odagumi | night 3!

( Sayo is pretty cute, even if he is a little concerning at times. But still! Urashima has always felt like the two of them had some things in common, what if with being younger brothers and all. Kamekichi liked him enough too.

He doesn't mind being pulled aside and he tilts his head to one side at the question, )

Hm? Yeah. ( Matt's Fox was telling the truth, thus, the Matt knows the real Fox. ) What about it, Souza-san?

[ This is where things get a little complicated, in his opinion. ] Earlier that day I had been...approached by someone privately... [ He recalls it all so clearly though waits a second before he drops the bomb, so to speak. ]

They told me they were a Fox. After the second day's trial they said they checked me and knew I am innocent and they want my help since I... [ Careful look at Urashima. ] Have a lot of people who care about me.

[ He's going to wait for all that to process before he says any more. ]

( His eyes begin to narrow and he finds himself holding his breath as he waits to see where this goes. He really can't help but sit up a little straighter at attention when Souza gets to the point, )

That's-- ( He catches himself and bites his lip, face fixed in thought. ) ... I thought the Fox investigated Shijima-san twice.

( So two nights to investigate Shijima when they've only been here for two nights. Unless there was really another Fox like everyone's been hoping for...? )

There's a reason I was so skeptical about Matt's Fox but when they turned out to be legit... [ It's all pretty confusing. ] My Fox told me that they hadn't said anything to anyone else either.

[ LONG LOOK OFF INTO THE DISTANCE ] So..I can only assume this means there are at least two Foxes. The one I spoke to didn't try to set me up, even told me not to speak at the trial unless they found someone guilty and on top of that..they're being very careful about who they're leaking information to.

Well, which is me only but they know I chose to tell you about all of this too.

( Give him a second to think about how the fact they could have fallen for another trick tonight after all. It knocks the breath out of him and he's suddenly thinking about the entire night all over again. He thinks he remembers Matt mentioning there was at least one other Fox? They worked independently from each other... )

I think... he mentioned something about another Fox. ( This is really unbelievable though. Could they really be this lucky? ) You aren't... going to tell me who it is... are you?

( The Fox and Rainford have to be kept a secret. It's what everyone has been saying since the Roles were mentioned. )

[ Apparently they are this lucky and to have made contact with both foxes at that. Souza wonders why it was him though he soon remembers the reasons he was given yesterday all too well. He just hopes some good will come out of being in such a precarious situation. ]

I want to. [ He really does but he was warned against revealing anything other than this much. ] But we'll have to wait for awhile...I told the Fox I'd be telling Kashuu what I just told you too.

[ Carefully, Souza sets a hand on the top of Urashima's head, maybe fixing his hair a little. ] This is all I can do for now.

As soon as I get information on the General or one of the Foxhounds, they'll want me to tell you [ And eventually Kashuu. ] And want the help of us, [ All eight of the swords. ] to push that person to be voted for.

Kashuu-san.

( Another person they can trust? He really hopes so because the thought of one of his friends being a Hound or the General really makes him sick with dread. His head is still spinning when Souza fixes his hair and he's quiet for a moment, trying to process everything in his head. Every way this could be a trick, every way this could go wrong, everything they need to be careful of-- he isn't made out for this. He's really no good at this.

He looks up at Souza finally, nodding his head, and asks, )

... Will the Fox... investigate Kashuu-san and me then? Since you told them you're telling us... they have to make sure they can trust us too, right? Ah...

( He can understand why Souza would tell Kashuu. Kashuu was one of the veteran swords, a leader at the citadel, strong and clever and-- Kashuu makes sense. But-- )

Why are you telling me? I-I could be an enemy...!

[ He's quiet for a long moment, longer than necessary as he processes everything from Urashima's words to his own thoughts. Afterwards, he only smiles -- a faint but noticeable smile.] You're like a brother. Like Sayo...to me. [ That should be enough reason for Urashima to understand, he has brothers too. ]

I don't think you're my enemy or anyone else's but if it turns out to be that way then... [ There's a soft laugh under his breath. ] I'll take the responsibility if anything bad comes of this.
[ Though he's firm to think nothing bad will happen. ]

As for if the Fox will check you two...it's possible but they didn't say if they would or not.

( "You're like a brother."

He gets it. He gets it completely and he bites down on his lip again to keep it from trembling. He misses his brothers a lot and he's always wondering what they would do if they were here. )

It's-- ( His voice is quiet and breathy, ) It's nice to have brothers even if you aren't related.

( Brothers you can look out for, will be watched over by, can trust. )

If... if they want to be careful they'll have to look at Kashuu-san and me. They'll have to but--

( And he suddenly lunges forward to hug Souza. He holds on to the other spirit not unlike how he did when he first saw Hachisuka and Nagasone again for the first time again. That is tight, close, and maybe his eyes are watering a little bit, )

I'm glad you're okay. ( Alive and someone he can trust if this other Fox is real. ) I want to be someone you can trust to...! And I want to help everyone so we can go home and...!

