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.
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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.
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... You'll be fine. I know you will, Alphinaud.
[ STOP CRYING, HONEY. ]
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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.
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[ 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?
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[ 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.
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[ He can look forward to that. ]
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You have my thanks... for everything. I can only hope that one day I am able to repay you in kind.
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[ Simple enough. ]
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[ 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.
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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.
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Always have you held such strength within you... 'Tis not oft you find that.
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[ All this talk about strength, gosh. ]
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[ None of which was actually hers. ]
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This may be a foolish question, but were you hoping to hide what you had done?
[ Jeanne purposefully made it pretty obvious. ]
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I'm not as kind as Jeanne, Alphinaud.
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But I know the circumstances behind why you have done what you did. I think... I, too, would be afraid of dying.
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... But I wanted to guarantee that everyone would be brought back. And I... didn't want to leave Ange alone.
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[ 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.
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... But at the very least, I can acknowledge what I did was something I'm fine with taking responsibility for. And I don't wish to be saved tomorrow.
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Certainly...
Nevertheless—I do not believe that diminishes your strength by any. No... I would say you have handled it much better than I ever would have.
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You and I have different experiences, after all. To say nothing of our personalities. I would say you're also much kinder.
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I wonder. You have been naught but kind. Do you not think yourself as so?
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[ Wow, she said that immediately. ]