[If Atsushi has to figure out his wants over needs, he could be here all day.]
To fight. I can use the tiger’s strength to fight and heal myself.
[Spoken like this is obvious. If Vyng looks behind Atsushi, he may notice that his reckless friend is outside. His shirt is already torn at the sleeves, because he’s been transforming his arms to fight off threats.
[Atsushi could go into a whole speech about how he thinks. He has a flawed idea in his head that he can earn his place by doing good things. A burden he tried to shed, but this town keeps shoveling back on him.
But he’s tired. He’s been fighting all day and protecting the town, but he doesn’t feel like his burden has gotten any lighter. It’s frustrating to feel his own philosophy might be wrong, but be unable to change how he thinks.]
I can’t undo what I did. I can only do better moving forward.
... I need to go. The Fluid battery might run out soon and I can’t recharge it at home.
[He is indeed dodging the topic of his own issues.]
[ It's not that Vyng isn't willing to trust his friends to take care of themselves — he and Tuck have fought separately on several occasions, because they jointly decided it was the best course of action. But in Atsushi's case, it's clear he's just trying to quell the self-loathing that's eating him up from the inside. And that kind of behavior leads to needless self-sacrifice.
It's a feeling Vyng understands too well. Having it reflected back at him like this...is kind of jarring, actually. ]
Remember the labyrinth, when Tuck and I stayed away? It'll be like that, except we'll be fighting within sight of each other.
[Atsushi is indeed trying to deal with his self loathing by putting himself in harm’s way. If he has a talent for negating pain then it’s right for him to use it. Bit by bit, he can chip away at his guilt.
Or so he tells himself.]
You don’t need to fight, Vyng. You’ve done nothing wrong.
Oh, I've done plenty wrong, pal. [ He isn't even going to pretend otherwise. ] And this isn't about causing me trouble. It's about being there for a friend, because that's what friends do for each other.
[ Friends. That's what they are. Hands down. ]
You know how people have somebody spotting them when they lift weights? Think of it like that. But instead of bench pressing, you're, uh...monster punching.
... You're not going to listen to me if I say 'no,' are you?
[Vyng is being pretty insistent. It's annoying. Probably because it's something that Atsushi would do for Vyng, too, and it's weird to have his own attitude shoved back at him like this.]
[There is a bratty sigh mixed into that resignation.]
But please... You really don't need to go out of your way for me. There are other people who need you, too. [Might have admitted that he needs Vyng around. Atsushi trusts him more than anyone else when it comes to the tiger.]
[ His stubborn side doesn't have many opportunities to come out when he's around just Tuck and Billie. But boy, does he have one. Bless Atsushi for going along with it. ]
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To fight. I can use the tiger’s strength to fight and heal myself.
[Spoken like this is obvious. If Vyng looks behind Atsushi, he may notice that his reckless friend is outside. His shirt is already torn at the sleeves, because he’s been transforming his arms to fight off threats.
It’s all he knows to do.]
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Fighting to protect your friends is one thing. But...making up for all the trouble you caused? Atsushi, what does that even mean?
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But he’s tired. He’s been fighting all day and protecting the town, but he doesn’t feel like his burden has gotten any lighter. It’s frustrating to feel his own philosophy might be wrong, but be unable to change how he thinks.]
I can’t undo what I did. I can only do better moving forward.
... I need to go. The Fluid battery might run out soon and I can’t recharge it at home.
[He is indeed dodging the topic of his own issues.]
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Atsushi. Where are you? This isn't a burden you've got to carry alone. Especially not today.
[ Because he can't speak for the future. But he can at least be pretty certain about the present. ]
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I’m fine, Vyng. I can do this.
[If Vyng comes and gets hurt, Atsushi will only feel worse. He’s being more stubborn than reasonable.]
My regeneration is dangerous if I’m near anyone. It’s safer for me to be alone.
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[ It's not that Vyng isn't willing to trust his friends to take care of themselves — he and Tuck have fought separately on several occasions, because they jointly decided it was the best course of action. But in Atsushi's case, it's clear he's just trying to quell the self-loathing that's eating him up from the inside. And that kind of behavior leads to needless self-sacrifice.
It's a feeling Vyng understands too well. Having it reflected back at him like this...is kind of jarring, actually. ]
Remember the labyrinth, when Tuck and I stayed away? It'll be like that, except we'll be fighting within sight of each other.
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Or so he tells himself.]
You don’t need to fight, Vyng. You’ve done nothing wrong.
[Unconscious slip of the tongue there.]
I’ve caused you enough trouble today.
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[ Friends. That's what they are. Hands down. ]
You know how people have somebody spotting them when they lift weights? Think of it like that. But instead of bench pressing, you're, uh...monster punching.
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[Vyng is being pretty insistent. It's annoying. Probably because it's something that Atsushi would do for Vyng, too, and it's weird to have his own attitude shoved back at him like this.]
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[ He's genuinely trying to compromise here. ]
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[There is a bratty sigh mixed into that resignation.]
But please... You really don't need to go out of your way for me. There are other people who need you, too. [Might have admitted that he needs Vyng around. Atsushi trusts him more than anyone else when it comes to the tiger.]
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I'll keep that in mind. Like I said, though...I want to stay close to my friends.
[ A pause. ]
Thanks for humoring me.
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He nods slowly.]
Mm. [His own pause.] Thanks for not leaving me.
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Hey. You'd do the same for me, right?