After placing various ingredients on the counter, he'll turn toward Alphinaud with a smile, placing some of the vegetables on the board.]
Thank you, Alphinaud-san. How good are you with chopping? [Is this rich elf gonna lose a whole fingie, he's concerned... He seems to be considering the question for a second, though, humming thoughtfully.]
--Perhaps we can double the batch? We can always save what isn't finished, after all.
[Hm. This sounds like the overconfidence of someone who has never properly chopped anything before.........]
--It isn't too difficult, no! You just have to watch your fingers. Would you mind cutting these into small pieces for me, then?
[Handing some onions over! This won't end poorly.]
We could get some nice tea going, too... And perhaps something sweet? Even if no one has an appetite for it at the time of their arrival, it might be something of a comfort later.
[ This is gonna be fun and awesome. Alphinaud grabs a knife and an onion. ]
Tea, yes—tea will certainly be necessary, I think, and—
[ something something CONVENIENT GOLD DUST OUT OF NOWHERE!! Souji will have no choice but to experience a memory...
You find yourself at the end of the universe. As far as the eye can see, beyond the mass of land suspended in air you stand upon, scattered among the swirl of colors in the vast darkness of space, are the collections of memories.
You know them to be fragments of other worlds, ones long, long gone, for they have met their ends. When? Who could say? Hundreds—no, perhaps thousands of years ago. It doesn't matter when. Nothing you see is really, truly real, anyway.
Where you stand is rather desolute, despite the recent signs of life. Food and drink served on the table, for instance. Peculiar looking buildings with items recently touched. And yet, you—alongside your sister and your cherished companion, most known as the Warrior of Light—find not a single soul.
It's eerie. After searching and searching and finding naught, the three of you join again at the ledge of this small land.
"Did you find anything?" you ask, as they approach.
"No," Alisaie answers. "This place is completely deserted, and I can't see how we're supposed to move on from here."
"Neither can I. 'Tis quite the quandary..." With a hand curled beneath your chin, you scowl downwards. "There are no denizens to bar our path, yet there is no way forward."
Alisaie turns toward your other companion, a hint of frustration in her tone; "For another mystery, we did find signs of very recent life. You'd swear everyone just vanished into thin air!"
Yet her voice sobers, her gaze too casting downward.
"I wonder, how many ruined worlds like this has Meteion seen...?"
Briefly, silence falls between the three of you, until you lightly gasp. You've been thinking, and...
"Could it be...? Yes... Yes, I believe I may have puzzled this out."
They look at you, and you continue.
"Despite how it appears, it's no different this time. There is someone here who wished for this ruin. And... I believe that, together, Alisaie and I can overcome their will."
You're met with only wide eyes and shocked expressions; it's the Warrior of Light who first protests.
"Stop," they say, sharply. "Not another word."
But you shake your head. "I'm sorry, but there is a chance, and I must seize it. For everyone... and for myself. I will not pretend otherwise. I have my fears. Not for myself, but for you—the last to remain."
You look back up, unrelenting.
"You are no stranger to carrying the burden of others. But I can only imagine how heavy the weight would be this time. As your friend, I cannot bear the thought of making you suffer so."
"Then why suggest such a thing!" Alisaie snaps with a waver. "It's too much to ask of anyone—even her! Why must she be the one? Why must she fight alone? And yet..."
Such outbursts aren't unusual for Alisaie; she's been prone to them for as long as you both have lived, when her heart grows heavy. You may be reserved, but she is not. For any similarities you both share, there are many more qualities in which you differ. She trails off, and you approach, placing a comforting hand upon her shoulder.
"Alisaie, I have an idea," you say, as confidently as you are able. "Given the nature of this realm, it may be possible to do more than unbar our friend's path. We may also pave her a new one.
"For instance..." You turn towards them. "A path where she finds happiness at journey's end."
... and just as quickly as it came, the memory ends. ]
[AH, THE SWEET GLITTER SHOWER FROM HELL... Souji's already sort of grown accustomed to the startling bursts of color and brightness, though it never makes dealing with the aftermath any easier. He's already an empathetic person; experiencing memories from someone else's point of view tends to leave him rattled, and it always takes him precious seconds to extract himself from the foreign-yet-familiar mindset as it leaves.
This memory is painful in familiar sorts of ways even beyond the borrowed experience, though. The dust begins to settle around them, and Souji stares at nothing in particular for a few moments. When he does seem to come back to himself, it's with a sudden jolt, and he's turning to face Alphinaud not a second later.]
