Week 2, Friday Post-Investigation - Sandalphon

[fragileprophet]

[It's a little while before Ion makes his way back up to the dorms. He has to pay his silent respects at Natsuo's body, first, and afterward pays a trip to the garden. When he arrives in their dorm, silent and with and expression dark, he sits down cradling a pile of carefully plucked flowers. Each and every one of them imperfect, misshapen, broken.

For once, Ion has no words of hope for the evening. No encouraging thoughts. He takes a seat and starts to wind the flowers together.]

Comments

[fragileprophet]

Yes.

[At least, he felt that they were. He can only assume that it was the same for Natsuo. He was so open and kind.]

We spoke fairly often...he wanted to learn the difference between me and the other Ion by becoming friends.

[melancoffeea]

I see.

[Asking was a mistake. But he deserves the weight of this guilt that continues to grow heavier.]

His time was short.

[fragileprophet]

Too short.

[He smiles downward sadly.]

I sincerely thought he’d...really be able to protect everyone, just like he told me he wanted.

[melancoffeea]

[Sandalphon falls silent, unable to respond to such a sincere statement. Then—]

Are those for him?

[fragileprophet]

Yes. The other day he had picked up a crown from one of the stalls outside and was wondering what to do with them, so I told him the fun was in making them and offered to show him how. He picked out all the flowers that didn't fit in.

[And Ion was struck by it. Every time they spoke, Natsuo did something else to surprise him with his vibrancy.]

He was excited about it so I thought...perhaps tomorrow I'll...

[His fingers stop moving. He stares at the half-formed crown in his lap. What use is it? They're just going to defile his body in search of justice.]

Maybe I'm just wasting time. I just thought it would be nice.

[melancoffeea]

[Had. Was.

With his back facing Ion, Sandalphon swallows.]

You should finish it. [He hesitates, then adds:] For yourself, and for him.

[This would be the time to offer even a modicum of comfort, regardless of how futile it would be coming from someone like him. But this time . . . to do so would be highly callous. He won't do that to Ion.]

[fragileprophet]

[Ion takes a deep breath, squares his shoulders, and then finds it in him to smile. Maybe it's counter productive after the talk they had just that morning, but...habits die hard.]

I will. I'll feel at least a little better if I do.

[He turns around, looking at Sandalphon even if Sandalphon isn't looking back.]

Thank you for talking with me.