U-DO? Yeah, the redhead supposed that the ominous feeling did sort of have that same feel to it, though there was no way he could pinpoint an exact location just yet. But he wasn't hearing the Song. How was Nigredo picking that up? There was only one other unit at all in this building, and he'd been infected, so was it really...?
Junior groaned, loudly. They should have been done with this! Especially here, where they didn't need to worry about the Zohar or their damn father or any of that crap! He wanted to just say it wasn't their problem and move on, but it was. Even if he'd had all his anti-U-DO powers stripped and didn't even have his normal weapons to use, it was more their problem than anyone else's. Letting an infected unit run free was extremely dangerous, especially if the Song was playing.
"Dammit." He scuffed at the ground with one foot. "Can you tell where? We've gotta follow it." Even though after last night, he was in no shape to be fighting, but there was also a growing twinge of desire for that fight against the unit and against U-DO. Even if that sword of his that Nigredo probably still had was the only decent weapon, he still wanted to fight. Then Junior looked back over at Klavier, giving him a half-smile for an apology. "You don't have to come along if you don't want to. It'll be pretty dangerous."
Just as Klavier thought he was starting to follow the conversation, it took a turn for the increasingly bizarre. U-DO? A song? ...Infected unit? They'd lost him completely again. He frowned, concentrating hard to hear any hint if distant music, but even he wasn't picking anything up. Even if he could hear this song -- U-DO, was it? -- how exactly did that warrant Rubedo's harsh reaction to the news? He didn't see why any sort of music would be a bad thing or what it had to do with something getting infected.
He didn't return Rubedo's smile, instead looking between slightly confused and concerned. This was something dangerous? Well then, logically it made more sense for Klavier to stay here and have the children run head first into it... Sigh.
"If it's that dangerous, you two shouldn't be going either," he answered bluntly. "What is this? You want to follow a song? How exactly is that...?" He stopped himself. If he started asking hows and whys they were likely going to get frustrated very quickly, considering both of their anxious states. There would be time for explanations later. "I would rather none of us go, but if you plan to head out anyway, I'm not letting you go alone."
A brave child was the most reckless thing in the world. If they were purposely heading into something potentially dangerous, he would rather someone be there to stop them from running in and doing something stupid. Even if it meant forcibly yanking them out of the room. This was not a game. It was far too easy to get oneself killed here.
They probably lacked the strength for a psych-link. They probably had no way of fighting the unit except with what was available. And Nigredo knew who it was. Never had he been more opposed to his brother's decision than now.
Rubedo, however, was still the leader, in a capacity that had been their own for their entire life. Opposition was not the youngest's place to push. "Yes," answered Nigredo, who broke away from the pair to his closet. Its door opened with a sharp crack, and he began reaching in. "He's not very far."
In the midst of searching, he glanced warily at Klavier; the man's comment required addressing. "This is not a normal song," he said quietly. "The Song of Nephilim is a waveform. Only a few people are able to hear it, but anyone who comes into prolonged contact may fall into madness." Originating from a device their father had warned against, developed by the man who fell to his death.
Nigredo sighed at the memory and pulled back. In his hand was Rubedo's sword. "U-DO is the dangerous phenomenon I told you about," he continued. "For that alone, you shouldn't come with us."
Junior raised an eyebrow at Nigredo's comment about U-DO, but nodded along with it anyway. He'd told Klavier about that? Well, guess it wouldn't hurt to know about if they were going to go fight it, but it made him wonder what else his brother had mentioned.
"I don't want to hurt him, so we can't neutralize it the way we normally would. But if it's who I think it is, he can regenerate, so we can at least keep him distracted and minimize the destruction." But he needed to make sure it was really Albedo first. He'd be the most obvious target to take whatever his twin could deal out, and knew Albedo would probably jump at the chance to may him pay for running off.
Albedo's threat came back to the forefront of his mind, and Junior almost wanted to call the whole thing off. He couldn't let Nigredo get attacked by it, not while he had no real way to fight back. He fixed a stern look at Klavier, a back-up plan starting to form in his mind. He'd need the sword that Nigredo had pulled out, definitely, but maybe it'd be better to let one of them have it. "We at least have an idea of what we're dealing with. You can survive the nights here, Old Man, but U-DO's something completely different. If you want to come along, will you stay back when I tell you to?" Will you take my brother and run?
