The only reason we haven't gotten a say is because the ones in charge have yet to show themselves. All I can say now is that that bear had better not be a demon.
[No classes today! He attended yesterday when it mattered the most. Now Sieghart is playing hooky, and his lazy stroll takes him to the edge of campus where he spots a familiar figure. He approaches.]
Well... the training would be a lot better if I had a waterfall to mediate under, but..... dunking my head underwater could work in a pinch, I think..... it's pretty cold, so.
. . . But you're fine, Maya. Training is how most people increase their aptitude in a field. Even people with natural talent train themselves every day.
[Once she leaves and is definitely out of earshot, Sieghart heaves a heavy sigh.
The elders should be worrying about the children; not the other way around. At this rate, Maya is going to worry herself into an early grave. He doesn't have a good feeling about this place . . . ]
I'm a legend who defeated countless monsters back in my dimension. I refuse to become a loser, because of a minor thing like animal bites. Even if my body suffers, I'll never give up.
. . . Remember this, Maya: there's little in all the worlds that can't be undone. That's why even immortality is nothing to brag about. If you keep searching, you'll eventually find a way—and you don't have to do it alone.
[That evening, he sits in the mini coffeehouse. He's not there to drink first and foremost, though he nurses a cup of non-caffeinated tea for the sake of keeping his hands busy. When the suites are shared between ten individuals, even a small room like this is better for gathering one's thoughts. His expression is muted, but not gloomy.
The Hello Kitty bandaid still sits innocently under his right eye.]
It's a serious subject. I don't want to attend more classes than I have to, so I need to choose carefully.
[He sips the tea. It's pretty dark in the coffeehouse, simply because he didn't bother to light anything. And it just so happens to hit that threshold of darkness now where the words faintly glow through the pink bandaid.
For Maya, who's looking carefully, the words are clear enough to be perceived once Sieghart sets the cup down: DEATH BEFORE REVENGE.]
[ she pulls one of her arms behind her back self-consciously, but if he squints he can make out something in glowing letters.... im making you wait one tag out of suspense ]
[ but that wouldn't be fair, would it.... she's seen his, when he was clearly trying to hide it. and it's him.... if she wants to get to know him better, then maybe she has to take the first step]
[ she bites her lip, then shows it to him. ]
[ BEING A BURDEN/BEING USELESS is glowing through her kimono ]
It's not a sentiment he understands very well. From birth, he's been hailed as a genius—the most promising scion of a family of gladiators who achieved legendary status at a young age. He's never had to worry about being anything less.
So he can't understand such a fear. But he can understand how he feels about someone like Maya being held in its vice grip.]
[ she fidgets under his gaze, increasingly self-conscious as he stares ]
No. [ yes. ]
We all have things we worry about though, right? A-And, well, I worry about this. 'Cause I need-- I want to be helpful, especially in a situation like this. I told you about Nick, right? I'm his assistant [ wow no claiming he's the sidekick ], but.... I don't know a lot about law, and one time I couldn't channel sis, when he needed her, so.... I always worry, a little bit, about not being able to help.
I know! [ a little too forcefully ] I mean.. I know. That's why I'm just focusing on what I can do. This glowing writing is just... trying to make things negative, is all.
[His right hand is splinted with chopsticks and condoms, so he relies on his left. He accepts the painkillers first, then the mug to wash them down after popping them in his mouth.]
The other you? . . . Oh, you must mean that illusion.
Why would I be mad? She was a fake whose sole purpose was to anger the four of us. Even if I were a little upset, it's nothing I'd direct at you or anyone else here.
From the Demon World, of course. They can't resist the call of destruction. Ever since they got stuck on Aernas, they've been doing nothing but spreading chaos.
They invaded during the Demon War. After the Goddesses defeated the invading army's leader, they put a lock around Aernas to prevent a reinvasion—only, the demons still there got stuck as a result.
They've been causing one mess after another since.
