It floats away, a small wish with tears and a little regret

[desperateprayer]

[ After the entire trial, Clarith gets to work. If Rii-san won't make the memorials, she will, and if Rii-san does, she'll supervise. And then, she'll slip a letter under each door. ]

Please join me in the gardens for a funeral and then a wake in the first floor rest area.

- Sister Clarith

[ When people arrive, Clarith is waiting with her Levin Bible in hand. Afterward, they can all file into the rest area, where hopefully someone has made food! She's sure someone would have, but she wanted to just... Get the funeral done. ]

Comments

[shikosuki]

...Can I say something? Something that's been on my mind for a couple of days now.

[ a.k.a. since Monday ]

[scourgingstars]

I'm not going to stop you.

[shikosuki]

During the meeting you said something about how you don't really feel compassion anymore. Because of what you've been through and stuff... do I have that right?

[scourgingstars]

...Close enough that I won't bother with the details. What about it?

[shikosuki]

...Why did taking away your memories just undo that? Even if you don't remember what happened you'd probably still feel that way, right? I mean... you felt that way for over a thousand years, yeah?

[ something something the heart remembers what the mind doesn't yadda yadda sentimental pretentious crap ]

Were you just faking it the first few weeks?

[scourgingstars]

[you know, even ardyn has to admit that's an entirely fair question.]

...No. I was never lying to the rest of you when it came to that. Of course, you can refuse to believe that if you like.

[The answer was calm, without any of the frigid condescension he'd spoken with during the rose ceremony.]

'Ardyn Lucis Caelum' was someone who cared for others at all expense to himself. Knew no other way to live, even when his body and soul were as corrupted as what's before you right now. Even if he felt almost nothing when expressing compassion or protecting others, he did it because he couldn't imagine standing by and risking suffering through his inaction.

All I was without these memories is a shadow of someone before an entire world destroyed him, struggling under the weight of what he shouldered for others. Now, I see no reason to even waste my breath with pretending I feel anything other than I actually do.

[shikosuki]

...I see. I think I get it now.

[ He looks down at his tea ]

So what does coming and bringing me this count as? You said all that about how we can't fall apart but I'm not sure why it matters to you.

[ He's not being accusatory he's just genuinely curious ]

[scourgingstars]

...I'm in this situation as much as the rest of you. It's just more convenient for me to keep as many of you alive and reasonably sane so we can get out of here.

[shikosuki]

If you say so.

[ Okay I lied he takes one more "but that's none of my business" sip of his tea ]

...Thanks again. Also sorry that your brother's such a dick.

[ Good god Choromatsu just putting it all out there today ]

[scourgingstars]

...

[Well. That made him laugh, at least. Good...job?]

I can assure you the sympathy's not necessary. He's likely been dead for a very long time, by now.

[shikosuki]

I figured.

An ass is still an ass though.

[ He's kinda really glad shit isn't THAT bad with him and his group of dumbasses?? ]

[scourgingstars]

The candid honesty is appreciated, at least.