[Video Post]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Ah - much as I hate to be the bearer of bad, especially as things are just beginning to seem like they might be looking up - the release list has arrived. I'm afraid to say it's not small this month. [Koizumi's expression is open and serious, voice informal but with an undercurrent of tension and sadness. This is a sharp contrast to his usual cheerful, enigmatic smile.]

Persons released during the month of September include:

Chrona
Ikari Shinji
Katsura Kotaro
Nick Miller
Nagisa Kaworu
Jake English
Roxas
Clint Barton
Lizzie Bennet
Xion
Zatanna Zatara
Toph Bei Fong
Sora
Lea
Isaac Lahey
Meenah Peixes
Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum
Darcy Lewis

[There's a lingering pause, as Koizumi glances down, out of the camera frame. A few moments later, he looks back, sympathy and understanding on his face.] I'm so sorry to anyone who lost friends. If there's anything I might do, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Comments

[callbacks]

damn
long list

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Yes, it is. I am, as always, torn between relief that they are no longer here, and anxiety over where they may be now.

[myfries]

Bonnibel Bubblegum...? Are you sure? Like, really, really sure?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I'm very sorry, Marceline-san. To my knowledge, the list has never been wrong.

[myfries]

You don't understand... It HAS to be wrong! You're wrong and you're LYING to me!

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I wish that were the case.

It's possible, of course - anything's possible. But I am not intentionally lying to you.

[myfries]

Well then where did she go? When is she coming back? How can I leave too?!

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I'm so sorry. I'm afraid we don't know what happens to people who are released. It could be that they simply return to their home universe, or that they were released into the 'real world'. It's possible she may come back at any time, but there's no way to predict when it might happen. And as yet, nobody has been able to leave when they want to.

[ricinbeans]

Goddamn. Xion, seriously?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I'm afraid so. I'm so sorry.

[peckish4action]

And, once again, thank you for doing this.

[He knew about Zatanna, as soon as they were back from pirating and she wasn't there. It still hurts, though.]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I just wish I had better news.

[Private]

[steelweb]

I was supposed to handle that this month.

[Private]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

[Blink.] But you're not back to work yet, Lin-san.

[Private]

[steelweb]

I'm aware of that, thank you. I should have been.

[Private]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Of course you're right, Lin-san. However, I really don't mind, until you come back. [Or... after. But that's a matter for a different time.]

[Private]

[steelweb]

That won't be necessary. I won't be gone for another one. [All the grim determination.]

[Private]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I'm sure that's so, Lin-san.

[audio]

[librariansheart]

Oh! Oh... I was looking for that.

[audio]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Well, now you don't have to worry about it. [His voice is cheerful, and yes, if this were video, he would be winking at her right now.]

[audio]

[librariansheart]

No... I suppose I don't. You didn't have to do that, you know.

[audio]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Not anymore than you should have to, no. But somebody has to.

[audio]

[librariansheart]

[Soft, half-audible sigh.]

That's what I said last time. I wish it weren't necessary at all... but you don't need to take it on yourself. I think I did all right last time, and you have so much that you're doing right now.

[audio]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

[Of course, they're both right and they're both arguing the same point. There's no argument here that would actually work to convince the other, as arguments for why it is or isn't a burden apply equally well to both of them, and statements about how one of them is more suited to this are inadvisable.

Well, there was an easy way to be diplomatic without actually conceding anything.] Perhaps we might take turns, then. [It might just... mysteriously always be his turn. The excuses would probably sound very reasonable at the time.]