[ AFTER THE MASSACRE ] Video/Action/Everything

[apathycary]

[ **NOTE** : For those who are unaware, Alexander has been resting in Edel's room after the massacre he accrued these past few days. Although Edel had suspicions about the scenes played out, he wasn't about to let Alexander just lay dead on the forest floor for the most part.

Edel has made two wishes.The first, to take Alexander somewhere safe.

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[apathycary]

C- A chimera state! It's...

It's not necessarily a term used exclusively in alchemy. For a better lack of another word, it is also a disease that runs rampant in magically inclined individuals in St. Helena. That- That would be my country. St. Helena is a country that works towards the mental health and societal balance of a country. Magicians who are highly gifted in the intake of magic are at risk of losing control of their own body and mutating into monsters- again, for lack of a better word. Magic can consume humans, it... it isn't natural to our bodies, so to speak.

[ --! A princess. Alex, what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into? A princess? You harmed a princess? ]

I-... I see. Princess. I'm sorry, I'm... trying to be as helpful as possible. I... I'm sorry.

Is- I-I'm sorry. I-

[ He pauses. Breathe. It's situations like this that would cause his uncle to be utterly disappointed in him. He isn't even in front of her. What an absolute failure. ]

... Edelweiss von Dewald of the von Dewald family of St. Helena. I am a royal alchemist in training under the rule of Queen Helena. I may not be certified, but I am skilled in what... little I can do.

[ And another pause. Proper. Proper. ]

I am also a ranked magician in the hierarchy of magic. Which means I... too am susceptible to the chimera fate.

video;

[mykimlasca]

So this magic also serves as a sort of double-edged sword in your world. It sounds almost like a sickness, I'd imagine it's difficult to balance, especially if you are such an alchemist. [glances at warily, not scrutinizingly, but with a shrewdness in her expression. what strange worlds there are..

her sharp expression softens some as the poor boy begins to fumble around her title, as she says simply:]

You've been quite helpful so far, providing information in why perhaps this man attacked in the first place wasn't unhelpful, Edelweiss. Apologies are not needed from you. [her eyes narrow] Rather, this man, who has explaining of his own to do.

I hope you aren't overly extending yourself then, if this is the case.

video;

[apathycary]

Please don't call me that. [ Edel cringed, realizing now it was his fault for giving his proper name. He hadn't heard it in a while- no. not since the witch had called him out on it and caused him to freeze into place, dumbstruck by her knowledge of his name. ]

Edel! Edel. Edel. My uncle calls me that, not even my mother called me by that name... And it is proper, be-because you're a princess! But I would prefer if... please... don't tell anyone that's my name- and- and Edel! Edel is perfectly fine! Pleasant! To the point!

[ And once again, he winces at the 'overly extending yourself' portion. ]

I'm... I'm doing my best, given the situation. Although now... I worry it is too much for me to handle. I don't know if- Trunks? I suppose that's his name. If I can trust this Trunks...

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[mykimlasca]

My, it seems harmless to me, that name. However I won't tell a soul, if you like. [that brings a slightly amused look to her face]

As for Trunks, he's someone I'm familiar with. He is trustworthy, and only has the wellbeing of the City in mind, I can swear to that. It's precisely because I am a Princess that my word should hold some weight.

[she lifts a few interesting circular gels shaped like balls, see-through and multicolored in her hand]

You say you can make more out of something with this alchemy, correct?

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[apathycary]

[ He is partially ashamed, but also being polite as he looks away from the seal. He doesn't want to upset Natalia, after all. ]

I am... not happy with this name. I do not think it really encompasses... who I am, if that makes sense. I do not see myself often as a noble, more of... well, as an alchemist. Someone who finds their life full of work to make the lives of others better.

[ Natalia's words about Trunks make Edel nod as he thinks about this. ]

Wellbeing of the city... I must be not thinking of the wellbeing of the city myself, then. How incredibly selfish.

[ He looks up for a moment. ] Oh! Yes? Are you interested in potions? [ He squints slightly ] ...Edible varieties of them?

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[mykimlasca]

I find that our actions often define who we are, Edel. I am first and foremost one who serves the people, regardless of location. I won't bring it up again.

[she nods]
Indeed. Apple Gels, Orange gels, all have great restorative properties regardless of where the people here come from. Would you mind perhaps making more of such gels? I'm running low, and I've sent most of my people out already to tend to those who haven't reached the Clinic yet.

video; 1/3

[apathycary]

[ He leans in close to the feed now, taken by surprise of something that caught his eye earlier. It's sometimes had to tell on the feed, but there's that flickering fire in her eyes- he knows it rather well. ]

... You have green eyes, Princess.
In my world, they're rare. My...

video; 2/3

[apathycary]

[ He smiles sheepishly. It does make him happy to say this, it's just... not easy for him to do it in front of him. ]

...My best friend has green eyes and blonde hair.
His name is Lawrence. When he's honest and true, his eyes flicker with hope.

I hate to admit it, but you really do remind me of him. He isn't very princely, or proper- in fact, he's really just a farm boy but...

video; 3/3

[apathycary]

[ He sighs, he can do this. Really. ]

I will do as you wish in the Clinic for the rest of the time I live here if you will take a moment to listen to my confession, Princess Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear.

I will be at your service if you can forgive my crime, as naive as I am I... I also am very foolish. But please, allow me to confess!

video; this moe is killing me.

