[ A beat follows before she throws both hands up in front of her, quickly shaking her head. ]
No! No, humans are still the same as ever—just with better phones.
[ Ha ha... Another brief pause follows, reluctant, but with a pretty good idea of what the follow-up question is going to be, anyway... Koharu does manage: ]
[ If there's one trait Minato's observed enough times in Koharu, it's that she seems to get frazzled fairly easily. He offers her a small smile before shaking his head. ]
It's okay. Some of my friends back home weren't human either.
[ There's Aigis, for one, and calling Ryoji "human" wasn't quite accurate either. And it's because he can accept that vague explanation at face value that he determines no follow-up questions are necessary. ]
[ This would be a little less strange if it was just a dog, but a robot? ]
Maybe there was always a lot out in the world I never knew about...
[ Her or like, anyone else she ever knew, apparently. But if there could be cupids out there, it isn't too weird to think there could be more, right? It's just all hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the world most would never stumble into, save for a small handful of people. ]
It's starting to sound like you have a pretty exciting life, don't you? I'm almost a little envious.
[ It's as they say: fact is stranger than fiction.
But it's Koharu's final thoughts that give Minato pause. Envy, jealousy -- it isn't the first time someone has invoked those words in his presence. Perhaps that's why he can only shrug in response, Pixie perched on his shoulder rising and falling yet again.
"Exciting" is certainly one way to describe it, spending his time shouldering everyone else's troubles no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, all before offering himself to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. ]
I guess it was. It wasn't... always like that though.
[ After all, it had only been that year at Port Island where he'd finally found it in himself to live. And even if it had only been a single year, Minato doesn't find himself dissatisfied.
Somberness settles in his irises, albeit fleetingly. He can't say he'd want anyone else to follow in his exact footsteps. That had been the point of everything he'd done, to ensure no one else would have to walk that path. ]
...you can start here too, if you want. I've been trying things that aren't as exciting.
[ She realizes, while watching him in that response, that perhaps her innocuous question was a little less so than intended. The following pause, the way his gaze sets, however brief it may have lasted; whatever it meant, it seems it goes deeper than she realizes, but she doesn't have it in her to pry when they've only just met. It would simply be rude, to say the least.
So she leaves it, shoulders drooping ever so slightly in thought, while his answer likewise gives her something to think about. ]
Well, I could probably go for some of both.
[ Either exciting or the mundane; thinking back, Koharu wouldn't say she ever allowed herself much of any of it. ]
If I have to stay here for now, then... I'll be a little less busy than usual.
[ Given how long Koharu might find herself stuck here, there'll be plenty of time to explore both avenues...
Minato cants his head a bit, easing back into muted curiosity. ]
Were you a student...?
[ She looks about that age, and if so, maybe she'd been a bit of a busybody before arriving. Although... Koharu did say she wasn't exactly human. Not that this has ever stopped every single non-human from trying to attend school outside of Koromaru.
And so, somewhere in the distance, Koro-chan sneezes. ]
Anyway, there's another moment where Koharu looks as if she's deciding on her words carefully before giving a tentative shake of her head. ]
Oh, no. Maybe it's okay to say here... [ Given their circumstances. If they're nowhere near home... or so she's lead to believe, at the moment. ] But I'm a cupid, so we spend most of the day helping people with—you know, love.
[ It's Minato's turn to blink, perplexed. Once, twice, before nodding to acknowledge the response. Cupids could totally be real. He has no reason to question their existences. After all, there was plenty from his own world and time that many were not privy to. ]
I guess humans can't see you then, usually.
[ In any event, Minato doesn't have anyplace to be so he settles down on the floor.
Pixie doesn't seem particularly impressed. "I could do that too," she shrugs, and only receives a small side note from Minato that no, whatever Koharu's doing is probably different from running around inflicting Charm statuses. ]
Then... when people fall in love -- is it because of cupids like you?
[ It's strange to think about how it could be caused by that outside force, especially given how people seemed to elevate romantic love. But if that was the case... perhaps it did explain why he'd never felt compelled to return others' affections. ]
[ Pixie manages to get a gently amused reaction out of Koharu, a small twitch at the corners of her mouth; she's very proud for such a small thing, but given Minato's own responses to her, Koharu knows not to take it too seriously.
Mostly, it's still surreal to see with her own eyes. It's hard not to be awed by it.
With that, Koharu nods once as she follows suit, taking a spot on the floor nearby; it's a good a spot as any to talk with no one to overhear. ]
Yes, that's right. We usually stay invisible to their eyes, and we're also the reason they feel love. So, when that happens... That's how you know a cupid has decided on the target for your affections.
