video / audio;

[fuckinstoplights]

[VIDEO]
[Judging from the angle, Kagerou probably dropped his device, and thus kicked off the video recording when he did. Because he's not looking into the camera. He's not even looking at the device at all.]

[Because he currently has his face buried in the muzzle of a big dog-looking thing, gripping onto its fur so hard his knuckles are white. His hair is hiding his face, and both of them look pretty worn-down. He might even be asleep on his feet if his shoulders weren't shaking.]

[And if he can't be heard murmuring "I'm sorry" to the big dog.]

[Fortunately, this doesn't go on for too long, before something else pokes its nose into view, upside-down, and makes a "Shhh" motion with a claw.]

Give them a minute, kay?

[Well, at least he's bonding with his digi, finally.]

~ ~

[True to the newcomer's word, eventually Kagerou's voice comes over the network, hesitant and quiet as always.]

[AUDIO]
... I'm sorry. For how I acted. Toward a lot of you.

I don't know how to make it right, but... tell me. I'll try.

Comments

[audio]

[strengthinkindness]

A...A-Are...are you all right now?

[audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

[It's a good thing this isn't video. His flinch doesn't get seen, that way.]

Yes.

I'm sorry... for everything I said to you. I didn't mean it.

[audio]

[strengthinkindness]

I-It's all right. Th-There was a lot going on...a lot of things were happening.

[audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

But how I spoke to you... I'm sorry.

[audio]

[strengthinkindness]

Really, i-it's all right. A lot of people did and said things that they regret...I-I forgive you.

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Like I said, kid, you're good.


Taken a likin' to your Digithing now?

[Audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

You did say that, yes.

[He pauses. Almost sounding embarrassed.]

... His name is Koro.

[Wow you can almost hear the smile -- and Kagerou did you seriously name your Digi the Japanese version of "Fido".]

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Koro?

[Not that Wheeljack can judge. His Digithings aren't exactly creatively named.]

Not bad, and looks like he's taken a likin' to it. ...Still tryin' to think of a name for this one, now that ya mention.

[His head tilts to the side, towards the Lopmon sitting there.]

Guess he'll just be a Him.

[Wait what.]

I'm a girl.

Fine. SHE'LL be a Him.

[Audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

Koro. It fits him.

[It comes out a little muffled, since he still has his face mashed into the dog-monter's muzzle.]

[There's a beat of a pause.]

Won't that be confusing?

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

I think so..

Not really. You and Him. Not hard to figure out.


[Maybe for idiots like you, Wheeljack...]

[Audio]

[neverputincharge]

Hey hey, don't be. What happened wasn't your fault.

[Audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

That doesn't change how I feel.

[Audio]

[neverputincharge]

Yeah, but look on the bright side. You didn't do anything but get angry at people. You didn't actually hurt anybody. [That he knows of anyway.]

[Audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

It's not very bright of a side.

[Audio]

[neverputincharge]

All I'm sayin' is you could've done worse, and you didn't. Getting yelled at, most can forgive it pretty easily in a situation like this.

I forgive ya, and I'm sure everyone else you yelled at will too.

Audio

[bigsoftie]

[There is a pause from Leatherhead.]

You were not the worst, my friend.

Audio

[fuckinstoplights]

But I--

[He reigns himself in. Barely.]

I still need to apologize.

Audio

[bigsoftie]

I understand...it is not easy to deal with yourself...

And I forgive you. You did not hurt anyone.

Audio

[fuckinstoplights]

I didn't want something else to regret. How do you live with it?

... were others hurt?

Audio

[bigsoftie]

It is not easy...but knowing my friends...the ones I love, it makes it easier.

[The next part wasn't easy.]

Michelangelo...he....he was hurt by his own brother. He...killed someone I considered family...

...I do not know if I can forgive Donatello.

[audio]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

Hey! You sound a lot better now, that's good!

I know you don't really do anything to me, but I just gotta say, you did the first part already. Saying you're sorry and meaning it is the big first step on making things right, so 'Good Job'!

[audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

It hasn't changed anything.

[audio]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

What hasn't changed?

I mean, fixing things that went wrong takes time... but just saying sorry starts it...

[audio]

[fuckinstoplights]

It's only words. It feels like only words.

[audio]

[hot_nunchaku_fury]

It didn't sound like you didn't mean it... so I'm guessing you more mean you feel like you need to do something, to actually make it feel, to you, like you apologized?