I mean... I am interested in hearing about your memories, just because they're yours. It doesn't necessarily have to do with whoever this guy is.
But in regards to him, no, that's good. Even if that guy isn't necessarily here, if you developed feelings for some jerk, I don't know if I could take it...
[ She sends that text out before going back to pretty much lazing around until it's closer to time, eventually getting herself prepared - actually making the decision to dress nice (a rarity!) as she goes out to meet him in front of the place.
She has very light makeup on and even lavender perfume (when she normally does neither), along with a chic black frame of glasses and dress with thigh high stockings and heeled shoes. She even is wearing a long black haired, straight wig that's just braided a little.
She might have overdid it a bit, but it's fine, nobody will know it's her! ]
[Nobody, except Rean. Rean can tell it's her even in full cosplay, after all.
He's already grabbed a table, toward the back and out of the way, and gives her a small wave to invite her over. He hasn't gone as out of his way to disguise himself, but there are things Raina will notice – he's wearing his glasses again, he's left his hair unstyled (and therefore hanging a bit into his eyes), and once she gets closer...
Hm, that sure is an entire baggage claim he's got going on under his eyes, there. Rean normally adheres to a pretty solid sleep schedule, too.]
[ Honestly, she's glad that her brother is the only person who can tell... she would have died if anybody managed to recognize her at work.
Although she might get fired at this rate but she doesn't care, really.
But she does make her way over and-
Hm. ]
Have you not been sleeping?
[ She hisses that out so only he can hear it but even if she is chastising him for it, it isn't as if she hasn't done it before... Although after collapsing that one time, she's stopped keeping herself awake for days on end.
But she is pulling herself a seat, straightening herself out to the point where someone could practically label her a model. ]
[Rean just sighs at the admonishment, not really seeming that put off by it.]
Either not sleeping or sleeping too much to try to make up for it. I've gone back to having a lot of nightmares, recently.
[Which probably isn't surprising, given what happened recently, but it is also something that used to be troubling in his youth. It's probably not that great that they've come back.]
But I'll get over it. I always do.
[He waves dismissively, pushing a menu towards her.]
I'm still going to be worried, Rean. I'm your sister, and if you're lying to yourself, I—
[ She leans back into her chair as she eventually finds herself placing the menu back down onto the table, shaking her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. ]
It's not fair if you're changing the subject like that, Rean. I want to be able to help you, so already dismissing it like I can't, it...
[ Ah.
She really does care too much, sometimes, even if she knows full well that as much as she'd like to do something, she's useless in this regard and Rean saying that she can't help kind of drives the point home. That thought makes the proverbial wedge in her chest twist as her expression crumples a little before she forces herself to open up the menu to obscure her hurt. ]
Anyway, I'm fine. [ Does she mean physically or emotionally, it's difficult to tell. But then again, she doesn't want to worry him any more than she has to. ] I did remember a few things between the last time we talked about memories and now, that's all.
[He's quiet, listening to her, then shakes her head.]
I know. But it's like before, you know? Either they'll go away on their own or I'll have to work through them, probably a mix of both. It's not as if you're useless, this is just a problem no one can really help with.
...I did come here to talk about some stuff you can help me work through, after all. [Quietly, revealing some of his reasoning now.] I'd just rather cover you first, since it sounds to me like yours are actually mostly positive.
Even if you have to work through them, that doesn't mean that you have to do them alone—
[ You can talk to me, is what she doesn't say, but implies as she cuts herself off. She knows she shouldn't have to be the person that helps him for every little thing, but having him deal with it himself?
It's honestly kind of lonely. ]
Well, I wouldn't say that it was all entirely positive. [ But it wasn't entirely negative, either. ] Most of my memories have been dealing with the same person lately, though. I guess you could say that he was initially a friend. To Inaba. I still don't remember much about him, but...
[ Trailing off a bit, Raina instinctively chews on her lower lip, feeling a bit awkward. ]
From what I do remember, he was selfless to a fault. It was enough to worry me - but you know that already, from the last time I spoke about him. But he also trusted me the most, out of everyone. Enough to tell me a secret of his in order to convince me to tell the others that I struggle with trust issues. [ She can't help but laugh a little bit. ] He even said that even if the others somehow rejected me for how I am, for how I can't seem to trust anyone, as much as I want to... he'd still accept me
To be honest, I was really happy to hear that from someone I considered a friend. Immensely happy.
