warning, high levels of wangst ahead

[strayedingly]

[Gabranth isn't sure just what he's doing on another beach, nor why this one has apparently seen fit to discard his swords and armor. Nor is he fully aware of whatever "scavenger hunt" he's been expected to participate in; no, there are far greater things weighing on his mind

Comments

[nyaaziedingly]

[STERN CAT IS GIVING YOU A STERN LOOK]

[strayedingly]

...

[He gives it a stern look in return. Even with how pitiful he's feeling, he can still manage that.]

wtf typing

[nyaaziedingly]

[...Yeah, that cat is actually pulling off a pretty nasty look.]

olol

[strayedingly]

[What is this, some sort of contest? Gabranth isn't having it, not from some low animal like this.]

Begone, beast.

... slight teal deer warning

[claymoredingly]

[Saïx watches him for a long moment. He will not have to ask the Judge what is on his mind; it is clear to see, so heavily it sits on his shoulders. He considers his words and his actions, weighing each and turning them over in his hand like stones to be carved for arrowheads. After a substantial silence, Saïx steps forward to stand on par with him on the sand.]

... Gabranth. [His voice is quiet and his tone level.]

pft, like the original post wasn't tl;dr enough

[strayedingly]

[He glances at Saix, and takes a moment's pause before giving a short nod in acknowledgment.]

Saix. [What could he want with him?]

[claymoredingly]

[There are many stones, but only one is right.]

She would want us to live on.

[strayedingly]

[Saix's words only double the weight upon his heart, and anger quickly rises to the surface of his thoughts-- What do you know of her wants? What do you know of my own? Why weren't you protecting her, why couldn't you have stopped this? But those thoughts quickly fade when he realizes that the same could very well be asked of himself. He cannot bring himself to be angry with Saix when he knows just as much blame could be laid upon his own head.

Beyond that, he's already been forced to come to grips with a single, simple truth-- no amount of catharsis, no matter how deeply his soul might yearn for it, will bring her back. Taking out whatever rage he might have on Saix will yield nothing.

All that is left for him, then, is to cling to futile hope.]

She would want... or she does?

[belovedingly]

[The Fool is sitting on the rocks behind him, carving a bit of driftwood.]

What happened? I've never seen you look so unthreatening.

[strayedingly]

[He briefly glances back at the Fool. Somehow, he's in no mood to feel even the slightest indignation at his words.]

All I have gained in this world has been lost to me.

[belovedingly]

That bad?

[Tucks away his knife and his carving and pulls his glove back on, sliding off the rocks to join Gabranth by the sea]

Elaborate. As specific or as vague as you want, but tell me, all the same.

[strayedingly]

[He isn't sure why this man seems so interested, but what reason has he to refuse?]

... Those who were trapped in the towers will not be returned to us.