hotel: rupert

[shaft]

Comments

[shaft]

It does make me feel like I'm playing right into the Nightman's trap.

... But I'm still angry. Wondering if the "high road" was worth it.

[agleam]

Right. It's tough feeling like there's no good option, right? Even if we decided not to hurt anyone, even that brings a risk of someone else getting hurt as a result. I think it's worth being angry about.

[...]

And for what it's worth, I think you made the right choice.

[shaft]

[ he smiles a little ]

Yeah, I think so too. Getting killed is still pretty traumatic.

[ speaking of which, ] How are you holding up? It seems you have more on your shoulders than I realized.

[agleam]

Right... It must have been even worse if it was a friend doing it. I'm sorry, Claude.

[he blinks, though.]

What do you mean?

[shaft]

Your letter... You mentioned the darkness in your world.

[agleam]

Oh... Right, Souji said something about that.

[another pause]

How - specific was it, exactly...?

[shaft]

Not very. Just that it came quickly and was incredibly dangerous.

You asked to ensure your world could never reach us.

[agleam]

[after a second, he nods.]

You guys were probably too busy to talk about it during the trial, but - if anyone brought it up, either then or afterwards, did it seem like people were going to honor that?

[shaft]

[ he shakes his head ]

I think people were a little devastated by Sheila... and then Sheila returning.

Are you so worried it'll travel to other places?

[agleam]

...Yes, I am.

[frowning a little.]

The connection is a little complicated, but it's basically - attached to another person, and that person would do anything to get away from it. He's been running for years. If he found a way to run to an entirely different world... [closing his eyes for a second] It took my entire kingdom in less than two days. I don't want to put any of you at risk for the same thing.

[shaft]

[ ... ]

How do you plan to defeat such a thing?

[agleam]

[awkward pause]

That's a really good question. But I can't just - run away or not do anything.

[shaft]

[ help ]

Rupert, do you... have magic powers?

[agleam]

No, not remotely.

[it's fine]

[shaft]

[ sweats ]

Do you know someone who does? You've cured curses in the past, right?

[agleam]

[after a second, he shakes his head.]

I'll figure it out. You don't need to worry about it, I'm sure it'll be fine.

[shaft]

That's not very reassuring.

... Did Shinobu offer to help you?

[agleam]

...I'm sorry. I don't know what to tell you. Sometimes the odds don't look great, but that doesn't mean I should give up.

[he takes a breath and nods.]

A few people have offered.

[shaft]

I don't think you should give up. Just that perhaps... you could formulate a plan while you're here with the help of the rest of us.

It's not easy to send you off knowing what awaits.

[agleam]

I know it's not, but...

[he makes a face.]

If someone wants to help with a plan, I'm not going to say no, but I just think it's better for everyone if it's a plan I can carry out myself. If there's a connection between my home and everyone else's, and things go wrong... I'm just trying to keep you all safe.

[shaft]

[ he's silent for a bit ]

I understand. It's pretty terrifying for someone to get hurt because of you.

[agleam]

...Yeah.

[he takes a breath.]

You're not the first one to... I mean, other people have told me they think I'm being stupid about this already. But I can't lose anyone else.

[shaft]

I don't think you're being stupid.

[ places a hand on his shoulder ]

I wish I could tell you that you should let us help, but... I don't know. It's hard to say.

[agleam]

...Thanks.

[he sounds honestly appreciative, and after a moment:]

Sometimes - we have to make the hard choice because it's better for everyone else. I really wish it could be different, though. I'd have liked to see you guys again after this is over.

[shaft]

Me too. I was holding out the hope we might get a wish at the end of all of this, but it seems unlikely.

[ frowns ]

But if we manage to find a way to safely eradicate that danger...