I know it's not. I just don't think he did. [Bingo. (She swipes at Arcadiamon, and it springs back to circle again, making an alien clicking noise.) That's the naked beating heart of all this, a material regret she's helpless to do anything about now. Like Vista Virs. Knowing doesn't undo the damage, there's nothing to be done but move on, but you still remember the things that didn't have to happen, and you wonder...
The not-Ryuji sobs angrily. Erika pretends not to hear it, firing a warning Eldritch Blast as Arcadiamon tries to creep forward again.]
If he's - if he's realistic, he won't hurt me, but he might hit you back. [Her voice is tense; she chews her lip.] But, if he's realistic, I might not get through to - might only be able to keep Arcadiamon occupied. If you...want to, go ahead and try. But be careful. ...Please.
[Racing through her head: she can spin herself in circles all day, or she can let someone in to help despite that eternal misgiving, and maybe that's what Wonderland is counting against, maybe that's the key? Or is it a ploy to get at her, knowing it can't throw much more than she's already said to herself, fishing for someone to hurt in front of her, another material failure to regret?
I trust you.
She rushes Arcadiamon uncertainly, whispering something to herself. False Ryuji looks up from his own misery and looks Maya in the eye, and there's a seething, unhinged expression on him that he didn't have for Erika.
What do you have to do with this? he hisses, standing up and setting his shoulders back and wow this guy is kinda beefy for a nerd huh. Have some dignity and stop distracting her.]
no subject
The not-Ryuji sobs angrily. Erika pretends not to hear it, firing a warning Eldritch Blast as Arcadiamon tries to creep forward again.]
If he's - if he's realistic, he won't hurt me, but he might hit you back. [Her voice is tense; she chews her lip.] But, if he's realistic, I might not get through to - might only be able to keep Arcadiamon occupied. If you...want to, go ahead and try. But be careful. ...Please.
[Racing through her head: she can spin herself in circles all day, or she can let someone in to help despite that eternal misgiving, and maybe that's what Wonderland is counting against, maybe that's the key? Or is it a ploy to get at her, knowing it can't throw much more than she's already said to herself, fishing for someone to hurt in front of her, another material failure to regret?
I trust you.
She rushes Arcadiamon uncertainly, whispering something to herself. False Ryuji looks up from his own misery and looks Maya in the eye, and there's a seething, unhinged expression on him that he didn't have for Erika.
What do you have to do with this? he hisses, standing up and setting his shoulders back and wow this guy is kinda beefy for a nerd huh. Have some dignity and stop distracting her.]