Okay, let's get things straight here. The anti-consciousness radiation they were cloned in order to fight (U-DO) was now somehow in the building, infecting something, and was emitting some kind of music that few could hear but it was capable of driving people insane from the wavelengths alone if exposed to it for too long. ...This. Was. Ridiculous. And Rubedo only confused things further. You see, Klavier was pretty sure they had been talking about 'U-DO' here, but now with the regeneration comment, it sounded like the redhead was referring Albedo instead. Wasn't Albedo supposedly missing? What did he have to do with any of--
Minimize the destruction. The phenomenon that causes madness. 'Infected.' ...Oh no.
He finally understood what was going on. These were all ideas Nigredo had explained only this morning regarding the accident with his brother, the one Albedo was willing to kill over. They were saying this 'wavelength aura infection' had taken the boy over again and he was going into some kind of destructive episode, something on a grander scale than the boy's demonstration in the Sun Room. Fantastic.
And this was what they wanted to charge into? Klavier didn't have the slightest idea what Albedo was capable of when in an unstable state, and frankly, he didn't want to know. Worse yet was he wasn't sure what it was these two were thinking of doing once they got there. The large blade Nigredo produced from the closet, however, answered that.
He stared, wide-eyed with shock, at the large weapon Nigredo was holding so nonchalantly. And just what was that supposed to be for?! Rubedo did just say they had no intention of hurting Albedo, correct? "...Distract him how exactly?" he said deadpan, still eying the blade. "He's your brother. I will back off if you're talking or reasoning with him... But I'm not going to sit back and just watch while any of you fight." He looked incredibly disturbed, yet stern. "If it gets dangerous, we should all back away..."
"I know." Neutralization was no goal. No option either as even now, Nigredo could feel the bonds tighten against his own waveform. No doubt the same applied to Rubedo. They were restrained, in more than one sense of the word.
The part which recognized the Executioner beneath hummed in relief.
With an air of business, he drew the blade across the width of his body before offering the handle to Rubedo. His attention, however, shifted to Klavier. And his remarkably naive statement. "Don't be ridiculous," Nigredo shot back, lacking his earlier and much childish traits. "Would you rather we risk the lives of everyone else for our safety? For some brotherly obligation? If there was an alternative, don't you think we would have taken it?" What luxuries did this man have in his world to believe such an incident could be avoided with mere words? He shook his head, quiet exasperation shining through the gesture.
Then, he stopped. Focus turned again to the space beyond the wall, a violent tinge coloring the edge of his mental space. The words that followed might have affected the youngest--in which way, only he knew--but Nigredo maintained that signature calm. Duty, it seemed, kept the anxiety in check.
Junior took the blade with a quiet word of gratitude while Nigredo spoke to Klavier, testing the weight of the sword in his hand. It'd be difficult to swing with only one good arm, but he'd have to try, or else tear up those shoulder muscles even more. He had to envy Blondie for growing up with a lifestyle where this sort of thing was frowned on and not necessary. He really hated thinking of it like that, but there was no other way to justify it.
"I'll keep that in mind," Junior added, frowning. "It's not like I want it to turn into a fight." Then again, he doubted he could keep a cool head when it came to Albedo and the maddening desire to fight U-DO. Klavier was bound to get himself seriously hurt if he tried to interfere, so Junior had to get him to stay back or leave before that happened.
"But Nigredo's right. If we don't do something, other people'll get hurt. It's because he's our brother that we have to do something about it."
"I know," he said, blunt. He probably sounded like he was starting to get exasperated, but he was trying hard to mask how deeply this conversation was cutting into him. There was certainly no doubt Klavier understood their point. Neither of them could possibly realize just how much he fully empathized. "I'm not saying he shouldn't be stopped. Considering Albedo, it would be far too dangerous to leave him be. But..."
