[Voice]

[unknownrival]

It's only Eris being Eris. She knows exactly what to say to cause a panic, and I won't fall for it.

[Issei sighs, and there's the sound of a paper crinkling. The next few sentences sound like Issei's reading them off from newspaper headlines, which he is.]

"Kaitou Kid claims his prize yet again." "Gem returned by Kaitou Kid." "Task force foiled in their chase again."

He hasn't been caught. I don't need to talk to him or anyone on his world to confirm it, because I know. I know him, and that's enough to know that he hasn't been caught.

And why should it matter if he remembers me or not, anyway! I told her that if he was safe from the community's whims, it was good enough for me, and I meant it. It isn't as if he needs me, so I don't, I don't-

[There's something like a choking sound.]

...Hakuba's support would have been valuable right about now. I haven't even begun to process that one.

It'll be fine.

Comments

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I'm well aware. After all, this is perhaps the third time that the community has taken someone I love from me.

[angermanaging]

I don't mean because the community forced you to, I mean because you decided to. Because it's what's best for him.

Unless I'm reading the situation wrong...

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a little. The community has forced us apart, so I'm attempting to convince myself that I don't mind because it's better for him this way. I really don't have much of a decision, in the end.

[angermanaging]

I think not having a decision makes it easier to accept. It doesn't make it feel better, but there's less conflict.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

The issue there is that I tend not to accept not having a decision. Especially not here, where everything seems possible.

[angermanaging]

That's your choice. Accept it and live with it, or don't and try to find a way around it. It's not easy either way.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

...I'll consider my options for a while. It's too early to decide.

[angermanaging]

Whatever you pick, stick with it. That's the only advice I have.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Good advice.