[video]

[glassinine]

[The thing about employing text is that when you start using it when all your broadcasts are in video, people tend to question why you've suddenly switched. So he makes the decision to instead compose himself as best as he can and use video instead.

Unfortunately, he always sort of overestimates his ability to compose himself. He certainly doesn't seem distraught, or panicked, or anything of the sort, but he's definitely shaky. This is definitely a far cry from his normal, slow, quiet, lengthy broadcasts.]

I'm leaving on a business trip abroad for...some length of time. I'm - not certain how long. Please don't try to contact me; I'll be far too busy to answer any messages.

Good day.

Comments

[glassinine]

...No. But that doesn't matter.

[dragony]

No? You think so little of them, then?

[glassinine]

I didn't say that.

[dragony]

You said that what they say--speaking in truth--doesn't matter.

Ergo, you must not think much of their opinions or feelings.

[glassinine]

No. I mean - They would never actually utter those things. That doesn't make them not the truth.

[dragony]

...

You have value, too. You matter a great deal.

[glassinine]

Ruka, I don't...Bringing them up is not a...sufficiently compelling argument. They are fine, and will be fine, without me. People do not tend to depend upon me.

[dragony]

[ For a brief, brief moment--if he's paying attention, anyway--there is a distraught look to the way her arms tighten and in the twist of her mouth, as if to say something--

But then it's gone, her breath coming out in a sigh, eye closing. The silence drags. ]

Why won't you let anybody help you?

[ Why can't I help you? ]

[glassinine]

[He's quiet a moment, swallows hard.]

I -

[Another moment of quiet. Then he forces himself to speak.]

I made a determination, some time ago, that I would - not be a source of harm to those I love. I cannot explain to you why, but it is very important that I not bring them harm. All right? That's all.

[dragony]

What of the harm you mean to do yourself?

[ It sounds more like a plea. ]

[glassinine]

[He shakes his head. He's plainly emotional, miserable.]

That doesn't mean anything in comparison.

[dragony]

It does to the people you intend to leave.

[ She's sick of seeing him so pained, so powerless, and sick to death of pushing him there. ]

[glassinine]

That - I don't - People are fine.

[dragony]

So what? Fine isn't something anyone strives for!

[ Some threshold passed, and she can't keep herself from shouting--or hold back what tumbles out of her mouth. ]

Seeing you like this is a hundred times worse than what your power can do!

[glassinine]

[A pause. He speaks quietly.]

You - oughtn't be so upset.

[dragony]

You oughtn't be such a stubborn, obstinate, self-loathing idiot, but here we are!

[glassinine]

Please calm down.

[dragony]

Or what, you'll--

[ What ever it is "he'll--", she doesn't say. She bites down with an audible click, jaw clenching, as her hands move to cover her face. They comb up, the heels of her palms pressing against her eyes (or rather, one against her eye, the other against that off-red eye patch). With her hands at the focus of the camera, it's easy to see the way they tremble; how her left hand digs in harder, the gold ring on her third finger catching the light, while her right hand can't be nearly so forceful, its two center fingers still splinted together for a break.

From the forceful way she tries to regulate her breathing--and from the uneven sounds to some inhales and exchanges--it seems she's trying to keep herself from tears. ]

Stupid, stupid idiot...

[ Her right hand drops away, but the left remains where it is. Though she looks less frustrated, less actively upset, the trade does not seem to be a positive one. Misery now looks more tired, resigned.

Futile. ]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice.

[glassinine]

[He watches this for only a moment before looking away. It seems indecent to watch emotion like that. His own voice is shaking just a little when he speaks.]

Please. Don't apologize. I just don't want to see you so upset over something so inconsequential.

[dragony]

"Inconsequential."

If that's what you think, you haven't heard a thing I've said.

[glassinine]

I have heard you, Ruka. But it's -

It was fine when I had the ability and capacity to help you. But I've lost that.

[dragony]

I'm not the one here who needs help.

[glassinine]

[He shakes his head.]

No. I'm beyond that.

[dragony]

No, you're not.

[ Her hand drops away from her eye patch, but she doesn't look any less miserable. ]

I've seen hopeless cases before. You're not one of them.

[glassinine]

I...am flattered you think so.