[ He listens silently and takes in all the information Koharu has to offer. Everything certainly sounds like the typical description of most people's perceptions surrounding a "cupid."
There's one thing that seems to be missing though, and that's where Minato's thoughts stray. ]
Where's your bow?
[ The bow, the quiver of arrows with their heart-shaped tips, surely these were the true marks of a cupid other than their feathered wings?
He lifts a hand idly in thought, carding his fingers through his bangs. Though the wound is healed, his hand comes away with flecks of dried blood clinging to his fingertips. Minato doesn't seem bothered by it though, merely exhaling a bit at the sight of it. ]
[ Minato your blood... Well. The good news is that it's only dried, and he (probably) showers, so. That's a later problem, even if her nose wrinkles at it ever-so-slightly. That really must've hurt. ]
Well... I don't have one.
[ Which goes against every perception of cupids, it's true. Koharu pauses yet again, considering, and then ultimately decides it would be a little silly to hold back on the guy who pulled out his own gun for... whatever magic he possesses. ]
Cupids used to use them, but I think they're considered old-fashioned nowadays, so... [ Koharu lifts both hands, and with a little poof! a pistol appears, dropping onto her fingers. ] I use this instead. But everyone has their preferences on what kind of firearm they use.
[ The double blink of momentary disbelief returns because -- oh. That's a gun, but... who's to say the modern era didn't require modern solutions and technology? ]
It's probably harder too, running around with the extra equipment.
[ The more you know!
Minato raises a hand to point at the pistol nestled in Koharu's palms. ]
...so if you shoot someone with that, they'll fall in love.
[ Actually, that might be scarier than a real firearm... ]
[ His surprise doesn't go unnoticed, but at least he appears to take it in stride. Which... good. Again, she nods. ]
That's the simple explanation, at least.
[ Koharu turns the pistol around in her hands, as if inspecting it over while she speaks. ]
If we choose the right target, they will, but it depends on if their likes and preferences are compatible with the person we've decided they would love. So, basically—if 'person A' would've never had any interest in 'person B' no matter what, shooting 'person A' would be ineffective.
[ There's a science behind it then... Minato wrinkles his nose at Koharu's explanation. Skittering around, trying to hunt down compatible pairs of people sounds like it would run anyone ragged. ]
Mm. ...that doesn't sound very easy.
[ Cupids sure seem to have it rough. ]
...people fall out of love though, don't they? Or... they think they're in love, but maybe they were wrong.
[ She has a few difficult jobs under her belt, but Koharu responds with an earnest fondness about it; at the end of the day, she has come to enjoy it. ]
Mm, and people do fall out of love sometimes—their feelings could change, or things do happen, but... that's okay. If they want to find love elsewhere, then we'll be there to help them.
You said my life sounded exciting, but yours sounds like it was the same.
[ It... sounds like the good sort of life, the fulfilling sort of life. A muted smile returns to Minato's expression. ]
If you make it home, I hope you can keep doing that.
[ After all, based on her explanation, it seems like Koharu's come to enjoy her personal duties. He thinks it's a good thing to fall in love and to facilitate that process, even if it may end in heartbreak. Fresh wounds heal over in time, a bruised heart mending itself until it is prepared to search anew. ]
But I hope so, too. [ With another little magical poof, the pistol disappears, as if it were never there. ] For now, though... I guess we'll see what happens. I probably shouldn't worry about it too much right now.
[ The pistol vanishes into thin air. Convenient, Minato thinks to himself. ]
...yeah. It might be awhile.
[ He goes quiet again, counting silently within his head. ]
...it's been -- nine months for me, I think.
[ He hadn't seen the point in counting initially, not when he'd been under the impression that maybe this is where everyone ends up after they close their eyes the final time. But then he'd run into people who were almost definitely alive prior to arriving in Aldrip, so he started counting again. ]
[ Augh—that's just awful! That makes her visibly deflate, gaze lowering. ]
That's so much time... [ Time she'll lose working towards what she needs to back home; so much for finishing within a year. ] I just wish I understood what we need to do to get out of here.
[ Obviously, though, she isn't the only one. If anyone knew, someone would have said so by now. ]
Sometimes people go missing here, but that's probably because they went home.
[ And sometimes those people end up here again. Sometimes they return with memories of their time in Aldrip, and other times they seem like an entirely different person.
Allegedly, obeying the Council would bring a person one step closer to going home, but it's not clear who's in charge of the place anymore.
Minato figures all of this information will probably cause more distress, so he holds his tongue and keeps it to himself. ]
[ It's a little demoralizing knowing there's nothing to be done, but it isn't as if Koharu was a fighter, either. There's just... accepting it. It sucks, but what else is there? ]
It's—well... If that's what it takes, I think I'll be okay.
