[...Silver isn't one for bookstores- libraries, sure, but not bookstores- because part of the thing about a bookstore is the store part, which implies that you're going to pay money, and he's not one for spending money on books.
...
By all means, he could be, with all the cash he hides in his floorboards, but he sure as hell isn't.
But this bookstore in particular- the one Nagito works for- gets more than enough of his traffic... And maybe a couple of his sales. Today's just as normal of a visit as any; Silver's bringing Nagito cookies today.
They're huge. Like, actually as big as his head huge. He has to carry them under his arm huge. Who actually makes cookies like these? Crazy people, that's who. But those crazy people are now a couple of Silver's favorites, and he's absolutely sharing it with Nagito because crazy things just so happen happen to be delicious sometimes.
So here Silver is, meandering into the bookstore Nagito works at to give him baked goods just because.]
Sorry we didn't run into each other earlier. I was a bit busy! I'll glad talk to you about whatever you feel like. I did have something I wanted to ask you as well.
Lunch is fine, I'll feel all afternoon and evening.
[Since he'd dealt with the Night of Selenium, Nagito has wandered through his days in an almost haze. Training with his teacher had been harder than usual because Mu isn't about to take a student that isn't paying attention. He rubs at his back as the memory of smacking into a wall drifts idly to the surface.
At least he can do his work like the back of his hand by now. Nagito winces as his back protests again and sweeps carefully across the floor. He almost doesn't catch Silver coming in until he sees him and the words process.]
Ah, Silver. [Wait. His eyebrows rise up at the sight of those very big cookies.] ...you're in luck I was about to go on break for lunch. Do you have enough time to join me?
[He still sounds off, but the events of that night drained him completely. He's yet to bounce back.]
Oh, I should be free tomorrow or the day after! [As long as it's not tonight because of her date with some random dude in red who carries two swords whom you've totally never met before, Nagito.] Let me know if any of those days are okay with you!
[But there's something off about Nagito, about his energy, and... Well, it can wait until they're sitting down and eating. No need to spring twenty questions on him right away.]
I can certainly do that! I just left a blacksmith's shop myself. I'll see you soon.
Nagito
--
[It hadn't been easy carrying a weighted spear to the blacksmith and explaining what he wanted it turned into. He'd even left his boots with them, replacing them with his old shoes. The results will be more than worth it. From the Hearth is known to him. His best friend works there and that's where his friend's party had been.
Right as the clock ticks at two hours, he steps through the doorway and scans the room. Where is Lloyd? He has to wonder what he wants to talk about. Even if his mind still feels hazy as hell...he knows exactly what he wants to say to him.]
I'll need you to bring a few items with you. A piece of chalk or rope, and a bowl. It can be metal, pottery, or wood. The bowl is the most important part!
I'll see you tomorrow in the afternoon. Unless a better time would be suited to you.
If it works, meet me before the library on the steps.
I usually sit just outside. But anywhere you suggest is fine. [His smile isn't quite as peppy as it usually is. Nagito tries, and fails. He puts the broom back in its usual place before straightening up the main desk. On his way to the door he snags up his grey winter coat, pulling it on as he passes by the open sign.
[Well if we're just going to sit out here and eat, that's fine with him. Silver takes this as plopping directly on the ground outside of the bookstore, of course, where he offers Nagito one of the two huge cookies. Don't worry, it's in a huge paper bag.]
You caught me at my low point. If anything, I've been more worried about everyone else I saw that night.
[...He looks at Nagito for a little while longer before adding-]
...Nothing escapes your notice, does it? [The look on Silver's face says who he thinks it might be and Nagito sighs. He waits until he has the paper bag in hand and has sunk down onto the ground.]
While I did encounter Junko, that...isn't why I'm so tired. [Or thoughtful. It's difficult not to think back to how close he'd come to falling back.
Nagito takes a bite of the cookie, pausing to savor the taste with a happy little sound. Not too sweet. Just right.] This is incredible! Mm, just what I needed.
[He thinks to stall but, this is Silver. Silver's feelings trump his need to hide things.] I ran into Hinata again and we argued. ...but it was more than that.
[Well, at least it wasn't- ooohhh that isn't much better.
But Silver shakes his head.]
Enjoy it. Enjoy it, then tell me what happened.
[Because a cookie this massive is meant to be enjoyed and possibly also regretted, and he'd much rather see Nagito have a minute to enjoy himself and eat his food before going right into the heavy stuff.
[Silver has a point. He's really going to regret this much cookie but he slowly eats it anyways. Nagito takes his time with it because man, he really doesn't want to get into this subject. It confuses and frustrates the hell out of him.
But soon enough he's so full he could pop with cookie and so is Silver. He leans back on his hands and sighs.]
It wasn't terrible at first. Until I heard him speaking so...fondly of the girl from his memories. Our classmate, Nanami Chiaki. Something about that didn't sit right. I still don't know why! I did try to leave but he didn't want me to until he knew what was wrong.
He kept pushing, I kept trying to leave and oor memories resonated, dragging up something terrible. What he used to be.
[He presses a hand to his forehead to stave off a headache.] I couldn't leave him like that. I wanted to! It would have been the perfect change...but I couldn't do that.
[Lloyd's sitting at a table in the back corner. It's been only a few minutes since his arrival, but he looks like he's deep in thought.
He's not sure what the hell to say to Nagito if he's honest. He knows the other has pledged to help find a way to cure Colette and for that Lloyd's grateful. He might even like him as a friend. If he had to choose between him, that Hinata character and Junko, Lloyd would pick Nagito, hands down. But, he doesn't really know him either.
He looks up, spots his lunch companion and waves him over.]
[Nagito weaves his way over to Lloyd with his coat draped over one arm. His expression is one of mild curiousity.] No thanks needed, I'm glad to see you again. Just what did you wish to talk about?
I'll explain what I wished to discuss afterward. [Even if Lloyd decided to reject their aquiantenceship, he'd still help save Colette. She's his friend and he doesn't let then down. Nagito slides into his chair and drapes his coat over the back of it.]
Chance. ...chance, damn it. [He's so frustrated with himself and his mind right now. Nagito tugs at his hair with a hiss.] I know what choice I made wasn't...mm it wasn't bad.
Ahahah but, his memories kept showing...and I saw what everyone thinks of me back home. People talk after you're dead...or think you are. [It had hurt. That last nail when he stood on the edge.] It's nothing I didn't expect! I knew all they were saying but...
He wants me to go back to all of that. [For a second, dark shadows pour out around him, forming chains to clamp on his wrists and throat. He doesn't seem to notice.] He didn't understand...Why it hurts to think about. The person I have become... would do it to fix things.
[At the cost of his happiness and everything inbetween.] I think I broke after that. I just remember the world turning gray and not caring anymore. Before he did something I never expected.
There are too many things to name about what's wrong with Enoshima Junko. We'd be here all day and still not cover all of it. [He says mildly but looks like he expected this. It's not a surprise after that time Hinata wanted to learn all he could about this new him and would do anything to get his answers. His shoulders sag as he sighs heavily.]
Hinata means well, and months ago he'd have been right! I was dangerous to everyone with my ideals on hope. But that hasn't been true for a while now. I won't tell you who to trust. That's up to you. I'm far more worried about Junko's attempts to influence either you or Colette.
She is extremely good at what she does, Lloyd. She is willing to do whatever she can to get her despair. Even killing her own sister for it. She looks harmless and in terms of a physical fight...you or I would win. But that's not the only way to destroy a person.
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