[higekiri, meanwhile, will sip tea - almost as if it's just any other day rather than the one before escha's demise. he listens to her carefully, tilting his head]
... mm. I am, too.
I wish we could do more for you.
Is that the disappointment you feel...? Or is it at someone else?
[ That kind of calmness is exactly why she can talk to him. He doesn't make it a conversation where she needs wallow, but doesn't minimize things, either. Maybe some could see it as cold or distant, but Escha thinks it's comfortingly pragmatic. ]
It's kind of complicated. I expected more backup, I guess, but I can't blame anyone for not being able to help more.
It definitely cut me off before I could make myself useful... But I think that means that I wasn't really doing my job well enough, so I wouldn't say that I'm very heroic.
[ But her smile is more like she's just humoring him. ]
I don't know if things will be better or easier, but I'm always the happiest when I can be working. And it was nice to feel like there was something very specific for me to do.
[he nods - it won't take away from the pain she'll feel, and he at least seems glad that even though her words agree with him, she's not forcing herself otherwise]
What was the specific thing you were working toward...?
I guess I don't know a lot about what it's going to be like over there...
[ After a moment of hesitation, Escha realizes that it's probably fine to tell Higekiri - not just because she's dying anyway, but because he'll probably just forget anyway. ]
But I had some specific things I could do, here. Special rules to follow.
[ Surprisingly, Escha isn't that tactile a person. She mostly keeps her hands to herself and it doesn't really occur to her to give or get hugs in most situations.
... But this has definitely been A Lot. Escha embraces Higekiri delicately, almost out of practice and too carefully. ]
but higekiri has at least had plenty of practice ignoring it. when she hugs him, he returns it easily, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to him as he rests his head atop hers, like a good big brotherly hug]
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... mm. I am, too.
I wish we could do more for you.
Is that the disappointment you feel...? Or is it at someone else?
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It's kind of complicated. I expected more backup, I guess, but I can't blame anyone for not being able to help more.
It was just a bad situation for everyone.
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[to not grow bitter, or jaded,]
Maybe this place simply knew you would grow to be too strong of a demon slayer. You have the makings of a hero of legend, you know...?
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It definitely cut me off before I could make myself useful... But I think that means that I wasn't really doing my job well enough, so I wouldn't say that I'm very heroic.
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It's very customary for heroes of legends to be cut down before they reach their potential.
Even so... Your life will not be over - you'll just be somewhere else... isn't it? At least until we are able to bring you back.
I don't know if that makes it easier... or any better for you, though.
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[ But her smile is more like she's just humoring him. ]
I don't know if things will be better or easier, but I'm always the happiest when I can be working. And it was nice to feel like there was something very specific for me to do.
I won't be able to do it anymore.
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What was the specific thing you were working toward...?
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So that we could figure everything out and get out of this situation with as few deaths as possible.
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[ After a moment of hesitation, Escha realizes that it's probably fine to tell Higekiri - not just because she's dying anyway, but because he'll probably just forget anyway. ]
But I had some specific things I could do, here. Special rules to follow.
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[this being one of them - ]
You were given secret orders...?
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higekiri just frowns at that, his chest aching a bit at the unfairness of it all]
... may I give you that hug?
If I cannot... please know that I wish to - very much.
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[ She's sure she can just. Ignore the effects of it... ]
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they both can
but then higekiri will move to sit next to her properly then - opening his arms so he can let her initiate the contact as she wants]
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... But this has definitely been A Lot. Escha embraces Higekiri delicately, almost out of practice and too carefully. ]
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but higekiri has at least had plenty of practice ignoring it. when she hugs him, he returns it easily, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to him as he rests his head atop hers, like a good big brotherly hug]
.... you've endured very well.