He frowned at both, still eying the weapon with blatant disapproval. Okay, fine. So Albedo had some kind of radiation/music waveforms or some such that might harm Klavier if he was around it for too long. And considering the way these two were acting, neither would be affected as he would be. So, unfortunately, he had to accept the fact that, should Albedo lash out, these two kids were the best candidates for subduing Albedo safely. He hated the thought, but he would have to accept that. No, what he really disapproved of was the fact that both - or Nigredo at least - seemed resolved in just solving this with a brawl, which was different from 'containing' or stopping him. If one was simply planning to stop someone, they wouldn't need a sword.
Why do they even have that thing anyway? How could they possibly consider even carrying it around? Did they realize how severe things could get if they actually tried to use it? Klavier kept back an irritated sigh and maintained his stern expression. He really did believe Rubedo when he said he didn't want this to turn violent, but still, this general attitude between them wasn't very encouraging.
"It's too early to say there are no alternative options. If he can be talked down or distracted some other way, there is no reason not to pursue other methods. Even if it comes down to subduing him, it doesn't mean everyone has to try ripping each other apart." That last part was said flatly, more like a sarcastic exaggeration rather than what he thought would really happen. Though with the blade in hand, something might end up happening if they decide to be stupid.
Some part in Albedo's answer hardly sat well with the youngest. Unfortunately, Nigredo could only shrug off the words and form no response. Silence was really the best he could pursue at this point.
Instead, he returned to Klavier, something untraceable in his face. "You have a point," said Nigredo. A good point, something of an ideal. Nothing he could say he did not want. He trailed off at the end, as though preparing for offer a clarifying counterpoint. The child, however, remained silent.
The redhead was starting to get just as frustrated as Klavier was sounding. It was like Blondie understood the basics, but there was so much more he was missing, all because he had no clue what kind of world they came from. Albedo's violent streak tended to know little bounds, rarely leaving them an alternative option.
Maybe it was just his own more recent experiences speaking, because there was a time when that wouldn't have happened, at least not once he and Nigredo tried to stop his twin. Now, however, Junior thought it better to prepare for the worst case scenario and try to open a path to one of these alternative options, instead. If (or rather when) he attacked, the redhead didn't want to be caught off guard. Particularly here, a fight with their anti-existence could mean their death. He was not going to let that happen.
But before he could shoot back another argument that would undoubtedly be heard but not understood, Nigredo spoke up. It was a quick sentence, with no real explanation, but Junior couldn't really argue after that. "Whatever you say, Old Man," he finally said, waving it off. "You'll just have to see what we're talking about for yourself." Now wasn't the time for arguing. Though he did still need to apologize to Nigredo, but if they could hang back while they moved, then that'd all work out without wasting too much time. Or so he hoped.
"Klavier, can you take point until we get to the end of the block? After that, Nigredo, you'll lead us to wherever Albedo is. After that...we just have to hope he listens." Unlikely, came a cynical thought in the back of his mind, but he shook his head and focused instead on the current mission. "If we're all ready, then let's move out!"
Neither seemed particularly committed to their response, and that was somewhat worrisome. He supposed, as Rubedo had said, he could only wait and see. Hopefully, this wouldn't result in disaster. And if it did, he supposed he would have to resolve himself to do what he could in the given situation to help.
Despite where they were headed off to and the gravity of their conversation, Klavier couldn't help the small, amused smile that came across his face. Was Rubedo... ordering him around? Hahahaha~! My, my this was turning into an interesting night. Klavier couldn't say he was used to children barking orders out to him like some kind of military strategist. Oh, he was fully aware of the prospect of child geniuses in the professional world (as certain countries accepted), but he'd personally never had the honor of working under one. And Rubedo, well, he was a bright kid, yes, but he came across as more pushy than professional in any sense of the word.
Regardless, he had to agree with the sentiment. He certainly wasn't keen on the idea of having the two of them walk out front where it was potentially more dangerous. It would be much better for them to stay out of immediate danger if it could be helped.
He said nothing that directly addressed any of these points but a big playful smirk was shot in Rubedo's direction immediately after the 'order.' Ah, it didn't matter. He could play along. "Hah. Certainly. I'll head out first then." He glanced at both to be sure they were, indeed, ready to leave right then and there. "Let us be conscientious of Herr Doktor's threat and stay alert as we walk, ja?"
