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

[notalldead]

"Me an' mine have already been investigatin' doin' just that. Ms. Verity said she'll set up an account at the flower shop for people to donate to. I know I'm pretty committed to the idea of us Rotten bein' the ones to keep an eye on it and switch out dyin' flowers, but if you can think of what we should set up as the actual memorial, I'm all ears."

[sumarusfinest]

"I'm trying to gather names. I want to put up something..where the attack occurred, to list the names of those who passed, as a tribute to the living and...and so their families, if they are here. Know they are not forgotten."

Katsuya knows it wont make up for what's happened. But it's all he can think of to do.

[notalldead]

He's recalling now that this guy was the one leading the charge against the fly lord, which clues Jesse in that this man probably had something to do with the attack. Not that he facilitated it, of course, but that it was something he was familiar with. From his world or a world he knew, perhaps. And that might mean this fancy guy feels responsible.

And doing what he can might help relieve any guilt he could be feeling for the event.

"That sounds like a good idea. If you wanna, I'd happily turn over comin' up with the memorial to you, since I'm not the creative sort. And just know you got us Rotten as volunteers to watch after it so long as we're still here in the Nexus. Y'all ain't gettin' rid of us on that part, darn tootin'."

[sumarusfinest]

"I've made certain the portal to my world is more secure already. Have driven back what remained of the hoard from my end." That probably explains why he's so tired. He did that alone?

"It's something I should do. It's...it's my fault this happened, so.." If he'd been more careful. If he'd known...

[notalldead]

"How's it yer fault?" He's not sure if he should jump right into soothing this concern since he doesn't know the details. He sure hopes it's not outright this guy's fault; Jesse wants to like him.

[sumarusfinest]

"They came from my world and I didn't even know. I should have been more diligent..."

He's worn down pretty bad, but trying to get this all sorted out.

[notalldead]

"Yeah, but. How's that yer fault? I mean, I'd feel pretty bad if zed somehow got through our portal and we've got defenses up to prevent just that. But it ain't yer fault or mine if the nasties from our world decide they wanna mass up and crash this rodeo. Sometimes these things is just like tryna stop the weather.

"What could have y'all done to prevent it? Stood in front of the big demon rush with yer arms out?"

[sumarusfinest]

"I know just...over sixty people dead." He sighs heavily.


"I can't just...I mean." Yeah. He's pretty much spent, emotionally as well as physically.

[notalldead]

"Yer gonna come up with what this memorial should look like and then me 'n my boys can get it built. That's what yer gonna do. Gimme somethin' to make sure Jimbo, my soldier, ain't forgotten and yer clear in my books. Hell, yer not even in my bad graces to begin with.

"It ain't yer fault."

[sumarusfinest]

"Of course." Katsuya snaps top attention and nods. There wasn't time for him to wallow in guilt. He had something he could do.

"I will do just that, sir."

[notalldead]

"Sir? Hell, buddy, I'm just Jesse. And I ain't orderin' y'all around. I'm just tellin' y'all what needs to be done. Don't go beatin' yerself up or thinkin' you owe me somethin'. Cuz you don't. Only ones with blood on their hands is them demons. Not you."

[sumarusfinest]

"I see." Well, he's at least back on task now. "I'll do what I can to get that started right away."

If you'd told him before he'd be having friendly conversation with an undead....the world was truly a strange place.

[notalldead]

Jesse gives the other man a friendly smile. He almost, nearly reaches over and gives Katsuya's shoulder a pat too, but he refrains.

"Glad to see yer standin', by the by. Y'all fought hard against that big-ass fly fella."

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya notes the hesitation and smiles, extending a hand for it to be shaken. If Jesse needs permission, he'll grant it.

"Thank you. You and your companions fought hard as well."

[notalldead]

The handshake is returned quickly, his grip firm and thankful. The permission is what he needed and he's glad to see it extended.

"And we'll be right there if this sorta thing ever happens again. Y'all can take that to the bank."