[ From what Minato's seen of Miller, the man's rather sharp. Alert. Attuned to his surroundings. It's what makes the sight of the man staring at his outstretched hand so bizarre. The man stands there unmoving, even as Minato cants his head and observes him long enough for most people to notice.
He wanders over, pausing a few feet away from the distressed man. ]
...Mister Miller?
[ Minato speaks softly, as though he were addressing a wounded animal.
He only recalls the man's name because Miller had stumbled upon him wandering some suspicious backstreets that no high school student should be frequenting late at night. Minato had gone home that night earlier than he would have liked, but only after a stern talking-to by the man. ]
[ He remembers Minato. He hadn't thought much of the encounter at the time. After all, he's hardly the first high school student who wanted to get a taste of the nightlife in recent times. But he doesn't expect to see him here, and as the first real solid thing to pull him back into the physical world, when he first raises his head to look at him, he processes it fuzzily. Like the face of the boy from his vision is briefly filtered over his until he places where he saw him before.
He groans, rubbing at an eye with his palm as if to brush that thought away with finality before he stands up straight again. ]
I'm fine. Sorry.
[ Though he's not sure why he's apologizing. Maybe just for how strange he's sure that must have looked. Either way, the attitude shift from the previous night is rather stark.
Considering he's still not even sure what happened, it's hard to give an explanation, but he feels that he owes one now, even if the attempt comes out a little disjointed. ]
I thought I saw something sitting at the bottom of the steps here... You didn't see anything, did you?
[ He shakes his head. The gesture serves to acknowledge Miller's apology and respond to his question. ]
No. Just you.
[ Based on his demeanor, whatever Miller thought he'd seen must have been distressing. The man had been firm, stern in his words that other night. Now, it's as though he might jump a bit at his own shadow. ]
...did you see something?
[ Of course he'd seen something. Why else would Miller be asking that question? Nevertheless, Minato carefully lays an option before Miller, one where he can disclose what was on his mind.
And if not, he's polite enough to also offer an out: ]
It's because this is one of your patrol routes, isn't it?
[ That's what Miller was doing here, just checking for suspicious items to keep Aldrip safe and not dissociating about a life he might have known, right? ]
[ Confusing, distressing, you name it. Coming out of that dream he'd had, not to mention the shifting and changing of the town as they know it, it was already becoming difficult to deny the reality setting in on him before this. But now he's really come to a crossroads of either recognizing that he's losing his mind, or that something is just not right. And as much as he doesn't want to admit to the second one, he's always stubbornly clung to the same accepted truths, and never once struggled to know who he is.
Which makes it seem much more likely it is not the first. He sighs, then hesitates for a moment. ]
Well... yes, it is, but you're right.
[ That he saw something. As much as he'd like to take the out, he's not compelled to lie just to save face. That might come later, for a different reason albeit, but no, it's too fresh to deny it. ]
Bear with me. I know this is going to sound crazy. I thought I saw a vial there. I'd never seen it before. Had the initials "ZE." Once it was in my hand, it was like I'd been transported to someplace else... Like the whole world had shifted.
[ Fortunately for Miller, Minato's heard plenty of crazy things. However, this nugget of information isn't that strange because: ]
Oh. It's not crazy. It's happened to me too.
[ Like the time he'd stumbled upon that red armband with the letters S.E.E.S. stitched into it in black embroidery. ]
Or maybe we're both crazy.
[ He offers Miller a noncommittal shrug. His earlier statements were voiced with an equal amount of casualness.
Minato shuffles a bit away from Miller and takes a seat on one of the steps. Rather than putting distance between the two of them, it's an invitation for the other man to sit as well. ]
[ That response stops him in his tracks. Obviously the chance that they're both crazy is not nonzero given the situation, but with this already long day of grappling with dreams and hallucinations, it's difficult not to hope that it means something else.
Not that it's much better.
If this is something happening to them, then what exactly is happening here? He's been aimlessly trying to chase down the thieves stealing from all over town even when he knows for a fact that the entire butcher shop disappearing cannot be the work of a person. Something is wrong. When he realizes it's useless to keep denying it, he suddenly feels more calm. ]
I see...
