Answers? [Post "The Power Called Sadness"]

[a_linear_mind]

[As the machines that made the trip to the Chimera Headquarters return, one that made the trip is missing. Thankfully, anyone looking for it will find that it isn't fair from Fort Alhambra. The machine is crouched over in one of the empty testing grounds, the self-repair of the machine running a lot slower than it usually does on top of the massive amount of damage it suffered during it's last fight. The pilot is not doing so well either. The man sits on top of the machine, not looking like his usual self at all. His gaze is set on the sunset and...the expression on his face is far from a happy one. He seems to be grasping at some sort of necklace, on closer inspector it's clear that he's holding onto a wedding ring that was kept on the necklace.]

...I bet you'd be laughing if you saw me right now.

[He also seems to be talking to himself. For someone who was just accused of killing someone he loved alongside 200 people, betraying his old friends, and trying to pull the wool over the Unity Group's eyes concerning his identity he seems...oddly calm. ]

Comments

[empress_without_a_throne]

It's far from proper. Now that I know, I can see why you always tried to dodge the issue.

[a_linear_mind]

And yet you don't seem too worried about what they said.

[empress_without_a_throne]

I am, but...

Before I was just curious, suspicious. Now I'm just worried for you.

[a_linear_mind]

...I'm really not someone you should be worried for.

[empress_without_a_throne]

You were out here alone and this is the longest I've seen you without that dumb smile on your face. And now you have enemies who know where you are. There's no way I'm going to not worry about you.

[a_linear_mind]

You have your own problems to be worrying about.

In the unlikely case that Aegis do try something I can always just disappear again...

[empress_without_a_throne]

If Solaris only worried about its own problems, we'd probably be holding bake sales or panhandling on the street what with no Unity Group support.

And come on... for whatever time you have left in the world, do you really want to spend it just running and hiding?

The Unity Group adopted me warts and all. We won't turn our backs on you.

[a_linear_mind]

You shouldn't speak for everyone, Mizuki.

I have...a lot of time left in this world. Another 40 or 50 years in exile doesn't sound so bad right now.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Forty or fifty- ... W-Willis...

[Come on. Don't get so shocked by a big number. Say something to get through to him already!]

If.. you have that much time left, that's all... all the more reason to not spend it always looking over your shoulder!

[a_linear_mind]

You'd be surprised at how quickly time passes when you're avoiding civilization.

[You're losing your opportunity here Mizuki, that persona is coming back up.]

1/2

[empress_without_a_throne]

But I don't want you to do that!

[And yeah. Time for desperate measures.]

I won't pry if it's too sensative, but...

2/2

[empress_without_a_throne]

... Whoever they were...

Would "she" want you to either?

[a_linear_mind]

...Mizuki, please don't.

[His expression says it all.]

[empress_without_a_throne]

[Well, mission accomplished. Though the guilt on Mizuki's face is clear.]

... I'm sorry. But I just don't want you playing dumb about this. Whatever reason you had for... what they said you did, you don't have to tell me.

But you could've tried to kill everyone else there. Or just ran away. And you didn't. You're more than what they made you out to be. Better than what they made you out to be.

[a_linear_mind]

...You're too naive for your own good.

[empress_without_a_throne]

You said it yourself; if you had it your way you'd spend the rest of your life hiding away from everyone.

What kind of evil man does that?

[a_linear_mind]

You really shouldn't be twisting my words to fit your narrative.

[empress_without_a_throne]

It's... not that. I've just been... measuring. What you've done against what's been said.

[She sits down opposite of Willis, laying the fish down between the two of them. And in the hopes of learning more about Willis without bringing up that incident, whatever it was...]

... What made you join the Unity Group?

[a_linear_mind]

I think you've already heard the answer to that, I just wanted a quick meal.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Right, right...

[The bag gets opened. There's cooked fish inside, the freaky kind that's safe for her to eat... and thus maybe looking a tad too exotic for Willis. But here's hoping.]

Here. About time we dig in anyways.