. . . It's the one good thing about immortality. As long as I'm around, I can fight them—though it'd be nice if they were to go away sooner than later.
[Trial is over. The mood is low. Sieghart has washed up. His splint is back on his leg. Now he stares down at the stairway from upstairs, the only obstacle left on his way to the couch, and sighs.]
[Descending is easier than ascending. The bigger concern is slippage, but Maya's helping shoulder takes care of that. Once they're down, he removes his hand and hobbles over to plop down on a couch.]
Thanks! Now come this way. I have something for you.
[He takes his designated cup from her with his good hand. Pinched lightly between the thumb and index finger of his bad hand, he holds out a single voucher.]
That's for getting me down here. Don't worry: I won't tell anyone that you stole it.
That's the spirit. Even though you won't have your spirit channeling for at least another two weeks, there's still you. Work hard and collect as many vouchers as you can until then!
[That morning, he loiters before the arcade machines on the second floor of the Student Union Building. It's not that he wants to play, so much as he's curious. His attention is quick to redirect when he spots a familiar face.]
Oh, Maya. What brings you here? The food isn't available until lunchtime.
[He doesn't completely obey, glancing a little here and there in a mixture of confusion and exasperation, but he does stay rooted in this spot long enough to be captured by the booth. Unfortunately, he isn't smiling.]
[When Maya enters the common room, she'll find Sieghart on the couch, snoozing, with his box of gifts on the coffee table. It's clearly been rifled through, and the merry portrait of everyone sits on the top.]
It's not an easy memory to put into words, so his thought shares the image burned into his mind as he delays answering. The glimpse Maya gets is from Sieghart's point of view and brief: against the backdrop of a ruins in flames, countless maimed bodies lie scattered in various stages of burning with their blood staining the floor a dark red.
The vision fades almost as quickly as it appeared. Sieghart finds his voice then, though he looks straight ahead and not at Maya.]
There's no way around it. Although my reasons are personal, his existence is still responsible for the revival of a dangerous demon. In order to secure the dimensions' collective safety, he needs to be quelled.
Mm. . . . That's probably not going to be enough until this is all over.
But it's not about how hard you punish yourself. If you think only about the blood on your hands, you'll lose yourself to that which can't be washed away. At the end of the day, you have to come up with a way that lets you live with yourself as you are now.
... I know. I intend to see this through until the end. [ that much, she can promise, though the guilt has seeped into her bones ] I won't give up for anything. So don't worry about that.
(And then, after I'm done here..... I'll accept my fate.)
[ she doesn't want to worry (tm) him or make him feel sad ]
.... I was accused of being a witch, in a place where you get burned alive for that "crime". I was found innocent, but... my friend tried to confess to being, like... the worst witch there is, 'cause if that witch is found, all the trials will end. They were going to burn her.
[ there's a brief image of a girl, locked in an iron maiden, looking defeated and ready for death.... ]
I couldn't let that happen. I got her out, but.... those knights locked me back inside the cage, and threw me into the fire.
[ and the mental image of herself, locked in that same iron maiden..... the heat suffocating, and she's struggling to breathe already ]
While his expression doesn't change, his thought betrays his disgust and heartache. So many precious lives, lost to stupid injustices. After what nearly happened to Maya, this is like a sick joke, except it isn't—it's reality.
His arms tingle faintly in remembrance of the morning he wrapped them around her.]
[ that's why she wanted to be voted for over denji or anyone else. she was already executed, after all. at least, if she was executed this time, it'd be for a crime she actually committed. ]
[ luckily, everything worked out, but..... ]
I haven't decided yet.
(If it's even real to begin with...)
But it'll probably be to stop anything like that from ever happening in Labyrinthia again. Or.... for the sake of my village.
[ it's probably no surprise she's not planning to use it on herself ]
[Sieghart has washed off the rainbow-colored paint that was dumped on him during trial. Now he's in the shirt and pants of his school uniform with his sword ever in his grip.]
