video ● third reflection

[sweeperesque]

[FILTERED TO NOEL VERMILLION]

Noel, I believe there is one - counted again and it's definitely one - unconscious lug on my couch. I think he belongs to you. Would you mind picking him up when he wakes? I don't mind having him around, but I figure you'd be better with him. All his injuries have been treated so you don't have to worry about that,

Comments

sob

[cantataofgrace]

[ ... Carl looks more than upset. ]

I-I... I don't understand it. Why are adults so horrible...? I... I...

[sweeperesque]

Because they don't think all the time, Carl. It's what people are prone to doing. We're going to do something about the problem, but you shouldn't resort to violence or anything crazy right away. It could be even more dangerous.

[cantataofgrace]

[ Wiping under his glasses, give him a moment. ]

... I'm sorry. I respect your opinion... but I can't agree with it. My father was exactly the same! I believed that being nice and not acting and talking would fix it--but... but it doesn't! If we do nothing, this scum is going to hurt someone!

[ ... Whoa. That is some EXTREMELY HARSH prejudice against adults for a kid his age. ]

[sweeperesque]

[She'll listen and... well, he does have a point. Crowley's going free and no one's doing anything about it. She was so caught up in other problems that she failed to really acknowledge that. After a bit of silence, she nods.]

Alright. I think I see where you're coming from. But tossing around words like 'scum' will get you in trouble one day, you know. It's not that we're not acting, we're more trying to gather evidence first. It would be bad to kill him and it turns out later that he was telling the truth of it being someone else, right? You can't prove that his story is completely false without jumping to conclusions.

So... how about this? Instead of letting him go around, we should try taking him into custody first. In a secure place where he won't cause any trouble while we find answers. We don't want to do anything that's irreversible.

[cantataofgrace]

[ Carl doesn't care. Unfortunately, his safety is his least concern, nor will he cooperate. ]

... I'm not a child. I'm well aware of what I say, and I mean every bit of it. Do you really think a person like that would be innocent? Maybe I am jumping to conclusions, but Sis told me that guy was dangerous, anyway. If he's dangerous, he should be gotten rid of, not allowed to hurt more people.

[ Carl looks away. ] ... If I'm wrong, it isn't like there's trouble in it. Is anyone truly innocent? Besides, he's an adult! There's no way he's telling the truth.

[sweeperesque]

Just because he's an adult doesn't mean anything, Carl. Sometimes adults lie, sometimes they tell the truth. It all depends on... well, them.

But there's no way to tell for sure that he's dangerous. Even this time... there isn't any true evidence that he did anything.

[cantataofgrace]

But is there evidence he DIDN'T, Miss Minatsuki?

[ No, he isn't letting this go. ] ... And it does, too! It means a lot. Adults always lie or assume they know what's best, to cover up their horrific actions... it's hardly surprising; I see it all the time. Do you really think this man is innocent? And believe me, I know for sure when Ada tells me someone is dangerous.

She doesn't react to weak people, or normal people. She only reacts to ME. She knows. My sister knows everything...

[ That's... bordering on creepy, almost controlled, and beyond hypnotic. That look in your eyes isn't helping, Carl. ] ... If you believe that, then that choice is yours. Until I see proof he DIDN'T do it, I'm going to find this guy. Sis and I will take him down, I swear it!

[sweeperesque]

So you'll attack a man who could be innocent, Carl? Ever heard of 'innocent until proven guilty'? Everyone has a possibility of being dangerous. If you'll attack every possibility, then you might as well attack everyone in Vatheon.

This isn't acting as a vigilante anymore, Carl. There is no justice in pointless attacks.

[cantataofgrace]

... Ngh... [ He knows she has a point and stands with reason, but Carl can't let this go. What he thinks he did to Nodoka... ]

Then tell me, why would Miss Nodoka be so convinced it was him? On her own life, no less? Dangerous people should be eliminated, anyway...!

[ ... He calms down a bit, clinging a little too tightly to Nirvana, who senses what's going on. Whatever that doll is, it clearly does something to calm him down. Suddenly, he's eerily calm again.]

... I apologize if my way of working differs from yours. In my world, the Librarium generally imposes the death penalty on those who don't do as told.

[ Basically, Saya? He's the equivalent to an Eraser from your world... not a sweeper. ] So I can't say I condone letting criminals or people like that run free. If there's even the remote chance he did something that horrible, then he deserves what he gets. ... But if you really want to get in my way... I won't have any choice.

[ That's a warning. ]