azume | Restart.

Restart.

HALL OF ORIGIN.

The Hall of Origin isn't without its accommodations - after all, humans do live here from time to time, with at least one of them a permanent resident, and even with Arceus' release it doesn't see fit to just make the place into the glass-paned OSHA violation that it normally seems to be.

The building itself contains more or less anything you would need after an encounter like this one, whether you want to sleep or locate something to eat, or simply exist around the others for a while; the large hall you first entered into is likely the best for the latter, and you're welcome to gather there for as long as you need. ...Any food is going to be vegan as hell, however, because no one is sure what else you expected.

Cyrus and all three Commanders are present for the time being, and amenable to being approached; granted, Cyrus is going to remain outside with Arceus like the asocial individual that he is. Meanwhile, Saturn and Mars in particular seem...it's difficult to say whether they seem "better" or not, but they don't seem acted upon by the Red Chain's influence anymore. (Which is likely a good thing, whether they consider it to be such or not.)

There are plans to be made, of course, and things to be done; for now, however, feel free to enjoy the present moment. It's been well-earned.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, definitely. I can point out several times when you really should've.

[...]

But I guess it worked out for you guys today.

[That statement's careful, like she's not entirely sure how she feels about it. It's not a bad thing, at any rate.]

I don't think I'd disagree with you, honestly.

['we've all done a lot of really stupid shit']

...What do you think you'll do now?

[She shifts a bit at that, glancing back out the window before finally responding.]

...I'll talk to Master Cyrus about that. And Jupiter and Saturn. I... I'm not going anywhere on my own.

[It's blunted and not exactly what she wants to express, but it's... kind of an attempt?]

No--I'd certainly not expect as much. I'm starting to think that loyalty at cost of all else perhaps...isn't always the best potential option, but I still don't think it a terrible one.

It's...

[hmm.]

I think it has the potential to be really bad. But it's... That's what I want right now. I don't want to make any plans without hearing their thoughts. I don't want to assume anything.

[She can't exactly ignore the possibility that everything could change now. Cyrus might disband Galactic. Jupiter might leave. There are a lot of possibilities, and from the sound of it, she really doesn't like any of them.]

...I agree. It's a dangerous path to walk, even though it's surely you find happiness in.

[Despite everything, even Saturn's unsettlingly familiar sense of worthlessness...he respected that about all three of them.]

I'm sure the last thing you want is my opinion, but I think you'll be alright. You're a strong person with incredible willpower. I don't imagine things will be easy, for a while...but I've faith you and the others will come out of it alright.

[Mars shifts a little again before settling. When she responds, her voice is a bit steadier.]

...I'm not going to let them down. Even if I don't know how things are going to turn out, I can at least be here while we sort everything out.

[She's absolutely learned how important support is, after all. She can do that much, and maybe she'll work the rest out as she goes.]

You won't disappoint them. I'm quite convinced of that much.

[mmmmmmmm what does she do with that—]

...Thanks, I guess. I didn't exactly expect to hear something like that from you.

[she was kind of at her worst in your direction. a lot.]

I can't say I've all that many hard feelings, for my part.

[i mean hey he's been threatened with murder a few times, it's not a huge dealbreaker to him]

Besides--I think I can understand the three of you, a little.

...I guess that's good.

[no, it's very good?? she's just. bad at this.]

I get that, though. We've got some similarities, from the sound of it.

[It's not even grudging acknowledgement! That's probably also good??]

Loyalty bordering on the concerning? I'd call that a slight common thread.

[we joke because we perhaps need therapy]

Heh, yeah. It's a pretty weird thing to have in common, huh?

[is there anyone here who doesn't need any sort of therapy though lbr]

I can truthfully admit it's not something I expected to find. Prompto and Gladio are one thing, but I hadn't expected to run into the same quality in anyone else to such a degree.

[we're all a shitshow]

It is a little weird. I guess I should thank you guys for that; I hadn't realized it was strange before you guys showed up and yelled at me for awhile.

[She doesn't sound upset or bothered by it; she's just kind of amused, really.]

In all honesty? I never thought it was anything but normal until I came here.

[i mean. what can you do, really.]

...I still don't regret it, and I don't think I ever will. But I' think I truly would like to try another path, since I've little other choice now.

...Why don't you have any other choice?

[Ah, that's...]

If you don't mind me asking.

[#nailed it]

[god bless you, mars, you are doing your best.]

The person I followed for all these years...Noctis isn't around any longer. In concept, I don't have much of a reason to live anymore.

[jesus christ, ignis]

So, I suppose I need to find one.

Oh.

[For a moment, that's all she says.]

I'm sorry. I... honestly can't imagine how difficult that is.

[She can try to imagine it, sure. But her situation isn't exactly the same as Ignis'.]

I think it's good that you're going to look for a reason to keep living.

[...]

I guess that's kind of weird coming from me of all people, huh?

[mars.]

It's...it hurts. It likely will for however long I live. Above all else, he was my friend--and I loved him dearly.

[No point in lying about it, really.]

I was six when we met, and I've never known any other life. I don't know that I exist as an individual person outside of what I fashioned myself into in service to him and to the kingdom. But I...would like to. I should have tried long ago, but it is simply what it is.

And I think...that's what makes spirit worth having. The fact that losing Noct hurts more than I can describe doesn't lessen what I felt and still feel about him. It doesn't make me care less for the world he died to save, or for our friends he's left behind. I'm happy with the life I've led to this point. And I'd like to continue it, even if I'm not sure how.

...I don't think it strange at all, coming from you. You would have killed me for your own loyalty; how can I truly fault you for that when I would have killed anyone who came close to laying a hand on him?

[...]

It sounds like you've been through a lot. I really am sorry you've lost someone so important to you.

I think you'll be okay, though. You've got a lot of really good friends here, and I'm sure they'd all jump in to help you for whatever you need. If you need a direction, I'm sure they'll be there to point you in one. If you need help, they'll be right there. And when you do find what you're looking for, they'll be there to celebrate it with you.

Things probably will be tough at first. But it's admirable that you want to keep going, even when you've lost someone so important.

[To be honest, she's not sure where he gets the strength to keep moving.]

I think I'll be alright. Or if nothing else, I think I'm prepared to give things a try. I'd not have been able to entertain the idea if all this hadn't happened--they're good people, aren't they? Bit of a mess, but so am I.

...Don't tell anyone that. I think a few of them still believe I have some shred of dignity left to me.

[That gets her to laugh.]

Your secret's safe with me, promise.

I know you'll be fine with all of them around. If we're ever in the same area again, maybe you can tell me about what you end up finding.

I do plan to come back, when I can. I've our own world to help set in order, but I can't very well abandon this one after all this time.

...I think I'd like that, if you'll be willing to listen.

Yeah, of course. Whenever you've got the time for it, then.

[She sounds like she's settled; it's not exactly pleased, but it's much more relaxed now.]

Restart.

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