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

[star_of_sad]

It's true? That you have killed 200 people?

[Setsuko is literally taken aback, taking backward steps before she can regain footing.]

...

Why?

[a_linear_mind]

...

[Silence again.]

...I had to do it.

[star_of_sad]

...

[The awkward silence lingers from both sides of the conversation. But finally:]

Should I ask?

[a_linear_mind]

Even if I told you, would you believe me?

[Even Willis could tell that he's ruined the trust he's built up.]

[star_of_sad]

...

Not any less than others, if they said they knew what happened back then.

[a_linear_mind]

[Willis climbs down from Strahlend, meeting Setsuko at ground level.]

Are you sure about that? I could just be trying to fool you.

[star_of_sad]

I don't know anything and have no way to determine if what you're saying is true or not.

So... it's logic, really. I'll have to believe you until proven otherwise.

[a_linear_mind]

I think that most people here would tell you that trusting me goes against all common logic.

[star_of_sad]

Maybe. And maybe they are right, however...

Professor Shirakawa said not to judge unless you have a full view on the situation. And he was right, too.

Besides, you're not the one who tried to repeatedly murder my friends just to see me suffer, right? That kinda... tends to put things in perspective.

[a_linear_mind]

No but...I haven't exactly done much to help you either.

[He sounds a bit bitter.]

If Shu and Optimus weren't there...

[star_of_sad]

That was...

Sorry.

I have lost control over myself out there. If others didn't manage to calm me down, then once again I'd...

[a_linear_mind]

You don't need to apologize, if anything I should be the one doing that.

You were...going through a lot there.

[star_of_sad]

I'm not the only one. I know better than to think that I'm the only one who is suffering...

So please. Tell me what happened, Willis. Or at least...

At least promise to tell me one day.

[a_linear_mind]

[A long silence follows, for a moment Willis looks ready to just turn and leave. However...]

...those crystal creatures...the first time I encountered something like them was the Antarctica Incident.

[star_of_sad]

They appeared such a long time ago?

And...

What happened then?

[a_linear_mind]

...I killed them...

[He grows quiet again for a brief moment.]

...all 200 of them.

[star_of_sad]

Two hundred? You mean those monsters were...!

[a_linear_mind]

[Willis only grows quiet again, that's the only acknowledgement of that statement he makes.]

When I made it back into the base the entire place was devastated...and the culprit was one machine.

[Again, Willis goes quiet...]

...it was piloted by fiancee...somehow her machine's nanomachine system had gone wild...so, I had to, I didn't want to but she asked me to...begged me to...

[He still can't bring himself to say it.]

[star_of_sad]

That's enough! You don't have to say anything else. I... Willis...

[Setsuko closes her eyes.]

I'm... so sorry...

[a_linear_mind]

Don't be...it's...something I've learned to live with after all this time.

[He's trying to put a strong front for Setsuko's sake and yet for some reason he's finding it hard to put on his usual face.]

[star_of_sad]

That doesn't make it right. It's not something anyone should have to go through.

...

Thank you for telling me.

[a_linear_mind]

I'm...not sure if you should be thanking me for telling you something like...that.

[star_of_sad]

It's hard to say the truth. I had it do it myself, remember? And it wasn't easy at all, but compared to yours, my truth was much easier to bring up.

So...

Thank you.

For trusting me.

[a_linear_mind]

I should be the one saying that to you.

[star_of_sad]

If... you say so.

[A slight nod.]