[ He takes a few more paces, crossing his arms, but then decides to take the implied seat next to Minato on the steps. ]
I'm not sure either, but in the vision I saw, there was a young boy telling me to take it. He called it "anti-rad." Myself and another man in thick armor were gearing up, preparing ammunition... Did you see something like that, too?
[ Minato's passed by that empty lot too. The butcher there had always been kind to him. But because there's nothing that can be done about an entire shop going missing, he'd simply shrugged it off. ]
No.
[ It's a simple response communicating just enough of the required information. ]
I haven't seen anything like that.
[ Nor has he ever heard of anything like "anti-rad," or seen a reason for gearing up in thick armor like they were preparing for war. And if Miller is describing the other person as "another man," he must not recognize him or could not recall his name.
[ He doesn't remember. But it isn't like he was just some stranger. It bothers Miller that he doesn't remember. All he has are the things he said and felt—that he should take his gun, that he had been stalwart in entrusting everything to him. So, who was that man and who or what were they trying to protect?
That's what he had been anguishing over when Minato came upon him. And he's still trying to make sense of it, but this small kernel being offered to him really only seems to suggest that the visions are not connected.
He looks Minato directly in the eye while he shares what he saw, then promptly lowers his head to look down at his own folded hands. They are seeing different things. ]
I wonder what it means... Did you understand it, those symbols?
[ Minato blinks, mild confusion settling on his features. ]
Symbols?
[ No -- no, he doesn't think they were symbols. Or at the very least, they didn't feel like symbols, not when he can recall standing right outside that giant tower and gazing up at that looming moon.
He shakes his head before turning his gaze skyward. ]
No, it looked like an actual tower with the moon rising above it.
[ Whatever it is, it doesn't matter to him. He can't voice that though, not when it might imply he's brushing off Miller's own visions. Instead, he says: ]
I don't think either of those are going to help me with tonight's homework though.
[ They're important, perhaps, just not to him in particular. ]
[ The description was esoteric enough that it seemed more like symbolism, but if he was experiencing it more like he was standing there observing them, then maybe it's somewhat similar to his own vision after all. Not like they were experiencing the same one, but that they were physically present somewhere else.
Before he can touch on that though, Minato's apathy towards the whole thing does come as a bit of a surprise. Enough that he laughs very briefly at the absurdity of it all. ]
Is that still all you're thinking about? Hah.
[ Well, at least allow him to confirm one thing. ]
Were you yourself in these visions? Or did it feel like you were someone else?
[ Hey now, homework's important! But in any event, Minato takes Miller's laugh in stride, managing to crack a small smile of his own. It's much better to see him with a smile on his face compared to the clouded, troubled expression from earlier. ]
I'm not sure. ...it was like looking through a window.
[ He can't say he recalled actually seeing himself in those visions. ]
...I don't think I was someone else. It felt like I'd seen it before. I've never left Aldrip though.
[ And if that's the case, he must have been "present" in those visions in some form or fashion. That can't possibly be right though. Minato's never left Aldrip, and there's nothing in this little town that looked anything like that mysterious tower. ]
[ It helps, in a way, to be reminded of their regular, daily lives like that. He'd been quite committed to shoving all the weirdness down up until this moment and although that veil has clearly been broken, he would like to think that things can return to normal. ]
Yes... that sounds about right for me, too. It was very familiar even though it had no good reason to be.
[ While he's traveled around in his life, he too has always called Aldrip his home. ]
I'd like to say it's all meaningless, but if it's happened to us both, I don't think that can be true.
[ There's no need to rush things. They have all day, all week, and however many months necessary to get to the bottom of things. The days will pass by whether or not choose to fill them contemplating whatever's been going on. ]
[ Spending their time pondering it, whether the time spent was days or weeks or more, seems like something they just shouldn't do. It's like asking for trouble, asking for something to disrupt their peaceful lives.
But unfortunately, Miller is not going to be physically capable of going on like usual anymore. So he knows it helps very little to think of how things should or shouldn't be—but he still begins gesturing empathically with his hands as he speaks. ]
No, that's the problem. It would be easier if it meant nothing. I don't know if it's going to make sense, but... [ as much as he hates to say it ] there is something going on. Perhaps you are right and we'll figure out what it is soon enough.