There existed no better proof than a scene witnessed through one's eyes. Or something of the sort. Nigredo did not feel particularly willing to consider the possibilities. "Okay," he affirmed, noting without amusement that his brother had just addressed the older man no differently than a fellow U.R.T.V. How bold of him.
Nigredo watched Klavier step toward the threshold, before reaching down to a nearby drawer. He pulled out his flashlight and--expression downcast--examined its contours. A little more light wouldn't hurt to have, but it lacked the definitive trait of a certain item of equal weight. They should have let Rubedo keep that Beretta.
Finally satisfied, he started to follow after Klavier.
Junior, on the other hand, hung back for a moment as Klavier left, sticking close to the door and trying to make a decision on when to handle that other little matter. When Nigredo started towards it, though, he reached out and grabbed his brother's arm. "Hey, hold up a sec." It was a rougher move than he'd planned, though his voice conveyed none of the urgency that his expression showed.
He'd learned from past mistakes that it was best not to leave anything unsaid. Now couldn't hurt, where they'd be away from prying ears, and it should only take a sec. Klavier would live. "I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier today," the redhead continued, releasing his brother's arm and lowering his own. "I...shouldn't have done that. Any of it. I know I can't really take it back, but if there's any way to make it up to you...."
Surprise etched across the other boy's eyes as Nigredo realized Rubedo was holding him back. For what, he wasn't entirely certain. It must be important, what with that look. "Yes?"
The truth ended up more biting than he cared to admit. It touched on things partially forgotten, thrown into the proverbial closet like most everything Nigredo couldn't entertain. For a long minute, he simply looked at Rubedo and considered the million and one responses he could say.
He chose the expected. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
Nigredo had always had that amazing tendency to let things slide, or maybe he just dealt with them in his own way. Normally, it didn't bother Junior, but right now he almost wished his brother would get mad at him for it. On the flip side, it meant Nigredo was far more forgiving than Albedo in that regard.
He stared at his brother for a long moment, uncertain if that was really all he wanted to say, then shrugged. "If you're sure," was all he said. Nigredo was showing him a kindness, so he wasn't going to press the issue. A half-smile was easily pushed back into place. "Come on, Klavier's probably wondering where we went."
Junior groaned, loudly. They should have been done with this! Especially here, where they didn't need to worry about the Zohar or their damn father or any of that crap! He wanted to just say it wasn't their problem and move on, but it was. Even if he'd had all his anti-U-DO powers stripped and didn't even have his normal weapons to use, it was more their problem than anyone else's. Letting an infected unit run free was extremely dangerous, especially if the Song was playing.
"Dammit." He scuffed at the ground with one foot. "Can you tell where? We've gotta follow it." Even though after last night, he was in no shape to be fighting, but there was also a growing twinge of desire for that fight against the unit and against U-DO. Even if that sword of his that Nigredo probably still had was the only decent weapon, he still wanted to fight. Then Junior looked back over at Klavier, giving him a half-smile for an apology. "You don't have to come along if you don't want to. It'll be pretty dangerous."
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He didn't return Rubedo's smile, instead looking between slightly confused and concerned. This was something dangerous? Well then, logically it made more sense for Klavier to stay here and have the children run head first into it... Sigh.
"If it's that dangerous, you two shouldn't be going either," he answered bluntly. "What is this? You want to follow a song? How exactly is that...?" He stopped himself. If he started asking hows and whys they were likely going to get frustrated very quickly, considering both of their anxious states. There would be time for explanations later. "I would rather none of us go, but if you plan to head out anyway, I'm not letting you go alone."
A brave child was the most reckless thing in the world. If they were purposely heading into something potentially dangerous, he would rather someone be there to stop them from running in and doing something stupid. Even if it meant forcibly yanking them out of the room. This was not a game. It was far too easy to get oneself killed here.
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Rubedo, however, was still the leader, in a capacity that had been their own for their entire life. Opposition was not the youngest's place to push. "Yes," answered Nigredo, who broke away from the pair to his closet. Its door opened with a sharp crack, and he began reaching in. "He's not very far."
In the midst of searching, he glanced warily at Klavier; the man's comment required addressing. "This is not a normal song," he said quietly. "The Song of Nephilim is a waveform. Only a few people are able to hear it, but anyone who comes into prolonged contact may fall into madness." Originating from a device their father had warned against, developed by the man who fell to his death.
