Doing that veteran thing...

[inexecution]

Did anyone else notice the train seems to loop back on itself?

[That sudden psychic broadcast is brought to you with a great deal of excitement, because of course it is. For those new Travelers who didn't already get an introduction via Joscelin, welcome to the Psychic network! Confusion is to be expected. It's okay, Souji's got your back.]

And I saw some new faces while I was walking around, so, hello! This is probably confusing, but don't worry. You can ask pretty much anyone here for help, we're used to it by now. I'm Souji, by the way. [Well, one of them, anyway...] Don't worry. This is all perfectly normal. [...ish.]

Comments

[inexecution]

No, you did what you thought was right. It's just...

[He's not even sure how much he should try to explain. It might just leave a bad impression, and he doesn't want to do that...]

That place was from a Jaunt that happened a long while ago now. It wasn't a good place.

[And he hadn't been a good person, then.]</small.

[upcard]

[... She's not sure if she should ask, but honestly... she's worried. To see that that happened before, in a Jaunt...]

What...happened, Okita-san...? Um, I mean... if you don't mind me asking...

You just seemed so different...

[inexecution]

[He does mind, but only because it's painful, and that's not really her fault. At the same time, he couldn't give her a satisfying answer, even if he wanted to.]

I don't really remember that Jaunt, now. Most of the Travelers who were there don't. But that building made it feel like I was back there. All I wanted was to get inside, it didn't matter who got in the way. But I don't know why.

[Except that it has been in his dreams since then, as much as he's been trying to forget again]

[upcard]

[...she can tell, and it makes her feel bad--but also very, very concerned for him.]

...It sounds...painful... I'm sorry for bringing it up again.

Um... please take care of yourself, though. Maybe... maybe talk to Hijikata-san...? [She knows she's not that great as a confidant but that's a better solution, right?]

You don't have to do it all alone.

[inexecution]

It's all right. It's all in the past now, anyway.

[He appreciates her concern, but it's something he'd rather not think about at all. So far as he's concerned, there's no point in talking about something he can't change.]

He already knows about it.

[More than he himself does, he suspects, but he's not about to ask]

[upcard]

Oh...

[Of course he does. They've all been here way longer than she has. She shouldn't be meddling in this sort of thing.]

R-right... I understand. I'm sorry if I caused any trouble, I truly am...

[inexecution]

No, it's really not your fault. I appreciate what you were trying to do, and you were right to try.

[He's quiet for a moment, grateful that they're not face to face, so he doesn't have to worry about what expression is on his face]

But if we ever talk and I seem the same as I did then... don't try to deal with it yourself. Find Hijikata, instead.

[It's not a warning he really wants to have to give, but the way he'd feel if something ever happened to her because of him overrode the shame he felt about it.]

[upcard]

...Okay!

[She's really honestly very happy that he gave her directions. Next time it happens, she'll know what to do. She won't be useless. It'll be okay.

She's so happy.]

I'll do that for sure, so...so you can count on me!

[inexecution]

[He's a little surprised that she agrees so readily without asking any more questions, but he's also grateful for it.]

Thank you. I appreciate it.