jigokulogs | [ open ] i'm paid to smile

Probably more than I oughta admit.

[ he wouldn't have minded even if she'd decided to chide him for it; in his experience, that's one way people show care for him and it means something. that's how it was with his sisters, after all. ]

But I've missed that more than I realised, so I'd say it's helped. Can't beat sleepin' under whatever stars we get around here, especially since the other option right now ain't ideal.

[ and yet he's done nothing. ]

I still think you could stand to have a place apart from your work to rest your head. But this is at least a start.

[and she'll actually sit in one of the chairs to rest. whatever he invited her over for - even if just to proudly show off his work - she doesn't need to keep standing like she'll fly away at a moment's notice.]

If you hate the apartments so much, you could always pick somewhere else.

I got nothin' against the apartments. I jus' never had a place of my own before, so it ended up more like a glorified storage room than an actual livin' space. Sorta felt worse like that...

[ he has no intention of spoiling a good mood, but he's been honest enough with emily in the past to at least not be so vague this one time. it's lonely. ]

Only time I wish I had the space is when somebody comes over.

[ like right now, even if he's plenty happy up here at the moment. the weather won't always permit. ]

You could always stay on the river.

[a thought, born from that light in his eyes when he sees the boats, the joy in his voice. he's her friend - she wants him safe, but also happy.]

Surely there's a craft somewhere to suit you, for shelter and travel alike, and visitors when you choose. Or you can keep receiving them up here.

... Oh.

[ this never occurred to ryouma, and it shows. ]

Emily, you're a genius!

[ it seems so obvious, but with everything else on his mind most of the time, it's a very easy thing for him to overlook. ]

[she looks away modestly for a second, though she does like the praise.]

I just thought that since you're so fond of boats, it might bring you a bit more happiness to be able to be on one of your own. And it might suit you better than an apartment, with how you can travel, but it would still let you be able to divide work and rest.

You're right! I guess I've just been so focused on everything else I didn't even consider it. Always got my eye on the kinda ships I can use for business, which aren't aways comfortable for livin' on.

[ the technology is a lot better than he's used to, but obviously something suited to shorter trips wouldn't make for an ideal residence, even if he'd be doing better just moving out of his office. ]

Not like I need an excuse t' hang around down by the docks and look around, see what's sellin'. I'll sort out the money when the time comes...

[ he hates the idea of having to ask for money but it's not like he has a choice ~~for now~~. ]

Who knows? You could get lucky somehow. A boat could just fall into your lap.

[whatever form that'd come in. if it was a work in progress, they could finish it, make it somewhere he could be content. if it was old, it could be reinforced.]

Hopefully not literally hehe.

[ dumb joke. ]

But you're right, ya never know. Can't hurt to stay open to the possibilities, especially if all this might not be temporary after all. Wouldn't be the worst thing t' happen, right?

[ it's just a thought he's been kicking around lately because when he actually takes the time to consider it, he can't find a lot of reasons to want to go back. finding oryou easily is the most compelling one. still, after his tanabata wishes granted him some measure of peace in that area, he knows it's only a matter of time until she finds her way back to him anyway. ]

[there's something wistful that enters her expression when he says that, not pulling from a smile, but something deep and thoughtful that wells up like finding a spring, with digging in the right spot.]

It might even be a very, very good thing. I'm not in a tremendous hurry to return.

[the thinnest veil of denial, but the truth is there - that it would suit her just fine to stay, regardless of this city's troubles.]

Yeah..?

[ it's a tentative, quietly hopeful question. that's what she said, but this is twice now he's mentioned this to someone only to have them agree. ]

You and I are doin' good work here with everybody else. Maybe the most real good I've done in a long while.

[ at least if it comes to justifying the thought, they're helping! ]

[nodding, she won't disagree with that. it's as a group that they're making the most change, even though she feels like she's only doing what's necessary. they're trying to make some kind of impact, to help people here, even in the midst of strife.]

If I can keep doing such work...I'd be quite content with the direction of my life.

[she trusts he can understand her true meaning - that here is better than there. one might call it Jigoku, hell, but that didn't mean it was a land of suffering.]

[ open ] i'm paid to smile

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