Nigredo sighed at the memory and pulled back. In his hand was Rubedo's sword. "U-DO is the dangerous phenomenon I told you about," he continued. "For that alone, you shouldn't come with us."
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"I don't want to hurt him, so we can't neutralize it the way we normally would. But if it's who I think it is, he can regenerate, so we can at least keep him distracted and minimize the destruction." But he needed to make sure it was really Albedo first. He'd be the most obvious target to take whatever his twin could deal out, and knew Albedo would probably jump at the chance to may him pay for running off.
Albedo's threat came back to the forefront of his mind, and Junior almost wanted to call the whole thing off. He couldn't let Nigredo get attacked by it, not while he had no real way to fight back. He fixed a stern look at Klavier, a back-up plan starting to form in his mind. He'd need the sword that Nigredo had pulled out, definitely, but maybe it'd be better to let one of them have it. "We at least have an idea of what we're dealing with. You can survive the nights here, Old Man, but U-DO's something completely different. If you want to come along, will you stay back when I tell you to?" Will you take my brother and run?
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Minimize the destruction. The phenomenon that causes madness. 'Infected.' ...Oh no.
He finally understood what was going on. These were all ideas Nigredo had explained only this morning regarding the accident with his brother, the one Albedo was willing to kill over. They were saying this 'wavelength aura infection' had taken the boy over again and he was going into some kind of destructive episode, something on a grander scale than the boy's demonstration in the Sun Room. Fantastic.
And this was what they wanted to charge into? Klavier didn't have the slightest idea what Albedo was capable of when in an unstable state, and frankly, he didn't want to know. Worse yet was he wasn't sure what it was these two were thinking of doing once they got there. The large blade Nigredo produced from the closet, however, answered that.
He stared, wide-eyed with shock, at the large weapon Nigredo was holding so nonchalantly. And just what was that supposed to be for?! Rubedo did just say they had no intention of hurting Albedo, correct? "...Distract him how exactly?" he said deadpan, still eying the blade. "He's your brother. I will back off if you're talking or reasoning with him... But I'm not going to sit back and just watch while any of you fight." He looked incredibly disturbed, yet stern. "If it gets dangerous, we should all back away..."
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The part which recognized the Executioner beneath hummed in relief.
With an air of business, he drew the blade across the width of his body before offering the handle to Rubedo. His attention, however, shifted to Klavier. And his remarkably naive statement. "Don't be ridiculous," Nigredo shot back, lacking his earlier and much childish traits. "Would you rather we risk the lives of everyone else for our safety? For some brotherly obligation? If there was an alternative, don't you think we would have taken it?" What luxuries did this man have in his world to believe such an incident could be avoided with mere words? He shook his head, quiet exasperation shining through the gesture.
Then, he stopped. Focus turned again to the space beyond the wall, a violent tinge coloring the edge of his mental space. The words that followed might have affected the youngest--in which way, only he knew--but Nigredo maintained that signature calm. Duty, it seemed, kept the anxiety in check.
{Tell me where you are.}
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"I'll keep that in mind," Junior added, frowning. "It's not like I want it to turn into a fight." Then again, he doubted he could keep a cool head when it came to Albedo and the maddening desire to fight U-DO. Klavier was bound to get himself seriously hurt if he tried to interfere, so Junior had to get him to stay back or leave before that happened.
"But Nigredo's right. If we don't do something, other people'll get hurt. It's because he's our brother that we have to do something about it."
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He frowned at both, still eying the weapon with blatant disapproval. Okay, fine. So Albedo had some kind of radiation/music waveforms or some such that might harm Klavier if he was around it for too long. And considering the way these two were acting, neither would be affected as he would be. So, unfortunately, he had to accept the fact that, should Albedo lash out, these two kids were the best candidates for subduing Albedo safely. He hated the thought, but he would have to accept that. No, what he really disapproved of was the fact that both - or Nigredo at least - seemed resolved in just solving this with a brawl, which was different from 'containing' or stopping him. If one was simply planning to stop someone, they wouldn't need a sword.