[ It will make sense over time, probably. In any event, Minato thinks most things do. Sitting around and mulling things over will only get them so far. ]
I don't think there's anything that means "nothing," is there?
[ The visions weren't important to him, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. ]
...I think everything happens for a reason, even if we don't know why at that time.
[ The sun hangs high in the sky, noon on the horizon. It's not nearly as big as the moon from Minato's dreams. ]
[ Well... no, maybe not. There are things that are inevitable, things that take place that will go on whether or not they are seen or acknowledged, but anything could probably be assigned a meaning depending on how you thought of it. In the vision, the only feeling he can really grasp that he felt then was determination to protect something very important. The nonsense with the little vial and the weaponry and armor, he's not so sure of, but that part...
He considers it and the rest of Minato's words for a moment in silence, and then putting his hands on his knees, stands up again. ]
Thank you.
[ He reaches down to him to offer a hand back up as well. ]
I have a lot of things to think about, but I appreciate the ear.
[ Perhaps all the little details aren't what Miller should focus on, but instead, it's that protective sentiment which matters the most.
Minato glances up at Miller with a blank look, blinking a couple times at the man. He's not quite sure what he's being thanked for, but if Miller found it helpful that's all that matters. Minato takes the offered hand and allows his company to pull him to his feet.
His blank looks shifts into a small smile. ]
I'm glad it helped.
[ After all, this was way better than Miller scolding him for wandering around town so late at night. ]
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
ii.
He wanders over, pausing a few feet away from the distressed man. ]
...Mister Miller?
[ Minato speaks softly, as though he were addressing a wounded animal.
He only recalls the man's name because Miller had stumbled upon him wandering some suspicious backstreets that no high school student should be frequenting late at night. Minato had gone home that night earlier than he would have liked, but only after a stern talking-to by the man. ]
Are you okay?
no subject
He groans, rubbing at an eye with his palm as if to brush that thought away with finality before he stands up straight again. ]
I'm fine. Sorry.
[ Though he's not sure why he's apologizing. Maybe just for how strange he's sure that must have looked. Either way, the attitude shift from the previous night is rather stark.
Considering he's still not even sure what happened, it's hard to give an explanation, but he feels that he owes one now, even if the attempt comes out a little disjointed. ]
I thought I saw something sitting at the bottom of the steps here... You didn't see anything, did you?
no subject
No. Just you.
[ Based on his demeanor, whatever Miller thought he'd seen must have been distressing. The man had been firm, stern in his words that other night. Now, it's as though he might jump a bit at his own shadow. ]
...did you see something?
[ Of course he'd seen something. Why else would Miller be asking that question? Nevertheless, Minato carefully lays an option before Miller, one where he can disclose what was on his mind.
And if not, he's polite enough to also offer an out: ]
It's because this is one of your patrol routes, isn't it?
[ That's what Miller was doing here, just checking for suspicious items to keep Aldrip safe and not dissociating about a life he might have known, right? ]
no subject
Which makes it seem much more likely it is not the first. He sighs, then hesitates for a moment. ]
Well... yes, it is, but you're right.
[ That he saw something. As much as he'd like to take the out, he's not compelled to lie just to save face. That might come later, for a different reason albeit, but no, it's too fresh to deny it. ]
Bear with me. I know this is going to sound crazy. I thought I saw a vial there. I'd never seen it before. Had the initials "ZE." Once it was in my hand, it was like I'd been transported to someplace else... Like the whole world had shifted.
no subject
Oh. It's not crazy. It's happened to me too.
[ Like the time he'd stumbled upon that red armband with the letters S.E.E.S. stitched into it in black embroidery. ]
Or maybe we're both crazy.
[ He offers Miller a noncommittal shrug. His earlier statements were voiced with an equal amount of casualness.
Minato shuffles a bit away from Miller and takes a seat on one of the steps. Rather than putting distance between the two of them, it's an invitation for the other man to sit as well. ]
I don't think I know what "ZE" could be though.
no subject
Not that it's much better.
If this is something happening to them, then what exactly is happening here? He's been aimlessly trying to chase down the thieves stealing from all over town even when he knows for a fact that the entire butcher shop disappearing cannot be the work of a person. Something is wrong. When he realizes it's useless to keep denying it, he suddenly feels more calm. ]
I see...
