I didn't want to hear you in pain again when you woke up. I just... wanted to know you weren't going to be hurt. At the time, that's all I cared about.
Even so! And I would've been fine. You don't need to get yourself hurt--you don't need any more ways for them to be able to hurt you. Just because--that time I was weak, that doesn't mean I can't do anything to help!
It doesn't matter if you would or wouldn't have! And I'm not-- I'm not getting myself hurt because I want to, I didn't choose for that jerk to shoot me, or for the other guy to snap my dang neck!
[ honestly like. immediately gets really heated, when she talks down about herself. ]
You weren't weak! We got outnumbered, Cardigan died, that dude went absolutely nuts-- you weren't weak, it was a bad situation and we got unlucky, but you did your best, Nem! You did as good as you could in there, and you tried to protect me, and I-- I was happy you would do that for me. And I'm happy that you want to keep doing it! But just because the odds were stacked against us doesn't mean you-- you're weak.
I get you want to protect me. But it can't just be one or the other! We've gotta... help each other. As a team. You can't take all the hurt on for yourself.
...At least, she wants to be the person who can. Maybe she can't take enough on after all. Maybe that's all her best is.
Nemesis snaps her mouth shut, pressing her lips thin so they won't shake and folding her arms tighter around her middle for the same reason. She swallows, thick; her throat burns.]
[ calms, but just a little, gently settling her hands against nem's upper arms. ]
... I get that you don't believe me or nothin'. But we-- we care about each other, right? And-- maybe this is all I'm good for, too. Maybe I'm "weak" too. Whatever it is... let's get through it together. Okay?
[Hologram crowds rush around them as she continues to look down at the ground. She’s—definitely not going to lose it here, she can’t, not with Red and Cap around—though it looks like a near thing from how she swallows again, shoulders tight. She can’t seem to force any more words, but she can take a step backwards, out of arm’s reach.]
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Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE
[and shifts]
You've been doing a lot this whole time. Just 'cause--everything, don't think I don't notice.
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... I'm doing whatever I need to, Nem.
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...You don't need to for me. I--
[hesitates again]
You should take care of yourself, first.
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[ ... touches her cheek with the free hand. ]
And I promised. And I care about you. I feel good when I know you're safe.
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[she wants to be able to do something about it.]
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... so we protect each other. Okay? We work together. Partners.
[ a pause, quirking a little smile. ]
'Sides, you're way stronger than me.
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...Right. Okay.
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... m'sorry.
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I didn't... want to see you die.
[ then, a little more miserably, ]
I didn't want to hear you in pain again when you woke up. I just... wanted to know you weren't going to be hurt. At the time, that's all I cared about.
Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE
You think I want that either? This wasn't even your fight, you don't deserve this!
I'm only good for one thing so-- Let me take care of it next time, okay?
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[ hesitates, frowning. ]
What does that mean? You're "only good for one thing." What, getting killed for other people? You think I want that?
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[ honestly like. immediately gets really heated, when she talks down about herself. ]
You weren't weak! We got outnumbered, Cardigan died, that dude went absolutely nuts-- you weren't weak, it was a bad situation and we got unlucky, but you did your best, Nem! You did as good as you could in there, and you tried to protect me, and I-- I was happy you would do that for me. And I'm happy that you want to keep doing it! But just because the odds were stacked against us doesn't mean you-- you're weak.
I get you want to protect me. But it can't just be one or the other! We've gotta... help each other. As a team. You can't take all the hurt on for yourself.
Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE
...At least, she wants to be the person who can. Maybe she can't take enough on after all. Maybe that's all her best is.
Nemesis snaps her mouth shut, pressing her lips thin so they won't shake and folding her arms tighter around her middle for the same reason. She swallows, thick; her throat burns.]
...Fine.
Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE
... I get that you don't believe me or nothin'. But we-- we care about each other, right? And-- maybe this is all I'm good for, too. Maybe I'm "weak" too. Whatever it is... let's get through it together. Okay?
Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE
[Hologram crowds rush around them as she continues to look down at the ground. She’s—definitely not going to lose it here, she can’t, not with Red and Cap around—though it looks like a near thing from how she swallows again, shoulders tight. She can’t seem to force any more words, but she can take a step backwards, out of arm’s reach.]
Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE
She looks... hurt. But pulls her hands back, tucking them into her pockets and looking down.
Maybe a... different approach... ]
... I'm counting on you, too.
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...Sure. Maybe--see if Cap's okay. I gotta--go.
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... don't go too far, okay, Kitty? Remember I'm here for you. And I'm gonna be with you every time I can.
I'll take care of Cap.
Re: THE SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE