{ 017 - Video }
The fog rose and a dragon came.
[Isley's voice accompanies the gentle click of his Forge as he turns it on, the gears humming internally, a soft whir of noise that is barely audible against the brush of wind across the speakers. The sword he normally carries at his hip is driven into the earth; he rests his back against the blade and in his lap ( Read more... )
[Isley's voice accompanies the gentle click of his Forge as he turns it on, the gears humming internally, a soft whir of noise that is barely audible against the brush of wind across the speakers. The sword he normally carries at his hip is driven into the earth; he rests his back against the blade and in his lap ( Read more... )
[Why did she cry?]
...at home, I felt everything. Every fear. Every bit of hope. Every dream. I felt what they hated, and what they loved, and why they fought. Individuals. Warriors, who suffered and grew strong, and defiant... defiant enough for the Organization to send them out to die.
And then they were gone. It was a waste.
And... I know what you are, and who you are. I know. Of course I do. I know how much you love... death. But I love battle. And I love letting my yoki free. And I love crushing everything that troubles me under all of its waves. I love doing a lot of things that I probably shouldn't.
But I don't do those things just to do them. Because if you had said, kill everyone who resists. Or kill whoever attacks you. Or even just kill all the soldiers, it would have been different - it would have been... a part of war. Maybe a part you enjoy too much, yes, but... I understand that. I loved being her... much more than I love being me.
Reply
If you know, Priscilla, if you accept that I'm not going to change, why are we discussing this? I don't need to tell you that I refuse to make apologies for my past actions, you're already well aware. I shouldn't have to say that I would do it all again in a heartbeat if given the chance, either. In part because it thrilled me, and in part because there was nothing else to be done.
War breeds contempt. The surviving members of the Organization who went to Pieta, however beneath me then, still managed to kill Rigaldo, and later play a hand in my own death. Do you understand now? I wanted nothing of them to remain, nothing that could be used for the gain of another.
Unfortunately for me that desire fell short of realization.
Reply
[...]
I probably shouldn't say the things I'm thinking right now.
Reply
Reply
Either of us could handled that situation alone.
I don't really know how they managed to survive the attack... but they must have had some way to hide their yoki. I doubt it would have been possible with either of us. Even I can't hide from you. And nothing could hide from her. [Me. Us.]
[...]
I'm not saying I regret that you made that choice. It's a little... difficult to think about. Helen is my friend... and the soldiers I've met who survived the war, I've liked a lot of them, and I don't wish any of them dead. And yet, I know some of them were among the reasons for what happened to you. It's... confusing.
But it is something I've thought about.
Reply
[This. Close.]
[But he doesn't. He is irate because Priscilla makes a valid point. He could have (maybe even should have) gone himself. Rigaldo might still be alive, then. They might have all traveled south together. The Abyss Feeders might not have been as much a problem...or a problem at all.]
[One can't change the past, however. There is little point in getting bent out of shape over it. What matters is the here, the now, and all that then taught him.]
You're right, Priscilla. It's not a mistake I'll make again.
Reply
...I fought Helen and Deneve in Lautrec, you know. Err. Well, it wasn't really fighting, exactly. They were running.
Reply
Reply
I never knew what happened to you, you know. I mean. I knew here, but not there.
...they were running, and I was following. Not following... them. It was Clare. I had to kill... Dauf? I think that's his name. Armored and always sitting - he was carrying Riful around in his fist and trying to kill me.
Reply
Did you kill Riful?
Reply
Riful... I wasn't going to kill her, but she attacked me. And I was hungry.
[...it didnt taste very good.]
[Priscilla nibbles on her bottom lip.]
There were two others... I don't know their names. They were twins, and... one could anchor the other's soul so that one or the other could awaken and return to her human form. They were... [...weak. Fragile little lights. They should have run aw--]
[She shakes her head a little; tries to clear it.]
They must have been Numbers One and Two, like Luciela and her sister. When the first was in danger, the other came to save her.
Reply
[There is something else nagging at him, however. He almost doesn't ask because it would contradict the harsh picture of himself he has been reinforcing throughout this conversation. In the end, however, it cannot be helped.]
What happened to Raki?
Reply
He should be all right. We went to his home - the town where he grew up, before he met Clare. That's where we were when that thing awoke. The two sisters. He was struck by one of their parasites, but I...
[She looks at her own arm, flexes the fingers.]
I gave him my arm. To contain its strength.
Reply
Reply
[She closes her eyes, trying to find the memories, scattered pieces and shattered images. Stitching them together a little at a time.]
I went after Clare. I didn't know who she was but... I thought seeing her would make me remember who I was. But it didn't. And that's when Helen and Deneve took her and started running with her and Dauf--
--I thought he was dead. But he took off half of my head and parts of my body. He kept hitting me, and I couldn't-- [Wait. No.] --no. That's not right. I let him. That feeling - the pain. Feeling as though I were coming to pieces.
It helped me remember.
Reply
[It makes him feel...small.]
The fog finally cleared, then?
Reply
Leave a comment