constellationprize | [imeeji] INBOX

. . . Just briefly. I'm just letting you know.

I'm going to replace Absinthe-san's memories, so that he doesn't recall myself or Avenger.

[ oh. that man

her hand............ stops entirely................. ]

... Has he been bothering you two...?

No. But - just by existing, he's a danger that can't be ignored.

. . . But he can't be killed. More than that, he shouldn't be killed. So, this way, we'll peacefully exit his life and he'll peacefully exit ours.

Mm . . .

Well, that sounds like the best thing to do - if you two stay safe, and he doesn't get hurt either, but...

[ mmm ]

Are you okay with that?

I'm the one who suggested it.

But, um...

[ . . . ]

You started feeding him because you saw him get hurt and wanted to help him, didn't you? And then things happened from there...?

. . . Ruby-san will take care of him. I have to believe in that -

[ with a pause ]

So, that sort of situation won't happen again.

But -

[ a pause before she continues quietly, as if ashamed ]

... He let me feed him when you were already doing it, didn't he...?

He did, because you offered it to him.

. . . But I'm not allowed to do anything like that, and I'll remember that even if I don't remember who he is.

...

[ looks like she wants to say something but ]

Okay.

[ inbox ate this one too smh ]

. . .

So, to that end, I'm replacing him in Avenger's and my memories, too . . . and yours, too.

- No!

[ looking up to her now, eyes narrowing ]

No?

[ looks away, with just her eyes ]

... I don't... want to.

. . . Why?

He didn't really do anything to me, and - ... um, beyond that...

. . . I don't know. It doesn't feel right...

. . . It's not for your sake that I'm involving you.

[ just stays quiet, go on ]

That man is perceptive - beyond that, this is already going to be something unnatural. It's imperative that every crease be ironed out, so that this can be done as smoothly as possible. The repercussions, should he notice anything amiss - should he discover what really happened - would be far vaster than Avenger or I wish to endure.

So, everyone must forget. You, Avenger, Ruby-san, and myself. If there's a single flaw, the consequences will be severe.

[ taking a breath, before sitting himself up ]

And, to be frank, Dia-sama, you aren't made to be disingenuous. It's a strength of yours - I wouldn't change it for anything in the world - but here, in this situation, it's a liability. On this battlefield, your kind nature will only be taken advantage of. I want to clear the pieces off the board, but if your piece alone remains, he'll most certainly be able to find out just enough to ruin everything.

Then you don't think I...

[ . . . ]

... No, I guess that's right. I'm pretty useless, right...?

Even if that wasn't true, it's just logical to make sure no one remembers anything, isn't it?

There isn't anyone here who's "useful". Don't misunderstand - it's not about "use".

It's that you can't lie. You won't lie - now, Avenger is the same way, which is why he's agreed to doing this too, but in your case, it's even more extreme than with Avenger.

It's in your nature, and your being as a witch. It isn't a matter of what I think or what I don't - you've made it plain with your own actions and words that this is what you are, and these are your limitations. I'm not going to ask you to do the impossible; I'm not going to ask you to go against yourself.

But, as it stands, your nature as a witch rides directly against my desire for peace. So, I must take action.

[ with a pause ]

Well, though I can't do anything without your consent. The people involved won't have anything to do with anyone being forced into anything, and to be frank, I won't have anything to do with it, either. Even though this solution will neatly fulfill my desires without compromising your position -

If you so truly need those memories as they are, then I won't argue with you. In the first place, even trying to fight for this fragile peace is beyond difficult.

So if you will now stand in my way - just as you have again and again -

. . . Then, there's nothing left to be said on the matter.

I won't use force. I won't ask again. If you won't agree to it, then there's no meaning to even trying.

I didn't say any of that. I didn't say anything like that...

[ folds her hands in her lap, crossing her legs - aiming to take up less space, make herself smaller without changing her position too much ]

... I'm just worried. Just like every other time, I've just been worried about you...

What, precisely, are you worried for me over in this case?

... Even if you remember that you're "not allowed to feed him," you're a really kind person, aren't you? And like you said - ... just like you said, Luci, when you get that way, when you see someone that's hurt - Baritones has been doing really well recently, but it's impossible that they'd never be badly injured from a game again, isn't it?

So even if you remember that you're "not allowed to feed him," won't you end up doing it again someday?

. . . And, with the knowledge you have - just what would you do?

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