duel 5. ( anon text. )

[puzzlingly]

You know what fucking sucks?
The Speakeasy
The owner is never around.
Just Who Does SHE Think She Is?!?!?!
She can't do shit right around here.
WE HAVE NEEDS!
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAND THIS HEAT WITHOUT MY BOOZE?!

「Hey, hey, Rey's friends... yeah, he's calling you out, come defend your friend, come show you care about her! He needs you... She needs you. Please.
The clock is ticking.

Yep, this is ruse. It WAS HARD, OK?! He feels terrible. It had to be done.」

Comments

[puzzlingly]

「While Rey hasn't been able to speak about it, Atem has been able to get a few glances of what is in her mind, never enough to make a solid conclusion, but only some assumptions.」

It's complicated. Have you seen her lately?

[hotspurred]

No.

[He dips his head and gives it a small shake. His suspicious look is replaced by one clearly troubled.]

...I reached out to her. Though the aspects differ, we share the same loss. I thought— [He cuts himself off sharply. He thought that they might share the burden of grief, being those closest to Maketh.] But I was met with silence.

[And that was that.

He lifts his head again, his eyes dark and hardened with resolve.]

Nick is her family, so Rey is not alone. Leave her be.

[puzzlingly]

You're not the only one she ignored.

「That much he can say for now.」

Henry, she needs more than Nick right now--

「Wait, no, he doesn't wish to discuss these delicate matters this way.」

I can and will explain everything if you let me, I don't trust the network. Can we meet?

[hotspurred]

[Henry's frown deepens. He is silent for a moment, before he says sharply:]

...Your plan had best be more than provocation.

[Maketh loved Rey, and for that, he cannot ignore Rey's plight. But it's clear that if he judges Atem's plan folly, he'll have no part of it.]

Where?

[puzzlingly]

「So far, his plan is working, he will not apologize for that, he will however attempt to atone for the pain and anger it caused. He knows how badly he would have reacted if he was in Henry's shoes. But the method is not what is important right now more than the fact that there is a chance to help Rey in some way, and he will not waste it.」

I'm at the bar.

「Ironically.」

video → action;

[hotspurred]

[Henry simply nods, then ends the video feed.]

[A short while later he enters the Speakeasy and, upon spotting Atem, strides over.]

I know to what end. But your means?

[It's clear by his tone that he remains dubious, thanks to that initial text.]

[puzzlingly]

「The boy (sitting at a booth not to far away form the entrance) motions Henry idly to take a sit, this will not be a lighthearted conversation.」

I spoke to Lance prior I planned to do anything about it, I guess you might know him given that you've been here longer than I have. I never told her it was her, but he... suggested that I should let her the people closer to her know what is going on.

「Which, he hasn't given a chance to explain yet. Might as well.」

She... I think Maketh's departure took a toll on her in the worst way possible. I don't know exactly why, I just know... 「Cannot simply tell him he's been lurking in her mind, getting glimpses about Maketh, not the whole story.」 When I first contacted her, she never replied so I grew worried after a few days. I asked Nick if she was alright and in the end, he said she wasn't. I went to her place and... It was much worse than I imagined.

[hotspurred]

I know Dr. Sweets.

[Henry takes a seat, but there is a certain impatience in his posture that contrasts Atem's idleness. He's not one to stay still for long, and recent events have left him feeling especially restless.]

...One supposes that you thought them but friends. 'Twas not so. Maketh and Rey were lovers. [Henry momentarily wears a melancholy smile as he says that, remembering Maketh's joy as she confessed that to him. It's a fact few knew not because it was secret, but because both women were private about such intimacies. When it fades, he grits his teeth. Forcefully, he adds:] Of course she is desolate.

[Steeling himself against the pain in his chest, Henry shuts his eyes and presses his knuckles to his mouth, warding off the bitter regrets.

There is more to it than just that, but they are details that he will not speak of.

An incident mere weeks before Maketh's departure had left both of their relationships with Maketh wounded. There had been little chance for him to mend things before Delight and the Null attacked. No doubt Rey experienced the same restriction.

And both he and Rey know that Maketh was returned to the very moment of her death.

It's a terrible final parting from one they loved.

He'd told Rey to have faith that all would be well again with Maketh. It's a broken promise, now.

His voice is edged with grief when he speaks next.]

...A blade forged too hard is brittle. Maketh would shatter when stricken by despair. That, apparently, they also shared.

[It's no easy task, to help piece a person back together. And Maketh is the only strong link between him and Rey. He will help her if he can. But he may prove no more than an instrument of harm if Rey cannot bear the reality of Maketh's departure.]

[puzzlingly]

「While knowing the whole story behind Rey's breakdown would be convenient, it no longer is Atem's goal, it doesn't stop him from reading Henry's thoughts, get more insight, only to realize he doesn't care as much as he thought as much aw he cares for her getting better now. The past forges one's present and future, but dwelling on it, is never good.」

It is clear to see that you know her better than I do, that you know what ails her. Which is why you should... No. I... beg you to go see her, to let her know she's not alone. Her pain doesn't let her see that, it makes her... 「A bit of a sigh, he doesn't look up at him.」 She's been harming herself, she's not eating, and while she might be able to endure it, leaving her to deal with that pain alone, thinking it will heal by itself with time, is not okay.

「He didn't quite intend to pour that sensitive information like that, but it's obvious it's been taking a toll on him too. If Henry wishes to see it.」

She needs you. Not me. I'm just a stranger, you're her friend.

[hotspurred]

[Henry opens his eyes again, lifting his gaze back to Atem, silent for a moment. How extraordinarily like Maketh Rey is acting. It's not that he doesn't like Rey, or that he thinks they could not become it in time, but he wouldn't name them friends.

But he supposes that he can make one more attempt to reach her. Maketh loved Rey and wished for her happiness, so that is more than enough reason to try.]

All right. I shall pay her visit in person.

[puzzlingly]

「Well, doesn't that Maketh sound like a handful too... wow.

They might not be friends, but, if he worries about her, even a little, he'll consider it a victory.

All sudden, the kid seems to deflate after Henry's remark, as if he had lifted the weight off his shoulders.」

Thank you...

[hotspurred]

I shall do my utmost. That I swear.

[Henry vows with intent, a grave knight. But a few seconds later he sighs heavily and pushes a hand through his hair.]

Yet do not expect a miracle, Atem. If her family cannot free her from her torment...

[puzzlingly]

「Maybe not, but he does believe in teamwork. Funny, that he is the one now giving him a bit of an encouraging smile. It is not all there, though, he doesn't have the energy to support it.」

You'd be surprised what a little cooperation can do. But, either way, whatever the outcome is, I will be forever in your debt, just for trying.

「Just a little bit dramatic, this one. Doesn't mean he doesn't meant it.」

[hotspurred]

[Henry shakes his head. There should be no debt.]

As her brother, I owe it to Maketh.

[With that said, he rises to his feet, ready to take his leave.]