Catch-All for Milla

[specialdog]

Comments

[tothemaxwell]

[The lump flinches at the sudden sound of the door opening and closing—but seems to untense just the smallest bit at realizing it's Akane.]

Curse? People are being murdered week after week! Anyone should be terrified!

[specialdog]

You seemed so confident the rest of our time here. Did you forget how to fight? Do you think anyone here can hurt you?

[tothemaxwell]

I was a fool. I didn't understand the full gravity of our situation!

We're all going to be killed. I can't believe we've been so blind.

[specialdog]

Mm, yeah, probably, eventually...

[ Is that comforting? Is that what you wanted to hear? ]

[tothemaxwell]

[There's a gasp of shock, and a rustle

then some muffled screaming into a pillow.]

[specialdog]

Crying about it won't change it, so isn't it a waste of your time?

[ . . . ]

Well, not that there's much point in talking through it when you're like this.

[tothemaxwell]

Crying or not crying, what difference does it make? The result is the same, and we can only hope it passes us over, week by week!

Akane, what are we going to do?! If I die, you die, if you die, I die... if only I had the courage, I would suggest we both kill ourselves to escape the cycle...

[specialdog]

I'd rather you didn't go that far... Don't you want to live as long as we can?

[tothemaxwell]

Do we even have any hope of something like that? It's... It would be easier just to give up now...

[her tone of voice is hopelessly forlorn.]

What are we going to do, Akane?

[specialdog]

We're going to do our best. We're going to rest for the night, and in the morning we'll do our best. Every day that we're here.

[tothemaxwell]

I... will try.

[...]

Ookurikara said he would return, but I have yet to see him. If he meant tomorrow, then...

[no it is too awful to imagine.

slowly, very slowly, she pulls the blanket back, and looks at Akane. her hair is all mussed up, and her face is red from the... freaking out.]

May I stay with you, tonight?

[specialdog]

[ Milla we live together. ] Of course you can stay with me.

[ Akane assumes you mean. In the house? Not the bed? Hm. ]

... Do you want me to go find him for you?

[tothemaxwell]

[She 100% means the bed.]

I-I want him to be here, but if he's away from his partner... on the other hand, if his partner were to...!

[She can't finish the statement, suddenly spinning a thousand terrible scenarios.]

No! Don't leave!

[specialdog]

[ Akane would pat her consolingly but she feels like that would make this worse. ]

There, there. I'm not going anywhere. You can go see him tomorrow, okay?

[tothemaxwell]

Y, Yes... of course...

[she looks super pathetic and sad. like a nervous dog in a thunderstorm.]

I truly wish I could sleep.

[specialdog]

Is it that you're not physically capable? Or that you can't relax enough for it?

[tothemaxwell]

Well... I do not require it, but I suppose... I could try?

B-But if I get harmed during the night...! Ah, it's definitely better to stay awake!

[specialdog]

People's deaths are practically scheduled, here.

[ ... Comforting. ]

You'll be fine, tonight.

[tothemaxwell]

[NOOOOOOOO

but she's right. it doesn't make her feel better, but Akane is definitely correct.]

Oh...! I hope so!

[weh

She's visibly moving closer to Akane, though.]

[specialdog]

I'll protect you. You can rely on me.

Didn't you say you would trust me?

[tothemaxwell]

Yes... that's right.

I said I would... and... and I do! Or at least, I want to...

[It's hard to tell if she's trying to move behind Akane, or just stick to her side.]

Th, Thank you.

[specialdog]

Hey, Milla.

I want to be able to protect you. A lot of people around here are keeping secrets--secrets that might hurt people the less people know them.

Has anyone confided anything in you?

[tothemaxwell]

Se, Secrets...? Confiding?

[She's back on edge—but she did just say she'd trust Akane, didn't she?]

I don't th-think I know anything that would hurt somebody, but...

[She looks uncertain, as if she's re-evaluating every conversation she's ever had here. Oh no.]

What do you think would h, help?

[specialdog]

Well... The more I know about everyone here, the better I can protect you from them. And there are some secrets floating around too--you know, things like the items or the powers, or special abilities.

Anything that you would usually keep to yourself could be super helpful for me to keep you safe!

[tothemaxwell]

[secrets, secrets...]

Ah!

I kn-know who cursed me! Th-This curse!

[The fear one.]