sieg catchall

[sageguidance]

"catchall" it's for one thread he's dying tomorrow



edit: nvm jae is all mine now :)

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w0; saturday

[sageguidance]

[ showing up to the mess hall. h- hi. ]

... Mind you another interruption? I'm sure you've had many by now.

[ercnerd]

[Here they are in the isolation cabin. Sieghart is seated on the lower bunk of the bed, facing the bars: He's been expecting visitors.]

I can't mind anyone in search of answers. What do you want to know?

[sageguidance]

[ Or that! That works too. waves hands. ]

That is quite agreeable of you, Sieghart. This isn't the manner in which I had hoped to speak with you again, but...

I suppose we should get down to the matter. Were you compelled into your actions, or were this a conscious choice?

[ercnerd]

[He glances aside, briefly.]

I said that I won't make excuses, so I'll say that it was a little bit of both.

A shadow approached me with the promise of Mari's safety. Regardless of my intentions, I ended up housing it for the week . . . and lost control of myself when I saw Flayn that night.

[sageguidance]

—A shadow.

[ ... ]

So, not too different from our previous experiences, but not quite the same, either.

[ercnerd]

It's not too far removed from the compulsions back at Wiwaldi. Only . . . this felt more insidious.

[sageguidance]

Aye. That there was a mysterious being that approached you...

Did it ask aught of you?

[ercnerd]

[Old habits kick in. A small smile, perhaps cynical in nature, appears on his face. It's almost comical, how despicable everything is.]

Not in words. It claimed to assist me, but it forced its way in when I tried to shut it out.

[sageguidance]

[ ... a sigh ]

And thus, we once again are faced with convicting those who hadn't truly wished to take a life.

... I am sorry it had to be like this, Sieghart.

[ercnerd]

Why are you apologizing?

I'm no stranger to death. Besides . . . while it's not guaranteed that I'll end up somewhere else, my soul won't rest until everyone's been saved. As far as I'm concerned, it's not the end.

[sageguidance]

... That is admirable of you—full glad am I to see your conviction has not wavered.

But I agree, it is not. We have made it to the end once afore, and brought those lost to us back. 'Tis my belief we can make it happen again.

[ercnerd]

[Perhaps for the first time tonight, he smiles broadly.]

That's the spirit. There's no way evil will win over us.

I'll keep going, so you can't stop either, okay?

[sageguidance]

[ with a shake of his head: ]

Much as I loathe that we must endure this a second time, I... I will not. I cannot. And I can trust when you say the same.

[ercnerd]

I'll entrust this side to you, then.

Do you have any more questions?

[sageguidance]

I suppose that depends on how much more you know, but... you must be as in the dark as the rest of us, yes? That shadow did not impart unto you aught else, besides hollow promises?

[ercnerd]

. . . It was ridiculous, but I can't confirm whether it was completely hollow. Other than wanting to assist me, the shadow didn't divulge another agenda. Also . . . I couldn't confess to taking Flayn's life, or it felt like I'd lose out on ensuring Mari's safety.

[sageguidance]

... I see. It would, shall we say, void the contract if you were to confess? Or you could not, even if you had wanted to?

[ercnerd]

I couldn't—not if I wanted to keep Mari safe.

[That was his understanding.]

[sageguidance]

[ a nod ]

So that's how it is. But now I am left to wonder what ulterior motive that shadowy thing would have... Does it want something from us, or is it simply another piece in this cruel game we are in?

[ercnerd]

Hmm . . . That's something we'll have to work on answering. As of now, it's difficult to say one way or another.

[sageguidance]

Unfortunately yes, 'tis far too early to say. We've only just begun, after all, and we have a ways to go ere we are to receive more answers.

[ercnerd]

It'd be nice if this could just be a two-week ordeal . . .

[Unfortunately, something tells him that's unlikely.]

[sageguidance]

[ Alphinaud exhales sharply, a wry sort of huff. ]

Oh, if only, but it seems that in the vast majority of our experiences, these go on for weeks. I... am loathe to say, I shall not be holding mine breath on that one.

[ercnerd]

Heh. If you did, you'd just pass out.

[sageguidance]

[ pfft. ]

Precisely so. I... do not wish to grow too pessimistic, but 'tis best to temper expectations, as well.