.... I know what you mean. I understand. I don't want to throw my life away or anything... I just think that if I came back, the people I love would end up suffering more.
And... I was thinking of going to Ms. Manwol's hotel... to help people pass on. That's... something, right?
[He doesn't reply—not right away, at least. Inside of him is a maelstrom of emotions, knowing that he disagrees with Maya's prediction of how her loved ones would feel about her return . . . knowing that, if it were another scenario, he would—no.
Despite that, he isn't Maya. He doesn't know the people she loves, either. Because he isn't and doesn't, he can't say anything.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
weekend prezero
Pretty weird place, huh? I thought we'd be a lot more restricted.
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How troublesome . . . Why is the campus so big, anyway? My legs are going to fall off if I have to attend classes in a place like this.
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I guess they really want you to get your phys ed credits, huh?
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[ she says this with the cutest and most innocent looking face ]
But I'd say none of us particularly need to be kidnapped, either.
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Yeah! That's what I'm talking about. We don't get a say in anything.
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The only reason we haven't gotten a say is because the ones in charge have yet to show themselves. All I can say now is that that bear had better not be a demon.
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Are you planning to cut him down to size if he appears?
[ with his big ol' sword ]
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[With his big ol' sword.]
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What if he's just a regular bear?
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[ the bear-eating kind?? ]
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[ huffs! ]
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[ she will introduce him ]
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[ shoves him lightly ]
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How is that weird? Hunting is how anyone on the move gets by.
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Geez, we're not in the medieval times! You can get groceries... or fast food.
[ conveniently, they are at the chicken place ]
Here, I'll show you.
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Ready to have your mind blown?
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Do I just bite into it?
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[ that's what maya is doing ]
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It's greasy. He chews. It's really greasy, yet surprisingly flavorful. He swallows.]
Oh, not bad!
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[ she's already finishing hers ]
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I could get used to this if it's always this convenient here.
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Right? And there's a ton of other things you can try! This is just top three.
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And other stuff, too.
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Now that we've eaten, we should go back to familiarizing ourselves with the grounds.
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Week 0: Tuesday
Is that you, Maya?
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[ normally she'd keep concentrating, but she likes sieghart enough to crack her eyes open. ]
Hi, Mr. Sieghart! Don't worry, there aren't any geese around right now.
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[ for murder geese. ]
I'm training!
[ her powers that she can't even use, apparently? ]
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For what?
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Um... spirit channeling.... it's been a while, so....
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Spirit channeling, huh? How's that going?
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Well... the training would be a lot better if I had a waterfall to mediate under, but..... dunking my head underwater could work in a pinch, I think..... it's pretty cold, so.
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[ as per comedic timing, she sneezes ]
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...
ACHOO!
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It's just a little sneeze! You can barely even heaACHOO!
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. . . Listen here, little lady. Why are you in such a rush? It'll get worse if you stay in there, so come out and go back in later.
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.... I've been slacking off on my training, so I have to work harder now.
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By giving yourself a cold?
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My training's usually under a freezing waterfall! So.. my Fey blood will fight it off!
[ conspicuous cough ]
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[ her teeth are chattering ]
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He sighs.]
Right! That's enough fooling around. Get out of the water before you make yourself seriously sick, Maya.
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[ this is a tough one. lalli's words are ringing in her head.... but also, she is weak to people being stern (tm) with her. ]
... I guess I can take a little break.
[ wades out sadly.. ]
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[He's not the type to be stern for long. As soon as Maya exits, he cracks a smile.]
Want to grab a hamburger?
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Y-Yeah.... [ that seems to perk her up a bit ] Gotta train on a full stomach, right?
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Sure.
Come on. The hamburger's not going to eat itself.
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I really converted you, huh?
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Are you going to be okay like this? I don't have anything for you to dry yourself off with . . .
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Geez, you worry too much, I'll be fine.
