Game 021 [Action] - Happy Six-Month Anniversary. Sucker.

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua has been running a few errands today. Maybe you've seen him traversing the main area of the village. Now he's left the plaza and was about to reach the nothernmost bridge when he suddenly collapses.

He's awake when he hits the ground, and within moments, is doubled over, clutching his stomach. Within a minute, he's audibly suppressing gagging noises.

Good afternoon, Luceti. Josh is getting hit with Shibuya withdrawal. ]

Comments

[soundfrequency]

[He just looks at Joshua with a confused expression, not getting how Shibuya could be the reason for killing Mr. H. There should be no reason. His voice cracks a little as he speaks again.]

He was helping you.

[neverplaysfair]

You don't know that. [ Joshua slowly pulls himself to the side and reaches, picking his gun up from the ground, his expression blank. ]

[soundfrequency]

[He's stopped crying now, anger taking over. Neku growls a little and quickly gets to his feet.]

He was! Even after you shot him he still wanted to help you!

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua starts wiping the gun off, keeping his gaze on Neku, completely level. ] He doesn't have any problems with trying to kill me, Neku. That's not a risk I take lightly.

[ He gives a shrug that's almost careless. Almost. ]

I did warn him.

[soundfrequency]

[Pause. Wait, what?]

Huh? Why would you think that?

[neverplaysfair]

[ He was going to let Hanekoma tell this story himself. Even if Sanae deserved it, this wasn't something that Joshua wanted to inflict upon Neku of all people.

Too bad things have a way of working out for the worse sometimes. ]

He said it.

[soundfrequency]

...

[That doesn't make sense. Why would Mr. H be okay with killing Joshua? He just tried to help him. Everything is just so confusing right now and Mr. H is gone and... Neku hides his face behind his bangs and clenches his fists. He can't focus right now.]

[neverplaysfair]

[ And Josh will just be here, cleaning his gun. Mostly so that he has something to keep his mind on that isn't Shibuya. Or the fact that he just shot Hanekoma and the guy still apparently did something that had helped. Or Shibuya. ]

[soundfrequency]

[Neku just wants to go somewhere and be left alone for a while, wants to forget this happened and that he doesn't have Mr. H's blood on him. He doesn't even know why he's bothering to ask this anymore, or why he even still cares, but-]

Can you walk now?

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua looks up and pauses to consider. ] Not sure. [ He turns back to his gun, and with a bit more honesty in his voice than he meant to slip through, ] My legs are shaking.

[soundfrequency]

[He moves closer to Joshua and offers him his hand.]

Come on.

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua carefully tucks the gun away, then reaches to take the offered hand. He unsteadily pulls himself to his feet. ]

[soundfrequency]

[Once he's up Neku pulls Joshua's arm around his shoulders to give him something to hang onto, also puts an arm around Joshua's waist to give him more support.]

Where are you staying?

[neverplaysfair]

[ Josh doesn't entirely need the support, but as his legs feel like they may very well mutiny and cease to work at any moment, leaning on Neku sounds like a good idea. ]

Community housing five. [ Yes it is far away thanks for noticing :| ]

[soundfrequency]

[...sheesh yeah that's far away. Hopefully Joshua can make it that far because that's where Neku is heading for. He just really wants to get away from this spot like now.]

[neverplaysfair]

[ And Josh has no objections. This would be so much easier if he was willing to float his way over there, but falling out of the sky doesn't sound like a nice plan and Joshua honestly has no idea if this sudden lack of not-badness is going to last, or for how long. ]

... I was going to let him tell you, himself.

[soundfrequency]

I still don't understand.

[neverplaysfair]

You don't have to.

[soundfrequency]

I want to know what the hell is going on.

[neverplaysfair]

With what in particular?

[soundfrequency]

Why would he say he was okay with you dying? If that were true he wouldn't have tried to help you.

[neverplaysfair]

It's complicated.

[soundfrequency]

That's it? Just "it's complicated"?

[neverplaysfair]

This isn't mine to tell, Neku.

[soundfrequency]

...fine.

[He doesn't really feel like arguing right now so he just drops it.]