I will. For you, and Archer, and Ochako, and—and everyone.
[ He lowers his gaze again. Rubs at his eyes, again. ]
This past week, I knew not what to do with myself. My grief and anger over what our circumstances have become had overwhelmed me... Even now, I still feel it. Yet in spite of that, I want to do what it takes to save everyone. I will not die—not here. Not now.
It's natural to feel sad and upset over losing people and the circumstances we've found ourselves in. But what's most important, and it seems like you've already realized it, is that we keep moving forward. We can't let ourselves lose to the kind of feelings that would keep us right where we are.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
... Pray worry not of what I think, my friend. I know it is not because you wished for this.
no subject
You take a certain responsibility on for taking a life, regardless of the reason. I've already accepted that.
no subject
Yes. ... It could not have been an easy choice—no, I can say with certainty it was not.
no subject
no subject
[ Ugh, this damn barrier! Alphinaud only leans into it a little, and then his head lowers; with a sniff, he rubs at his eyes with a sleeve. ]
no subject
[ Oh, no.
Dorothy presses her palm to the barrier, the closest thing she can do. ]
It's all right. You've done so well so far. And if all goes well, I won't be parted from you for long.
no subject
I— I can only pray to the gods above that it may come true... The uncertainty of it has been but a crushing weight upon mine own heart.
no subject
... You'll be fine. I know you will, Alphinaud.
[ STOP CRYING, HONEY. ]
no subject
Of—of course. Of course... I will do whatever damned thing it takes, Dorothy.
[ He lifts his hand to where hers is, closing his eyes, and then says, quieter, as it reciting a mantra: ]
For those we have lost. For those we can yet save.
no subject
[ And Dorothy smiles at him, steadily. He doesn't need to be strong-- she can do this much for him. ]
And then we'll have a proper hug at the end of it. Sound fair?
no subject
[ It's a little forced, a bit weak, but Alphinaud lifts his chin and manages a small smile back, even if he's definitely red around the eyes. ]
We cannot now, so I daresay, you owe me one.
no subject
[ He can look forward to that. ]
no subject
You have my thanks... for everything. I can only hope that one day I am able to repay you in kind.
no subject
[ Simple enough. ]
no subject
[ He lowers his gaze again. Rubs at his eyes, again. ]
This past week, I knew not what to do with myself. My grief and anger over what our circumstances have become had overwhelmed me... Even now, I still feel it. Yet in spite of that, I want to do what it takes to save everyone. I will not die—not here. Not now.
no subject
It's natural to feel sad and upset over losing people and the circumstances we've found ourselves in. But what's most important, and it seems like you've already realized it, is that we keep moving forward. We can't let ourselves lose to the kind of feelings that would keep us right where we are.
So I'm glad to hear you say that.
no subject
Always have you held such strength within you... 'Tis not oft you find that.
no subject
[ All this talk about strength, gosh. ]
no subject
no subject
[ None of which was actually hers. ]
no subject
This may be a foolish question, but were you hoping to hide what you had done?
[ Jeanne purposefully made it pretty obvious. ]
no subject
I'm not as kind as Jeanne, Alphinaud.
no subject
But I know the circumstances behind why you have done what you did. I think... I, too, would be afraid of dying.
no subject
... But I wanted to guarantee that everyone would be brought back. And I... didn't want to leave Ange alone.
no subject
[ Though he is afraid of death, as most are, leaving behind loved ones is a reason why. ]
I... I simply find it difficult to find this truly your fault—to think less of you, when we are all trapped in this cruel system.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)