Except not because Souji actually feels quite guilty every time someone stumbles into an unfortunate memory because they're keeping him company. It's why he hasn't really sought out anyone overly much this week...]
--No, you have my apologies. It's a terrible thing for this place to do, making everyone revisit things they may not want to, and with an audience on top of that.
[Souji, taking the cue, also moves to start prepping a few other ingredients. He doesn't keep a close eye on the onion chopping because he figures Alphinaud can figure it out......]
No, it wasn't. [Like, even if he doesn't have the whole context here, he can make a few guesses and they're all GRIM!! But more than that--] --It must have been a painful decision to make... And painful to stand by, in the face of that.
There is no kindness to be found in Ultima Thule; 'tis but a collection of despair witnessed throughout the universe. Despair that is not so easily overcome, creating a number of obstacles that prevented us from our goal. Yet our fellow Scions... one by one, they had given up their lives so that we could press on.
This was yet another obstacle, and I had thought to do the same.
[why is this just blessed messiah and the tower of ai
Souji is quiet for a second, though, absorbing that information and processing it in the slow and careful way he does when faced with such heavy matters.]
...Did you, in the end? [IS ALPHINAUD. DEAD???? DOUBLE DEAD NOW??? Holy shit.] Is that what you had to do, to keep forging the path?
It goes without saying I was quite displeased with the development, but then I told myself... I will make it through, and at the very end, I shall still follow through with my decision.
That's a big ouchies, captain. His expression creases a little, because, like. What can you really say to a person who's essentially decided to self terminate in order to make the future better for a loved one? (Nothing, because anything would give away too much or sound hypocritical, seeing the boat he's in). Still...]
...It's too cruel for you to have to go through all of this before getting there. Just the end in and of itself is a cruel thing.
[ He shakes his head, and chops. It's a little sideways but not terrible. ]
I only fear what it means for the future of my friend—and our world, as a whole.
[ Chop. ]
Well... no. 'Twould be foolish to believe that what has become of my sister and I would be the end of it. They are the Warrior of Light, after all, and if there is one person capable of overcoming any obstacle, it is them.
[No lost elf fingies on the chopping block today...
He sure does have people he speaks of in the same way Alphinaud speaks of this particular person, though, so he nods in understanding.]
They sound like an impressive person... [Impressive people usually do have to carry burdens.] You sound lucky to have them - and they sound lucky to have you, and your other companions. Not just anyone can stand up to a task like that, even if it's a duty.
Either way, at the silence, Souji looks over and is of course startled to see tears happening over there?! He doesn't even stop to think about the onion-chopping, moving on reflex to go pick up a clean kitchen cloth so he can hold it out to poor sweet Alphinaud.]
[A PAUSE AND A BEAT OF SILENCE as he realizes that he did indeed forget to warn this poor dude who has never chopped vegetables before that onions are satan.]
Oh, dear... Here, here - come away from that. [MOTIONING HIM FROM THE ONION.] Let me see your face.
[SWEET ALPHINAUD YOUR EYEBALLS... Souji will move over to the sink so he can wet a fresh washcloth with cool water, wringing it out before placing it into Alphinaud's hand.]
Place this over your eyes and keep them closed. Tilt your head upward for a bit... It won't last for long! I forgot to warn you that onions can make you cry.
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sageguidance) wrote2022-06-27 03:24 pm
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Those should be right... Ah! Here.
[ Board and knife, get. After that, he goes to lift the pot. ]
Aaand... there. I wonder if this will be enough for everyone...
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After placing various ingredients on the counter, he'll turn toward Alphinaud with a smile, placing some of the vegetables on the board.]
Thank you, Alphinaud-san. How good are you with chopping? [Is this rich elf gonna lose a whole fingie, he's concerned... He seems to be considering the question for a second, though, humming thoughtfully.]
--Perhaps we can double the batch? We can always save what isn't finished, after all.
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[ it's his first time :) ]
And that would be best, I think—enough for seconds for everyone.
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--It isn't too difficult, no! You just have to watch your fingers. Would you mind cutting these into small pieces for me, then?
[Handing some onions over! This won't end poorly.]
We could get some nice tea going, too... And perhaps something sweet? Even if no one has an appetite for it at the time of their arrival, it might be something of a comfort later.
cw: cringe tl;dr
It shall be done!
