usarinpa | inbox 👁️ [ic]

Oh, the drawing wasn't even about you. I made this in response to someone's doodles. It was just the first thing that came to mind. Honest.

[The fact that her beloved fictional mascot in dismembered form was the first thing that came to his mind speaks a lot for itself, though.]

As for why I still have that picture... it's because that, Mewzuki, is your true form...

[Cue the dramatic pause.]

An abomination.

silly of me to think you might be channeling your anger into something artistic

you must be bored.

[ Also your photoshop skills suck, but fine, she'll hold that back. He's not even wrong, really. She did something unforgivable, even if he totally deserved it. It hurts more to hear it in Date's voice, but well. So what? He's not here. No one is. She's numb.

What business does he have sending her voice messages anyway when she's clearly been texting? Take the hint, boomer. ]

How is this drawing not the very definition of art? Look at all the different shapes and colors. I even added fireworks to it.

[... Not denying the second part, though.

But did hearing that voice speak the truth hurt your feelings, Mewzuki? Well, just according to keikaku.]

[ It only hurt because after all this, she can still hear Date. No matter how long she's known, no matter how dissimilar they are. No matter insults they'd slung at each other when they fought or when she kicked him out.

Maybe if she's here long enough, it'll stop hurting. She'll attribute the voice to Saito and only Saito, and if Date ever comes, she can only be disgusted.

... ]

grats. i'll frame it for you

[ She doesn't miss a beat. ]

Oh, you don't have to go that far for little old mew~

[Can she hear the despicable grin in his voice? If she can't already, what he shows next might hit home: a painting of the dead cat she buried with her own hands, in all its bloody ~~(gory)~~ glory.]

... But I suppose it would look just perfect next to this other masterpiece, right here.

[Well, he doesn't miss a beat, either.]

[ ...Ah. As upsetting as that is, obvious from the way she visibly reacts with a tighter grip on her tablet, Mizuki's voice still won't be heard, leaving him talking to himself like a madman. Appropriate, really. She really should take the opportunity to just see herself out, honestly. Maybe even see if these tablets have a block function.

But it's okay. She's not scared, and she won't lose herself. ]

uh... wow. yep! it sure would

[ If not a frame, how about a gold star? ]

...anything else?

[The camera will zoom in on the painting (made by one of Aldrip's finest artists — a perfect representation of the feline caught in video) in a way that might give her a sense of déjà vu.]

Right? This poor thing looks so lonely all by itself on this wall, I should give it a few more friends... New ones.

[Not elaborating on what that single, meaningful word means.]

... Now that I think about it, you should change your username to something that represents your true nature better. Like "mewzuki".

[ ...........What if. What if she just adopted every stray in Aldrip just so that he can't get to them? What if she took them all to Astralin's farm?

Shut up, Mizuki, he's still trying to bait you. ]

if you stop using his name i'll actually think about it. [ Right now, it's probably just some default gibberish based on her first and last name. ]

[Oh. There's a low chuckle as his voice softens, mockingly.]

Does it still bother you? That I'm pretending to be someone I'm not? That I'm trying to be him for your sake, in his absence?

[Such a bittersweet lie. At this point, he's not even trying anymore; just pretending to be when it's convenient, all to get under her skin.]

How about we do it the other way around? You change yours first, then I'll change mine.

[This is a game they've played before, though, isn't it?]

[ ......

Yeah, they've definitely been down this road. That aside, trusting him has never led anywhere she wants to be. So why should she? She'll change it, alright. She won't say anything, though. When Saito eventually checks, he'll see that she's changed her handle display to adorabbit. ]

[She might not be so surprised that Saito's next message comes only a couple of minutes later. He's totally not bored. It's just that she provides better entertainment than most things he can currently do without having to mind some kind of unpleasant side effect waiting in store.

She only has herself to blame, right?!]

... Wow, ever heard of this "adorabbit" person on the network? They are so rude, last time I messaged them they left me on read.

[ Ah, there he is. Mizuki thinks about leaving him on read again, but maybe she needs a little break from farmwork. ]

wow, it's almost like you should leave them alone or something.

[ Imagine that. ]

[Now is the perfect time to use his "Date being a freaking loser" voice.]

But they were the one who told me "we could've been friends"! Friends don't ignore each other, do they?

i'm still talking to you, aren't i?

[ Against her better judgement. ]

and we could've. in another life.

Are you, really? I don't hear your voice.

[Deadpan.]

You mean in another life where you didn't kill me?

[ There is a long pause, and it almost works. Her finger hovers over the button, but she shakes her head. Is she being cowardly, or smart? It's hard to see the difference right now. ]

among other things.

[Oh no, so his smooth voice and manipulation skills aren't working on her this time? Her skin has thickened a good deal since his impersonation was exposed, he'll give her that much.

The video feed that remained open, previously stationary on the portrait of the late cat as though forgotten, now moves as he walks across the room. Although small, this new house sure is a breath of fresh air, and much quieter than the rooms at the inn. She can probably even hear his footsteps against the floor as he approaches a small table where a few objects she certainly is familiar with lie: the knife that was used as the murder weapon, the Evolver along with some rounds, his parchment and... Date's police ID.]

... You know, friends don't keep trivial secrets from each other like this.

[ ...Ah. So he still has the knife. She kind of regrets not taking it with her now, though she really wasn't thinking straight that night in the forest. She is tilting her head curiously at the police badge... What could he have been doing with that? Well, besides sullying Date's name here. ]

what secrets? and why do you have that?

You tell me. You're the one not being very honest here. How am I supposed to become a better friend if you're not very clear about what these "other things" are?

[The camera will then zoom in on the photograph on the badge.]

Oh, this? Well, it has my face on it. Why should I not have it?

[Never mind the name underneath his face isn't his? But who cares?]

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voice → video (cw: vague mention of animal harm)

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→ un: adorabbit

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