[ Nier’s thoughts are a jumble of kneejerk “it was a Shade,” “it was going to keep eating people,” “she loved someone,” and “she was protecting him,” ping ponging between what he forced himself to believe and the truth. ]
[ Claude is still silent for a moment, digesting Nier's thoughts without much change in expression. He doesn't fault him for feeling any particular way.
Eventually, and these words don't quite sound his own, That doesn't mean it couldn't have an impact. ]
[ Claude is really not used to be hugged for a prolonged period of time so imagine him awkwardly existing there. Not really where to put his hands or how to rest his head. ]
So it is.
[ He's thinking hard about the books that Claudia gathered for him because ara is a monster, so Nier can have that mental image even though it means nothing to him. ]
[ ... Nier was ready to poke fun at how awkward Claude is, but no. Why are you giving him this sad image even though I was nodding at Ara the whole time. ]
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Checked out, huh.
[ Pat pat. ]
Shades are relentless in their rampage. That one was also really strong. I was surprised to know you four went through that and came out alive.
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She definitely almost killed Kon and the others. [ ... ] She didn't attack me.
[ On purpose anyway. He did get yeeted into the ocean. ]
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You got attached, didn't you.
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Anyway, he's not going to answer. ]
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It… Wasn’t real.
[ He settles on that. ]
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Eventually, and these words don't quite sound his own, That doesn't mean it couldn't have an impact. ]
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It's still you.
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[ He'd mostly been staring at the ceiling. ]
Do you love the world you come from?
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... I love the people in it?
[ It's a no. ]
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[ But given how easily you get attached... ]
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I only have Yonah and Kainé left, so it won't be hard.
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[ I don't think Claude knows about Emil. ]
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[ Nier speaks of Weiss fondly despite what his words mean. This includes Emil which Claude doesn't know about, wow. ]
... You know I'm here for you yet you're trying to turn this around.
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You should be used to that behaviour by now, shouldn't you?
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I’m not the one that darted after returning from a field trip. [ Huff. ] I want to care for you, Claude.
[ But I think you know that already. ]
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[ But I don't want to acknowledge it. ]
I'm just... tired. Of people dying at my hand.
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… It couldn’t have been someone else?
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I think when you're up against something like that, and you see an opportunity, you just take it.
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... It's your life or theirs.
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So it is.
[ He's thinking hard about the books that Claudia gathered for him because ara is a monster, so Nier can have that mental image even though it means nothing to him. ]
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What are those books?
[ HE'S GOING TO ASK ]
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... I think she gathered them for me. I was looking at the books on the ships when I first ran into her.
[ It was because of me. ]
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You must have been kind to her...
[ What happened to failing at relationships? She must have liked you a lot. ]
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I don't know anyone who wouldn't be kind to a lonely little girl.
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… Do you have regrets?
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