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[endowedninja]

zelos.wilder@compass.net (17) (text) WK22:DY04:052513 (Β) zelos.wilder@compass.net (11) (text) WK01:DY02:082113 (Γ) barnaby.brooks.jr@compass.net (?) (text) WK06:DY02:101713 (Γ)

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<span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">TO:</span> first.last@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">CC:</span> firstname.lastname@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">BCC:</span> firstname.lastname@compass.net, firstname.lastname@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">FROM:</span> firstname.lastname@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">DATE/TIME:</span> Day Twelve, Night. 63:19PM <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">SUBJECT:</span> (no subject) <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">MESSAGE:</span> No message.

<span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">CONTACT:</span> first.last@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">MESSAGE:</span> <span style="font-family:courier; color:#000000;">text</span>

Comments

[ex_nearsighted397]

It's nothing you need to apologise for.
I wish there had been a better way for everyone, but we did what we could given the circumstances.
I do not hold that against you.

But if you wish for my forgiveness... I am willing to give it.

[endowedninja]

Thanks. And you've got mine.

[...]

So, how are you doing anyway?

[Physically, emotionally, mentally...however he wants to respond.]

[ex_nearsighted397]

I was warned that this city could be rather trying, but there was no way to prepare myself for what was to come.

[ It hadn't even been a month yet, and Barnaby was exhausted. ]

[endowedninja]

Well, at least it's not a ship that could sink.

[Because yeah, this place has been SO much better...]

Seriously, though. I understand what you mean. And I think COMPASS wants it that way.

[ex_nearsighted397]

I gather that this is what they mean when they wish to inspire fear in us.

[endowedninja]

The only problem is, that wish backfires when people face those fears and succeed.

[ex_nearsighted397]

Even if they do succeed, at what cost is it?

[endowedninja]

I don't think we can always tell right away. People just might get worn down after doing it over and over.

[Then there's the whole dying-and-coming-back thing.]

[ex_nearsighted397]

That seems to be in line with what I've observed from some of those who have been here a while.

[endowedninja]

[She doesn't respond for a long time.]

It's not only those who have been here for a while. Some of things I saw on the Charon...

[She still has nightmares about.]

[ex_nearsighted397]

I see.
I apologise for bringing it up.

[ He's doing a lot of apologising right now. ]

[endowedninja]

[She shakes her head, even though he can't see.]

Barnaby, where are you right now?

[ex_nearsighted397]

The second floor common room.

[ Why? Because it has classical music, and he needed a change of scenery. ]

[endowedninja]

I'll be right there.

[ex_nearsighted397]

You needn't do that.

[ It's probably too late for that. ]

[endowedninja]

[Very too late, because she's at the door of the common room in minutes, her eyes full of concern as she looks at him and answers him in person.]

Yes, I do.

[ex_nearsighted397]

[ The sound of her voice makes him quickly get up from the armchair he'd been sitting in, first to go and turn off the gramophone, and then so that he can turn and face her. ]

Why?

[endowedninja]

[She glances at the machine and shakes her head once.]

You didn't have to turn that off; the music is pretty.

[She approaches him.]

But I did have to come here. And talk to you face-to-face.

[And prove that everything was all right between them. Among other things...]

[ex_nearsighted397]

I thought it would be easier to talk if it was turned off.

[ If she really didn't mind, he'd be happy to put it back on later, but for the moment this took precedence. ]

I see... [ He pauses. ] What would you like to discuss?

[endowedninja]

[Her voice is gentle when she responds.]

Maybe it would be...

[She gestures towards the chair.]

It might also be easier to talk if we sit down, so have a seat.

[ex_nearsighted397]

Very well. Thank you.

[ For now, he does nothing other than go and make himself comfortable in the same armchair he'd occupied earlier, watching her and waiting for her to begin. ]

[endowedninja]

You're welcome.

[Sheena takes a seat near him and gives him a sincere look before beginning.]

First, I want to be sure that you know I don't hold any type of grudge against you for what happened. Some things are a little fuzzy, but I know you did what you had to do to save others.

And I wouldn't want it any other way.

[her voice is stern and convincing--something hard to achieve with the written word.]

[ex_nearsighted397]

[ The first impulse that Barnaby has is to protest, but he knows that it won't do him much good. It hadn't earlier, either. But he's still not okay with being able to kill anyone on any level. Delivering justice is completely different to this feeling, and he doesn't know how he's supposed to react to it. ]

... Before now, I'd never killed anyone before.

[ The statement comes out before he can stop it. ]

I'm a defender of the people. Taking lives isn't anything I ever imagined myself doing, even if it is for the greater good.

[endowedninja]

[Sheena's eyes widen slightly. Coming from a world where killing someone is a real possibility every time a person left their home, she had never thought other worlds weren't like that.

For a long time, she's silent as she takes this in before responding.]

I see. I really am so sorry for putting you through that.

[And oh, how she wishes she can take it back.]

[ex_nearsighted397]

Please... don't.

[ He shakes his head. ]

From what I understand, there is a very large possibility it would have happened here sooner or later. I don't blame you in any way. I suppose this is COMPASS's way of forcing me to face my fears.