dumb fish child
To the girl who deserves a shred of happiness, and to the boy who deserves someone to trust:

It’s only been two days, but your absence is very noticeable. The trial was quiet without either of you. Maybe it’s selfish of me, but I’m glad the two of you went together. Maybe it’s more selfish of me that we didn’t fight harder to find your killers. For that, I’m sorry. You two trusted me to make things okay, and we failed in that way again. I’ll try harder.

I hope the train is treating you well, and I hope you’re safe with all of our friends. I want you two to look out for each other and I’d say try to stay out of trouble, but when have any of us ever been good at that?

Xion. Ask Natalie about New York. Ask Natalie everything. Natalie will tell you the stories of my home and the things you two can do there if you wish to come with us. I will make sure Pluto is looked after in your absence. You were brave from start to finish and though I don’t know what happened and I don’t understand why this happened to you, why someone would take you away, I’m proud of how far you made it. I got your letter…I read the important part to the trial. I will work with the others to solve this game. I will keep the walking stick close just for your memory, and I look forward to that ice cream date. Don’t forget.

Shinnosuke. I’m sorry for reading what I read at the trial, but it was important. I needed people to understand that the lives in this game belong to real people and that there’s more than meets the eye in all of us. I will work with the others in your absence. I will never be able to fill the empty void that was your presence in our group, but I will try. I will make sure you get home. I will make sure you get the chance to keep fighting to save your sister. I will make sure you remember the importance of trust…a team.

We’re a team still, aren’t we, guys? I know you’re watching out for us. And we’re fighting to save you. We’ll work to bring everyone together again in the way that things should be. It’ll be harder than I imagined, but I believe the strength I’ve seen from you two is something I can remember.

I’ll see you both soon. Take care of each other.

-Percy
 
 
dumb fish child
[The town is quiet and sullen, but time marches on. It's the afternoon by now when Percy finds himself in the kitchen staring at a boiling pot of water. He can't recall the last time he actually cooked something, but with so few of them left it seems he has to self-provide.

He's lost in thought as he stares at noodles boiling in water and suddenly hears footsteps. He looks up, a little alarmed but relaxing upon the sight of someone familiar.

(But then again...aren't they all familiar now?)]


You should join me for lunch. I had no idea how much I was supposed to add to the water.
 
 
dumb fish child
[He lets Jason rest. He doesn't know if Jason's even asleep or in that familiar pocket Percy's found, the one that feels like dreaming but it could never be a dream. A dream would be a kinder reality. This is just a suspension of time.

He lets Jason rest, but whenever Jason emerges from his mountain of blankets and his sleepless rest, he'll find there's something on the bedside table. It's a plate of toast that looks like Percy held them in the fireplace, along with a glass of juice. The toast is cold by now and the juice is warm, no telling how long it's been there. Percy's been up for a while.

When Jason looks, though, he'll find that Percy's standing with his back toward him and a pen in-hand. There are papers tacked up all over the wall, and a pen in his hand as he draws. It's messy and not exactly artistic talent, but it's clear that it's a city skyline. There's a large building hundreds of stories high. There's the curl of the ocean. There's a large pine tree.

And there's Percy staring at it all. He turns his head to lean down and grab a bottle of juice by his feet, stopping when he sees that Jason's eyes are open. He tilts his head and offers a half-smile.]


Morning. Or afternoon. Not really sure which it is.