Um, I guess the most pressing thing is asking if you're busy on Thursday! I'm gonna try to gather as many people as I can to share what I've learned about the game. Everything that Ray-kun and I collected together.
But Taka said that your vision for the world, if you win, might've changed. So I thought I'd check in and hear it from you myself.
Not a bad idea, kiddo. There's still a lot of you to get together and get on the same page. It might be worth getting their attention. [But he looks up from the BOTW box finally.]
I don't know but... it's been a while. Even when we first talked, I think I remember you saying that you didn't even know if you were fit to lead, right...? I thought that was an interesting thing to say - but I liked the honesty of it.
[and he'll go to sit by merriment, tilting his head curiously]
There's been a lot of time to figure stuff out since then.
[He pauses for a moment...and there's a sigh before he reaches up, palm against the face of his mask and taking it off to toss on the table.]
I didn't think I was right for this job for a really long time. Sometimes I'm still not sure I'm right for it, but I think that things have definitely changed since the beginning. [There's a thin smile.] I've got a much clearer picture of what I want to do now. I'm not sure I would've gotten there if he hadn't been as loyal as he's been. And patient. Sometimes I thought I was letting him down because I've always been on the losing end of things, but he stuck around anyway.
[...so?] I know exactly what I want, even if I'm still figuring out how to get there. I want to keep protecting what matters and keep light in the world even when the darkness is threatening to destroy everything around it.
senri's expression softens immediately when jack talks about taka - and he nods in understanding.]
... he's really stubborn, about the people and the things that he does like. I'm really glad that he's so stubborn about you. You've done a lot for - all of us, really. That guy... I know he's nervous about building relationships with people, but I think he's really good at finding the right people to gravitate to anyway.
[senri himself aside.]
I already said thanks for taking care of him but... thanks for caring so much about him in general.
He called you his soulmate - in a way that he has someone who he can talk to, and understand so well.
Yeah, I got that impression. As it turns out we're kind of alike that way. [He seems to relax a little at that.] Taka's a great kid. Good instincts, good judgment...I think he underestimates himself a lot.
[He shakes his head.] I think he's the one who's been taking care of me anyway. [But there's a blink of surprise.] ...he said that?
[and senri says that with a certainty, like it's a truth that he believes above all else. because taka is annoying, and he's stubborn, and sometimes he'll temper will flare up just enough to match senri's - but he's still the best. he holds onto his switch for a moment before laughing quietly and looking up at merriment]
... yeah. Sorry - I don't mean to air out the things that he says to me, but... I think he's still trying to figure out everything he wants to say to you. He'll find his own words in time.
But at least for the soulmate thing... he said that you're someone that he got along with really easily, really immediately. It's rare for him to have that. That 'click'... It was something he could rely on, from the very start of the game.
I'm sure it made him want to work harder for you, and you for him.
I get really worried about him but... with you and Ishirin-san to support him too, I'm sure he'll be okay.
He is...[An equally assured nod. Merriment will fight Senri for the position of being #1 Taka stan.] He can have all the time he wants. Neither of us are really good at saying that kind of thing, and it's not really stuff we always talk about.
[Sometimes Merriment just tortures Taka with stories about Santa.] ...but I'm glad to hear it anyway, even if it wasn't your place to say it. It...helps. A lot. [There's another nod.] You're the one who convinced him to talk to Ishi aren't you? Wasn't that your doing? I've been really glad they've been working together. The first two times were bad enough.
... yeah. I'm not surprised the two of you get along, put like that.
[and he's still really happy about it. taka is someone that can be difficult to get close to. senri managed to completely fuck up their first impression, after all. but he knows how taka can laugh, and smile around others who've forced their ways into his life.
it's been nice to even get closer to that lately.]
... I might've mentioned it, once Ishirin-san told me he was going to you.
I guess I was just scared of anything happening to him. I'm... really glad he listened to me. I still get scared, but at least there's someone who can watch him when I can't.
