In the aftermath

[itbelongsinamuseum]

1 [Backdated to just after Crazy Little Things.]

[After the debriefing and cleaning up, Alex can be found returned to the scene of the battle overlooking the destruction of what used to be the museum of fine arts before taking a look up the hill to the royal palace, seeing some scarring from stray shots on it.]

So this is what protecting Flanders is? Give me a break...

2

[Making use of how operations has taken her back to Belgium, Alex took a day off to go back to Antwerp to visit her parents and reassure them that she was still well and catching up. That was yesterday, now she's getting back to the rest of Unity Group and something seems to be weighing on her mind. She's even so deeply in thought that she's watching a random chess championship in one of the break rooms.]

Comments

1

[star_of_sad]

[Setsuko approaches Alex, her gaze focused on the destruction. She is not a local, but even her realizes the importance of a large museum. One that is no longer there.]

It's a terrible loss, isn't it...

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It is. Much of humanity's artistic heritage was stored in there, with Bruseels being the capital of the ESUN the museum got more visitors and prestige than it had had before, so there was a lot in there. And the area destroyed is larger than just the building itself, too.

[star_of_sad]

Not many people lost their lives, right? Yet, I still feel like we lost something that is impossible to replace.

People matter most, but other things are also important.

Umm. Sorry for being a downer. It's probably not helping.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

The one thing I can't help but think about...They said they were fighting for Flanders, but by hiding there, they took many of Brueghel's greatest works hostage. Isn't that exactly the Flemish culture they professed to fight for?

[star_of_sad]

This kind of people don't fight for anything. They only fight against something. Terrorism is based on hate. You hate someone, possibly someone who hurt your people deeply in the past so you have a grudge now, and act on it.

... This is what Chief said once. And I can see now that he was right.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I know...Just how can somebody be that short sighted and self-centered? Where do they find these people?

[star_of_sad]

This is a very dangerous world... getting people who have little to lose can't be that hard.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes, but ones who have little to lose and are obviously hypocritical?

[star_of_sad]

I don't know. I wish I had answers for all these hard questions, but... but I don't. Sorry.

2

[a_louse]

[Roger enters and glances at the screen.]

Hmm. I'd have moved the rook to E4.

You're not paying much attention to the TV. Is there something on your mind?

Re: 2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[She takes a sip from her coffee before answering.]

Yes. I visited my parents and even at a time like this, I still ended up arguing with my father once.

[a_louse]

I get the feeling I know what this is about. But if you don't mind, I'd like to hear it regardless.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

We ended up talking about work. It happens, we're both passionate about what we do. But it was the first time I saw my parents after months of putting myself in danger. Arguing was the last thing I wanted...Probably him as well.

[a_louse]

As I suspected.

Did the idea of returning home for a while ever tempt you? Other members of Unity Group do that sometimes, despite being parts of organized military groups.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It did. But it's a long trip and I had a lot of learning to do to really have a place in battle, so I didn't get around to it. I'll take more breaks from now on just in case.

[a_louse]

Before all of this started, you got along well with your family... Did you?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Me and my dad have been arguing occasionally for years about his work. This isn't different. Except that it used to be that I saw them regularly so it was easier to see past the arguments.

1

[sixteenthgun]

[Cobray surveys the surroundings slowly. When he hears Alex, though, his interest is piqued.]

Protecting Flanders?

Re: 1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes. Some nonsense about foreign oppression, that apparently leaves it one of the richest parts of the world, and outsiders who can't understand our culture. The culture that those people just got wrecked by hanging out in the museum like that.

[sixteenthgun]

What you have is worth much more to them, then.

Valuable art or not, it sounds as if they set out for that as an objective.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes, but if they want to pretend to give a shit about Flanders and its heritage, they should actually try to preserve that heritage.

[sixteenthgun]

If that really is their driving force, the outcome of this will have some effect on them.

[He stares at the ruins of the museum.]

Was there even anything left?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Not sure, but I doubt anything delicate survived, at least.

[sixteenthgun]

...

I don't understand...or remember...the significance of what was in there. But, as long as there is something...it would be better than all of the works being lost.

[And then he shifts his attention back to Alex.]

In the meantime, you should be more concerned about yourself.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Why? I mean, more than other people around here.