Text | @rubber ducky

[curingidiocy]

[ Soon after LILITH hands the decision to Outsiders, Ratio makes a post on the ocular network. ]

I hope you have all had ample time to rest from the aftermath of the kaiju's attack. However, it is time to turn our attention to the future. We have been given an opportunity to decide our next step.

1: Stay in Seoul and assist the city.
2: Chase after the escaped Imugi.

I imagine opinions may be divided on this front, so I would like to open the forum for discussion. Please state your choice and provide thorough reasoning for your decision. You will not convince anyone with a half-baked argument. You may respond to any comment as you please, but remember to stay civil and do not resort to derogatory or inflammatory comments. Should you break this rule, I will revoke your comment permissions.

Keep in mind that your choice will have a grave effect on the people of this planet. It is not one to be made lightly, so do not treat it with levity.

You may use the form below to keep your comment clear and easy to read.

<b>Decision:</b> State your decision here. <b>Reason:</b> Be concise. Bullet form preferred. <b>Other:</b> If you have any other comment to make, do so here.


[ ooc: This is meant to be a mingle text log! Feel free to comment on each other's posts, yadda yadda go wild! Also the form is only a recommendation, feel free to disregard Ratio's instructions and annoy him. ]

Comments

[curingidiocy]

I appreciate brevity as much as any other, but it is important to ensure we all understand the circumstances of the situation equally. This may not be helpful to those who have already made up their mind, but it may provide clarity to the ones who have yet to decide.

[stonehearts]

I'm sure someone will find it useful in some way or another, with or without me giving them an abridged version

Where'd you head off to, anyway? I've got dinner for the both of us

[curingidiocy]

Dine without me. There are some matters I must take care of.

[stonehearts]

Right, sure

See you later?

[curingidiocy]

[ READ: 6:43 P.M. ]

[stonehearts]

( hmm. )

private. 1/?? asdkljjasdf

[stonehearts]

Ver

[stonehearts]

i

[stonehearts]

tas

[stonehearts]

Rai

[stonehearts]

t

[stonehearts]

o

ok done.

[stonehearts]

Do I need to come find you or are you going to tell me yourself what's gotten into you?

[curingidiocy]

Was it absolutely necessary to inundate me with messages?

[stonehearts]

Considering you ignored my last one?

[curingidiocy]

My answer is obvious. I saw no need to respond.

[stonehearts]

After all your fussing you're going to turn down dinner together? Not a chance

So what's on your mind? Really on your mind

[curingidiocy]

It's nothing you should concern yourself with.

[stonehearts]

That's not a decision you get to make for me

[curingidiocy]

If you are concerned that it pertains to you, don't. I simply need time alone to think.

[stonehearts]

I'm concerned about you. You're a rational man, Ratio, but you've got too kind of a heart to be completely unfeeling. It's about the choice, isn't it?

( a gamble, but one he's certain of. )

[curingidiocy]

[ The only thing he sends in response is a view of Seoul from somewhere in their encampment. The city is in ruins, the Lotte World Tower has collapsed and the shards of its broken soul are all that remains, and the corpse of the Imugi is in clear view. It's like the scene of some apocalypse, except it's their current reality.

It's more destruction than the sheltered scholar must be used to seeing. ]

[stonehearts]

( Aventurine does not go to Ratio right away -- he knows enough that Ratio should be left alone to stew inside his head for a little longer, but it's when their food has gone cold that he tucks the containers under an arm and goes in search of the other man. Sure, it's been a long, long time since Aventurine let himself care about the wellbeing of someone else so deeply and he's not even certain where to begin with genuine concern but...

He is trying. Ratio makes him want to try.

Which is why he makes his way to the source of the photo, slowly but surely, and when he finds Ratio, simply stands by his side, looking out at the destruction and devastation. Aventurine hums, and after a minute nudges Ratio with an elbow. )

C'mon doc, you've got to eat to keep that brain of yours running.

[curingidiocy]

[ It's moments like these that Ratio appreciates how easily the two of them understand each other. The time alone gives him the space he needs to contemplate the gravity of the decision, internalize the responsibility he bears if Seoul were to collapse, and decide how best to handle the emotions that come with it.

He knows he can't dwell on his doubts and the guilt he feels; he must convert those feelings into motivation to continue helping this planet, as he has always done. It's difficult though. Everything about the situation is novel to him, and not in the best of ways. Of course he would struggle to handle it all, but he can't help but feel as if he should be doing better.

Aventurine's arrival is timely. He hears the man's steps approach and come to a stop by his side. The gambler's presence is a comfort, warm and real in the back of his mind, but it's not enough to shake off the heavy weight that has settled on his shoulders. Ratio does not turn to him, nor does he speak until addressed. ]

Mm.

[ It's not a response the loquacious doctor usually gives, but he knows he can't stay here forever. He closes his eyes, takes in a deep breath, and exhales slowly. Then, he turns to Aventurine. ]

Alright.

[stonehearts]

( He hands over the now cold meal, before settling down next to him, feet dangling off the edge of the debris. Aventurine doesn’t talk for a moment, letting himself be busy with his food for another moment – there’s nothing to really talk about, considering the weight of the decision before them.

It’s a few minutes still, before he speaks. )

It’s not all on your shoulders, you know.