Wounded Pride, Betrayed Mercy

[brought_it_back]

[In the wake of everything that happened at the "ESUN funders" meeting place, and her sudden-if-unwitting assistance in Loni getting the last Seal, Eva's been confined to bases for the immediate future. Also, she's absolutely pissed, if the way she's going to town on that sandbag is anything to judge by.]

You...stupid...cow!!

[And yelling at it. There's that too.]

Why the hell should you trust that rock?! Why the hell should you trust Loni! Why should I trust you, huh?!

[Spots of blood start to appear on the sandbag, and on the floor. Eva's been at this for a while with no protection; her knuckles have split open. She gives a 'tch,' and walks off to sulk on a bench by the side of the room.]

All I had to do was wait, and some magic rock was going to save me...? Like hell...

Comments

[dolorous_sensei]

Don't beat yourself up. Every mistake is a lesson to be learned from the future.

...mistakes that don't kill you, that is.

[dolorous_sensei]

And some lessons' price are so steep that it's better for you to never take them at all. If the lessons cripple you for life, for example. Or if the lesson cost you half of your monthly pay just to teach you how to play violin, that goddamned cheat, and you don't even like violin, you just thought it'd make you look cool and cultured among your subordinates.

[brought_it_back]

You should learn to stop talking while you're ahead.

[dolorous_sensei]

That is also a lesson to be learned, yes.

[brought_it_back]

[Eva sighs, her head hanging.]

I am angry at myself. I thought...I thought she'd left that 'save the world' wish behind. I told her I didn't need or want that kind of saving...And we might lose everything because of it.

...I'm still more angry at her, though.

[dolorous_sensei]

The lesson to be learned here is clear I guess. Never trust anyone, and only believe in yourself, then you'll never be hurt or betrayed.

*nod nod*

Hm, wait, did I told this to someone else before?

[brought_it_back]

Please never become a life coach.

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei winces a bit at the hit on the sandbag.]

Haven't they thought about the whole thing being a lie...

[brought_it_back]

[Eva shakes her wrist after that hit.]

...I don't know. Probably not. The prize is too tempting.

[majestic_keiki]

I know...Just...It seems so obvious to at least consider it when messing with things like that.

[brought_it_back]

You'd think so, but self-doubt isn't something people like to do.

...On the flip side, have you thought about what if it's all true?

[majestic_keiki]

...No. It'd be pretty scary. Imagine Loni trying to work out the details of how the world should work.

[brought_it_back]

No, I mean like...well..

...Even if they could pull it off the way they imagine, I would want to oppose them. It's...kind of petty, but the very idea of their thing is insulting.

[majestic_keiki]

It does trivialize normal effort a bit. But I wouldn't stand in the way of things if it was all working as intended and they had thought everything through completely.

[brought_it_back]

Right...I guess I might, too. But I'd still hate them for it.

...Did you have something you needed me for? My feelings are all bundled up in a knot...it's a little better from talking, but still.

[majestic_keiki]

Oh, no...I just heard you and I've been thinking about this too.

[brought_it_back]

...And your thoughts?

[majestic_keiki]

That they're too naive and it's all probably another of the Lady's lies.

[actuallyselfish]

"I guess a magic rock was too perfect for them to resist," Dido muses sullenly. "All they have to do is make a wish, and the world's suffering is wiped away. This way, they don't have to spend the rest of their lives fixing the world."

She pinches her nose and looks at Eva. "Next time we meet them, what will you do?" She asks.

[brought_it_back]

Stop them.

[cloningblues]

I've never seen you so angry before.

[An Asagi approaches with a bandage.]

[brought_it_back]

You haven't known me for very long.

[Eva's gaze remains dark for a moment-but she sighs, relaxes, and takes the bandage.]

...But you're right. They...They hit a lot of my weak points.

[cloningblues]

I can't say I knew either of them well...

But I know what it means to be betrayed by someone you trusted in a tough situation.

[brought_it_back]

I believe you, but...

...if I was more like the me from a year ago...This wouldn't have happened. I'd have killed them and been done with it, and we'd be safe.

[cloningblues]

Well. You'd have to destroy their giant combining robot first. That's not an easy thing to do. But anyway...

...You've changed, yes. But that's not a change for worse. It's just that when you're trying to be good, some people are willing to exploit that.

[brought_it_back]

...mm. If you say so...no, you're right. I shouldn't think things like that.

[A pause.]

Ah, I...won't be able to make our date.

[cloningblues]

Afraid so.

...

Maybe it'd work at another time...