[ she will get a cold two days later ]
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[He says it lightly as they move along.]
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[ sticks her tongue out, proving her maturity..... ]
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Both? What's the other account?
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[ so mature.... ]
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[ pouting a little ]
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[ what a sulky baby ]
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. . . But you're fine, Maya. Training is how most people increase their aptitude in a field. Even people with natural talent train themselves every day.
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[ hmmm maybe it's a sore subject ]
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Haha. Let's go get that burger.
week 0, post-invest
You really don't remember anything...?
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Is there anything I can do to help?
[ probably not but shes worrying anyway ]
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Don't worry about me.
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Let's make a deal. I'll stop worrying when you stop mysterious disappearing and reappearing with amnesia and goose bites!
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[ deal with it. ]
Maybe I can get some ice or something?
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You're one stubborn kid. If you're that desperate to get me something, how about a cup of tea? It's been a long day.
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[ sticks her tongue out ]
Okay, tea it is! Do you have any favorites? I'll see what I can do...
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He gives her a dismissive wave. Okay, okay.]
I don't care what flavor it is as long as it's hot.
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Okay, I'll be right back! Don't even think of running off, or you'll be in big trouble.
[ fear the hamster ]
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[Or he's really going to get up and go. Move like you mean it, hamster.]
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[ well she can't blame him for being irritated. anyway, she leaves... for now! ]
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The elders should be worrying about the children; not the other way around. At this rate, Maya is going to worry herself into an early grave. He doesn't have a good feeling about this place . . . ]
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[ anyway he can have his moment she will return shortly, trying very hard not to spill tea (she already spilled some) and with a few clean cloths ]
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That was quick. What did you make?
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Um... herbal tea... I thought it might be relaxing..
[ offering it to him ]
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[He takes it.]
Did you bring anything for yourself?
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Um... no? This was for you! I don't need any tea.
[ so fussy ]
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All right, I get it. Then I'll help myself to this.
[Taking a sip, he relishes the warm drink after a cold morning and weary day. It brings a small smile to his lips as he lowers the cup.]
Mmm . . . That's just what I needed.
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That hit the spot, did it? [ she grins ] I also brought some cloths, if you wanna clean off those bites.
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[ handing them over, since she doesn't really know what she's doing and figures he wouldn't want her help anyway ]
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Hm . . . I wonder if they'll scar.
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[ helping ? ]
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I'm a legend. What I mean is that there are books written about my feats.
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. . . There are too many to share right now. I'd be here all day if I tried to recount them. Ask me later once things have calmed down.
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[ and she doesn't think things will ever calm down ]
.. But okay. Later.
week 0, post-exec
Mr. Sieghart!
... We still don't know anything about what happened to you, do we....
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Hey, Maya.
I asked around, but it seems nobody has any idea as to why I was there.
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Yeah, me too... even Kaoruko didn't seem to know...
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How are we supposed to fight back against something like that...?
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[ that sure is a thing to say ]
But it's..... geeze, what are we supposed to do in that situation?
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What else? Nothing is immutable. If we keep looking around for clues, we're sure to find a way.
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I'm a legend who defeated countless monsters back in my dimension. I refuse to become a loser, because of a minor thing like animal bites. Even if my body suffers, I'll never give up.
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Right, right, of course. How could I forget....
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[ she almost sounds teasing but there's a sincere look in her eyes ]
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Of course!
[The readiness of his answer suggests that this goes without saying.]
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When you say things like that.... you remind me of my sister....
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[ wao full recovery ]
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He'll let her have that.]
Just how unfit do you think I am?
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Then prepare to be amazed. Between my looks and swordsmanship, I'm always in perfect shape!
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I said that my age doesn't matter!
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You're a bit sensitive about it, huh....
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[ the absolute picture of innocence, here ]
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[He turns around.]
That means it's time for me to be going.
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[ but she lets him go... this time ]
Week 1: Monday
The Hello Kitty bandaid still sits innocently under his right eye.]
