o2. text / partially filtered

[overclocking]

[ Backdated to August SEPTEMBER (I can months) 4th / Visible to everyone but Rosette and Mary ]

[Chrono had very seriously considered doing this through video or audio, but in the end, he opts for the more cowardly way—he's less likely to give himself away when voices and faces aren't involved. So he hides behind the benefits of emotionless text, and pretends it's a question of curiosity and not terrible selfishness.]

I've heard talk about death not existing here. Or, at least, that the Initiative can bring people back to life. But so far, it's all just been talk.

I need to know for sure. Is there anyone here who's died and been brought back, or knows someone who has? I know something like this might be unpleasant to talk about. [Understatement, hah...] But, if you could... I'd really like to speak with you.

It's important.

Comments

[overclocking]

Yeah. [If only he knew what a familiar kind of not-smile she wears. Thinks he might be able to guess, regardless.]

I am too.

[anklets]

you're going to be careful, right?

[overclocking]

I'm always careful. [Haha...ha...]

You don't need to worry about me, Lenalee. [On top of everything else.]

[anklets]

someone your age shouldn't have to peddle words like this.

[overclocking]

['Someone his age'...]

How much does age really matter, when we're all laying our lives on the line?

It's only a number.

[anklets]

[There is a man crueler than him who would word it like that, marginalize their lives like that, put that phrasing right next to things like "you're an Exorcist, so fight!" She wants to shake him, a little bit.

What kind of bland acceptance is this?]

no. it's not.

wow well that didn't take very long at all

[overclocking]

At least in my case, it is.

[He wonders if she's been lamenting children in wars the same way he has. If only she knew.]

When I said you don't need to worry, [If it's worry—he honestly can't tell] I meant it.

well to be fair i guess it's only a "wants to cheekpinch chrono" stage

[anklets]

please just be careful, if you're thinking of doing anything reckless.

i'll take it

[overclocking]

I'm not planning anything at all, right now. [That much, at least, is honest.]

But I'll be careful. I have someone I need to protect, you know? I can't let anything get in the way of that.

[anklets]

ah. i can understand that.

[ she must have typed and retyped this at least thrice, it takes that much longer to come through than anything else yet ]

[overclocking]

I'm not surprised.

I think almost everyone has someone like that.

[anklets]

you may be right.