CONTACT | Call me, maybe

[intercalaryninja]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, HAZYREFLECTION FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 011.04.151.01 *** HAZYREFLECTION has joined 011.04.151.01 <HAZYREFLECTION> Only contact me if it is necessary. <HAZYREFLECTION> Report to me immediately if it's regarding Reira-dono. <HAZYREFLECTION> I will be checking this nightly when possible.

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[intercalaryninja]

I've already rested, Reira-dono. I'm not tired. Do not worry about me, I'm alright.

[blurspot]

[Had he? Had he really though? He frowns.] ...When.. ..?

...You always watch, right.. ..? ...E..

Even while I'm sleeping... ...So...

[intercalaryninja]

Earlier.

[Ten minutes, maybe. No one could have even guessed.]

I'm fine, really.

[blurspot]

[TEN MINUTES IS NOT REST, SIR.]

....

...I...

...Is it because of what Niisama said?

[intercalaryninja]

... Partially, Reira-dono. It's also because I want to...

[soft_focus]

...

...Don't you want to sleep too?

[intercalaryninja]

I'll sleep when it's necessary for me. I'm alright, truly.

[soft_focus]

[....]

...When's that?

[intercalaryninja]

I'm not sure...

Go sleep, Reira-dono. It's fine. You need your rest.

[soft_focus]

...Okay...

...

[But.] ...If...

...If you're not sure... ...How do you know it's enough?

[intercalaryninja]

I know when I feel tired. I'm not sure when it is, but I know about it. Really.

Is there something bothering you, Reira-dono? You're... very insistent.

[blurspot]

[He certainly is, isn't he.

Well. He doesn't have an answer immediately. He just looks down toward the floor, if anything. But...] Ts...

You're always watching.. ...and...always working... ...Niisama did that too, but...

...No one likes niisama. ...No one knew what niisama was doing...or what he was like, [he says quietly, clutching his bear.] ...And I think...

...Maybe Niisama was tired too...

[intercalaryninja]

[Tsukikage doesn't care if people like him or hate him. Like his brother, he was taught to prioritise the mission above all else- except honour, of course- and work hard. Everyone knew Reiji was the same, keeping to himself and working to keep their dimension safe. However, hearing the boy say the last bit does surprise him, and the shade tilts his head]

Tired? What makes you say that, Reira-dono?

[blurspot]

... [Truthfully he doesn't know. Not really. Sometimes he did get obviously tired, true. But what could it have been outside of that then? What could ever tell him?

...He doesn't know.] ...Tsukikage? [he asks instead.]

...Are you lonely?

[intercalaryninja]

Mm?

[The question catches him off guard and he is silent for a long time. Is he lonely? Perhaps he is... It has been a long time since he was by himself. Usually, within an hour, his trusted brother and partner would be by his side again, whether in leisure or during missions. However, it doesn't appear in the shade's face. He merely sighs.]

And what makes you ask that?

[blurspot]

[This is another question that he can't entirely answer. On the one hand, what else can he think, when someone is so dedicated to their assigned task even here. Reiji was dead; they both know that Tsukikage could have just as easily resigned his role as guard, rather than transfer the line of command to Reira.

But here he was all the same. Always there, in fact.] ...It...

...If you only have one, that can be lonely right?

[intercalaryninja]

... It... is a little lonely. However, I am... fine. I mean it. Having you and the other duelists here help.

[soft_focus]

[HE'S CALLIN YOU OUT ON THAT ONE-] ....You only follow me though.

[intercalaryninja]

I have met with the others.

Once.

And I have contacted them with the laptop.

Also once.

I also meet your friends too... It's fine.

[blurspot]

[He ain't taking that Tsukikage.] ...That's not the same.

[intercalaryninja]

... Perhaps...

You... are right.

[blurspot]

That you're lonely?

[No you goober, that it isn't the same.]

[intercalaryninja]

That it isn't the same, Reira-dono. I only do follow you.

[But if he's honest with himself, his young master is right. He is... very lonely.]

[blurspot]

[...Hmn. There is another blink...And this time the boy sits up, holding his bear a bit closer as he tries to come to his decision.]

...If I said 'don't do that'... ...Would you still follow me?

[intercalaryninja]

. . . If that is what you wished. I would protect you when you came home, and enquire where you were in the day, but if you truly didn't want me to follow you, I would not.