[Voice]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

It's dangerous out here tonight. Is everyone else in good health?

[Something is off in Issei's voice, besides the earnest way he asks his next question:]

Please, can I do anything for anyone? I'll do anything. Anything my meager skills can accomplish.

[It's a shame that the post is only in audio, so there isn't anything like a pair of golden eyes to warn the listeners... Well, unless he switches to video upon commenting. Then it's a little more easily apparent.]

Comments

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Issei...?

[Bruised, scratched, irritated, and now confused. Yep, that's Lancer.]

[video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

[And in return, the video shows a golden-eyed, remarkably healthy Issei clad in colored robes.]

Can you ever forgive me, Diarmuid? I wasn't there, I should have been able to help you more, but I was weak and powerless. Is there anything I can do for you to even pretend to make it up to you?

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

Anything? I could use some help with my deliveries.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

[Oh, goddammit.]

Issei--...where's the other one?

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Please! I would be happy to help you!

[Does it matter that he has the creepy yellow eyes?]

[video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

He's not conscious, I'm afraid. So he won't be appearing in this video. Can I be of any service to you?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

[...this was notably less violent than Diarmuid's own duplicate had been. He just had to be careful, it seemed.]

Tell me where he is.

[video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Over there, on the ground.

[The camera turns. As promised, the original Issei is knocked out, dumped unceremoniously on the ground by someone with no care.]

Re: [Video]

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

[Miki is not very attentive and I don't think we've talked too much! So no probably not.]

Awesome! If you can meet me in the lobby of the hotel I'll have the package waiting there.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

I'd like a specific location.

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

All right, I'll do that.

[...he really will.]

[video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Just a little north of the bookstore where you work.

[video-->action ]

[croibhristeoir]

I see. Please, wait there.

[Click.]

[Yeah, you bet your ass he's running over there, injuries or not.]

[action]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

[Shadow Issei has dutifully waited there.]

Y-you shouldn't be moving like that in your state! Why would you risk hurting yourself more like that?

[croibhristeoir]

Believe me, I've survived far worse.

[He slowly stepped between Issei and his Shadow, watching the latter of the two carefully.]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't have to. Let me do it. Let me do everything for you. I don't mind whatever you have me do as long as I can have your affection for one moment.

[croibhristeoir]

What are you talking about? [He knelt down beside Issei, wincing faintly as the action aggravated several of gods only knew how many injuries.]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

It's not obvious? I'm sorry, please let me fumble at explaining. I. Would do anything for you at anyone just to keep them near me. If I can pretend we're friends, it doesn't matter what I have to do.

[croibhristeoir]

...We are friends, aren't we? I mean...I'm Issei Ryudo's friend. I don't know who or what you are.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I'm Issei Ryudo, the part of him that's not a liar. The part that can admit that we're not friends - ah, but please, if you'd like to call us that, continue! I'd never contradict you at all.

[croibhristeoir]

You're no more Issei than my duplicate was me. But why would you say we aren't friends?

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

That implies that we're equals, and we're not.

[croibhristeoir]

...

[Boy, he is not liking where this is going. So he'll just carefully lean over and shake Issei's shoulder.]

Issei. Can you hear me?

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Mm... A little...

[He's not getting up yet, though.]

[croibhristeoir]

Don't strain yourself. It's alright, I'll protect you.

[He hadn't taken his eyes off the Shadow, leveling a calm and cold stare at him.]