Week 5, Wednesday - Shirasu

[fragileprophet]

[Before there are memory happenings, there's Ion peering up at a tuning-fork necklace that seems to have gotten stuck on a sconce positioned high up on the castle wall. Since Ion had given his own to Natsuo a couple weeks ago, of course he can't help but think that this is the same one and Natsuo has just been...incredibly irresponsible with it. He's on his toes and using his staff to try and hook around it, but he can't quite reach. So when he sees Shirasu, he smiles seepishly, his cheeks flushed. If he's tired, he's probably been doing this for a little while now.]

I hate to ask...but would you mind giving me a hand?

Comments

[wagashis]

[i'd like to tell you he's not continuing that pattern now, but here we are...]

I suppose they vary, then. I had thought perhaps they just-- escalated, over time; it took until my fourth to receive one I'm less certain about, personally.

[there goes that theory, though. he shakes his head slightly.]

Did she provide you any insight?

[fragileprophet]

[Ion nods. It's an understandable assumption to make. It seems that anyone who's had a more difficult objective has been simply keeping quiet about it.]

Yes. I asked her several things: if because of my objective, I could be notified in advance if I'm selected as a target. That way, I can make any final preparations that I may need. She agreed, though of course I won't have any knowledge of who may have chosen me or why. I also asked if I may report my wish to her in advance, so that she may serve as my proxy once I've earned it. Again, she agreed...however, I have to choose a new one. The wish I gave her before would be impossible to grant now.

[wagashis]

...at least you'll have that much.

[it still sits a bit poorly with him, though.]

If it would be impossible to use now... may I ask what it was you gave her, originally?

[fragileprophet]

Oh, that's fine.

[Shirasu basically knows Everything about him at this point.]

I asked for a second chance for Sandalphon. I wanted him to be spared from being executed for lacking a partner. I couldn't in good conscious go through with fulfilling my objective thinking it would doom him, so...

[It breaks his heart.]

It's funny. The entire time I was scheming to save his life, he was doing the same for me.

[But, moving on.]

The logical thing would be to wish for the same thing for Natsuo, but...it's different. Of course, I don't want him to fall to the same sort of fate, but...it's just...I think he'd be upset if I did such a thing, so I want to use my wish to help someone in some other way. I never would have wanted to use it for myself, to begin with.

[wagashis]

You two must have fit well together, then, for your aims to be so similar.

[it's a little touching, kind of...]

-I don't think you're wrong about Natsuo, though, much as I would hate to see it happen to him too. Being saved again seemed to weigh on him.

[a pause, there, while he considers something.]

Ion. Understand that this is something I can only tell you because I trust you to keep it to yourself; it would be too easy for it to look suspicious. But in the event that anyone who chooses you tells you they've done so-- I've been tasked with convincing at least one person that a guilty party is innocent. I know you seem the type to help people, so- I could speak for their innocence after your death, if you wished them to be spared.

I think in that sort of circumstance, it might be easier to do, though I know the method is still... off-putting.

[it'd be easier on him if anyone found out, anyway, not to mention he'd know who to kill later.]

[fragileprophet]

[Ion’s expression becomes serious as Shirasu explains his objective before it melts into visible relief. He puts a hand over his heart, letting out a breath.]

Thank you...it means a lot to me that you’d trust me with that information. And if I’m able, I’ll definitely tell you what I can—or ask whoever targets me to trust you to help. I don’t want them to be punished for whatever happens to me.

[wagashis]

If it comes to pass, then I promise I will do what I can.

[at least until that goal is accomplished.]

But I'm sure you know I would much prefer if it didn't.

[fragileprophet]

[After that all gloves are off!]

Yes...I prefer the same thing.

[Despite his unflinchingly calm demeanor, when he puts his hands down on his knees, they curl into tight fists.]

Despite what my self-sacrificing tendencies may say about me...or what anyone’s impression may be of me...I want nothing more than to live.