshing after that...

[The WHOLE MESS OF A TRIAL, watching everyone spiral wildly out of control, confessions, explosions, wild shit left and right, jesus. No one is unscathed, not even the dead... Which, speaking of:]

May I ask what's on your mind?

[ Yay, fruit. Alphinaud helps himself to a peach slice, letting out a thoughtful hum. ]

I am greatly saddened by what has become of Sheila. We used to speak, before, and she was a good woman, yet I am not pleased to know she will be joining us here.

[Remember when they were all like "WHOEVER DID THIS IS A SOCIOPATH". Hilarious.]

...Yes. She seems like a good person, which makes me wonder how things actually happened that night.

[Like, surely Sheila isn't secretly a sociopath after all... And now that the cat is outta the bag and all:]

--I imagine that Diluc-san will be joining us here shortly, too.

[ He looks a little startled by that statement. ]

What do you mean?

[There's a little bit of a thin smile as he considers his words. But then:]

Setting aside the shadows, if you could kill someone to save your loved one and you knew with certainty that another person here had done the same, would you not take the chance to target them?

... You believe someone will target him.

I believe that there is not a slim chance that it could happen.

[Not guaranteed, but definitely not unlikely. He picks up one of the cups of tea, but doesn't take a sip.]

It's also possible that if they were to get into another situation like they did with Bucky-san, he would make for a convenient vote.

[ He takes a sip of tea, then: ]

I hope that does not come to pass, but I suppose the possibility is there.

[A beat; he looks toward Alphinaud.]

...What will you do, if he ends up here?

[ He exhales softly, tiredly. ]

Would that I could say with any certainty, but I do not know. His words to Bradley imply that he was indeed compelled into his actions, but they... [ Alphinaud falters, briefly. ] They are actions that affected my sister's life as well, and I do not know if I could ever truly forgive that.

[He sets his cup down somewhere around the falter, reaching out to lightly rest a hand against Alphinaud's arm.]

...I don't think anyone would hold it against you if you couldn't. Even if he was compelled, it isn't necessary to forgive.

[Though he doesn't say it because he himself is a vindictive person by nature. He's never held a grudge in his life, but he also thinks only the victims have the right to decide how they want to feel about their killers regardless of the circumstances behind how they died. If they wanna punch, they should punch! If they want to make peace, they should.]

I suppose it's not something you have to think about too much just yet, anyway. But if the time comes and there's anything that I can do to help, then...

[Even knowing that it's something he'll have to handle on his own, ultimately.]

Not yet, no. Nevertheless, 'tis a possibility I will need to brace myself for, and should the time come, I will have to deal with matters as they happen.

But thank you, Souji. I feel as though you already do too much for me.

[The first part just gets a little nod, because, well. Yeah! He's right. Gotta roll with those punches. He holds up his free hand at the second though, a gentle gesture of denial.]

I've hardly done anything at all. [HE TRIES SO HARD AND CAN ONLY COOK.] ...I recognize that these are things that one must often pick their way through without any help, though. All the same, if I can even make you a cup of tea when all's said and done, you need only say the word.

[ He shakes his head. ]

That is not true. From the moment I stepped foot here, you have expressed kindness and compassion to not only myself, but to all who reside here—and that, I feel, warrants my full gratitude.

[Souji, running fastly because he gets so uncomfortable so quickly when people talk kindly about him.]

The kind one is you, Al-kun, goodness. But if I can help those here even a little, then it's something I'm grateful for. I only wish that I could do a little more.

[FASTLY MOVING ON oh look at that Saizo's headbutting Alphinaud's other side for attention what a coincidence--]

[ smh souji...

But it's an effective strategy!! Before Alphinaud can utter another word, he is indeed distracted by pig. ]

—Oh. [ you lil fiend... Alphinaud smiles, rubbing at Saizo's piggy head. ] Not getting your undivided attention from Souji enough lately, are you?

[YEAAAH NO ONE CAN CATCH HIM. Saizo is his favorite accomplice...

Said piggy is also enjoying the attention, making a little bukii! sound before trotting over to settle down between the two of them. Closer to the FRUIT.]

What a spoiled child. [Said with all the fondness...] He's getting more than enough attention from everyone here! And perhaps a bit of his sweetness is performative, so he can get a few extra treats... Isn't that right, Saizo?

[Saizo just looks between both of them with his eternally angry piggy expression, somehow emanating an air of "aw shit ya caught me".]

[ he chuckles ]

'Tis the wont of animal companions, hm? [ he will gladly offer Saizo another peach slice, tho... ] When I was young, we had a pet dog, so I am quite familiar with the like.

[ says he, as if carbuncle isn't just curled up lazily nearby.... but that's different, anyway ]

[Saizo is so spoiled... He happily accepts the slice, chompin it down with a delighted little piggy bukii! as Souji laughs.]

Oh, did you? That must have been so fun. Dogs seem like they would make for quite a reliable and energetic companion, you know? What was your friend's name?

Angelo. Alisaie named him, but only after we argued for so long over it.

[ at least he says this fondly ]

[Yeah that sounds like some sibling shit.]

Angelo! What a charming name... Though, I'm quite curious - what was it that you wanted to name him, exactly?

brandishes a knife

w4 sat

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