judgementkazzy | inbox//recolle;

[Tatsuo shakes his head with a little smile and takes the bottle.]

It sort of started during the three weeks I was outside reality. But we were seeing weird shit all the time, so you aren't really surprised when you have trouble sleeping.

But then we came back... and it just got worse.

[ Kiryu nods, taking a bottle for himself and popping it open just the same. ]

I guess that makes sense... when everything is weird, nothing is weird, right?

[Tatsuo nods and takes a sip of beer]

Exactly. I thought that would all go away once I was home and in my own bed.

But it didn't. It's like my brain is trying to warn me that something bad could happen. That I need to keep sharp.

I think it's probably safe to assume things aren't going back to normal. You're not wrong to be worried.

[ That might not help, but it's the truth. Kiryu isn't going to just lie to his friend. ]

Are you afraid you won't be strong enough to fight next time?

Yeah, the only way I'd ever think things were normal again is if I got reset. And even with all the stuff from last month... I'll take take a hard pass on that.

[he just wants to be able to have a good night's sleep again]

To be honest, I wasn't strong enough this time. I got through most of this with sheer luck and some well coordinated teamwork. I'm getting outpaced here and I'm really not sure what to do about it.

[ Kiryu nods. He can understand where Tatsuo's coming from, he was totally there before he got enough strength to punch monsters. ]

But you made it. Even without powers or anything, you made it through. That's what matters.

[ Maybe not so helpful coming from a guy with super strength, but ya know. ]

Even if Majima and me couldn't be there for you, everyone on Retrospec is committed to helping each other. You won't be alone, no matter what happens.

Yeah, I won't be alone, but we're going to need more than just numbers. There were two kids on my team last month, high schoolers. And there were others that were basically non-fighters.

[another sip and he leans against the counter]

I've got to pull my own weight in all of this at the very least.

The fact that you made it without powers or anything is amazing.

[ Even Kiryu ended up having to use his super strength near the end. ]

You're smart, Tatsuo. And you're resourceful. If nothing else, you know how to use a gun, too. That's not nothing.

[A small smile tugs at the corner of Tatsuo's mouth. He finishes his beer, sets the empty bottle on the counter, grabs a second bottle, and holds it out to Kiryu-the-bottle-opener.]

Guns were useful to varying degrees. I might need to get something with a bit more firepower for next time though.

[Like a bazooka or a grenade launcher.]

[ Kiryu smirks, easily cracking open Tatsuo's beer. Super strength is so useful, right? ~~Once you get used to it and aren't breaking things.~~ ]

As long as you know how to use it, that's probably not a bad idea.

[Tatsuo takes a swig then tips the neck of the bottle in Kiryu's direction in thanks]

I don't... well, he doesn't, so I don't. But it's something I could probably learn on my own. The question is where... they don't exactly carry that sort of armament at DeadEye.

[Tatsuo realizes he just seriously stated he wants to learn how to use a grenade launcher... and he laughs.]

Ahhhhh... so this is what my life has become.

It's not like weapons are that hard to come by. This is America, after all.

[ Maybe DeadEye only carries fake guns but there's plenty of other places... Grenade launchers might be a little much, though. ]

So much for normal, huh? [ Kiryu takes a sip of his beer, nodding. ] Maybe this is just normal for us now.

Yeah, but it's going to be a bit awkward making inquiries since I'm affiliated with the police. That, and I'm not 100% sure on the legality of having something like that in your possession. I'm fairly certain it's a no-no.

[he's still considering it]

I guess. I mean, the monsters weren't normal. But all the other weird crap that goes on, the colors missing, the fruit dancing, chocobos... it's wrong, but at the same time it's what's 'normal' now. If everything suddenly went back to exactly how it's supposed to be... I, for one, would be suspicious.

Well, you'd know better than anyone how to avoid getting caught.

[ That's Not Exactly Legal, but well.... ]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to just forget everything, either. The colors and stuff might be weird, but at least it's coming back slowly and not overnight.

[Tatsuo was taking a sip of beer and ends up coughing]

Okay, that's true, but only to a certain extent. I'd be better at covering up physical evidence than smuggling firearms.

[that is not for future reference Kiryu ~~except it is, jsyk~~]

And like, annoying as it is, it's stuff we can live with. Even if it is really annoying that every blue shirt I owned is still grey. Come on Retrospec can we have blue clothes back already?

[ ~~Definitely good to know for the future, Tatsuo.~~ ]

But it's still really unlikely that the police will think to raid your house for heavy weapons.

[ This is totally a hypothetical, right? Right...? ]

Right? The trees still look awful. I know they're working on fixing things, but if they changed it so fast, you'd think the fix would be easier.

[Tatsuo can't help but laugh at the mental image Kiryu's comment conjures up. All of his coworkers at the RPD lined up outside his apartment, about to break down the doors.]

Okay, fair enough, they probably wouldn't think to look here.

[completely and utterly hypothetical]

Well, sometimes it's easy to fuck something up than it is to fix it afterwards.

Yeah, it's a pretty sweet deal, all things considered.

[ Hypothetically. At least they both know he's a past-life criminal. ]

I guess that's true. Retrospec is pretty good at fucking up.

[Tatsuo looks at his second beer. Half way. He downs most of the rest.]

Like accidentally deleting a file from your computer and then emptying the recycle bin. Technically, easy to do. And it's possible to still retrieve the information if you're really good with computers, but it's a bit of a pain. Maybe that's what's been going on with Retrospec. Someone's been dumping the recycle bin when they weren't supposed to.

[ That's legit, bud. ]

That might be it. This stuff kind of does feel like we're stuck in a video game.... except it's real life.

Honestly, the video game comparisons just keep piling up. The monsters breaking into those black cubes. The different environments I went through in August could be considered different levels. And all the puzzles and riddles you guys had here in the city. Not to mention the final boss fight.

Yeah, I guess whoever designed this place must have had video games in mind.

[ Which is. Quite creepy. But what else is new. ]

Hopefully we won't have to find out what happens if they press 'reset.'

inbox//recolle;

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