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[paintitgray]

(radio memory)

[The memory begins softly - the unfamiliar voice of a young girl, plaintive and frightened.]

Are we...not human?

[The voice that answers is, unmistakably, Kurayami's - but calm, gentle, detached, perhaps a little melancholy at most. The tone of an authority figure.]

Nobody knows what we are. For now, we call ourselves the [

Comments

[marrymarajade]

[He's trying not to listen in on all of these, but Ben is terrible at tuning out on-the-verge-of-tears. He listens in shamelessly, and speaks softly.]

You were there for her.

I'm sorry she's so prickly ^^;

[paintitgray]

[That jolts her out of her stupor.]

Oh, yeah, I was the acme of comfort.

[marrymarajade]

[He doesn't seem bothered.]

You didn't go. It sounds like you were doing everything you could.

[paintitgray]

[Something about his voice reminds her of someone. She can't put her finger on who, but it's...reassuring.]

There wasn't much I could do, though, was there?

[marrymarajade]

I'm not sure what I would have done. It sounded like - [...well okay, his first thought was that it was like a birth, but when he considers again... probably not.] - a lot happening at once.

But you were there. You didn't run away when it started.

[paintitgray]

[She answers in the sad, raw tone of truth without pride.]

...I couldn't have left her alone.

[marrymarajade]

[Ben keeps much of the compassion from his voice. He really doesn't want to seem condescending; in person he's good at avoiding that, but over the comm?]

No. If you were overwhelmed, it didn't show. [...which may be a lie, albeit the kind he's not terrible at saying. That crash hadn't seemed planned.]

Whatever the reason, you stayed.

[paintitgray]

[She stares at her radio for a long time, as it gradually dawns on her. He reminds her of...no. Not Koi, and that startles her. Whoever this is, he reminds her of whoever Koi also pinged her for. They're both echoes of someone's forgotten quiet strength and gentleness.]

[Belatedly, she realizes she's been silent for several moments.]

...thank you.

[marrymarajade]

You're welcome. It's okay.

I'm called Ben.

[paintitgray]

Kurayami.