Some of us were given special rules to abide by while we're here. I'm not sure if you already know - I'm not sure who has told who, and what they may have said.
My rules allow me to make one person safe. They make it so that once a week, I can choose someone who can't be killed by the exorcism.
Junpei said he was worried about you, so I thought it was a good choice. And then I thought it was a way to make sure no one else would have to die this week.
If I tell the person that I've protected that I'm protecting them, it doesn't work.
... If you had been voted for, I wouldn't have even been able to comfort or assure you until after you survived the exorcism.
[ And even though that scenario didn't even come up, Escha still sounds like she feels guilty about it. If it had happened, that would have put Tamamo through even more hardship. Sure, as the price of survival, but even so... ]
Hmph! That's only assuming he hasn't done it himself yet.
[SOUNDING DEEPLY IRRITATED... but it is admittedly tinged with exasperated fondness]
That boy. He'll be eating himself alive for what's happened. I wasn't convicted and you had to forfeit your life instead, despite fighting back in self-defense.
[Glancing at her, head tilted again]
Is that truly what happened? Aizawa-san attempted to kill you, and you fought back?
He tried to poison me, but I fought him off. I didn't even mean to turn his poison on him, but in the struggle...
[ She shakes her head. ] I thought that even if the evidence was pretty flimsy, it would be a good enough signal to everyone who knew you were protected.
But I'm sure they would rather vote for someone they think could be possessed instead of gambling on the numbers coming through.
Do you know who else has been gifted with special rules?
[... A pause, and then Tamamo fishes something out of her ribbon, carefully hidden.
Upon inspection, she produces a little hairpin that is the shape of a bell, no bigger than her hand]
It was a few weeks ago, but this appeared in my room... something I haven't seen since I was human. I don't know who could have given it to me, but I have wondered if perhaps it was someone with a rule like yours.
[ It is pretty unfortunate that the week when Escha could use a hug the most, it would come with... Side effects.
And Tamamo's words are so sad... ]
... I don't think I'm that special. Not in - not in a bad way. But just... I think that even if the numbers are skewed, there will always be humans that are worth loving.
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winterfish
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Date: 2019-10-27 02:52 am (UTC)My rules allow me to make one person safe. They make it so that once a week, I can choose someone who can't be killed by the exorcism.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 02:54 am (UTC)[...]
Who did you chose, this week?
[Please do not say who she thinks it's going to be]
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Date: 2019-10-27 02:58 am (UTC)[ ... ]
Junpei said he was worried about you, so I thought it was a good choice. And then I thought it was a way to make sure no one else would have to die this week.
1/2 HEY COLA TURN ON YOUR LOCATION I WANNA TALK
Date: 2019-10-27 03:09 am (UTC)2/3
Date: 2019-10-27 03:13 am (UTC)You said it was against the rules to speak, so I will try not be cross with you for not consulting me. That was a dangerous gamble you made.
[And it... didn't quite pay off, did it]
I--
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:14 am (UTC)... I am sorry, Escha-chan, for how this turned out.
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:17 am (UTC)... If you had been voted for, I wouldn't have even been able to comfort or assure you until after you survived the exorcism.
[ And even though that scenario didn't even come up, Escha still sounds like she feels guilty about it. If it had happened, that would have put Tamamo through even more hardship. Sure, as the price of survival, but even so... ]
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:20 am (UTC)[She laughs at a joke only she gets but closes her eyes and breathes deep again]
-- Did Master know about your role?
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:24 am (UTC)He wanted to make sure you would be safe. I managed to get outside confirmation that you weren't possessed, but it... Was too late. [ Basically. ]
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:28 am (UTC)I might actually toss him overboard for this.
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 03:31 am (UTC)[SOUNDING DEEPLY IRRITATED... but it is admittedly tinged with exasperated fondness]
That boy. He'll be eating himself alive for what's happened. I wasn't convicted and you had to forfeit your life instead, despite fighting back in self-defense.
[Glancing at her, head tilted again]
Is that truly what happened? Aizawa-san attempted to kill you, and you fought back?
no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 03:37 am (UTC)[ She shakes her head. ] I thought that even if the evidence was pretty flimsy, it would be a good enough signal to everyone who knew you were protected.
But I'm sure they would rather vote for someone they think could be possessed instead of gambling on the numbers coming through.
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:45 am (UTC)[A sigh]
... There is... perhaps not much I can offer you, especially given everything that has happened, but if you have a request of me...
[...]
It is a rare occasion anyone would want me to live, you see.
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:49 am (UTC)[ Escha still can't think of anything she wants. She can't quite grasp why people keep asking her. What is there to ask for in this situation? ]
I guess, um... I just still want you to live?
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Date: 2019-10-27 03:59 am (UTC)...
But then shakes her head, shutting it]
If that's what you ask of me.
[...]
I do have another question, if you might answer it -- well, assuming you can.
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Date: 2019-10-27 04:01 am (UTC)What is it?
no subject
Date: 2019-10-27 04:07 am (UTC)Do you know who else has been gifted with special rules?
[... A pause, and then Tamamo fishes something out of her ribbon, carefully hidden.
Upon inspection, she produces a little hairpin that is the shape of a bell, no bigger than her hand]
It was a few weeks ago, but this appeared in my room... something I haven't seen since I was human. I don't know who could have given it to me, but I have wondered if perhaps it was someone with a rule like yours.
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Date: 2019-10-27 04:09 am (UTC)I'm sorry, I wish I knew. I know other people who have received items, too.
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Date: 2019-10-27 05:13 am (UTC)[Putting the pin back in her hair, out of sight]
Even if it was only a small thing, it made me happy to be reminded of sweeter days.
[But she doesn't need to overshare, and simply smiles after]
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Date: 2019-10-27 05:15 am (UTC)I hope you're able to find out who it was from.
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Date: 2019-10-27 05:19 am (UTC)In the end, her hand just drops]
You remind me of why I once loved humans.
[Ha]
Our time was short, but I thank you for your kindness.
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Date: 2019-10-27 06:32 am (UTC)And Tamamo's words are so sad... ]
... I don't think I'm that special. Not in - not in a bad way. But just... I think that even if the numbers are skewed, there will always be humans that are worth loving.