The Wheel Grinds Slow, But Fine

[brought_it_back]

[After the battle with Samantha, FBI investigators and detective types are poking around the UG for what they can find relating to Eva and her family. They're polite and friendly, and just interested in the facts of what happened, not any sort of genetic or scientific information. They make no effort to hide their motive: publishing a thorough documentation of the crimes, lies, and moral failings that led to a group of insane psychics and a nuclear explosion on American soil. That said, while they will document and try to prevent similar crimes from happening again, there is no plan to pursue charges relating to Pedantic Blue. Or to put it another way, Edward McDowell is going to die a free man.

As for Eva, she fell ill soon after returning from Alaska. Nausea, vomiting-classic symptoms of radiation sickness. And while it is a mild case, she can still look forward to being stuck in sickbay on medical leave for the next few weeks. A bible, a stack of adventure books from Alex, and a pile of classic movies on DVD are there to help her occupy the time. When you visit, she's either reading one of the books, watching a movie, or just lying in bed staring at the ceiling.]

Comments

[herodrawing]

No.

[Izuru answers very quickly, but then he falls silent for a longer while.]

It'd end the same way. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure of that.

[brought_it_back]

No...That sounds right.

[Eva lies back down, looking up at the ceiling.]

...I didn't want to be a weapon anymore. Not just a tool used by others...That's all I really thought about when I left him...

In the end, that meant I tried to protect him from his victims.

Izuru, does that make me a bad person?

[herodrawing]

It's not just Edward you protected. They'd kill a lot of people! Even Samantha said that. That's why I promised to stop her.

Besides... even if he did a lot of horrible things...

We can't just walk around and kill people we don't like without trial, right?

[brought_it_back]

...It's funny that you mention a trial.

[herodrawing]

... He's not getting one. Right?

Mr Mcdowell did all those horrible things but in the end he got away with it.

[brought_it_back]

To some extent. His life's work...that army of psychic supersoldiers, will never be realized. And he is an old man.

[Eva sighs.]

...I asked that they not prosecute him. Though I don't know if that was the deciding factor.

People deserve chances to do good, right?

[herodrawing]

Eeeeh?! So it was you, Eva?

[Izuru's reaction is surprised blinking.]

I didn't know!

[brought_it_back]

...Please don't yell...

[Oh god why did she ask Izuru for advice again]

[herodrawing]

Ah... sorry, sorry.

[Izuru coughs awkwardly.]

But, you know...

[brought_it_back]

I know...and I'm not sure about it. I may owe him my life twice over, but much of what's bad about that life is also his fault. And he made many other people suffer, as well.

[She holds onto her locket, the little heart-shaped momento she's kept with her.]

Still...I want to give mercy a chance. Even if I can't bring myself to love him, or call him friend...I can let him live his last few years in peace.

[herodrawing]

That's not what I meant.

I think you did the right choice, Eva.

I'm just surprised. But, looking back at everything and how you acted over time - I shouldn't be right?

[brought_it_back]

...Thank you, Izuru. That...means a lot to me, actually.

It's hard, and I'm not sure that what I'm doing is the right choice...

[Her fingers play over the locket.]

So, it's good to hear you support me.

[herodrawing]

That's what friends are for! So, get better soon, Eva. And everyone will be waiting for you, I'm sure.