- > -# Putting this as a placeholder, will get to starters after work. If you have something in mind and want to start first that's OK too, just lmk or if you have any premise you want to explore at all/do, lmk @Rey ✨Hotaru

Assuming the others don't oppose, the Constituent will allow everyone to return to his apartment one last time. They can choose to leave after they dry up and collect their things - or stick around one last night unofficially, just to make double-sure that the ordeal is over. ... He approaches Hotaru after she's been situated. He's eyeing her bandaged wound. "You did a lot of hard work." Commending. And- "I am sorry about your shoulder." @Rey ✨Hotaru

Ah... Her shoulder hurts. Hotaru's made herself comfortable on the couch, without a blazer or Almond's jacket to cover most of the damage. Well, at least there are bandages to stop the bleeding. "... I'll live." She has to. "Can't say I expected to get shot today" She chuckles, though it's a little strained. "Did you have fun?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He wasn't anticipating Hotaru to get shot either, even though the possibility was always there. He thinks Hotaru is surprisingly unaggravated by the fact that she was shot. Did he have fun? ... "Yes." He nods, eyes closed. It's almost like a bow. "Are you satisfied?" @Rey ✨Hotaru

She's too tired to be angry. Or maybe it was just the coward in her making itself known. Tail curled between her legs, sticking to the quieter corners of the apartment now that she's injured. Avoiding danger. Hotaru looks at Cade. "That's good, that you had fun." Was it fulfilling? Did he even want to have fun in the first place? "A festival is supposed to be fun." Is she satisfied? "With the job?" She hums. "I should be, since you're safe." @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He's the most dangerous person here, and you don't trust him. But he's right in front of you. "I didn't particularly have fun at the festival," he says, confusingly. He blinks upwards. The festival was rather lonely. "I enjoyed seeing you all work hard." Working together. "Do you feel stronger?" @Rey ✨Hotaru

Why do you think she's so quiet all of the sudden? "So did you." Work hard, she means. There's a pause before she answers. "Not really." Her shoulder hurts. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

Do you still think I will hurt you after everything that you've done for me? ... ... Well, that's smart. Because he could. He always could. But the thing is - he doesn't want to, and he probably won't ever. He's not a sadist. You know that. ...Aside from when it comes to pranks. "I see." He tilts his head. "I think you've grown stronger." "You did something scary by yourself. For someone untrustworthy." @Rey ✨Hotaru

The possibility is always there-- low but never zero. Hotaru raises a hand to rub at her shoulder, adjusting a bit of the bandage so it sits better. "You've barely known me..." It's true. They've only known each other for three days. How could he say that she's grown stronger in such a short amount of time? It's silly. "I did." Only because she was working. If she had the option to, she would have ran. Left him to find for himself. "Do you think you'd ever do the same?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

Because she's grown stronger in a short amount of time. He tilts his head as if he doesn't quite understand where she's coming from. "Doing something scary by myself for someone untrustworthy is my job." @Rey ✨Hotaru

… “Right.” He’s a contract killer. “Stupid question.” She doesn’t feel like herself after all that. Might be the blood loss. “Hey…” “Have you ever worked in Japan before?” “While doing this kind of work, I mean.” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"I would probably do the same for you." Probably. He can never say for sure. He doesn't make promises he can't keep. But it wouldn't be a job or work that stops him. `"...No. After I left Japan." "Why?"` He tilts his head. @Rey ✨Hotaru

Would he? It’s not definite. “Just wondering. Maybe you’ve worked for me before.” Maybe not. It’s all speculation. Food for thought. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"If I had, I would have remembered you." Hehe. "Criminal."` Haha. @Rey ✨Hotaru

She shrugs, expression pinching at the pain that shoots down her shoulder at the action. “I wouldn’t have spoken to you directly.” “`Close.’” Something more sophisticated than criminal. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"Then I would likely not have known if I worked for you regardless." He shakes his head though. "I was a fragile person in Japan." He doesn't elaborate. "Yakuza."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

“Your name, I would have at least remembered.” She thinks so, at least. They were both fragile back there. Hotaru was used to hiding behind a name. She smiles. “Surprise.” It’s not really a surprise. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I had a different name back then." In a sense, that is also the same. "I see." He's not surprised in the slightest. "I hope you enjoy your freedom."` Said in the tone of- congratulations for leaving. Because if you wanted to be there, you probably would have stayed. The yakuza doesn't let go of its members if those members want to stay. @Rey ✨Hotaru

Freedom, that’s what this is. No, it’s not freedom. She’s gone from one organization to another, a different cage. It’s the same. Yet it’s not. A new face and a new beginning. -# If she keeps telling herself this, she’ll eventually start believing it. And besides, do you see any fingers missing? “I’m enjoying as much as I can” She huffs. “You know how suffocating Japan can be.” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

Well, you're just a little bit of a coward. It's ok. You'll work on it. It's not a bad thing, anyway. Today, you got a little bit stronger. `"I understand." He curls his. finger to his chin. "I wish you luck with your multiple love interests."` Also. Haha. @Rey ✨Hotaru

She cough. “Wha— Huh? Love interests??” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

Hahahahahahahaha. `"Hotaru-kun's life is probably going to get very interesting.~"` He walks off.

⁉️