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What's on your mind, Mr. Sieghart? [ and what happened to his face... ]
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[His smile widens as he greets her.]
I'm just thinking about what class I should attend tomorrow.
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[ maya is perceiving his face... ]
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[He sips the tea. It's pretty dark in the coffeehouse, simply because he didn't bother to light anything. And it just so happens to hit that threshold of darkness now where the words faintly glow through the pink bandaid.
For Maya, who's looking carefully, the words are clear enough to be perceived once Sieghart sets the cup down: DEATH BEFORE REVENGE.]
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[ maya squints at the words. despite herself, she can't help but read them out loud ]
Death... before revenge?
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The bandaid is still there.]
What did you say?
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That's.... your fear?
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My fear?
[He gapes. Is that what this is?]
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[ .... ]
Is that what you're afraid of...?
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If I don't . . . I'll never be able to . . .
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[ she worries her hands together, too ]
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[ she doesn't press, but, quietly: ]
I didn't think.... you'd want something like that....
[ revenge ]
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Sorry. I know it sounds eerie.
[That's why he covered it up in the first place. He didn't want the kids to see and feel frightened.]
But how did you know?
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[ but it's not that she's frightened of it, it's just a shock, coming from laid back mcdad. ]
[ there's a lot she doesn't know about him... after all ]
Uhm, it's glowing through your cute little bandaid....
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But there's no point in hiding the words anymore. Maya's looking at them right now through no fault of her own. Sieghart leans back with a frown.]
Tsk. How troublesome.
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[ she's still kind of looking at the spot it was at ]
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. . . Does that mean you also have one?
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Uhm, yeah, but it's not really... a big deal....
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I won't look if you don't want to show me.
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[ but that wouldn't be fair, would it.... she's seen his, when he was clearly trying to hide it. and it's him.... if she wants to get to know him better, then maybe she has to take the first step]
[ she bites her lip, then shows it to him. ]
[ BEING A BURDEN/BEING USELESS is glowing through her kimono ]
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It's not a sentiment he understands very well. From birth, he's been hailed as a genius—the most promising scion of a family of gladiators who achieved legendary status at a young age. He's never had to worry about being anything less.
So he can't understand such a fear. But he can understand how he feels about someone like Maya being held in its vice grip.]
Do you believe that?
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No. [ yes. ]
We all have things we worry about though, right? A-And, well, I worry about this. 'Cause I need-- I want to be helpful, especially in a situation like this. I told you about Nick, right? I'm his assistant [ wow no claiming he's the sidekick ], but.... I don't know a lot about law, and one time I couldn't channel sis, when he needed her, so.... I always worry, a little bit, about not being able to help.
[ she's not quite looking at him as she rambles ]
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He doesn't keep his gaze on her for long. For her sake, he breaks it by taking another sip of tea before he answers her.]
. . . You're downplaying your achievements. If you only think about what went or could go wrong, you'll never stop worrying.
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Geez, you keep giving me peptalks..... I really need to up my game, here.
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[ now she's teasing to hide feelings ]
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[ does she mean that ]
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[He's surrounded by crafty children.]
Did you sit down to harass me, or are you going to drink something?
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[ maya, harass, never?? anyway she's gonna drink some soda ]
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Which classes are you attending, Maya?
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Are you taking any classes, Mr. Sieghart? Or just sleeping through them?
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What about you? Find any classes in particular that you're enjoying yet?
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[ this is not what you're supposed to do in class rip ]
So which ones are a waste of time?
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Do you remember last week? The teacher sang so much that I couldn't hear myself think.
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[ cats.... ]
I'm surprised you could sleep through that!
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[For better or for worse.]
But I'll usually give a class one chance before I lay my head down.
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[ she's not saying he's old but ]
[ it's inferred, probably ]
Oh, I did fall asleep in the physics class once.
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That sounds more like you got bored in the middle of a lecture.
