vulpeculaet | (no subject)

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[TWO HEXAPATH PROMOPTS (hexaprompts, if you will:)

A: Sometime mid-to-late game! It's time for a save point! Which means the party is now making camp in front of a large, glowing crystal, someone has brought out a full cottage from their inventories, and Alice is currently stirring a pot on the campfire. What is everyone else up to while Alice tries to keep dinner in one piece?

B:

Alice has just betrayed the party, and given Ulrich the relics they were collecting. Immediately afterward, Ulrich tried to kill the party, keeping Alice on his side. Alice instead did nothing, paralyzed by fear and confusion, as Ulrich grew steadily more unhinged, until finally his attacks fell on Alice herself.

"Useless son", he called her. And as he attacked, she was protected by the party, telling the party everything- She was truly Lucifer, the heaven-sent child, an assassin, his very own child- Son, he always called her. Why would they cover her? Lucifer was nothing more than his own tool.

Finally, they drove him to retreat. And Alice hasn't moved since, slumped over on the ground, staring blankly at nothing. She seems like a doll whose strings have been cut, or perhaps... Someone waiting on death row.

She isn't moving. There's no reason to.]

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["Deserters and traitors are too dangerous to live," they'd said at the academy. "Remember that. What they know and what they've done isn't worth any bond you may have." Marie had flinched then, not knowing why.

She shakes her head and slowly lays both her hands empty on the ground. The mini crossbow on her wrist isn't loaded. No, she actually went and unstrung it, too.]

Don't get me wrong. I'm still mad that they have all the pieces now. I set out on this thing to put those back where they came from. But to me, when all this started, it seemed like just random bandits stealing ancient artifacts. You? It was something you had to do because you didn't have a choice.

...And let's just say I'm not gonna judge anyone for trying to please her old man when all he wants is a perfect little stepping stone. Don't get me wrong, you had it worse. Just.

[Hope is the poison of the mind. It will blind you, drag you into traps. You will cling to it, and it will drown you in delusions and falls you could have avoided. Having hope is the same as avoiding reality.

Such were the things she was taught. And yet... Something is warm in her chest, a small hope. Maybe... Maybe they won't hate her...

But she extinguishes that hope. She has no right to even wish for that.]

I... I did have a choice. I could have ran sooner. I could have not obeyed him. I have killed so many, for him, and...

[She's strong. She won't cry.

... But even so, her voice wavers.]

I know. But there's still that what-if, right? Always stringing you along. ...Besides, given you gave him the pieces and he still dragged you over there and started going on about everything you didn't tell us, then attacked you anyway? I'm not sure you're the bad guy here. Even if he made you do all that s...tuff.

... I...

[She stops. Her heart hurts. Her voice... She can't trust her voice anymore.]

I'm a demon. I... I ruined all of our hard work... And now... He can...

[She takes a shaky breath, as if trying to steady herself.]

I don't... deserve to be with you any longer...

...Look. Of course I'm mad about the pieces. But they're still just things. Important things, but you're a person, and way more important than he ever said. Doctor or assassin, you've always done things for people out of the goodness of your own heart. Even if... oh, man, we scared you, didn't we? Back when you first helped us out. That's why you wouldn't take payment and you kept trying to run away.

... I... was frightened.

[It's so hard for her to admit, but.]

... I... had tried to kill you all. I thought... You must have recognized me, no matter how much I had changed. You must have desired revenge... I was so busy running away from everything, I didn't want to get caught up with anyone who might have a tie to my past... I wanted to run away, cover my ears and avert my eyes...

[She's about to say something, sighs, and shakes her head.]

You know, I can't even say anything. I dropped out of the academy when I was 17 and ran away to live in the woods. My parents haven't spoken to me in years. If I judged you at all, that's just hypocrisy.

But why would we want revenge? We escaped when we fought you. Even if it's weird to think of that assassin as you. I don't know about you, but the only ones I want to get back are your old man and his buddies. Bet the General's just laughing at us.

Edited 2018-10-09 06:18 (UTC)

I... do not wish to think of that as me, either, but even so...

[She takes a shaky breath, and...]

You... truly have no grudge... at all?

...Like I said. I don't like what just happened any more than you do, but I like you, and I get why you did it. I think we all get it. I mean, Sophie's always wanted more than anything to be just like someone who's been fooling the whole world. Ed does everything he can to earn a position they wouldn't let him have. And then there's Aran, too, he was our enemy for ages. Who knows how much he's gone through. Everyone has someone they wanted to impress who let them down.

[That does it.

All she can do is just... Break down and start crying.]

I- I'm sorry... Thank you... I'm sorry....

[Marie frowns. She takes a deep breath, glances around the area with a warning look in case anyone decides to be the wrong kind of stupid, and hovers a hand over Alice's shoulder.]

We're here, okay? We might be down right now, but we're all right here. That means you, too.

[She finally manages to lift her head, looking up from where she's hunched over at Marie, tears flowing openly.]

What... should I do from now on?

I can't force you into anything. Do what you want to do. But if you're taking suggestions, I think we could use a little help.

[Marie gently rests her hand on Alice's shoulder with a small smile.]

If... you could still have me after this, then...

I don't think anyone else will object.

[She'd seen how they jumped in to guard her. How none of them aimed a single attack at her, even after she turned on them.]

Not sure we're cut out for the revenge business.

[Tears continue to fall, but she rubs her eyes.]

... I do not know... if I would be strong enough to fight him, if we came face to face with him again. I... am afraid. Of him, and of myself, the control he has over me.

But if you would still have me, knowing that, then...

[... What was it she had wanted to be, in the past?

When she was growing up, told she was a heaven-sent child... She was happy. Not because it meant she was special, but because it meant that she could help others. Her existence was one meant to make others happy. When she was sent to attack people as a demon... She had been told it was to scare them into joining the church, so they wouldn't be hurt by true demons. She had wanted to help.

Saint? Child of heaven? Messiah? Assassin? Child of the hero?

No. She hadn't wanted those. What she had truly wanted, was only ever to be of use to others. To protect, to heal, to make the lives of those she meets happier.

Just like this party.]

... Everything I have... Everything I am, is yours. My blade, my skills, even my blood. I will devote my everything for the sake of your... For our goals.

...

[Marie takes a slow breath. She wonders if she's doing the right thing, not just for everyone else but for Alice. But she rubs Alice's back gently.]

We're in a big mess, I can tell you that, but I know we can make it out of this and fix it.

... I wish I had your faith...

[She rubs at her eyes once more.]

I... am sorry. For everything.

Me too. ...C'mon. Let's go see the others.

... May I... make a request of you first...?

...What is it?

... Could you help me up? I... can't seem to muster the strength...

Heh, all right.

[Carefully, maybe warily, she goes to lift Alice up beside her.]

Be careful now, no falling over.

[Carefully, she manages to get up, leaning on Marie... as best she can with that size difference between them.]

Thank you...

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