[ This is gonna be fun and awesome. Alphinaud grabs a knife and an onion. ]
Tea, yes—tea will certainly be necessary, I think, and—
[ something something CONVENIENT GOLD DUST OUT OF NOWHERE!! Souji will have no choice but to experience a memory...
... and just as quickly as it came, the memory ends. ]
beats u up for your crimes
This memory is painful in familiar sorts of ways even beyond the borrowed experience, though. The dust begins to settle around them, and Souji stares at nothing in particular for a few moments. When he does seem to come back to himself, it's with a sudden jolt, and he's turning to face Alphinaud not a second later.]
—That was...
[BAD!! HELP.]
--Where was that? What was that?
hit me harder... i mean what
Alphinaud likewise freezes briefly, staring dumbly as Souji reorients himself. Then, he glances off. ]
... Mine apologies. So focused were I on today's events that it had nearly slipped my mind that could occur.
(blushing forg emote)
Except not because Souji actually feels quite guilty every time someone stumbles into an unfortunate memory because they're keeping him company. It's why he hasn't really sought out anyone overly much this week...]
--No, you have my apologies. It's a terrible thing for this place to do, making everyone revisit things they may not want to, and with an audience on top of that.
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'Tis hardly the worst of my memories you could happen upon, but, as you saw, it is not terribly pleasant, either.
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No, it wasn't. [Like, even if he doesn't have the whole context here, he can make a few guesses and they're all GRIM!! But more than that--] --It must have been a painful decision to make... And painful to stand by, in the face of that.
[The reaction of his companion and his sister.]
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There is no kindness to be found in Ultima Thule; 'tis but a collection of despair witnessed throughout the universe. Despair that is not so easily overcome, creating a number of obstacles that prevented us from our goal. Yet our fellow Scions... one by one, they had given up their lives so that we could press on.
This was yet another obstacle, and I had thought to do the same.
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Souji is quiet for a second, though, absorbing that information and processing it in the slow and careful way he does when faced with such heavy matters.]
...Did you, in the end? [IS ALPHINAUD. DEAD???? DOUBLE DEAD NOW??? Holy shit.] Is that what you had to do, to keep forging the path?
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Well.
...Wow! That sure is a really terrible point to be pulled into a murdergame from, damn. Souji's brow immediately furrows, his expression empathetic.]
Arriving here must have been even more of a startling and unpleasant experience for you, in that case.
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[ and then he died :) ]
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That's a big ouchies, captain. His expression creases a little, because, like. What can you really say to a person who's essentially decided to self terminate in order to make the future better for a loved one? (Nothing, because anything would give away too much or sound hypocritical, seeing the boat he's in). Still...]
...It's too cruel for you to have to go through all of this before getting there. Just the end in and of itself is a cruel thing.
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I only fear what it means for the future of my friend—and our world, as a whole.
[ Chop. ]
Well... no. 'Twould be foolish to believe that what has become of my sister and I would be the end of it. They are the Warrior of Light, after all, and if there is one person capable of overcoming any obstacle, it is them.
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He sure does have people he speaks of in the same way Alphinaud speaks of this particular person, though, so he nods in understanding.]
They sound like an impressive person... [Impressive people usually do have to carry burdens.] You sound lucky to have them - and they sound lucky to have you, and your other companions. Not just anyone can stand up to a task like that, even if it's a duty.
[(samurai voice) Seppuku isn't great actually.]
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[ Chop, chop, chop. ]
They are truly...
[ He trails off. ]
Truly—
[ He stops again. ]
Erm...
[ He isn't sure why he suddenly feels the need to cry but now he is?! ]
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OR THE DEPRESSIONS!!!!
Either way, at the silence, Souji looks over and is of course startled to see tears happening over there?! He doesn't even stop to think about the onion-chopping, moving on reflex to go pick up a clean kitchen cloth so he can hold it out to poor sweet Alphinaud.]
Oh—! Alphinaud-san... Here, please take this.
[Cry it all out buddy, cry it all out.]
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Gods— Apologies. My eyes suddenly seem to—burn?
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Oh, dear... Here, here - come away from that. [MOTIONING HIM FROM THE ONION.] Let me see your face.
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What happened?
[ WHY IS PAIN ]
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Place this over your eyes and keep them closed. Tilt your head upward for a bit... It won't last for long! I forgot to warn you that onions can make you cry.
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[ He complies, pressing the towel against his face, but he sounds completely bewildered. ]
How does a vegetable make you cry?
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