voidtreckernet | Voice; Request

[Ran's not sure she's comfortable with being seen for this one, as it's a subject that's touching a little deeply for her, so for the moment she just sticks to voice.]

[She pulls in a soft breath.]

I . . . need some help.

I know a lot of you have met Conan-kun. He's been here for a while. There's another girl here from my world now too -- Ai-chan. If you haven't met them yet, I hope you get to soon.

What I need help with . . . They're both seven. They're both smart -- really smart -- for their age, but. They're both seven. And not fighters. The train doesn't seem to discriminate about who it takes, and yet the missions that it sends us on are dangerous.

[A pause, wrestling with her words.]

I need them both to be safe. This past time Sera-chan and I were able to be with them. But what happens if we're not able to do that? How does their safety get guaranteed?

I need a better guarantee. Please help me figure out how to keep two kids safe so I can get them back home? I'm teaching both some simpler self-defense, and that will help, but . . . I already know it's not enough.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Conan wasn't sure whether he was offended at the implied suggestion that he needed a babysitter on missions, worried at how badly Ran had been taking the dangers of their situation or mortified that certain people who were entirely aware of his real age and capability were going to see this.]

Ran-neechan... I promised to be more careful.

[She was afraid of this. She hates that he's heard it; he shouldn't have had to be involved, and she would never have involved him if she could have avoided it. She needs help on a larger scale, though, than just the small network that she's managed to cultivate, and there are no options to lock certain passengers from the feed. It goes to everyone or not at all.]

Conan-kun . . . [Her voice goes very soft.] It's not your fault. I want you to understand that, okay? The places we go are just dangerous -- really dangerous. It's not just about how careful you are, even though that helps. There's a lot that can go wrong, things out of your control. And outside mine. I don't always know if I can protect you . . . and I need to.

[The most frustrating thing about this was that he didn't know what the right answer was. He knew that he didn't need protection. He could take care of himself here, just like he had at home. He'd been fine being alone for all the months before Ran had arrived here.

But he also knew that there was nothing he could say that would stop Ran from worrying. And he was worried about her, and concerned that her worry for him would distract her the next time something dangerous happened. Also if he tried to claim that he'd taken care of himself just fine, the conversation would probably go in a direction that was best avoided. Ran didn't really need to know about the times he'd been injured on missions before.

And he still didn't like the idea of going on a separate mission from her. Even though, logically, she was far better suited than him for handling fighting missions. But he knew that they would need to split up in the future. His skills were best used for solving puzzles and investigating worlds. Not fighting.

But... he couldn't help but worry that the next time they separated would be the one time where he was needed with Purple. ]

"Ran-neechan," he finally says softly. "I've lived on the train a long time now, and I went on a lot of missions too. Even when I was alone. I know how dangerous it is here, but I also know when it is time to run."

[Her tone is still soft, close to a murmur.] That's true and it isn't, you know. Conan-kun can't resist someone in trouble. That's why you came back for me fighting the monster on the last mission. You're brave. I'd never deny that.

Home is dangerous enough, especially with all that we run into there. But here . . . it's worse. There are things here that we've never had to face, that are a lot more powerful than a seven year old -- and a lot more powerful than me. This place doesn't play by the same rules.

And if I lost you because I didn't do every piece of diligence I'm obligated to do . . . I'd never forgive myself. Do you understand?

I understand. But Ran-neechan... if you died because you needed help and I wasn't there, I wouldn't be okay either.

[Ran is quiet at that. For long moments. Because really, what does she say? She understands that, obviously feels the same, and it's like small needles in her heart knowing that he's thinking about this -- even having to think about this.]

[In the end . . . she has to be the adult here. There's an age difference and a power difference. She has to be the one guarding him.]

[Gently,] I'm more equipped to handle things. I do have a good amount of training -- and I hope to learn more. I understand the worry -- after all, I worry about you too, ne? But I need you to focus on you being safe, about being as prepared as possible. Because if I know you're safe, I'll fight even better.

[In full honesty she's not even sure she's perfectly at ease with that answer . . . but it's the best that she can think to give. There are no guarantees here, and with it no completely reassuring answers.]

[He pauses here as he struggles to find the right words. And then to phrase it in the manner of a kid.]

Ran-neechan is very strong and she trains very hard. But missions can still be dangerous. What if something happens and no one is watching for you?

That's why we have teams, ne?

[She's determinedly going to try to nudge things lighter, pushing lightness and warmth into her voice. Again, he's seven, and he shouldn't have to worry about this. She's going to try as hard as possible to make him feel like he doesn't have to be concerned.]

We all look out for each other.

[She's also going to try to change the subject if she can. Distraction seems like a good idea.]

Ne, someone mentioned that he'd be willing to build you and Ai-chan some things like Agasa-hakase does for you at home. What would you think of that?

[ He could tell what she was doing. It wasn't a very subtle change of subject. But he is more than happy to go along with it.]

Really? [He pushes a little excitement into his voice.]

Who is it? Did they say what they would make?

[Tony had made a few things for him. But he'd been very busy lately. ]

[Thankfully he went with it. Ran breathes internal relief.]

I can give him some ideas, but I think that's where he might need your help imagining some things. Do you have any ideas?

Maybe a few.

[There were still a few gadgets that he hadn't been able to replace here. ]

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