[Yosuke hesitates, and there's a moment of silence on the other side. Should he go with his friends and make sure they're safe? Or should he focus on getting back to TSO, to make sure his recent caretakers are safe...?
Then he remembers TJ charging outside with nothing more than some discarded prosthetic leg to defend himself.]
...I think I'm gonna catch up with you guys. I gotta make sure some people down here are okay first.
[Souji and Naoto are more than capable, and what's the harm in just meeting up with them later? Should be easy.]
Like I said, I'll be okay. [he smiles for Souji, letting it seep into his voice.] I've been through this kinda thing a lot by now, bro.
[ he expected as much; yosuke's not the type of friend to leave someone he cares about behind in a pinch, and if he's feeling confident enough to stay behind and check up on being, hopefully that means he's not in too bad of a spot himself -- at least, souji's trying to look at it with that sort of optimism. ]
I understand. Don't worry, as long as Naoto and I stick together, we should be all right. [ especially if things pan out well with yaha and his castle. ] ... but if you get into trouble, at least promise you'll call. Just because we're not behind a TV doesn't mean I don't have your back, partner.
[In the back of his mind, Yosuke has his doubts. He knows how plans can often fall apart. He knows how the situation in this place can change overnight. He knows that he could let his guard down ten minutes from now and be dead.
...but, making Souji worried about all that won't do anything. It will only distract him from the one and only important thing here: to stay alive.]
Alright. I will.
[it's a half-lie. Yosuke knows he's only going to call if it would actually make a difference... but, at least, he can promise to do that.]
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Then he remembers TJ charging outside with nothing more than some discarded prosthetic leg to defend himself.]
...I think I'm gonna catch up with you guys. I gotta make sure some people down here are okay first.
[Souji and Naoto are more than capable, and what's the harm in just meeting up with them later? Should be easy.]
Like I said, I'll be okay. [he smiles for Souji, letting it seep into his voice.] I've been through this kinda thing a lot by now, bro.
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I understand. Don't worry, as long as Naoto and I stick together, we should be all right. [ especially if things pan out well with yaha and his castle. ] ... but if you get into trouble, at least promise you'll call. Just because we're not behind a TV doesn't mean I don't have your back, partner.
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...but, making Souji worried about all that won't do anything. It will only distract him from the one and only important thing here: to stay alive.]
Alright. I will.
[it's a half-lie. Yosuke knows he's only going to call if it would actually make a difference... but, at least, he can promise to do that.]
I'll see you soon, partner!
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[ and then a click as the line goes dead. ]