Reflections on a battle, and of one's self.

[whats_a_good_end]

[1] (for people who participated in Penance Due or are coming to help pick everyone up afterwards)

[Well... things had certainly happened, but what little that had been learned from this trip just raised further questions without any possible leads.  And with nothing better to do, Ana's been trying to explore what she can of the building that Jason Ortiz had been waiting for them by.  If it was where he lived, clues might've been there... but between all the fighting and Thomas's powers going haywire it's really just become an exercise in lifting up rubble and putting it aside.]

What could he have possibly done?  Ortiz was helping out here at least to some degree.  If it was atonement for some past sin... if it was as bad as Thomas said then we would've heard about it, right?  You can't make enemies with that kind of deep-seated hatred and not get other eyes on you as well...

[In the midst of her searching though, she winds up uncovering a few broken pieces of a wooden object.  It's not had to guess they were originally had a more human-like shape... like some basic doll that was left behind here for one reason or another.  Ana stares at it for a moment before continuing on with her fruitless labor.]

[2]



[The doll's still on her mind when the team's finally brought back to base, and along with contrasting images of the fancy, expensive kinds that she'd had as a child.  The whole trip to India contrasted with her wealthy beginnings, really... and even after being disowned she'd never experienced that kind of poverty or seen it firsthand.  It's almost enough to start feeling grateful to her family for all those years of support before they'd thrown her out.  Enough to make her actually pick up a phone to call them.   Considering her working with the Unity Group, she'd probably even be welcomed back as the prodigal child.]

...

... But to them it's about "family calling" and "tradition".

[Rekindled appreciation for a good childhood is enough to pick the phone up, yes.  But that's all.  Back down the phone goes, Ana heading off back to her room to rest.  She's got another shift scheduled at the cafe in a few hours.]

The closer I get to what they want from me, the more I'm getting away from what they want me to believe.

Comments

1

[jianai]

He said that he had no regrets in life.

[Ren looks like a bloody mess, which is the usual after having used their powers.]

I am saddened that Professor Jason has departed from this world... but I will honor his decision of doing so on his own terms.

[whats_a_good_end]

Yeah...

Do you think the people here will give him a burial?

[jianai]

If he did good, contributed to the community... I am sure they won't forget him right now.

[whats_a_good_end]

Didn't mean it exactly like that, but you're right.

And he must've done a lot of good, if he was able to convince everyone to clear out before he came.

[jianai]

He surely had a past. I don't know if he was a bad person like how Thomas said he was...

But the locals will not remember him for that, will they? If they even knew or suspected anything, from their perspective he was just an elderly doctor running a local clinic.

[whats_a_good_end]

Hope they'll be okay. These people might have never met a doctor, at least not before he came here.

[jianai]

I'm pretty sure it's not that bad. There are regions that are very poor, but India is still a civilized country.

Still, I admit the healthcare is less then adequate. And there's a lot more places around the globe like this.

1

[itbelongsinamuseum]

And even if he was that bad and nobody had heard about it, it's still a lot of families who lost everything in that attack. It might not have been much, but still.

[whats_a_good_end]

"Home is where the heart is". It's where you feel welcome and at-ease.

At the very least Ortiz had everyone get out of here prior to the battle.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes. Regardless of what he had done, it seems like he had reformed.

[whats_a_good_end]

I've been thinking though about something else. Something Ren reminded me of too. He said he had no regrets...

... And for that matter Freddy whats-his-name showed up during this fight, if only for a little while. Maybe finding him's easier than everyone thinks.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That's not impossible...It had to have taken a lot of effort to get all those mechs as well, so tracking those down to find him should be possible as well.

1

[brought_it_back]

I don't know.

[Eva's right arm hangs limply by her side, as she holds it with her left.]

But I will find out.

[whats_a_good_end]

You're not the only one who deserves answers though. They kept calling you "sister" and acting as if you're part of this.

... What's the oldest memory you have? Of anything?

[brought_it_back]

The fluorescent lights in a japanese hospital, two, almost three years ago. Before that, nothing.

[whats_a_good_end]

And you never tried to piece together where you came from? Never asking who brought you to that hospital even?

[brought_it_back]

Some villagers had dropped me off, then driven away without a word.

...I was more preoccupied with deportation hearings, at the time. And finding food, afterwards.

[whats_a_good_end]

You might do well to try putting the pieces of that puzzle back together once we're out of here.

If only for your sake.

[brought_it_back]

No, for more than that.

Whatever happened in my past...is tied with what happened today. If I am to know my enemy...I must know the history, as well.

[whats_a_good_end]

Glad you're getting my meaning.