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But boredom won't be your only problem if you stay up too late. Classes start early, you know.
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[ goes to get some tea anyway ]
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week 1, thursday
Here.
[ and a mug of water! ]
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[His right hand is splinted with chopsticks and condoms, so he relies on his left. He accepts the painkillers first, then the mug to wash them down after popping them in his mouth.]
That should tide me over for the night.
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Uhm... you're welcome....
[ he's so chill ]
So.. what happened?
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[ america explain ]
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[ she is worried but can't help but be nosy ]
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... I mean, are you really okay?
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[ she is not sure if he's just acting tough or if he's really unbothered ]
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That's true, but I'd rather not dwell on it when there are better things to do.
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[ hmm ]
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[ hm ]
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Why would I be mad? She was a fake whose sole purpose was to anger the four of us. Even if I were a little upset, it's nothing I'd direct at you or anyone else here.
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That wasn't you. If I didn't want to see your face, it'd have to be because of something you did.
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R-Right, of course....
Well, I'm not going to attack you or anything....
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You wouldn't be able to hit me, anyway. Even with my body like this, I can still take you on.
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I guess it wouldn't be that easy for me to beat you up, huh?
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[ aside from dying before revenge ]
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That place was nothing new to me. If it wanted to anger me, it should've tried a different approach.
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Really? What makes you angry, Mr. Sieghart?
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They've been causing one mess after another since.
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[ rip to demons ]
I guess they can't go back home, either?
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[He sighs.]
They just won't go away.
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Then they should sit still—not attack everyone on Aernas!
That's exactly why demons can't be tolerated. They don't understand the value of life and treat it like a plaything.
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I guess it is pretty rotten to attack people, even if you can't go home.
Do you fight them...?
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[ gay ]
You've got your hands full...
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[ besides sleep ]
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Week 1: Saturday
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[ maya's hands look sore but ]
Do you need help?
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I was just thinking that I should buy a crutch from Chad. How many vouchers do you think that would take?
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Are you headed down? Lend me your shoulder, won't you?
[No holding with those hands.]
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[ maya nods. she is actually the right height for a crutch bc shes so tiny she probably fits under his arm... ]
Of course.
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Thanks! Now come this way. I have something for you.
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Something for me...?
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That's for getting me down here. Don't worry: I won't tell anyone that you stole it.
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You're giving this to me? Don't you need it?
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It's just one. I have enough for myself.
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... Not that I'm complaining. I need to save up mine.
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[ no matter what she has to do!! ]
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[ this ability is so expensive even chad doesn't have a price for it ]
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[ she never thought of spirit channeling as being powerful, apparently ]
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... But it's not Chad's fault, I don't think. I guess... I just have to do my best.
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... Though, um.... I have something I want to ask you... I know it's a little early, but....
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[ .... ]
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[ this is actually a pretty huge ask for her she has big issues about this specifically!! ]
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[ sieg... ]
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In fact, if there comes a time when we have to rely on your power, we should be the ones thanking you.
Week 2: Wednesday
Oh, Maya. What brings you here? The food isn't available until lunchtime.
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[ weird place to think. but she tilts her head at him ]
Actually.. now that you're here, I wanna ask you a favor.
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What is it?
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Well, why not?
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Are you? I don't remember if the most adorable girl I've ever met has hair this dark . . .
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[ here they are the the photobooth!! picture time ]
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[He looks around at the photo booth.]
So how does this work?
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Would you like a demonstration?
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They're just pictures. How hard can it be?
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[ and so it begins ]
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. . . What's all this?
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[ this little gremlin ]
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[He wants to leave.]
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[ it's picture time!! ]
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[He doesn't completely obey, glancing a little here and there in a mixture of confusion and exasperation, but he does stay rooted in this spot long enough to be captured by the booth. Unfortunately, he isn't smiling.]
Week 6: Sunday
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Mm?
