caughtinanetwork | Thirteenth Transmission [voice]

[There is absolutely no sense in not acknowledging that something has happened, all the polite worries of "I don't want to be a bother" aside. This is a big change, and though Maka is not going to let it break her down, it still hurts like hell.

Thus, when the feed clicks on, Maka's voice is steady, but completely lacking in any sort of emotion.]

Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt whatever you're doing, but Rin Okumura has gone home.

[She shouldn't be upset, she has no right to, she knew this would happen eventually. Nothing lasts forever.

No, she shouldn't be negative and mope, he might come back after all.]

I just thought anybody that knew him might like to know. [A pause before she adds:] And if you think that gives you a right to punch him when he comes back, you'll have to go through me first.

[That final confirmation reassures herself, falsely or not. Yes, he will come back, giving up hope is the absolute last thing she should be doing right now.]

Thank you for your time. Sorry for the bother again.

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[He's a little surprised that Maka would ask that, but after his talk with Rin he should have figured that Rin would go talk to her about it.]

Barring three exceptions, I don't trust anybody. It's nothing personal against you.

Ah...

[But, that still hurts her, and Maka's only reaction to being pushed is usually to push back. However, even if she says herself that she doesn't trust Shiro, that's not true at all, the man has done nothing to earn distrust; he's been kind, he's apologized for anything he's done wrong, he comforted her when he didn't have to.

He has been...a good dad.]

I'm...a little upset that you don't, honestly...it feels like I've been marked as suspicious, but I guess the background I come from is pretty undesirable.

[He raises an eyebrow at that.]

What's got you so worried about this anyway? It's not like I don't care about you, or anyone else in the Villa for that matter.

...[She can't comprehend something like that.

How do you care for someone enough to protect them and interact with them on a daily basis, yet not trust that they would do the same for you and can be relied on?

Perhaps it's a product of a world where bonds are made on trust and connections in your soul, and that's integral to your survival.]

I don't...understand. How can you care for someone and not trust them at the same time? What sort of life is that.

Probably not one most people would enjoy, but I make due.

[Sometimes he wishes he could open up more to others, to actually show his true feelings to people, but he knows that's impossible. Even in Vatheon, where he doesn't have to worry about demons using people against him, it's still hard to break that habit.]

I know I don't look like much, but where I come from I'm one of the best at what I do. This means that I'm essentially one big walking target to anyone who would want to hurt humans, and they don't play fair. I'm a liability if they can take me over, so I can't allow my enemies any way to get at me.

It doesn't prevent me from caring about people, but barring a few special cases I can't be completely open with anyone either.

[It's not the full truth, but it's enough of one that Shiro isn't lying when he speaks, and it gets to the crux of the issue without getting into all the details he'd rather not talk about.]

[Ah, she hadn't considered that...it seems like her world is much more different than she thought.]

How do...demons get inside of you?

They possess you. They get in your mind and put you to sleep, so they can take over your body and do whatever they want with it. Occasionally the person stays conscious during all of this, but they still can't do anything about it, not until the demon lets go or an exorcist drives the demon out of their body.

[It's also why Shiro is not a big fan of mind control or anyone being able to control someone else's will. He's been possessed before, and it's something that still gives him nightmares from time to time.]

Demons also possess other things as well. Kuro is a demon who possessed a cat, for example. But the most vicious ones are the ones that target humans.

Oh--I remember that! Demons can't actually exist in the human realm unless they have a body from the human realm to possess.

[Confirming that, yes, she does study things even if she doesn't have to is a nice distraction too.]

...I...guess I can see where you're coming from now. [Even though she's not a demon and can't possess him. Even though she doesn't look like the idea hurts any less.] Sorry.

Exactly.

So it's got nothing to do with who you are or anything you've done. It's just that I have to keep a wall up around myself, because I'm already a target for demons. I'd rather they didn't start targeting you because they think they could use your body to get to me.

Me?

[Sure, he just explained it to her, but the thought of herself getting possessed by a demon struck her as odd.]

...Mm...no, I think I'll be safe from that. [Well that was cryptic, it sounds almost like she's implying she has her own defenses against demons.]

[Ahem.]

I think Rin will be back anyway.

[Be cryptic all you like, Maka. Shiro still has his doubts, and will continue to do so until Maka's proven herself to be resilient against demon influences.

But he goes with the topic change anyway.]

Oh? What makes you say that?

Well, his stuff hasn't disappeared, I think that's a good sign to start off. Otherwise...eheh, it's just faith.

Does stuff normally disappear when someone leaves?

Mhm! Or rather, things that they managed to bring over from their world. His sword isn't here, but that's not something he can leave behind anyway, so it would have gone with him regardless.

[she could just be in denial, but at least she sounds positive about it.]

Thirteenth Transmission [voice]

WELL FINE SHIRO WILL KEEP IT ON VIDEO

OKAY FINE

:3

=w=

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