[ She doesn't feel it right now, but perhaps eventually. ]
[ There are the handful of people who seem a little suspicious, but they don't seem to be too bad to Minato. On the other hand, his tolerance for hanging out with just about anyone tended to be pretty high. ]
I live at the inn, so... if you need help with anything, that's probably where you can find me.
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expiationlogs2024-10-14 08:59 am
no subject
[ A beat follows before she throws both hands up in front of her, quickly shaking her head. ]
No! No, humans are still the same as ever—just with better phones.
[ Ha ha... Another brief pause follows, reluctant, but with a pretty good idea of what the follow-up question is going to be, anyway... Koharu does manage: ]
I'm just not—that. ... Human, I mean. So...
no subject
It's okay. Some of my friends back home weren't human either.
[ There's Aigis, for one, and calling Ryoji "human" wasn't quite accurate either. And it's because he can accept that vague explanation at face value that he determines no follow-up questions are necessary. ]
no subject
[ Despite everything he's displayed so far, Koharu still manages to grow surprised. ]
Like what?
[ Well. Thinking on it— ]
... They're not pets or something, are they?
no subject
One of them was a robot. ...she never felt like one to me though.
[ Even prior to her proper integration into SEES, Aigis always seemed more like a person as opposed to a manmade creation running on 0s and 1s.
As for Ryoji... there's no need to dive too deeply into that one. But speaking of pets, ]
Another was a dog, but he's not a pet.
[ See? Person-with-wings is pretty par for the course to him. ]
no subject
[ This would be a little less strange if it was just a dog, but a robot? ]
Maybe there was always a lot out in the world I never knew about...
[ Her or like, anyone else she ever knew, apparently. But if there could be cupids out there, it isn't too weird to think there could be more, right? It's just all hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the world most would never stumble into, save for a small handful of people. ]
It's starting to sound like you have a pretty exciting life, don't you? I'm almost a little envious.
no subject
But it's Koharu's final thoughts that give Minato pause. Envy, jealousy -- it isn't the first time someone has invoked those words in his presence. Perhaps that's why he can only shrug in response, Pixie perched on his shoulder rising and falling yet again.
"Exciting" is certainly one way to describe it, spending his time shouldering everyone else's troubles no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, all before offering himself to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. ]
I guess it was. It wasn't... always like that though.
[ After all, it had only been that year at Port Island where he'd finally found it in himself to live. And even if it had only been a single year, Minato doesn't find himself dissatisfied.
Somberness settles in his irises, albeit fleetingly. He can't say he'd want anyone else to follow in his exact footsteps. That had been the point of everything he'd done, to ensure no one else would have to walk that path. ]
...you can start here too, if you want. I've been trying things that aren't as exciting.
no subject
So she leaves it, shoulders drooping ever so slightly in thought, while his answer likewise gives her something to think about. ]
Well, I could probably go for some of both.
[ Either exciting or the mundane; thinking back, Koharu wouldn't say she ever allowed herself much of any of it. ]
If I have to stay here for now, then... I'll be a little less busy than usual.
no subject
Minato cants his head a bit, easing back into muted curiosity. ]
Were you a student...?
[ She looks about that age, and if so, maybe she'd been a bit of a busybody before arriving. Although... Koharu did say she wasn't exactly human. Not that this has ever stopped every single non-human from trying to attend school outside of Koromaru.
And so, somewhere in the distance, Koro-chan sneezes. ]
no subject
Anyway, there's another moment where Koharu looks as if she's deciding on her words carefully before giving a tentative shake of her head. ]
Oh, no. Maybe it's okay to say here... [ Given their circumstances. If they're nowhere near home... or so she's lead to believe, at the moment. ] But I'm a cupid, so we spend most of the day helping people with—you know, love.
no subject
I guess humans can't see you then, usually.
[ In any event, Minato doesn't have anyplace to be so he settles down on the floor.
Pixie doesn't seem particularly impressed. "I could do that too," she shrugs, and only receives a small side note from Minato that no, whatever Koharu's doing is probably different from running around inflicting Charm statuses. ]
Then... when people fall in love -- is it because of cupids like you?
[ It's strange to think about how it could be caused by that outside force, especially given how people seemed to elevate romantic love. But if that was the case... perhaps it did explain why he'd never felt compelled to return others' affections. ]
no subject
Mostly, it's still surreal to see with her own eyes. It's hard not to be awed by it.
With that, Koharu nods once as she follows suit, taking a spot on the floor nearby; it's a good a spot as any to talk with no one to overhear. ]
Yes, that's right. We usually stay invisible to their eyes, and we're also the reason they feel love. So, when that happens... That's how you know a cupid has decided on the target for your affections.
no subject
There's one thing that seems to be missing though, and that's where Minato's thoughts stray. ]
Where's your bow?
