A memorial of sorts

[sumarusfinest]

The resident Nexus police officer looks a lot less formal than he usually is. He's missing the usual suit and tie, dressed in all black--button up and slacks.

He sets a vase of lilies down on a table gently.

"Has anyone been able to determine the full extent of the damage and...casualties here in the Nexus?"

He's been cleaning up in Sumaru since the attack, and feels bad he's only now checking in.

Comments

[sumarusfinest]

Sixty. At least.

Katsuya feels his heart sink. This can't be happening. Except it already had. He takes in a deep breath.

Nods.

"Thank you. The portal is holding steady. I've cleaned up the streets on my end." Pause. "I'm so sorry."

[bestdadinamestris]

"There's no need to apologize." Hughes says that, but he knows he'd say the same thing if any of the lunatic alchemists in his world got loose in the Nexus and killed a bunch of people.

"If you need any help with anything, let me know."

[sumarusfinest]

"I want to set up a memorial, a plaque fr the deceased. include as many names as I can." The officer meets Hughes' gaze.

"Information gathering is your specialty....would you mind helping?"

[bestdadinamestris]

"Strangely enough, someone's already beaten me to that. Jesse asked a pair of twins - fraternal, kind of... elf-like? I think was the term - to begin asking around for names when he brought up the idea of a memorial. I suggest you check in with him to see how that's coming along. If you still need help, I'd be happy to offer it."

Hughes can't help but notice how tired Katsuya is. It's not a good look for him. "Are you making sure to take care of yourself during all of this?" The question comes with furrowed brows and a small frown. He really hopes Verity is helping keep him level, but checking in with Katsuya can't hurt.

[sumarusfinest]

"I wasn't, but I've recently been reminded I need to." Katsuya shrugs. "Getting the city safe took precedence. You understand."

He's not sure if he feels better or worse that someone's already doing this. His stomach churns. Another person carrying a burden he should be.

[bestdadinamestris]

Hughes nods, but that face isn't going away. "Hard to keep everyone safe if you collapse on the street from exhaustion and malnutrition." It's like trying to convince Roy to get back on his feet again when the worst has happened. Only this time, the worst really did happen.

[sumarusfinest]

"Yes." He looks even more guilty. "My apologies." It's tough sometimes being reminds that other people worry about him again.

He's not used to it.

[bestdadinamestris]

"It's okay to ask for help, you know." It's not said in any kind of demeaning or accusing way. It's a statement. Nothing more. "I'm certain there's people around who would help you with more than just demons or the aftermath they cause. Perhaps someone who might even want to be around all the time in spite of all that."

Now, he's not coming out and saying Verity's crush is obvious, but if her reaction when Katsuya arrived to help with the demons is any indication, it pretty much is.

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya nods meekly. He'd been willing to give up so much if Schon had asked it off him. But seeing his friends worry over him now, it made him feel guilty he hasn't thought of their feelings.

The whole Verity thing is going right by him. He doesn't think anyone knows about that and it's complicated.

[bestdadinamestris]

Hughes isn't going to press the poor man anymore. He gives Katsuya's shoulder one more gentle squeeze before withdrawing his hand.

"Let me know if you need anything, okay? Anything at all." He doesn't particularly want to leave Katsuya alone right now, but he knows there isn't anything more he can do. He'll leave Katsuya to his thoughts, but stay close in case the officer needs him.

[sumarusfinest]

"I just want to know why..." Why this happened. How they broke through. He sighs and finally manages a small smile.

"Thank you. I mean it."

[bestdadinamestris]

"You're welcome, friend." Hughes offers him a small smile in return. It's not much but it's a start.

[sumarusfinest]

"Have you been alright since?" Katsuya hasn't seen much of anyone since everything went down.

"I haven't been very good about checking in on people.."

[bestdadinamestris]

"You had plenty of other things to worry about - no one is faulting you for not checking in on them. I've been fine, though. Unless they're a dick." He chuckled a bit at that. "I got patched up before I went home and had time to rest before I came back."

[sumarusfinest]

"Oh, thank goodness." He nods and does in fact seem to be relieved to hear as such.

"I wouldn't have wanted you to get in trouble over this mess."

[bestdadinamestris]

"I wouldn't have cared if I did." The trouble itself may have sucked and explaining to those he worked with why he was beat and burned to hell would've been interesting, but it would've been worth it. "Lives were saved and we were able to get that portal closed, and that's all that matters to me."