[...]
I think that's it from me, though.
[ Just purposely leaving out the Bad Memory #1 because then she'd have to explain how she got it and Bad Memory #2 because she knows Rean would get mad at Taichi for making her cry. ]
We should order something, though. I was thinking of getting some steak over rice. It's a little pricey, but I haven't had anything besides cup ramen the last couple of days. You don't have to spot me this time though, I'll cover it.
[Rean knows she's not happy with that answer, but he's glad she continues on to cover her own memories. Especially since, given their previous conversation, this sounds like just further proof that he's right, and Raina really can make friends regardless of her issues.]
Heh... he does sound like a nice guy. [Rean seems a little more relaxed about it after hearing that, at least. You survive another day, Taichi.] I'm glad. I hope someday soon you can hear that sort of thing in this life, too, from someone who isn't just me. But in the meantime, I'm glad Inaba could and that you remember it.
[Food's a good idea, though. Hm...]
Mm... you know, I might go for that, too. I've been living on about the same diet as you. Could use the protein.
[He had shrimp not too long ago, thanks Crow, but other than that... it's been cup ramen life, yep. He's horrible at taking care of himself when he's in a rut like this.]
He's nice, but he's also reckless and is the type to help others but not himself...
[ Taichi is a selfless dumbass, but he's her selfless dumbass. Or Inaba's, anyway.
Nevertheless, it's hearing that alone which causes her to heave a sigh of relief. Before she laughs. ]
Ahaha, what the hell? [ Usually she's so careful about cursing around Rean but she could honestly care less right now, it's just a little funny. ] We really are siblings, aren't we? How stupid... we're both fucking idiots. I'm getting the strawberry lemonade too. It's refillable so it is absolutely worth it.
Aha... ha... well. I guess everyone has to have some flaws, yeah?
[...hm, he feels called out right now. Anyway!
Actually getting a laugh out of her, even if it's self-deprecating, makes him smile.]
Yeah... yeah, we are. [Rean scoffs, avoiding her gaze for a moment. He may as well be honest.] ...Predictable fucking idiots, apparently. [He can swear, too!] A couple days ago, Crow made an extra portion of whatever he had and left it with a mutual acquaintance on my floor to give to me. Called me out for not eating well in his note and everything, and it's not like I've been talking to him since.
[He shakes his head. Crow spoils him, he swears.]
Refillable, though? I hadn't even noticed that. I am absolutely sold.
[ She shrugs a little nonchalantly, although her smile drops a little bit. But seeing him smile makes her relax; in a way that can't be seen by pretty much anyone else. Which makes it kind of strange that she doesn't trust Rean.
Even if she.
She really wants to.
But her smile drops when she listens to his words, a little sad. ]
You're really lucky, you know that? I said this before, but I'm honestly kind of jealous. [ At least she doesn't seem to be irritable saying it this time, it's more... Melancholic. ] Then again, it's a little lonely in the apartment. It's too big.
[ .... ]
Aaaanyway, yeah, refillable stuff is great, but especially strawberry lemonade.
[Ahaha, success. It's so rare that he can get the upper hand in situations like this—
Wait just a goddamn second.
He's smiling again, but it's painfully thin and forced.]
Actually, no, no. It doesn't seem like we're quite done with yours. What specifics about memories with Taichi, hm? Is that the guy other you was seeing?
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It's fine?! He's fine!!
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I mean... I am interested in hearing about your memories, just because they're yours. It doesn't necessarily have to do with whoever this guy is.
But in regards to him, no, that's good. Even if that guy isn't necessarily here, if you developed feelings for some jerk, I don't know if I could take it...
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Well, I don't really want to talk about them over text. And don't worry, I wouldn't have feelings for a jerk. I'm not that stupid.
[ In spite of her having a memory of him saying something cruel to her in some ways... but Rean doesn't need to know that. ]
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I understand that. Actually... there have been memories of mine I've wanted to talk about with someone a little less... you know. Involved, too.
Are you free later? We could get dinner.