...I get it. It's a scary thing to have to trust somebody else to take care of the people you care about. And with what those guys are doing? Not an easy job. But they're both really strong people and I think they're doing a great job looking after each other.
[Ishi even lost a hand for his efforts.] ...don't underestimate how powerful your influence can be though. You've got a lot of people looking out for you, too.
I think they are too. I know that they're only working really hard to protect people... so even though I get scared whenever they have to go, I know that it's something important to them.
[they do the things that senri himself isn't strong enough to do]
Doesn't make it easier. You're really worried about keeping up? It's...keeping people safe isn't just about physical strength or being smart. You get that, don't you?
You and me both, kiddo. [Definitely still out of his element here.] I think you're suited enough though. Otherwise we wouldn't have accepted you when you answered the call.
Guess we match then - because I think you're pretty suited to being a god, too. Taka wouldn't even dream of following anyone else, after all.
... I'm really glad - that you figured out what you were looking for, the answers you wanted. You'll do great in whatever world you all get out of this, I'm sure.
[moe!! they're both moe. senri understands 200% why they get along and the question manages to make him laugh - ]
Are you kidding? I've been spoiled rotten.
[ . . . ]
It hasn't been all easy - and... people have protected me from a lot of difficult things, so I have to do everything I can to give back to them but....
A pretty positive outlook, Senri. [He's pleased with that though.] Glad to hear it hasn't all been that bad though. If you can get something else out of this game besides your wish, doesn't that make it a little better? Maybe I'm the one being optimistic now.
Optimism, in the right doses, never hurt anyone, I don't think.
[and he tilts his head]
... I know my experience isn't everyone else's, and I've struggled a lot in the game too. But when I think about all the people that I've gotten to meet... I still wouldn't trade it for anything.
Being able to go home with Taka like we are - that's already more than I ever could've asked for.
[he says that automatically, expression turning so soft it's disgusting]
... I know that I can't talk to him or understand him as easily as you do - but that's not going to stop me from trying to learn. I want to make him happy every single day.
If we can't get our wishes here, we'll just have to try harder to get them back home. I'll do everything to make that happen.
Good. [He's always high-key concerned about Taka's happiness.] I don't know if it's really about understanding or talking to people easily. It's more like...like effort? If someone puts effort into trying, it's worth it.
...Taka was the first person besides the other gods or the other guardians back home to talk to me in 300 years. I'm not sure what I was expecting and I don't know if I was what he was expecting either. But he kept coming back and trying. Trying hard is never a bad plan.
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[aaaAAAAA but okay okay - ]
Um, I guess the most pressing thing is asking if you're busy on Thursday! I'm gonna try to gather as many people as I can to share what I've learned about the game. Everything that Ray-kun and I collected together.
But Taka said that your vision for the world, if you win, might've changed. So I thought I'd check in and hear it from you myself.
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Not a bad idea, kiddo. There's still a lot of you to get together and get on the same page. It might be worth getting their attention. [But he looks up from the BOTW box finally.]
Did he say why he might've thought that?
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[and he'll go to sit by merriment, tilting his head curiously]
There's been a lot of time to figure stuff out since then.
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I didn't think I was right for this job for a really long time. Sometimes I'm still not sure I'm right for it, but I think that things have definitely changed since the beginning. [There's a thin smile.] I've got a much clearer picture of what I want to do now. I'm not sure I would've gotten there if he hadn't been as loyal as he's been. And patient. Sometimes I thought I was letting him down because I've always been on the losing end of things, but he stuck around anyway.
[...so?] I know exactly what I want, even if I'm still figuring out how to get there. I want to keep protecting what matters and keep light in the world even when the darkness is threatening to destroy everything around it.
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senri's expression softens immediately when jack talks about taka - and he nods in understanding.]
... he's really stubborn, about the people and the things that he does like. I'm really glad that he's so stubborn about you. You've done a lot for - all of us, really. That guy... I know he's nervous about building relationships with people, but I think he's really good at finding the right people to gravitate to anyway.