[mykimlasca]

..Your best friend? [she tilts her head, blinking at him curiously with the very same type of eyes, wide, honest and true. Very pure eyes. Also very sad eyes at the same time, if you look hard.

Her smile is warm]

I see..that's truly fortunate, for you to have such a friend. I see little reason for you to hate admitting it, I'm glad I can remind you of something pleasant.

[seems a bit bewildered at his sudden use of her full name and the word confession, but she nods patiently]

Ah..well, yes, let's hear what you have to say. I wouldn't deny you that.

video; no neverrr ;A;!!

[apathycary]

...

[ And there is a bit of a deep breath here before his confession, it is hard. Very much so. ]

I do know who committed these crimes.
...F-For he is my friend.

[ With no pause to breathe, he continues quickly : ] Ah, much like Lawrence- but no, also nothing like him. He is simple and to the point, but there is a charm in that. I know who committed these crimes, Princess. I also aided him- he was injured and... and a friend. An injured friend must be helped, regardless...

... regardless of the crimes they've committed. A doctor is no judge, they do not have the power to decide who should live and die. They can only do their best to aid others.

He has been unconscious for two days. I have nursed him to health. At first, I did not believe he was behind these crimes. And... although he must face his judgement, he was possessed. Possessed by a great evil.

[ And he pauses now, he can not look at the feed- at Natalia's eyes, any longer. ]

I, who have not been possessed, stayed by his side to take care of him. I know of the consequences that face me. I do not ask for you to go light on me, not at all. I stick behind my choice and-... I only wish for fairness.

[ He stops, catching his breath now as he realizes that he has used that 'wish' word irresponsibly again. Regardless, he shall continue :]... For a wise ear to listen to Alexander and his crimes, his reasoning, and his background before judgement can be passed.

[ Ever so quietly, he finishes with a mumble:] ... I'm sorry.

video; um yes 1/2

[mykimlasca]

[She blinked startled in her chair. Did he honestly just...he was..those green eyes widened, then narrowed, looking mildly disturbed]

2/2

[mykimlasca]

...So you've been aiding someone who by a great evil, took if I recall correctly, eight lives, harmed a member of my family and countless friends? [she massages her injured arm, the bandages on her face suddenly stark in contrast]

And in doing so aided him to proper health, regardless.

[for a minute she looks angry, then she just looks weary]
To be honest, I am in no position to judge you. I know too well how partial one can be to those they care about. [a slightly self-deprecating smile] ..What you did was not wrong.

But this information could have come sooner, Edel.

video; this is such a hard tag ahhhh

[apathycary]

I have collected all of the names of those who have fallen and injured these past few days. One by one, they trickled in. I do believe I deserve punishment for doing my duties, as misguided as they were. I was not at the scene, I only saw Alexander... dying. Dead. He was dead... I couldn't do anything for him. And yet...

[ There is a painful look in Edel's face, but it is to be expected of such. He can only do what he must now : ]

...How could I have possibly done this sooner? I- I'm sure the enactment of revenge is on everyone's mind. It isn't- I do not wish people to become monsters in their own moments of hatred, princess.

[ Honestly, Natalia's words strike through Edel's heart. He can only close his eyes and hiccup slightly. There was no way he would express his grief on the feed. It was like a domino effect, he could not control it once it started. ]

I will not fight you or anyone who comes for myself or for him, but I am trying to convince him to come to the meeting posted on the bulletin board... for... for clarification and an understanding.

video; crap she made someone cry also he is a beautiful character, good job. :)

[mykimlasca]

. .It is not something I desire either. I can imagine that's why you held back, especially when that concept in your world is..quite real to you.

[suddenly she finds it startling to breathe. in this instant, she's..she's doing Father's work. She's the Queen judging a subject with the verdict only she can finish, regardless of the council around her.

instead of feeling powerful, at the sight of Edel's sudden tears, her voice softens]

..Goodness. To us, its been some trying few days. But to you..it's quite different, isn't it? How you must have quietly suffered with a guilt far worse than these. [she fingers her sling, the bandages around her collar-bone, her face.]

I..I have trouble dealing with what I know is right and what my memories of those days are, but I'll tell you this:

Those feelings you feel towards your friend, direct them towards clarifying what really happened. And in return, I will do what I can to support it with as neutral a mind as I can.

You weren't possessed by a monster, Edel. So please, don't cry.

video; Edel is the most difficult of all my characters in this story

[apathycary]

[ Edel can only weakly nod at her, he understands what she's saying and what he needs to do. It is difficult for someone like him at times to be the one to actually start the course of action. He is no protagonist, no champion of the weak. No, no. That's Lawrence, Edel would say. He was simply weak. It was why he was often manipulated by those close around him, his uncle and Lawrence both shared that fate with him.

And yet, he was adamant about his decisions. He could face death without much remorse. He's done it before. The blood that spilled from his body came at his own actions in his world. Edel was happy as long as it was a decision he stood by and believed was for the best.

'Happy'... huh. ]

This is... by no means, something that should be your responsibility to worry over. But I will do what I can and... must.

[ The princess's last line caused Edel to look at the feed again, this time with a scoff and a weary sigh, he did his best to don a forced smile. ]

There are people in my world who forcibly create monsters out of others. Torture them enough, manipulate them enough, hurt them enough... you can amplify that pain and cause them to consume themselves. Beautiful, healthy monsters, ripe for the black market. Some believe that eating parts of a chimera grants you with more magical ability, or immortality.

[ He scoffs. ] Cannibalism, that's all it is... the noble's feast of choice...