An old friends' reunion(?)

[stupidhonor]

[1 - later than other two prompts actually]
[With some caution regarding use of unfamiliar technology, Sielje reviews a mission recording time and time again. Or rather, a part of it - one during which her own words can be clearly heard. A desperate confession forced by an enemy...]

There is no way to make this disappear...

...

So be it, then. This is, after all, the truth.

Painful may it be.

[2]

"I could not find lord Ishin."

[Ynya returns from a short visit to the Fumerco headquarters. For some reason, his entrance nor leave was not halted by anyone.]

"I saw it - war machines torn to shreds, killed guards... only armed guards. But no sight of Ishin, he is gone like the wind itself."


"It is not his style to murder a defenseless servant. But one with a weapon, even if he is no more of a match to Ishin... regardless, this is not all. Please take a look at this. It is a 'copy', one of many."

Kimhone has in her hands a file of documents. Even cursory reading reveals incriminating evidence - a whole lot of incriminating evidence. Illegal black ops operations, biotech research that violates multinational law (and was done on beasts imported from Ankaia)... it's enough to sink Fumerco forever.

"These papers are strewn all over the Fumerco merchants' building. Not very well guarded, for their contents. I believe Ishin said he needs them no longer? This looks to be his parting gift, to ensure Fumerco will disappear as a player in his game."


"Hmm. But there is something else. Good news, for a change."

The Champion's Arm holds something in its hands.

"This is a device. I am no expert at such matters but it looks like something to open a portal to Ankaia. Very similar to what we have back on our planet... but smaller, more limited. Fumerco had it, and it seems undamaged. Shall we try?"

[3]
[One matter yet remains...]


"Perhaps... it was my mistake to reach out to Fumerco. Blinded by my own optimism, I could not see through intentions of leaders behind it until it was too late. I was blind to many things that seem so obvious now."


"We all made mistakes. What to do of them but to learn and move forward? Look to the future. Is that not right?"

[Kimhone and Ynya both turn towards the third person present.]


"..."

[Sielje is not too eager to start a conversation. Have you something to say perhaps, before leaving the three alone?]

Comments

1

[majestic_keiki]

Hi.

[Sielje's private moment of guilt is interrupted by a Rabbit, two cups of tea and a pocketful of chocolate bars.]

Want to be alone or is talking okay? [She's less awkward about it than in previous conversations, for some reason.]

[stupidhonor]

Mm...

I will not run away from it. Please stay.

[majestic_keiki]

Okay.

[The pocket of chocolate bars is emptied next to them and Kei puts down one cup in front of Sielje.]

I just wanted to make sure you're okay. And tell you not to beat yourself up about it too badly.

[stupidhonor]

[Sielje glances at the bars hungrily, and that cup does not escape her sight either.]

I am not beating myself up.

You know how I feel.

About everything.

[majestic_keiki]

You sounded like you were feeling really guilty about it.

Nobody seemed angry, but I can only say for certain I'm not. [Her voice is softer as she continued.] I'm not that much of a hypocrite.

1

[a_centered_mind]

I wondered why you weren't with them when we were on Ankaia.

That certainly wasn't what I expected to hear.

[stupidhonor]

I cannot not be guilty. To feel such things...

A hypocrite? Why would you be one?

[stupidhonor]

You expected a far more serious reason. Or... perhaps I should say, a less selfish one.

[a_centered_mind]

Everyone's allowed to feel that way. If you still think you're that selfish, you did save many people in the end, us included.

Had it been me your position, I wouldn't have been able to do what you did.

[stupidhonor]

Through repeated clashes with Lady Beldyn, I noticed the device that gave power to her barrier. The rest was just to strike it. I doubt anyone in here would have difficulty with it.

[majestic_keiki]

I've felt that jealousy. And the guilt over feeling it.

You always spoke well of them and you did nothing to hurt them or they'd have noticed. You never did anything to us either. You just wished you had things that you didn't.

[stupidhonor]

I... see...

[Sielje's hand clutches the cup slowly, feeling its warmth.]

Ambition comes from wishing to be better. On Ankaia, it is viewed favorably, as source of growth.

But those who only wish for something but do not do anything to achieve it...

Are shameful...

[a_centered_mind]

You were willing to sacrifice something that close to your heart to do it, because you realized others were in peril. That's what I mean.

Many people have secrets they wouldn't reveal. Then, there are those like me who can't afford to.

In this case, I guess I'm the one who's envious of you.

[majestic_keiki]

[For some reason that leaves Kei silent for a long while, looking away, down into her own cup of tea.]

I see...

But I doubt anybody did everything they wanted to or tried to gain everything they wanted. And if they did, they'd probably be someone like Ishin who doesn't think about others and what their actions do to them.

1

[dignity_kept]

"Horrible" feelings. Yeah, right. Those barely qualify as "naughty", kid.

[The reverberating voices of Kagura sound slightly amused as she floats in, illuminating the room]

[stupidhonor]

What are you saying? Is envy not a sign of futile weakness? Even on Earth, many consider it a major sin...

[stupidhonor]

Envious? Of me? Is it because of those secrets you need to keep?

[stupidhonor]

Yes.

[Sielje takes a deep breath. It's painful to admit, but...]

Ankaia, our culture, promotes men like Ynya and allows them to rise to the top. In... theory...

But for its noble intents, it seems that for every Ynya the realm fosters, there are two Ishins...

[a_centered_mind]

It isn't just that.

I had a talk with them, with Ynya and Kimhone, when we were on Ankaia.

You have two great friends who care about you.

[stupidhonor]

I know. I know, and yet... look how I treated them.

[dignity_kept]

Lots of pretty natural things are considered sins for a lot of people, kiddo. I mean, most humans seem to consider sex a dirty sinful thing, and you people literally need it for your species to exist. [Yeah, the voices that seem to vibrate all over the room definitely sound amused now]

Wanting what you couldn't have is normal human reflex. Hell, normal sapient reflex - I'm not human, and I could teach you a master class on what real hateful envy looks like. [The spirit is wry - it's going to take some getting used to Kagura actually having inflections now] What makes a difference is what you do about it.

[stupidhonor]

Or what you do not do about it...

I am older than most of this group, you realize.

[a_centered_mind]

[Elys pauses for a moment here.]

I know a thing or two about mistreating a friend... I've put one through worse, and I realized then: even though there may be a fight sometimes, the ones you've known and trusted for a very long time will understand.

Anyway, you and those two still fight for the same cause, don't you? Unless you suddenly decide to join Ishin and abandon everything you've stood for out of envy, you aren't as terrible a person as you believe.

...So keep your chin up, 'Guardian of The South'.

[dignity_kept]

Exactly. Did you go around taking what you wanted from people or putting them down so they couldn't have what you didn't? No? Then that's about as much as anyone has any right to expect of you.

[At the second bit, there's a soft sound that might be what a light amused snort sounds like in something without a respiratory system] Or than me, officially. Mind, unofficially it's another story, I've found. [You can practically hear the smirk]

Anyway, just relax a bit about this whole thing. It's not like anyone with a little perceptiveness didn't already pretty much work out everything you confessed in there, after all, and nothing really happened.

[stupidhonor]

Guard of the South. The title is not so grand, really...

[Sielje smiles wryly, but only for a moment. Her expression grows more serious.]

I would never join a cause like Ishin's, but... even if we did not fight on the battlefield, I was opposing Ynya. His goal was for Earth and Ankaia to stand together. Lord Moswar's...