[ Urashima can be really cute sometimes, though Souza won't say that aloud and embarrass him as much as he wants to. Instead, he'll return the embrace and hold the wakizashi spirit just as tightly and try to soothe those tears away as only a big brother could. ]

Me too, Urashima. I want to go home with everyone too back to the citdael where everyone is waiting for us. [ It's just a matter of time. ] We'll definitely all go home..together, okay?

( Please don't embarrass him he's already an easy target. DON'T PICK ON EASY PICKINGS. )

Hmm! ( He's trying to dry his eyes so he doesn't look like a cry baby when he has to let go. ) We will...!

( They'll go home and saniwa will take care of them and they'll have tea with their brothers. God, he'll even stay awake for Hachisuka this time. )

Uhm...! ( And he'll take a step back, rubbing the edges of his eyes and inhaling to calm himself, ) Please tell the Fox to be careful! And you too!

[ It's okay there's no worries here!!! Souza definitely knows NOT to tease a smaller sword when they're teary eyed and Urashima can thank Sayo for that when they get back. ]

I will tell them and I'll do my best to be careful. [ He has since that fateful trial day but he wants to reassure Urashima none the less. ] Let's just make it through the night with the others and see what tomorrow brings, okay?

( Thank you, Sayo, you're a true tantou bro. He'll make sure to let Sayo play with Kamekichi when they get home. )

I'll do my best to look out for you too. ( Of course, he'll look out for himself too. ) If we both make it... maybe we can talk tomorrow too?

I appreciate the extra help. [ He means it. Souza does appreciate Urashima's words. ]

And..yes, we'll find each other tomorrow, then? [ The sooner the better, he thinks. ]

( Sometime after the bodies are discovered but before the trial, Urashima will pull Souza aside. He doesn't say why other than breathlessly say it's important. As soon as they're alone, he immediately gets to the point, )

I need to know who your Fox is.

[ It's kind of sudden, so much so that it manages to catch Souza off guard. ]

Did something happen after we talked, last night? [ This IS Urashima after all, he wouldn't ask unless he had a good reason to. ]

One of them is dead. ( He needs to slow down. He knows he's going too fast-- ) Orion. Orion was Matt's Fox.

[ How could the General have? -- No, Souza shouldn't be asking that at all...it's too impossible to think about when they had JUST confirmed a Fox.

One step forward, two steps back. ]

...I understand. [ Souza isn't about to try to hide or lie to Urashima. ] My Fox...it's Auger.

( Auger. By now, he recognizes who that is, even if they haven't spent much time together on a personal level. )

Auger-san. ( He has exactly what he needed but because this is Souza he feels the need to explain more. ) You have to promise not to tell anyone what I'm going to tell you, okay? Only Auger-san can know and that's because I need to talk to him.

( This is Urgent. )

You can't even tell Kashuu-san until we're certain.

( Wait for it... )

I'm Rainsford.

[ JUST DROPPING THE BIG REVEAL URASHIMA ]

You're... [ He takes a long moment to process this. It seems so...sudden? Even for someone like Souza, he can't remain stone faced and indifferent. He's worried, beyond a doubt, about Urashima now that he knows. ] I'll tell Auger today then but...

[ Ugh those big brotherly instincts are taking over and Souza sets his hands against the wakizashi's shoulders. ] Please..Urashima, be careful.

( It's because time is important right now and things are real ok WE NEED TO GET GOING.

He can tell Souza is concerned but after this conversation, he feels more relieved. It's easier to give Souza a reassuring smile, )

If he doesn't believe me, he can watch me tonight and he can talk to me whenever he wants to. ( He's ready for this. ) And you can tell him I'll tell one other person what you told me but I can't tell you who yet.

But I know I can trust them! I just... I have to keep them safe too.

[ THINGS ARE GETTING TOO REAL TOO FAST but it'll probably be okay except for the fact that three people died today... Anyway, ]

I understand, I'll relay all of this info to him and tell him to talk to you if he wants to size you up himself. [ He suspects that he will, knowing Auger. ] With any luck, he checked you already and we can...figure something out from there.

[ He manages to explain all of this calm but deep down...oh boy...deep down...he's so worried but he's doing his best not show it.
This was a lot easier two days ago.]

I hope so.

( HE REALLY HOPES SO. And he keeps his smile for Souza. Look, this is some of the best news he's learned since arriving here. Every night, he's been trying and people keep dying so... at least this time he can look out for someone who really needs it. )

Everything will be okay, Souza. Even if he doesn't trust me... I can still help him.

And I know people too. ( He's been careful, Souza! So don't worry! ) So we can help each other.

He doesn't seem like the type to trust easily. [ Souza's spent all of a few hours with him and trust him, he knows. ]

But...I believe in you, Urashima. I know you wouldn't do anything bad and this way at least, [ There's a faint little smile, but it's a smile none the less! ] We can probably...do some good.

[ Things are finally starting to look up for them it seems. ]

night 3!

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1/2

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DAY 4

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