audience: ponta

[becomemod]

Comments

[bottleking]

[ That's a loaded question... Citrus has to pause for a moment, leaving the kitchen in gentle silence as he sorts out his head. ]

I want to.

[ Trusting anyone but himself is a rough process when he's felt alone for so long. Even loving people is easier. Trust requires a willingness to let yourself fall. ]

I didn't trust you at all in that first week. When Rocket and Mika died, I thought that was my proof that you were all just leading us to slaughter while pretending to be in the same boat. I don't think that now. I think that's the position you've been forced into without your say-so.

[becomemod]

That was... a lot to take in. [ sorrowful. they didn't know either of them well, of course, but fox did think they could have been friends. ] It's no wonder you'd think we were responsible when we came to welcome you.

But if we'd known that would happen, I don't think I'd have been nearly as excited to meet you guys. I wish it was different. Like... a nice vacation with some new friends before you had to go back home.

[ but it isn't, so fox sighs. ]

I'm going to trust you, though, okay? You were honest with us, so I want to be honest with you, too.

[bottleking]

Please do.

[ He actually puts his hand over his heart for that. Swearing by a heart that you feel is unbeating may not be the greatest vow to make, but it's the best he's got. ]

Whatever happens, I want our team to make it out of this. I'm on your side, our side, until the end.

1/2

[becomemod]

And I'll be on yours, too. I still want everyone to go home, but you guys, most of all.

So it's past time that I introduce myself properly, isn't it?

[ without another word, fox pulls off their mask, and for once, their appearance doesn't melt into an illusion. ]

[becomemod]

[ smiling, he bows his head, just a little. ] Kazunari Miyoshi. It's nice to meet you - for real, this time.

[bottleking]

[ Whoa! After all the different shapes he's seen Fox take, it's strange to think that this one is the real deal, the person Fox was before this life pulled him in.

Even just thinking of him as 'he' is a novelty. ]

Kazunari! Heh, this really feels like an honor. So that's your real face...The Fox nickname suits you.

[becomemod]

It's fun to play around with the illusions, but it's even better being able to talk to you face to face. You think? And here I was just thinking it was kinda cute!

[bottleking]

I mean, that too!

[ Ponta laughs - despite his generally muted emotions, acting cheerful still comes easy to him. ]

But you do have a mischievous vibe. Ah - I mean that as a compliment, though.

[becomemod]

I'll take it! There's nothing wrong with a little mischief now and then. [ ... ] Though I still kinda wish they'd give us our door back.

[bottleking]

... no kidding. I'd suggest getting a new one from Tarkea at this rate, but... uh.

[ It's not looking good for doors of the non-crispy variety this week. A dark, dark time for home improvement. ]

Did Tiger ever share who did all of that?

[becomemod]

Mm, maybe we give them a little time to fix up their stock first. Nope. Why, do you think they know? We could totally ask!

[bottleking]

They said on the network that they got it on camera, but they didn't specify.

I figured that maybe they'd be more likely to share with a fellow team leader.

[ So he's totally sneaking to find out through Connections(tm). Look, door thief, he's not mad. He just wants to talk. ]

[becomemod]

Ohhhhh, okay. That makes sense! They do run a whole security agency and stuff, so of course they'd have cameras. I can ask 'em later. And if they don't give our door back even after that, we can just fight back, Fox style! [ what does that mean ]

[bottleking]

[ Does Citrus know what this means? Not really! Does that make him laugh? Yes, absolutely. ]

They better yield right away! We take the home improvement war seriously around here.

[becomemod]

I dunno, it could be fun to keep pranking them until they give in~!