08. Repent

[beheadofworship]

[That Christmas morning, Justin Law awoke from the most real nightmare he had ever had. A grotesquely insane future self, the slaughter of innocents... being friends with Giriko, of all people, both as a child and as an adult. He could forgive his child self, whom he was sure would have broken it off as soon as he knew what they were really like.

Comments

[bbsatbyrobots]

[Flora was out, trying to clear her head and make the past and future leave her be, when she saw him. She wasn't really paying attention to who he was, and raised her hand politely in greeting.]

Oh, He--

[She freezes in fear the moment she recognizes him.]

[beheadofworship]

[He hasn't noticed Flora yet - though she greeted him, his eyes are closed, his head is down, and he has headphones on. And he's still muttering prayers, asking for guidance and forgiveness]

[bbsatbyrobots]

[She remains rooted to the spot, scared out of her mind. But he hadn't noticed her yet, so maybe she could creep by without being noticed.]

[beheadofworship]

[She manages to creep by! However, not long after, he falls silent... and eventually looks up to see her back. But he'd recognize this person even from behind, after what Mayfield presumably made him do to her.]

Ah! [He jumps to his feet, turning towards Flora]

PLEASE WAIT!!

[He's REALLY LOUD. It's just because he can't really hear himself though.]

[bbsatbyrobots]

[She stops, and becomes tense, shaky. She does not turn, however. She doesn't even breathe.

And silently she tries to wish him away, knowing full well she wouldn't be able to outrun him if he tried chasing her.]

[beheadofworship]

[Seeing she's stopped, he comes slowly forward, trying not to alarm her any more than he already had]

Please. I mean you no ill intent.

[bbsatbyrobots]

B-b-but...You...you...[She can't even bring herself to say it.]

[beheadofworship]

Ohhh, God have mercy... That we should have met in such a way...

But it was not the real me, that killed you. I was manipulated, I must have been - changed, or ... Hmm.

[Pleading like this is not going to help. He pauses, and thinks about what the adult thing to do is]

I don't expect you to forgive me, but please know that it will not happen again, and if there is something I can do to help ease your suffering - I am a just person.

[bbsatbyrobots]

[She stood there for a long moment, not sure if she should believe him or not. But, non of the insanity seemed to be there. And, Well, he hadn't attacked her yet...

After a couple more seconds of contemplation, she finally turns to him warily.]

...M-manipulated?

[beheadofworship]

[He reads her lips, then silently nods.]

[bbsatbyrobots]

[She stares at him, trying to see if he was lying or...but there didn't appear to be any sort of malice. So, maybe it was okay. Maybe he was telling the truth.]

Then, it is...alright, I-I suppose. You were...not yourself, after a-all.

[beheadofworship]

Ahhh...

Thank you, but my offer still stands. It is the least I can do.

[bbsatbyrobots]

I-I will keep that in mind. Though, I-I'm not sure what I would have you do. [She's not so good with that sort of thing, after all.]

[beheadofworship]

Ohhh.... I see.

[Well this is awkward!]

[bbsatbyrobots]

[She looks away, slightly embarrassed.] I-I do forgive you though...

[beheadofworship]

You do?

[He's not sure he deserves that]