[ He takes a few more paces, crossing his arms, but then decides to take the implied seat next to Minato on the steps. ]
I'm not sure either, but in the vision I saw, there was a young boy telling me to take it. He called it "anti-rad." Myself and another man in thick armor were gearing up, preparing ammunition... Did you see something like that, too?
no subject
No.
[ It's a simple response communicating just enough of the required information. ]
I haven't seen anything like that.
[ Nor has he ever heard of anything like "anti-rad," or seen a reason for gearing up in thick armor like they were preparing for war. And if Miller is describing the other person as "another man," he must not recognize him or could not recall his name.
He offers Miller a small shrug. ]
I've seen a tower and a giant full moon.
no subject
That's what he had been anguishing over when Minato came upon him. And he's still trying to make sense of it, but this small kernel being offered to him really only seems to suggest that the visions are not connected.
He looks Minato directly in the eye while he shares what he saw, then promptly lowers his head to look down at his own folded hands. They are seeing different things. ]
I wonder what it means... Did you understand it, those symbols?
no subject
Symbols?
[ No -- no, he doesn't think they were symbols. Or at the very least, they didn't feel like symbols, not when he can recall standing right outside that giant tower and gazing up at that looming moon.
He shakes his head before turning his gaze skyward. ]
No, it looked like an actual tower with the moon rising above it.
[ Whatever it is, it doesn't matter to him. He can't voice that though, not when it might imply he's brushing off Miller's own visions. Instead, he says: ]
I don't think either of those are going to help me with tonight's homework though.
[ They're important, perhaps, just not to him in particular. ]
no subject
Before he can touch on that though, Minato's apathy towards the whole thing does come as a bit of a surprise. Enough that he laughs very briefly at the absurdity of it all. ]
Is that still all you're thinking about? Hah.
[ Well, at least allow him to confirm one thing. ]
Were you yourself in these visions? Or did it feel like you were someone else?
no subject
I'm not sure. ...it was like looking through a window.
[ He can't say he recalled actually seeing himself in those visions. ]
...I don't think I was someone else. It felt like I'd seen it before. I've never left Aldrip though.
[ And if that's the case, he must have been "present" in those visions in some form or fashion. That can't possibly be right though. Minato's never left Aldrip, and there's nothing in this little town that looked anything like that mysterious tower. ]
no subject
Yes... that sounds about right for me, too. It was very familiar even though it had no good reason to be.
[ While he's traveled around in his life, he too has always called Aldrip his home. ]
I'd like to say it's all meaningless, but if it's happened to us both, I don't think that can be true.
no subject
[ Minato offers Miller a small shrug. ]
Maybe it will make sense later.
[ There's no need to rush things. They have all day, all week, and however many months necessary to get to the bottom of things. The days will pass by whether or not choose to fill them contemplating whatever's been going on. ]
no subject
But unfortunately, Miller is not going to be physically capable of going on like usual anymore. So he knows it helps very little to think of how things should or shouldn't be—but he still begins gesturing empathically with his hands as he speaks. ]
No, that's the problem. It would be easier if it meant nothing. I don't know if it's going to make sense, but... [ as much as he hates to say it ] there is something going on. Perhaps you are right and we'll figure out what it is soon enough.
no subject
I don't think there's anything that means "nothing," is there?
[ The visions weren't important to him, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. ]
...I think everything happens for a reason, even if we don't know why at that time.
[ The sun hangs high in the sky, noon on the horizon. It's not nearly as big as the moon from Minato's dreams. ]
no subject
He considers it and the rest of Minato's words for a moment in silence, and then putting his hands on his knees, stands up again. ]
Thank you.
[ He reaches down to him to offer a hand back up as well. ]
I have a lot of things to think about, but I appreciate the ear.
no subject
Minato glances up at Miller with a blank look, blinking a couple times at the man. He's not quite sure what he's being thanked for, but if Miller found it helpful that's all that matters. Minato takes the offered hand and allows his company to pull him to his feet.
His blank looks shifts into a small smile. ]
I'm glad it helped.
[ After all, this was way better than Miller scolding him for wandering around town so late at night. ]