[ The bow, the quiver of arrows with their heart-shaped tips, surely these were the true marks of a cupid other than their feathered wings?
He lifts a hand idly in thought, carding his fingers through his bangs. Though the wound is healed, his hand comes away with flecks of dried blood clinging to his fingertips. Minato doesn't seem bothered by it though, merely exhaling a bit at the sight of it. ]
no subject
Well... I don't have one.
[ Which goes against every perception of cupids, it's true. Koharu pauses yet again, considering, and then ultimately decides it would be a little silly to hold back on the guy who pulled out his own gun for... whatever magic he possesses. ]
Cupids used to use them, but I think they're considered old-fashioned nowadays, so... [ Koharu lifts both hands, and with a little poof! a pistol appears, dropping onto her fingers. ] I use this instead. But everyone has their preferences on what kind of firearm they use.
no subject
It's probably harder too, running around with the extra equipment.
[ The more you know!
Minato raises a hand to point at the pistol nestled in Koharu's palms. ]
...so if you shoot someone with that, they'll fall in love.
[ Actually, that might be scarier than a real firearm... ]
no subject
That's the simple explanation, at least.
[ Koharu turns the pistol around in her hands, as if inspecting it over while she speaks. ]
If we choose the right target, they will, but it depends on if their likes and preferences are compatible with the person we've decided they would love. So, basically—if 'person A' would've never had any interest in 'person B' no matter what, shooting 'person A' would be ineffective.
no subject
Mm. ...that doesn't sound very easy.
[ Cupids sure seem to have it rough. ]
...people fall out of love though, don't they? Or... they think they're in love, but maybe they were wrong.
no subject
[ She has a few difficult jobs under her belt, but Koharu responds with an earnest fondness about it; at the end of the day, she has come to enjoy it. ]
Mm, and people do fall out of love sometimes—their feelings could change, or things do happen, but... that's okay. If they want to find love elsewhere, then we'll be there to help them.
no subject
[ It... sounds like the good sort of life, the fulfilling sort of life. A muted smile returns to Minato's expression. ]
If you make it home, I hope you can keep doing that.
[ After all, based on her explanation, it seems like Koharu's come to enjoy her personal duties. He thinks it's a good thing to fall in love and to facilitate that process, even if it may end in heartbreak. Fresh wounds heal over in time, a bruised heart mending itself until it is prepared to search anew. ]
no subject
Yeah, maybe it is a little.
[ She could give herself a little more credit. ]
But I hope so, too. [ With another little magical poof, the pistol disappears, as if it were never there. ] For now, though... I guess we'll see what happens. I probably shouldn't worry about it too much right now.
no subject
...yeah. It might be awhile.
[ He goes quiet again, counting silently within his head. ]
...it's been -- nine months for me, I think.
[ He hadn't seen the point in counting initially, not when he'd been under the impression that maybe this is where everyone ends up after they close their eyes the final time. But then he'd run into people who were almost definitely alive prior to arriving in Aldrip, so he started counting again. ]
no subject
[ Augh—that's just awful! That makes her visibly deflate, gaze lowering. ]
That's so much time... [ Time she'll lose working towards what she needs to back home; so much for finishing within a year. ] I just wish I understood what we need to do to get out of here.
[ Obviously, though, she isn't the only one. If anyone knew, someone would have said so by now. ]
no subject
Sometimes people go missing here, but that's probably because they went home.
[ And sometimes those people end up here again. Sometimes they return with memories of their time in Aldrip, and other times they seem like an entirely different person.
Allegedly, obeying the Council would bring a person one step closer to going home, but it's not clear who's in charge of the place anymore.
Minato figures all of this information will probably cause more distress, so he holds his tongue and keeps it to himself. ]
...I think all we can do is keep waiting.
no subject
[ It's a little demoralizing knowing there's nothing to be done, but it isn't as if Koharu was a fighter, either. There's just... accepting it. It sucks, but what else is there? ]
It's—well... If that's what it takes, I think I'll be okay.
[ She doesn't feel it right now, but perhaps eventually. ]
no subject
[ There are the handful of people who seem a little suspicious, but they don't seem to be too bad to Minato. On the other hand, his tolerance for hanging out with just about anyone tended to be pretty high. ]
I live at the inn, so... if you need help with anything, that's probably where you can find me.
no subject
... Thank you, Minato.
[ It's a simple kind gesture, but in such a confusing, baffling time, it does mean a lot. ]
I'll try to find you if I need to. Hopefully it won't be too much.