Why do they even have that thing anyway? How could they possibly consider even carrying it around? Did they realize how severe things could get if they actually tried to use it? Klavier kept back an irritated sigh and maintained his stern expression. He really did believe Rubedo when he said he didn't want this to turn violent, but still, this general attitude between them wasn't very encouraging.
"It's too early to say there are no alternative options. If he can be talked down or distracted some other way, there is no reason not to pursue other methods. Even if it comes down to subduing him, it doesn't mean everyone has to try ripping each other apart." That last part was said flatly, more like a sarcastic exaggeration rather than what he thought would really happen. Though with the blade in hand, something might end up happening if they decide to be stupid.
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Instead, he returned to Klavier, something untraceable in his face. "You have a point," said Nigredo. A good point, something of an ideal. Nothing he could say he did not want. He trailed off at the end, as though preparing for offer a clarifying counterpoint. The child, however, remained silent.
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Maybe it was just his own more recent experiences speaking, because there was a time when that wouldn't have happened, at least not once he and Nigredo tried to stop his twin. Now, however, Junior thought it better to prepare for the worst case scenario and try to open a path to one of these alternative options, instead. If (or rather when) he attacked, the redhead didn't want to be caught off guard. Particularly here, a fight with their anti-existence could mean their death. He was not going to let that happen.
But before he could shoot back another argument that would undoubtedly be heard but not understood, Nigredo spoke up. It was a quick sentence, with no real explanation, but Junior couldn't really argue after that. "Whatever you say, Old Man," he finally said, waving it off. "You'll just have to see what we're talking about for yourself." Now wasn't the time for arguing. Though he did still need to apologize to Nigredo, but if they could hang back while they moved, then that'd all work out without wasting too much time. Or so he hoped.
"Klavier, can you take point until we get to the end of the block? After that, Nigredo, you'll lead us to wherever Albedo is. After that...we just have to hope he listens." Unlikely, came a cynical thought in the back of his mind, but he shook his head and focused instead on the current mission. "If we're all ready, then let's move out!"
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Despite where they were headed off to and the gravity of their conversation, Klavier couldn't help the small, amused smile that came across his face. Was Rubedo... ordering him around? Hahahaha~! My, my this was turning into an interesting night. Klavier couldn't say he was used to children barking orders out to him like some kind of military strategist. Oh, he was fully aware of the prospect of child geniuses in the professional world (as certain countries accepted), but he'd personally never had the honor of working under one. And Rubedo, well, he was a bright kid, yes, but he came across as more pushy than professional in any sense of the word.
Regardless, he had to agree with the sentiment. He certainly wasn't keen on the idea of having the two of them walk out front where it was potentially more dangerous. It would be much better for them to stay out of immediate danger if it could be helped.
He said nothing that directly addressed any of these points but a big playful smirk was shot in Rubedo's direction immediately after the 'order.' Ah, it didn't matter. He could play along. "Hah. Certainly. I'll head out first then." He glanced at both to be sure they were, indeed, ready to leave right then and there. "Let us be conscientious of Herr Doktor's threat and stay alert as we walk, ja?"
[out to here]
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Nigredo watched Klavier step toward the threshold, before reaching down to a nearby drawer. He pulled out his flashlight and--expression downcast--examined its contours. A little more light wouldn't hurt to have, but it lacked the definitive trait of a certain item of equal weight. They should have let Rubedo keep that Beretta.
Finally satisfied, he started to follow after Klavier.
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He'd learned from past mistakes that it was best not to leave anything unsaid. Now couldn't hurt, where they'd be away from prying ears, and it should only take a sec. Klavier would live. "I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier today," the redhead continued, releasing his brother's arm and lowering his own. "I...shouldn't have done that. Any of it. I know I can't really take it back, but if there's any way to make it up to you...."
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The truth ended up more biting than he cared to admit. It touched on things partially forgotten, thrown into the proverbial closet like most everything Nigredo couldn't entertain. For a long minute, he simply looked at Rubedo and considered the million and one responses he could say.
He chose the expected. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
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He stared at his brother for a long moment, uncertain if that was really all he wanted to say, then shrugged. "If you're sure," was all he said. Nigredo was showing him a kindness, so he wasn't going to press the issue. A half-smile was easily pushed back into place. "Come on, Klavier's probably wondering where we went."
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