[The response is almost automatic, but hearing his own voice tremble when he says that, he quickly abandons the attempt at a poorly constructed lie. Mitsunari makes it sound so simple─ and hell, maybe it actually is that. Maybe he's the one who's making it hard. There are only two choices he can make, and although neither seems like a very good one now that he thinks about it, he has to decide. If he does listen to it, there will be no turning back. If he doesn't, he might regret it for the rest of his life.
...
He's got enough regrets as it is; he can't afford to run away now.]
... I've already decided.
[It's not clear whether he says that to Mitsunari or reassures himself, but he seems determined to see it through to the end, regardless of what that end may be.
For the sake of his own comfort (for what little it can do), the Grim Reaper turns around and takes a few steps, stopping a small distance away from Mitsunari before taking a deep breath and lifting the bird close to his ear.
The sweet melody he hears at first doesn't do anything to ease his nervousness, and Ragna can practically feel his stomach tying itself into a knot in anticipation. Then, as expected, comes the voice: gentle and caring, just the way he remembers it. Sometimes a little more stern, like when urging him to do the chores for god knows which time. It's almost weird, listening to the Sister's words about some completely mundane things, as if nothing's changed. Then the voices of his little siblings chime in with their never-ending "Brother, Brother" and "I love you, Brother" mantras; he used to find them embarrassing, and maybe even a little annoying, but deep inside always appreciated them. Now they're nothing more than a faded memory he can never return to... And when he once again hears the old nun, asking him to protect his brother and sister, it's only his promise to return the bird to Mitsunari unharmed that stops him from crushing this one to pieces as well.
After a moment of listening to these scenes from the past (some more painful than others, some less) there's a pause, followed by a voice so weak and quiet Ragna is sure he imagined it. As if sensing that, the bird repeats the words for him:
"Jin, make sure you get along with your brother..."
... Ah.
The bird has already fallen silent without Ragna noticing, and he has no idea how long he's been standing there. Seconds seem to stretch into hours as he's staring at the horizon, his thoughts oddly still despite what he's just heard. It's so... simple, almost laughably, yet it's just like her. To ask that in her last words...
At long last, Ragna walks back up to Mitsunari, handing him the bird wordlessly. Perhaps there's something that should be said here, but... for now, he's got nothing.]
[action]
[The response is almost automatic, but hearing his own voice tremble when he says that, he quickly abandons the attempt at a poorly constructed lie. Mitsunari makes it sound so simple─ and hell, maybe it actually is that. Maybe he's the one who's making it hard. There are only two choices he can make, and although neither seems like a very good one now that he thinks about it, he has to decide. If he does listen to it, there will be no turning back. If he doesn't, he might regret it for the rest of his life.
...
He's got enough regrets as it is; he can't afford to run away now.]
... I've already decided.
[It's not clear whether he says that to Mitsunari or reassures himself, but he seems determined to see it through to the end, regardless of what that end may be.
For the sake of his own comfort (for what little it can do), the Grim Reaper turns around and takes a few steps, stopping a small distance away from Mitsunari before taking a deep breath and lifting the bird close to his ear.
The sweet melody he hears at first doesn't do anything to ease his nervousness, and Ragna can practically feel his stomach tying itself into a knot in anticipation. Then, as expected, comes the voice: gentle and caring, just the way he remembers it. Sometimes a little more stern, like when urging him to do the chores for god knows which time. It's almost weird, listening to the Sister's words about some completely mundane things, as if nothing's changed. Then the voices of his little siblings chime in with their never-ending "Brother, Brother" and "I love you, Brother" mantras; he used to find them embarrassing, and maybe even a little annoying, but deep inside always appreciated them. Now they're nothing more than a faded memory he can never return to... And when he once again hears the old nun, asking him to protect his brother and sister, it's only his promise to return the bird to Mitsunari unharmed that stops him from crushing this one to pieces as well.
After a moment of listening to these scenes from the past (some more painful than others, some less) there's a pause, followed by a voice so weak and quiet Ragna is sure he imagined it. As if sensing that, the bird repeats the words for him:
"Jin, make sure you get along with your brother..."
... Ah.
The bird has already fallen silent without Ragna noticing, and he has no idea how long he's been standing there. Seconds seem to stretch into hours as he's staring at the horizon, his thoughts oddly still despite what he's just heard. It's so... simple, almost laughably, yet it's just like her. To ask that in her last words...
At long last, Ragna walks back up to Mitsunari, handing him the bird wordlessly. Perhaps there's something that should be said here, but... for now, he's got nothing.]