Twenty-third rebirth [Voice]

[neverquitedies]

[He's figured out how to turn on the PCD, and stares into the screen for a moment in scrutiny, before clearing his throat. His voice is as small as he is, a little squeaky, but completely calm.]They say you should be careful, but... everyone here in Adstring has been kind so far. Break and Miss Kurotsuchi and Saul and Sasami, and everyone else- I

Comments

[favorthebold]

Where are we supposed to go?

[favorthebold]

Hmpf. You're brave, but you're pint-sized. It doesn't matter, though. I don't want anything.

[neverquitedies]

If what everyone is saying is true, I won't be for long.

...nothing at all?

[favorthebold]

Everyone is saying what?

Well. A unified Ilyiga, and to be welcome back as a hero. [He snorts, knowing useless fancies when he speaks them.] Nothing. Except to live.

[neverquitedies]

That I'm older than this. I don't get it, but at least three people I've met so far have told me that I'm only this little because of some weird side effect of this city.

...that's ironic. [It sounds almost distasteful.]

[favorthebold]

Hmpf. Nonsense. They all talk nonsense.

Why is that? To live is what everyone wants.

[neverquitedies]

You don't believe in anyone, do you?

Is it really? That's news to me.

[favorthebold]

You'll know when you're older, there isn't anyone who is worth believing in.

Men say they want a lot of things, but when they have to choose, if they have any brains at all, they always choose life.

[neverquitedies]

Not even kids?

[A little pause. Yuca doesn't have any brains, then.] That's interesting. Why would they do that? [As if he were talking about some kind of alien life form, and not- well. Humanity.]

[favorthebold]

Kids are only better than adults because they don't have power.

[He actually takes this oddity in stride. Yuca is young, it's excusable that he won't know the facts of life yet.] Because once you're dead you're dead, little-bit. You can get what you want while you're alive, but once you're dead it's too late.

[neverquitedies]

For the most part, I guess. You seem plenty powerful enough.

Oh... I suppose that's right. Sorry for being so inquisitive.

[favorthebold]

Hah. I thought I was, but I'm not. Real power - [There's definite longing in his voice.] - that's for adults, rich, highborn adults. Or for Guardians.

That's all right. You're young, you'll learn.

[neverquitedies]

That's not true! If you're smart, you can make any kind of power you want. You just have to live long enough to learn things.

[favorthebold]

Live long enough to grow up, at least. Well, maybe - when the war's over, it won't matter who was born where. All that would matter is who fought.

[neverquitedies]

That's silly. All that matters in wars is who wins.

[And how many people die in the process.]

[favorthebold]

And that. You fight and you win and you can get from the bottom to the top. That's why wars are grand. When I'm older, I'll... well, maybe.