I'm sure both of us could use the fresh air.
[He knows you're a shut-in, Raina, because same damn hat.]
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I'm pretty much free the whole month. I'd rather it not be a place where they might be able to find us, though.
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That's fine. That's exactly what I've been doing since we got out of there, is hiding out where they're not going to think to look for me.
There's a little hole in the wall place over on [LOCATION REDACTED] that's pretty decent. Meet there around 7?
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And I'll meet you there.
[ She sends that text out before going back to pretty much lazing around until it's closer to time, eventually getting herself prepared - actually making the decision to dress nice (a rarity!) as she goes out to meet him in front of the place.
She has very light makeup on and even lavender perfume (when she normally does neither), along with a chic black frame of glasses and dress with thigh high stockings and heeled shoes. She even is wearing a long black haired, straight wig that's just braided a little.
She might have overdid it a bit, but it's fine, nobody will know it's her! ]
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He's already grabbed a table, toward the back and out of the way, and gives her a small wave to invite her over. He hasn't gone as out of his way to disguise himself, but there are things Raina will notice – he's wearing his glasses again, he's left his hair unstyled (and therefore hanging a bit into his eyes), and once she gets closer...
Hm, that sure is an entire baggage claim he's got going on under his eyes, there. Rean normally adheres to a pretty solid sleep schedule, too.]
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Although she might get fired at this rate but she doesn't care, really.
But she does make her way over and-
Hm. ]
Have you not been sleeping?
[ She hisses that out so only he can hear it but even if she is chastising him for it, it isn't as if she hasn't done it before... Although after collapsing that one time, she's stopped keeping herself awake for days on end.
But she is pulling herself a seat, straightening herself out to the point where someone could practically label her a model. ]
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Either not sleeping or sleeping too much to try to make up for it. I've gone back to having a lot of nightmares, recently.
[Which probably isn't surprising, given what happened recently, but it is also something that used to be troubling in his youth. It's probably not that great that they've come back.]
But I'll get over it. I always do.
[He waves dismissively, pushing a menu towards her.]
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Are you trying to convince me or yourself of that?
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Mgh... is "both" a good answer? Listen, it's not anything you're going to be able to help with, so it's really not worth worrying you about.
[He's almost pouting at that. Who's really the older sibling, here...]
Enough about that. How have you been? Aside from... well. You know.
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[ She leans back into her chair as she eventually finds herself placing the menu back down onto the table, shaking her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. ]
It's not fair if you're changing the subject like that, Rean. I want to be able to help you, so already dismissing it like I can't, it...
[ Ah.
She really does care too much, sometimes, even if she knows full well that as much as she'd like to do something, she's useless in this regard and Rean saying that she can't help kind of drives the point home. That thought makes the proverbial wedge in her chest twist as her expression crumples a little before she forces herself to open up the menu to obscure her hurt. ]
Anyway, I'm fine. [ Does she mean physically or emotionally, it's difficult to tell. But then again, she doesn't want to worry him any more than she has to. ] I did remember a few things between the last time we talked about memories and now, that's all.
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I know. But it's like before, you know? Either they'll go away on their own or I'll have to work through them, probably a mix of both. It's not as if you're useless, this is just a problem no one can really help with.
...I did come here to talk about some stuff you can help me work through, after all. [Quietly, revealing some of his reasoning now.] I'd just rather cover you first, since it sounds to me like yours are actually mostly positive.
Rather lead off with good news, you know?
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[ You can talk to me, is what she doesn't say, but implies as she cuts herself off. She knows she shouldn't have to be the person that helps him for every little thing, but having him deal with it himself?
It's honestly kind of lonely. ]
Well, I wouldn't say that it was all entirely positive. [ But it wasn't entirely negative, either. ] Most of my memories have been dealing with the same person lately, though. I guess you could say that he was initially a friend. To Inaba. I still don't remember much about him, but...
[ Trailing off a bit, Raina instinctively chews on her lower lip, feeling a bit awkward. ]
From what I do remember, he was selfless to a fault. It was enough to worry me - but you know that already, from the last time I spoke about him. But he also trusted me the most, out of everyone. Enough to tell me a secret of his in order to convince me to tell the others that I struggle with trust issues. [ She can't help but laugh a little bit. ] He even said that even if the others somehow rejected me for how I am, for how I can't seem to trust anyone, as much as I want to... he'd still accept me
To be honest, I was really happy to hear that from someone I considered a friend. Immensely happy.
