[Forward-dated to tomorrow morning because I'm impatient. Flash of what's to come virus.]

[unknownrival]

[The video shows a handsome young man, probably in his early twenties, kneeling on the ground watering some flowers. He's wearing glasses, and black robes that most Japanese characters will recognize as the ones that Buddhist monks of the region wear. He also has a shaved head, although some blue hair is beginning to grow back.

It continues to show him gardening for a while (in case you ever wanted to see him kneeling in the dirt) before cutting out. There's apparently not much point to this, other than showing that a) Issei grows up well and b) he's really going to shave his head.]

Comments

[stripping.livejournal.com]

How have you been lately, Archer?

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

I went on a date.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Really? I'm glad for you, then. There's nothing I'd like better than for you to find a nice girl who'll make you happy.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't call her nice, but she's interesting and entertaining.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Who is she? Someone from the community, I assume.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

No one you have to worry about, that's all.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

...Archer. The only reason you would not tell me who you're involved with is because you think I'll disapprove. So I have to ask - is this the kind of disapproval where I'll grumble a bit but respect that she means well, or the kind of disapproval where I'll worry for your safety and sanity?

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

. . .

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Archer. Being single cannot be worse than having a dangerous girlfriend. Particularly a dangerous rebound girlfriend, especially considering you're not very subtle about that.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Issei, everyone is potentially dangerous, even if they don't know it.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Having an obviously dangerous girlfriend, then.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Well, I know she's dangerous and I'm on guard about it.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Why won't you listen to my advice?

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

I know what I'm doing.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

But you don't need to dismiss it out of hand, or hide things from me because you know I'll give you advice. ...Don't I deserve to be listened to?

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

I am listening, just this is my decision.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

...Why?

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

I like her and she's fun.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I want to trust you. But if you were to be hurt again, I couldn't stand it.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

. . . Thank you Issei.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I thought you didn't like it when I worried over you?

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Well, this is for something different.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It's not that different.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

How so?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I worry that you'll get yourself hurt, even though you're confident that you won't. Same thing.