hippocarnival | Lost Carnival

Mn. Yeah- they're not trying to get us lost anymore, [she notes, leaving the fact that she was able to come home at all as proof of it,] But... ...I think that's probably just because they have some people already.

...They wanted what the Ringmaster has, right? [she asks, recalling what could be heard over Herbert's radio.] And...they're mad because of something they think she did.

...or something they want to blame her for, [she adds- after all, it had been...a pretty one sided decision, over the radio.]

... Yeah, that's right. [Yuya moves to stand, reaching to put a gentle hand on Reira's shoulders to nudge her along. Probably back to her trailer.] They're like the Prince, they don't care about how much they hurt us.

But we'll definitely get them back.

Mnnn... [Well, she's moving, at least, but she's craning her head back up to frown a little.] ....I don't know if it's 'exactly' like the Prince... ...Doing what they want to get what they want is like the Prince, but...

...It sounded like the way people were taken away was different.

...I know we'll get them back, somehow, but it feels like the way we have to do it is going to be different too... [Which is pretty worrying, but she's been trying not to think too much about what that could mean.]

It'll be less violent, hopefully. [He does not really believe it will be less violent.] If the rose was worth the trouble we had to get it, then we're stronger this time.

[From the look on her face, she, as well, does not think it will be less violent.]

....They were tricky, so it feels like it'll be more tricky too, [she partly grumbles, practically pouting at the idea.]

People have to be smarter instead of just stronger.

[On the one hand, Correct, on the other, hard blow.]

I dunno if they were tricky this time. [The shadows, the Rose Queen, they weren't exactly subtle.] They're just... stronger.

[He says it quietly. He hates it, it's awful. But the Fae are on another level.

He worries over his lip.] So you need to be careful, okay? If you have to stay with the carnival...

They made sure we couldn't get back to the Carnival. And then, some people were saying things like 'if you come with me, no one will get hurt'... ...and that's something that a lot of people here listen to, instead of running away from.

[She's not saying they aren't stronger, granted. They're definitely stronger.

But tricky isn't the same as secret. It's tricky, manipulative, and it takes advantage of who they want.

And they had that in the bag.] So...they were really tricky.

[Anyway.] ...What do you mean...'if'?

...Niisama and I tried to come home as soon as the 'Ignatius' person was on the radio, [she notes- after all, that was the one they could hear. That whole pixie business only went to the Security channel. It took until Ignatius, for that reason, before they even realized fae were about.

And by then it was too late.] ...We weren't trying to stay away from it...

[She's probably just vastly missed what Yuuya meant. (And has.)]

No, I mean... [Yuya shakes his head.] This is too dangerous, so I was thinking... maybe the Ringmaster can end you and Reiji's contacts.

[He just got here after all, and Reira is so young.]

[Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.]

No.

[She's pretty set on that one. But she won't leave it like that, instead ducking her head down to look off to the side.]

It's better here, than with mom.

[............. Ok that might be worrying.]

Reira, you don't have to stay with Miss Akaba. We can talk to Reiji about that! But the way things are here...

[He gives her shoulder a quick squeeze.] Maybe someone won't make it back, because of the Fae.

Niisama already has to stay with 'mom', [She counters. But that doesn't seem to really matter here. Yuuya squeezes her shoulder, and frowns.] ...

...No one's died forever here, yet, [she notes, frowning.] ...and...I'm learning more things here, than I ever learned before. I want to stay. I made the contract, because I wanted to help Zarc-but even if that still happened if the contract stopped, I'd want to be here..! [the girl insists.]

...Before, you said 'we'll get them back'. Now, you're saying 'maybe we won't,' [Reira continues.]

...Do you think they'll come back? ...or... ...do you just want to say what makes sure I'll go away?

[Owch.]

[Yuya stops, which will likely result in his hold pulling against Reira. He stares ahead, silent.]

The truth is... I don't know. People have died, maybe not permanently as long as I've been here, but... [But that didn't change the possibly. Yuya believes with a smile, because when that do that they can move forward.

But he really, really doesn't know.

Yuya lets out a breath and holds in his tears, hesitating before turning to walk in front of Reira and brings himself to her level.] People are still being hurt, and hunted, and scared. You remember the war, don't you? This might be a lot worse.

.... [Reira seems to consider a lot of what Yuuya's saying- but unfortunately, not for the reasons he'd likely hope. As far as she's concerned, people always hurt each other. And hunt each other. And scare each other. It's in different ways, with different things, but it's what people do.

It was what people did at home, certainly, and why the very idea that people could have times when that wasn't happening, was confusing for a while. That just wasn't....how it went.

She still doesn't want to go back. She's practically certain if she does, it'll be back to Himika, and without a war to fight for, she's not sure Himika would want her around.

And the fact was, Himika would have the say in that. Because Reiji wasn't the one who 'took' her. It was Himika.

But if people couldn't stay dead, that was already a vast improvement, frankly. And more than that...]

...So why aren't you going home, then? If it was because I was small, you wouldn't say niisama should go too.

But you are. So why aren't you asking to go home?

I think Reiji should go so he can be with you. [That's actually still about Reira, although he'd rather everyone got to go home.] I don't know how she'd take everyone asking to go home, if she will break any contracts, so you and Reiji are priority.

[He's trying to plan more sensibly than 'beg for everyone to go home'. And he has other friends he needs to make sure will be okay.]

