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

[bestdadinamestris]

Hughes is in a no-nonsense mood as he walks up to Katsuya. He gives a small nod as he stops in front of him.

"We killed a hell of a lot of demons, but it's hard to tell how many given that many of the bodies disappeared after they were killed. By my estimation, we took down at least 80 to 100 of those ugly bastards." Yes, he's starting with the more difficult of topics. "As for casualties, it's harder to say. Many of the demons started... eating those victims." It's impossible for Hughes to hold back a shudder on that one. The sight of demons eating the dead is forever burned into his brain. "I'm going to put the count at 60, at the very least."

He rests a hand on Katsuya's shoulder and gives is a gentle squeeze. "Everything else can be repaired with time and patience. I'll keep my ears to the ground and make sure we have warning if something like this should ever happen again."

all the feels :(

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity has no answer for him because she just hasn't been thinking about that much. She suspects he wouldn't fault her for it since he knows why she's been distracted lately, but still. What she does have is an ability to bring him coffee and some cookies from that cafe down the way, and to sit and keep him company.

This is a really solid plan.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Sergeant Suou," the thin man greets him, looking a little paler than usual, tired and drawn. As Katsuya has had an answer of sorts by now, Schön instead asks after a related matter. "How fares the home town?"

[notalldead]

"...Lost one o' my soldiers." He says it quiet and simple, the sadness at this fact plain on his greenish, withered features. "Saw about a dozen folk get mauled and torn up for eatin'." That's not a new sight to him, but the fact it was carried out on innocent people who thought they were safe...

[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."

Re: all the feels :(

[sumarusfinest]

She doesn't ask him anything and he doesn't ask anything of her. He accepts the coffee though.

Sighs.

"Sixty. So far."

[sumarusfinest]

This had been the other reason for coming. The officer had not forgotten his debts. He just hasn't been able to get back until now.

"Better. Once I cleaned up the stragglers." He gives Schon a polite nod by way of greeting.

"...thank you."

[sumarusfinest]

"I'm sorry." It's not anything Katsuya could have prevented, but they came from his home. He felt responsible.

"I thought it be best if I arranged some kind of memorial..."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön answers nod for nod. "You are welcome, Sergeant Suou. I will not say I was pleased, for the circumstances afforded no such feeling, but it was well that we could come to an arrangement, at the least."

Removing his hat and holding it over his heart, he will leave others to decipher the degree of sincerity in his words when he adds, "you have my sympathy."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm sorry."

His free hands are going to number zero soon because she's taking hold of the one not holding coffee. "It's not your fault. You didn't open the portal, and you did nothing wrong in using it."

[sumarusfinest]

"They came from my world. How should I feel?" He isn't snapping. He squeezes her hand.

"I didn't even know until you called me.'

[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."

[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."

[brave_heart_verity]

He can snap if he needs to. She's prepared to take whatever he needs to dish out.

"Sweetheart, nobody can be aware of everything all the time. Of course you feel guilty. But it's not your fault. You didn't do anything to cause this, and when you found out what was happening you did everything in your power to end it." No, she's not entirely aware of what she just called him. "Is it your friend's fault for bringing you here in the first place?"

[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?"

[sumarusfinest]

"What, no. No Baofu didn't..." I mean, it was disconcerting that he hadn't been seen around in a while, but that was pretty much how the rumor monger was.

He nods. He understands what she's saying.

"Sixty. I can't even..."

[sumarusfinest]

"No one was pleased except that it ended." Katsuya agrees. Keeps his tongue in check. He has respect for Schon, and more than a little apprehension. Best to keep his mouth shut while he owes so much to the other.

Speaking of..

"I have regained enough control in Sumaru to begin paying off my debts."

[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.

[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.

[brave_heart_verity]

"And they won't be forgotten. There's plans for a memorial already," she offers gently, moving closer to place her other hand on his shoulder. "And we'll be more careful in the future, yeah? We'll make sure the portals from your world are all demon-proofed or something."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

The respect is gratifying, a precious commodity in this place where gods may be snubbed with impunity. "Your promptness is gratifying," Schön purrs. "But you still seem somewhat weary. Are you certain you have it in you, to endure a long interview at the moment?"

[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.

[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]

He's grateful she's here, he really is. She's keeping him from hating himself quite so much. Also, coffee. The comfort is welcomed, thought he doesn't return it. Kind of hard to with no free hands.

"Yes. I need to make sure nothing like this happens again."

[sumarusfinest]

"If you allow me a pot of coffee I can endure pretty much anything." The sad part is, that's probably true.

Oh, the life of a police officer.