End of Fear

[break_away_from_fear]

[Phobos was stopped and Leos apprehended with minimal impact to the world at large despite the threat of a moon being hurled at Earth. The situation though may have been quite a bit more complicated by the appearance of Nineball as well. Numerous considerations and concerns were being addressed and facts checked through. Though Nineball did indeed manipulate Leos, all of his actions were all conducted by his own will rather than active control by the AI.

Either way the history of numerous psychological issues had dissuaded any sort of harsher punishment. Rather than an execution or imprisonment, Leos would be sent to an as of yet currently undisclosed location for treatment and therapy... though he has yet to learn of this.

Currently Leos simply waits in a holding cell and is awaiting transfer. Restrained to ensure no harm can be done to others... or more likely towards himself... a precaution more than expectation for it to happen. Either way he barely moves an inch as he simply sits slumped against the wall and is unable to bring himself to look up at whoever is visiting him. Out of guilt or shame its hard to say.]

Comments

[herodrawing]

I meant it.

[Izuru stands against the door's frame. He doesn't look afraid or anxious of the encounter. No, relieved more like it.]

I meant everything I said out there.

[break_away_from_fear]

... I don't deserve to be your friend Izuru... not after everything I did...

[Leos voice was tired and filled with regret. The tone of someone who was completely done.]

Is everyone else alright..?

[herodrawing]

Not really. Just because you're my friend doesn't mean I won't stop you if you do something I don't agree with. In fact, isn't that what friends are for?

Everyone's okay. Except... well, you know already.

[break_away_from_fear]

...

[And Leos thinks back to the final battle with the Vagan.]

I... I haven't been a very good friend at all if that's the case.

[He's hesitant to even ask about things... but...]

How did it happen?

[herodrawing]

It was a trap. PRAYERs wanted to turn her into one of them. But instead of letting them, major Kagura blew herself up.

[agedup]

[Knock knock. Granted he'd already stepped inside, but being polite was still a thing that existed.]

Hey there. I'm... sorry I couldn't have been there to help. But I'm glad Izuru and the others were.

[break_away_from_fear]

... You're not angry I'm still alive...

[He sounded a little confused by this turn of events, anxious even.]

[agedup]

Maybe before I might've been...

... But that was while I had my own problems.

[break_away_from_fear]

[Problems Leos could have made worse given the views he had.]

... I heard that peace talks with the Vagan are going well...

[agedup]

They have been.

The truth's out about everything... about what Ezelcant wanted and the insane steps he took to get it. And the information they have on X-Rounders has made the AGE System's work on reversing the condition a lot easier.

And you know, when you said before how we were similar... you were right.

[actuallyselfish]

After carefully and publicly transferring her unit's black box to the ESUN MPs, Dido goes to visit Leos in her cell.

"So..." She says, leaning against the wall.

[break_away_from_fear]

... What are you expecting me to do..? Apologize for what I tried to do? For being used again?

[actuallyselfish]

"Nah," Dido says quietly. "Apologies wouldn't do good for anyone at this point."

She fixes Leos with a steady glare. "You made a stupid choice, started a war that hurt lots of people, and threw the world into terror for no good reason. You should have known better...and I will never forgive you for that."

She sighs. "But I don't hate you, Leos. You're still my friend. And if you've got a plan to make amends, I'll help you as best I can."

[break_away_from_fear]

...You're right...

But the only way to make up for any of this is to make sure I never do anything like it again.

[Leos motions to his head.]

Through the eye. Softest spot. It'll go right to the brain.

[With everything that Leos went through Dido, you might have wanted to be a bit more careful.]

[actuallyselfish]

Dido stares at Leos, then rubs her nose in exasperation. "...drama queen much, Leos?" She says. "If they voted to execute you, I'd have pulled the trigger myself."

She lowers her hand. "But they decided to let you live, Leos. You know why?"

[brought_it_back]

...

[Eva arrives, then pulls up a chair and sits just outside the cell.]

...

[Visibly tired, she sits with a hand holding up her chin as she debates her approach. Some humor to lighten the mood? An "I told you so"? Maybe an apology, for not helping him avoid this...]

...

[Unable to decide, she sits.]

[break_away_from_fear]

[Leos simply gives Eva a glance. He doesn't say anything but the look he gives her should get the point across.]

...

['Satisfied'?]

[brought_it_back]

...I'm glad things turned out this way.

[break_away_from_fear]

I'm not surprised that you are. I suppose this is the part where you tell me how pathetic I am?

[brought_it_back]

...No.

There's only a few differences...A few things that went one way for me, and not for you, that made it so I'm out here and you're in there.

I'm glad because you're still alive, not because I beat you.

[cloningblues]

Leos! Brace yourself!

[An angry Asagi comes in and grabs the pudding eater by the collar.]

[break_away_from_fear]

[Leos... doesn't. He doesn't bother struggling or pulling away or readying himself for it. He just accepts that whatever was about to happen would just do so.]

Do what you want...

[cloningblues]

...

[Asagi just lets go off him.]

You really are an idiot. Did you really think we'll just leave you there?

[break_away_from_fear]

Yes.

[And considering some of the things that Nineball belted out he well and truly believed it.]

[cloningblues]

Don't think it's just because you used to be a friend, so long ago.

You weren't a threat anymore, and we could easily take you with us. Just letting you die there instead of taking you prisoner... just wouldn't be right.