The Ringmaster already completed part of my contract, so I may not even be able to break it anymore.

[Um.]

...I'm not taking back what I said about Zarc.

[Perhaps mentioning the idea that a completed contract probably couldn't be broken was a bad idea- now it just feels like you don't care about hers being completed anyway.

Which...would be fair.

But she doesn't like that.]

[Truthfully he kind of doesn't.] Would you do it if I agreed to sign another contract that does the same thing?

[He doesn't sound very enthusiastic about it, but if it'd mean Reira can go somewhere safe...]

You can't do that right now, because you're on a contract already..!

[And that aside.] You don't even care about it! [She doesn't have to go off the sound of his voice for this.] You just want me to go away!

Why can't you believe your words, when you say things will be okay in the end! I believe them!

How are people supposed to fix things, and believe in things, if you only pretend to!

[Yuya lets her yell. He doesn't become incensed himself, his usual temper snuffed out by the weight of their situation. It's really just another way he's failing, isn't he? He can't compete with the Fae. Now the carnival is doing things that antagonize them further, and their whole future feels uncertain. He told their parents they'd return, but he has to admit it's a promise that may be out of his reach.

His shoulders slump, giving up on the argument faster than he normally would.] Fine. I can't make you do anything.

[That doesn't refute anything she says, but he doesn't haveit in him for another argument right now.

She listens to Reiji. He needs to make it clear to him how much danger they're all really in right now.]

[............Ah.

She goes quiet-eyes spotted a bit with tears, and face a bit red under the rocks as she finishes shouting. It wasn't fair to her, after all- not in a 'how dare he' sense, but rather...it just wasn't Fair. To say something and expect someone to believe it, but not believe it yourself. That was lying.

...It wasn't good to lie, at least not about important things like this. But now Yuuya is upset. Crushed, really, not that it's the word he'd use. So now they're standing apart from each other, Yuuya with his shoulders slumped and head somewhat down, she herself simply looking down in guilt.

After a moment, she quietly holds her hands out-not to be held, but to instead 'flick' the air somehow before both hands are reaching in a gesture not unlike an offering.

Without even a pause, a decent sized shield is before her- too low to block Yuuya's view, but then again perhaps it wasn't meant to block at all, but rather be displayed. It shines as brilliantly as moonlight, casting a glow upon them both, and refusing to falter before her hands.]

...'m not going to let anything happen. I'm practicing, and staying safe. Because even if I know things will be okay in the end, I know I have to be careful, so that people who can fight, and do things, do it right.

...but... ...you have to try to believe yourself too, when you say 'it'll be okay'. Because if you don't believe that... ...how will you be able to be okay, after?

[Yuya holds his gaze on her shield. He doesn't say anything for one long, still moment.

Then he lets out a breath, reaching to put his hand atop her head with a slight, tilted smile. His gaze is a little clearer, if not as bright as usual.]

It's not as simple at not letting anything happen. [He's had to face that the hard way again and again. He'll always save them, no matter what, but his ability to prevent it is lacking.] That's the scary part. And I don't want you to get hurt the same way. You deserve better.

....right now, it feels like you're the one being hurt.

Even if it's not that easy though, that doesn't mean things won't happen in a way that works. You still won't say anything about how you don't believe yourself, [she adds, frowning sadly. She's not going back. That's quite final. But that said-]

...instead it feels like you don't actually think it will be okay at all. ...I asked how you would feel better, if you would feel better.

...Why won't you answer, [She asks, lowering the shield and looking up from where his hand rests upon her head.]

... I don't have a good answer for that. [About if he's okay, if they'll be okay...] I say that because I want to believe it right now, but I don't really know. That's why I want to make sure you're safe.

[The carnival is notoriously bad at being organized and planned, and Yuya isn't exactly guiltless about that. He can't keep being so careless if there's someone he should be protecting nearby. He'd rather Reira not be in the line of fire at all, but... the whole carnival isn't likely to get that choice.]

I'm trying to be a little cautious before it gets worse, okay?

If you want to believe, why can't you just believe it though?

[The shield comes down. It's sort of awkward to just hold it there. It sounds as though she's honestly confused by the matter though- shouldn't something you say be something you already believe, no matter the case? That's how it Should work, as far as she knows, but...]

You can still be careful and believe something will be okay, can't you?

Yeah, you can. [That's not where Yuya's coming from, though. Belief has to come from some sort of conviction, and Yuya doesn't have a lot of it in the carnival and the Ringmaster right now.

But he's a little too exhausted to try and debate that. Reira can keep her innocent world view--if the situation wasn't so daunting, it'd be kind of sweet how plainly she sees things.] That's what you're going to do, right? If you want to stay, then I need you to be really careful, and stay where it's safe.

.... [She's going to have to accept that he won't answer, she supposes. Or perhaps even that he doesn't know how, which is somehow worse. One could wonder if it would still be an innocent view, if seen crystal clear from her eyes- truthfully, she just feels nothing possible without belief. Believing it will be is what allows it to be- but many, many terrible things could happen as consequence.

More than likely, if she even tried to explain that, a bit of the inherent hypocrisy of saying and believing things would be fine, for a price, could come through. But as it is she hair sighs- a tired, maybe somewhat frustrated sigh. "....That's what I've been doing..." She mutters, though she says little else.

It's just... "...you're the one I'm worried about..."

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