[Eyes fluttering open, he lifts his head in her direction.]
Oh, Maya. When did you get back?
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[He sits up, hanging onto the blanket by keeping it draped over his lap, and pats the seat next to him.]
What about you? Have you been getting your rest?
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Not really.
(I haven't been able to sleep...)
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[ finding molly's head, all the cyoas, killing manwol...... ]
Anyway. Why don't you tell me what you've been up to? I missed you a lot, you know.
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Did you? I was watching you the whole time, so it was different for me.
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I don't think watching people is the same as actually being with them.....
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[ ??? ]
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Did he put something weird in them?
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Oh, how did the message work? Did you get my origami?
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I received your drawings. They were cute, by the way.
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[ sad that it never made it... ]
I'm glad you liked them. Thanks for the nice things you said in your letter.
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I didn't write much, but that's because I did say that we'd talk in person. And I didn't write them to be nice.
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.... I can't remember any of it....
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You don't have to tell me now. If it ever comes to mind again, just tell me then.
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And I regretted not asking more about you. I wanted to know about your hopes, and dreams, and fears...
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But Maya told him about hers. Sieghart rests his head against the back of the couch with a sigh.]
. . . There isn't a distinction. My hope, dream, and fear are all the same. I want to avenge my brothers who were killed.
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Oh... I'm sorry.
[ no wonder he and sakyou vibed ]
What happened to them?
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His thought answers immediately. The spoken words take a few moments.]
. . . I was careless. They were supposed to be immortal, but my mistake cost them their lives.
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[ waiting for him to talk more about it if he wants ]
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It's not an easy memory to put into words, so his thought shares the image burned into his mind as he delays answering. The glimpse Maya gets is from Sieghart's point of view and brief: against the backdrop of a ruins in flames, countless maimed bodies lie scattered in various stages of burning with their blood staining the floor a dark red.
The vision fades almost as quickly as it appeared. Sieghart finds his voice then, though he looks straight ahead and not at Maya.]
I only survived, because I wasn't there.
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(No wonder he didn't want to talk about it...)
Who.... could have done something so horrible...?
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. . . I know who did it.
[He cranes his neck to face Maya.]
After six hundred years, I finally have him in my sight. I'll have it handled, so don't worry on my behalf.
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[ why is her so much of her found family here on a vengeance crusade like damn ]
... You're planning to kill him?
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Well, if he's really that dangerous...
(I just don't think that will bring you peace...)
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I wronged my brothers that day. This is the only way I can right that wrong.
[We were meant to protect the world together. Since they're no longer here, I have to do what I can in their stead. Then, once that's over . . . ]
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.... I understand. But I hope, once you've done that... you can let yourself heal a bit.
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[ she's sulking ]
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[His gaze falls on the box sitting on the coffee table.]
I decided that I'd forgive myself the day I make things right.
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[ but ]
I think you deserve forgiveness now, Mr. Sieghart. You couldn't have known.
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[He faces Maya.]
But you know what I mean, don't you? . . . The hardest person to forgive is yourself.
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Yeah... that's true.
[ she's in no position to talk, really.... ]
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I seemed to have dredged up a bad memory earlier. How are you feeling?
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[ it's sieghart, so ]
I don't know. [ that's as honest as it gets, really ] You're.. not mad at Kainé, right?
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[ maya does wonder if it's the same for everyone ]
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(that's what Tsuyu wanted, too... )
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I think.... I'm sure she's already punished herself more than enough.
[ don't perceive her ]
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But it's not about how hard you punish yourself. If you think only about the blood on your hands, you'll lose yourself to that which can't be washed away. At the end of the day, you have to come up with a way that lets you live with yourself as you are now.
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(And then, after I'm done here..... I'll accept my fate.)
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His smile fades into wary curiosity.]
What fate is that?
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(....)
I don't want to upset you...
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Maya, are you . . .
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... Sorry, Mr. Sieghart.