[senri himself aside.]
I already said thanks for taking care of him but... thanks for caring so much about him in general.
He called you his soulmate - in a way that he has someone who he can talk to, and understand so well.
It means the world to me that he has that.
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[He shakes his head.] I think he's the one who's been taking care of me anyway. [But there's a blink of surprise.] ...he said that?
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[and senri says that with a certainty, like it's a truth that he believes above all else. because taka is annoying, and he's stubborn, and sometimes he'll temper will flare up just enough to match senri's - but he's still the best. he holds onto his switch for a moment before laughing quietly and looking up at merriment]
... yeah. Sorry - I don't mean to air out the things that he says to me, but... I think he's still trying to figure out everything he wants to say to you. He'll find his own words in time.
But at least for the soulmate thing... he said that you're someone that he got along with really easily, really immediately. It's rare for him to have that. That 'click'... It was something he could rely on, from the very start of the game.
I'm sure it made him want to work harder for you, and you for him.
I get really worried about him but... with you and Ishirin-san to support him too, I'm sure he'll be okay.
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[Sometimes Merriment just tortures Taka with stories about Santa.] ...but I'm glad to hear it anyway, even if it wasn't your place to say it. It...helps. A lot. [There's another nod.] You're the one who convinced him to talk to Ishi aren't you? Wasn't that your doing? I've been really glad they've been working together. The first two times were bad enough.
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... yeah. I'm not surprised the two of you get along, put like that.
[and he's still really happy about it. taka is someone that can be difficult to get close to. senri managed to completely fuck up their first impression, after all. but he knows how taka can laugh, and smile around others who've forced their ways into his life.
it's been nice to even get closer to that lately.]
... I might've mentioned it, once Ishirin-san told me he was going to you.
I guess I was just scared of anything happening to him. I'm... really glad he listened to me. I still get scared, but at least there's someone who can watch him when I can't.
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[Ishi even lost a hand for his efforts.] ...don't underestimate how powerful your influence can be though. You've got a lot of people looking out for you, too.
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[they do the things that senri himself isn't strong enough to do]
... well, I'm just trying to keep up, I guess.
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[he hums, as if reflecting on it.]
I've been told that a lot... but I'm kind of a coward. I still don't know if I'm suited to be here... so I guess I'm just trying to make up for that.
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... I'm really glad - that you figured out what you were looking for, the answers you wanted. You'll do great in whatever world you all get out of this, I'm sure.
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...thanks. I'm hoping you're right. Do you think you're getting everything you needed out of this?
[Needed. Not wanted.]
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Are you kidding? I've been spoiled rotten.
[ . . . ]
It hasn't been all easy - and... people have protected me from a lot of difficult things, so I have to do everything I can to give back to them but....
I found a lot here, that I never thought I'd get.
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[and he tilts his head]
... I know my experience isn't everyone else's, and I've struggled a lot in the game too. But when I think about all the people that I've gotten to meet... I still wouldn't trade it for anything.
Being able to go home with Taka like we are - that's already more than I ever could've asked for.
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[He nods along though because yeah, meeting people has been great.]
...you'll take good care of him when you guys get back, won't you?
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[he says that automatically, expression turning so soft it's disgusting]
... I know that I can't talk to him or understand him as easily as you do - but that's not going to stop me from trying to learn. I want to make him happy every single day.
If we can't get our wishes here, we'll just have to try harder to get them back home. I'll do everything to make that happen.
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...Taka was the first person besides the other gods or the other guardians back home to talk to me in 300 years. I'm not sure what I was expecting and I don't know if I was what he was expecting either. But he kept coming back and trying. Trying hard is never a bad plan.
[1/2]
[just softly reflecting on that so fondly]
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Sorry - 300 years?
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My name is Jack Frost. [Taka had recognized the name, though he's not sure Senri will.] I've been around for a while.
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