[...]
I think that's it from me, though.
[ Just purposely leaving out the Bad Memory #1 because then she'd have to explain how she got it and Bad Memory #2 because she knows Rean would get mad at Taichi for making her cry. ]
We should order something, though. I was thinking of getting some steak over rice. It's a little pricey, but I haven't had anything besides cup ramen the last couple of days. You don't have to spot me this time though, I'll cover it.
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Heh... he does sound like a nice guy. [Rean seems a little more relaxed about it after hearing that, at least. You survive another day, Taichi.] I'm glad. I hope someday soon you can hear that sort of thing in this life, too, from someone who isn't just me. But in the meantime, I'm glad Inaba could and that you remember it.
[Food's a good idea, though. Hm...]
Mm... you know, I might go for that, too. I've been living on about the same diet as you. Could use the protein.
[He had shrimp not too long ago, thanks Crow, but other than that... it's been cup ramen life, yep. He's horrible at taking care of himself when he's in a rut like this.]
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[ Taichi is a selfless dumbass, but he's her selfless dumbass. Or Inaba's, anyway.
Nevertheless, it's hearing that alone which causes her to heave a sigh of relief. Before she laughs. ]
Ahaha, what the hell? [ Usually she's so careful about cursing around Rean but she could honestly care less right now, it's just a little funny. ] We really are siblings, aren't we? How stupid... we're both fucking idiots. I'm getting the strawberry lemonade too. It's refillable so it is absolutely worth it.
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[...hm, he feels called out right now. Anyway!
Actually getting a laugh out of her, even if it's self-deprecating, makes him smile.]
Yeah... yeah, we are. [Rean scoffs, avoiding her gaze for a moment. He may as well be honest.] ...Predictable fucking idiots, apparently. [He can swear, too!] A couple days ago, Crow made an extra portion of whatever he had and left it with a mutual acquaintance on my floor to give to me. Called me out for not eating well in his note and everything, and it's not like I've been talking to him since.
[He shakes his head. Crow spoils him, he swears.]
Refillable, though? I hadn't even noticed that. I am absolutely sold.
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[ She shrugs a little nonchalantly, although her smile drops a little bit. But seeing him smile makes her relax; in a way that can't be seen by pretty much anyone else. Which makes it kind of strange that she doesn't trust Rean.
Even if she.
She really wants to.
But her smile drops when she listens to his words, a little sad. ]
You're really lucky, you know that? I said this before, but I'm honestly kind of jealous. [ At least she doesn't seem to be irritable saying it this time, it's more... Melancholic. ] Then again, it's a little lonely in the apartment. It's too big.
[ .... ]
Aaaanyway, yeah, refillable stuff is great, but especially strawberry lemonade.
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[It's not like the place is too busy, so it's not hard to flag down a waiter and get their meals ordered and menus handed off.
Once the waiter's out of earshot...]
And, well... hopefully, someday soon you'll find someone who would do that for you, too. Who knows, maybe even that guy in your memories?
[A teasing little smile, before he sighs.]
'Course, it's not all quite that easy. [Half-muttering:] Guess everyone has to have some flaws, indeed.
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[ And now her cheeks color at the thought, because she is very much aware that he's making fun of her and she just gapes at him a bit.
She's unable to say anything but that's okay, because her thoughts just speak it for her. Thank goodness it lasts for the next three days, huh.
[Thank god he doesn't know about the specifics of the memories with Taichi...]
(I'm so sorry, Rean.)
Um. ]
Yeah... Anyway, how about your memories? You said you wanted to talk about those, right?
[ Let's change the subject! ]
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Wait just a goddamn second.
He's smiling again, but it's painfully thin and forced.]
Actually, no, no. It doesn't seem like we're quite done with yours. What specifics about memories with Taichi, hm? Is that the guy other you was seeing?
[Think a little quieter next time, Raina.]
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apparently i forgot to change my icon last time whoops???
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1/?
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8/done
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CS2 ENDGAME SPOILERS
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