[ looks like he's figuring it out, so there's no point in playing coy ]
I was... executed, right before coming here. That's why I freaked out so badly, when we first met....
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What happened?
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.... I was accused of being a witch, in a place where you get burned alive for that "crime". I was found innocent, but... my friend tried to confess to being, like... the worst witch there is, 'cause if that witch is found, all the trials will end. They were going to burn her.
[ there's a brief image of a girl, locked in an iron maiden, looking defeated and ready for death.... ]
I couldn't let that happen. I got her out, but.... those knights locked me back inside the cage, and threw me into the fire.
[ and the mental image of herself, locked in that same iron maiden..... the heat suffocating, and she's struggling to breathe already ]
.... And then I woke up, in your arms.
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While his expression doesn't change, his thought betrays his disgust and heartache. So many precious lives, lost to stupid injustices. After what nearly happened to Maya, this is like a sick joke, except it isn't—it's reality.
His arms tingle faintly in remembrance of the morning he wrapped them around her.]
. . . What's your wish?
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[ luckily, everything worked out, but..... ]
I haven't decided yet.
(If it's even real to begin with...)
But it'll probably be to stop anything like that from ever happening in Labyrinthia again. Or.... for the sake of my village.
[ it's probably no surprise she's not planning to use it on herself ]
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It's not like he can talk. But talk, he does.]
Can't you do both yourself?
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Whatever's happening in Labyrinthia... it's waaaaay bigger than just one person. I could only barely get Espella out with my own power...
And, my village, has a lot of problems..... I don't think I could.....
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[ kurain has been fuckt forever ]
What about you, Mr. Sieghart?
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What about me? . . . Ah, do you mean my wish? It doesn't apply to me anymore, so I've forgotten all about it.
Week 7: Saturday
You did a good job out there today, Maya.
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I don't feel like I did that much.... but it looks like we're on track to a happy ending.
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Does that apply to you as well?
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.. I'll miss some of you guys a lot, though....
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Yeah. I think it's for the best.
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How is that for the best?
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My mother has already disgraced the village. They wouldn't suffer anything more from me.
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[ nick already saw her die, if she comes back to life and tells him everything that happened, that'd probably make things even worse ]
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[His voice is contained in spite of his low tone. He isn't angry at her. He's just angry at this particular set of circumstances.]
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I'm sorry. It's.... hard to explain.
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[As soon as he snaps, he reels himself back in with a sharp inhalation.]
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Sorry.....
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. . . I don't believe in destiny. That means I don't believe in fate, either.
The value of a life is too great to throw into the flames of an unjust trial.
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.... I know what you mean. I understand. I don't want to throw my life away or anything... I just think that if I came back, the people I love would end up suffering more.
And... I was thinking of going to Ms. Manwol's hotel... to help people pass on. That's... something, right?
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. . . If that's what you want to do . . .
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Despite that, he isn't Maya. He doesn't know the people she loves, either. Because he isn't and doesn't, he can't say anything.]
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[ she really hates upsetting him like this. ]
I want to see you again... if that's okay?
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When he looks upon Maya again, it's with a smile.]
. . . If it's possible, I'll go and see you.
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Uhm.. w-well, if you can.... that would be nice...
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You'll be with Manwol, right? I'll pester her until she lets me in.
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But, well, if I do end up there... I could see you.
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[ ominous? ]
Y-You think so?
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[They'll be okay. Just okay.]
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[As if struck by a sudden thought, he lifts his head.]
. . . That's right. There's that one . . .
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I just remembered a troublesome hellion who's in for the scolding of a lifetime.
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[ maya's like: is it me? ]
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In order to do that, though, we have to find him first. He's been missing for a while . . . He hasn't been himself, either.
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[ he's cowed her into submission, before!! ]
Have you been trying to track him down, Mr. Sieghart?
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Mm, since we were separated in the Underworld. . . . But a demon found him first, and he hasn't been in his right mind since.