3rd Hat Flip [Voice/Action] Backdated to right after the draftees return

[immamartillo]

[Voice]

[ There's a brief pause after Firo turns on the journal. It's more difficult than he thought to make the announcement; when he tried writing it out he found he could barely move the pencil. He decides to keep it brief and just manages to keep most of the emotion out of his voice. ]

Seto's dead. 

[Action]

[ Shortly after his journal post Firo steals off to take a walk. He's avoiding the center of the village for once, staying around the fringes instead. Finding it difficult to deal with this mixture of grief and anger, he'll occasionally pause to punch or kick some poor tree. ]

Comments

[lostinmyway]

Yes?

[She steps a little closer and, for once, focuses completely on him. It sounds as though this is very important to him.]

[immamartillo]

Uh, i-it's about Seto...

[ Firo inhales deeply and forces himself to look her in the eye. ]

I dunno if anybody told you yet, but... h-he died.

[ As soon as he gets the words out, he drops his gaze again. Much as he hates him self for acting so weak, he doesn't know if he can bear to watch her reaction. ]

[lostinmyway]

[Grune's reaction...is to set down her basket in the snow, step forward, and enfold Firo in a hug.]

I know. Giles told me a little while ago. [Her voice is quiet but steady, worn but strong.] I hope he comes back soon.

[immamartillo]

[ Firo freezes; the action catches him completely off guard. If he were in Grune's shoes he would have punched himself for not taking good enough care of Seto. ]

H-he did..?

[ Firo shakes his head to dismiss that pointless question. Then he sighs quietly. ]

M-me too... He has to, right..?

[lostinmyway]

[She holds him for just a moment longer, then lets go.]

Yes, of course. Let's look for him every day, all right?

[immamartillo]

[ He takes a step back, nodding. ]

R-right. That's a good idea...

[ A moment of hesitation, then he adds: ]

I'm sorry.

[lostinmyway]

It's all right.

[She tries her hardest to give him a reassuring smile.] I know you did your best.

[immamartillo]

[ The effort is appreciated, and for a moment he almost smiles back. But it doesn't take long before his negativity gets the best of him. He quickly shakes his head and raises his voice. Effort doesn't matter one bit if Seto's still dead. ]

But it wasn't enough!

[lostinmyway]

[She reaches out with the intent to set a hand on his shoulder.]

You did everything you could. You couldn't do any more. I'm sure Seto will understand.

[immamartillo]

But-

[ He trails off and doesn't move as she puts her hand on his shoulder. ]

It-... He's still gone.

[lostinmyway]

I know. [She gives his shoulder a squeeze.] But it wasn't your fault.

[She knows Firo must be very sad right now, but it's very important he understands this, so he isn't any sadder.]

[immamartillo]

[ Firo shifts his weight uncomfortably. Grune seems to really be making sense, and her efforts are appreciated. It's just easier to blame himself than an enemy he can't hurt. Hesitantly, he raises his head to look at her. ]

I was supposed to take care of him. I promised.

[lostinmyway]

It's all right. I'm sure he'll know you tried your hardest when he comes back. He won't be mad. [After all, Seto is very kind.]

[immamartillo]

[ Firo shakes his head and gives a small, rueful smile. ]

...Of course he won't be mad; he's Seto. He'd never get mad at anybody no matter what they do.

[lostinmyway]

And he wouldn't want you to be mad at yourself, either. After all, he's your friend.

[immamartillo]

But-

[ It's difficult to argue with that when Firo knows it's true. He crosses and looks away as his brain struggles to come up with a refutation, or some excuse for his behavior. ]

...I can't help it.

[ He squirms uncomfortably as he says it; he doesn't even know why he's admitting it to someone he hasn't know for very long, no matter how kind she is. ]

[lostinmyway]

[Gently, she says:] Just try your best to smile for Seto. I think trying will make him very happy.

[That's what she's going to do.]

[immamartillo]

[ It takes him a moment, but he nods. ]

I-I guess you're right. I will...

[ Well, he'll try his best. He's not so sure he can manage one right now. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looks up at her once more. ]

...Thanks.

[lostinmyway]

You're welcome.

[She gives him an encouraging smile. It isn't nearly up to her usual standard, but...she's trying.]

We'll work hard to make Seto happy when he comes back.

[immamartillo]

[ In return, he manages to ease up on his frowning for the moment. ]

Yeah. Some people have already suggested somethings to cheer him up.

[ He's just nervous that it might not work. ]

[lostinmyway]

Oh, what kind of things?

[immamartillo]

Oswald said he'd try and find him some fireworks and Kazuma and me were gonna make him some cookies.

[ Now that they're said aloud, the little comforts seem rather petty to Firo. He shrugs uncomfortably. ]

Just little, stupid stuff, I guess.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, those all sound so nice! I'm sure they'll make Seto very happy.

[immamartillo]

[ His eyes brighten up a little. ]

Ya really think so? I hope it works.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, I know it will. Because you're doing your best for him.