asgardeventide | 1. [video]

Entry tags:

1. [video]

[She's a small, skinny, almost sickly-looking girl with dark hair pulled back into a high ponytail, wearing a rather odd dress (far left) that looks a good deal like a uniform. After a soft sigh, she speaks.]

I... guess this is it.

Hello, everyone... I was wondering if any of you had met anyone named Takashi Waku, Daiichi Yamura, or Masaru Kodaka? I can give descriptions if you need them.

And, um... [Her body straightening up and her expression becoming solemn.] ... as long as I have to be here, I'll do my best. I hope you all will, too.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's a long story, and... we didn't really understand most of it. But -

[A sharp, nervous laugh.]

- this might sound kind of crazy.

I'm used to crazy sounding stories.

[Her voice starts out low and measured, but slowly speeds up and gains pitch as she talks.]

We were fooled into it. He said it was a video game when we signed the contract, but it turned out to be real. We had a... a giant robot, like in a mecha anime, and the other side had different robots each time, and we had to fight them or our planet would disappear. Or be blown up. We didn't really know, but it'd be ruined. And if we didn't fight, it'd happen too.

But... pilots kept dying after their fights, so finally we found out that it was Zearth, the robot. It couldn't move without us piloting, it sucked out our life force while we were fighting and used it as fuel, so after we used it - we'd die.

[Breaking off, a bit short of breath from the ramble.] I told you it'd sound crazy. But it's all true.

[ he just grows silent as he listens to the story, trying to make sense of it. the entire premise does sound absurd... but given what he's been through, and her serious tone of voice, he knows it all must be true. ]

That's... [ he pauses, not sure what word he's looking for at first. ] I believe you.

[ it's really all he can think to say, before shaking his head. ]

That's a terrible thing to be put through. But... you didn't do anything wrong. You were trying to save the world, and there was no way you could have known... what would happen.

Thank you.

[She nods weakly. She doesn't blame anyone for what happened.]

I'm not mad at Kokopelli, either. The one who fooled us. Someone had to do it, and... I mean, soldiers know they could die, but they don't know it for sure. I dunno if anyone would've agreed to that willingly, and someone had to do it.

I just... wish I could know why. Why did any of it have to happen?

Who were you fighting? The... "other side". Were they trying to destroy the world?

[ though the more important question there is why... ]

I still think he should have told you. You should have known what you were getting into... There might have been people who would have agreed. And... [ he hesitates, not sure whether he should say his next thought. she's still so young ] You had a right to choose.

I don't know. It was just... robots, and they just fought us, they didn't attack the cities or anything. Sometimes they even waited for evacuations to finish.

[It's a hint at the horrible truth, but she's never pieced it together. Only one of them had, and he didn't share.]

I... yeah, I know that. But I still don't blame him. He fought too, so he died just like we did. And - [An odd look, sad and distant but still very strong.] - I still would've said yes.

That's strange. It almost sounds like... they weren't really trying to destroy your world then.

[ though if that's true, why would they attack in the first place? weird. ]

...I see. I didn't know he died. Sorry. [ he closes his eyes, realizing he'd perhaps said too much. ] I would have too.

There was so much we didn't understand, and the guy... not in charge, but the guy we got to help us was no help at all. He just liked making fun of us and telling us things too late. [A very, very cross look.]

[It soon softens into gentle surprise, though, and a hint of admiration.]

Would you really?

Maybe you should have complained to his manager. [ ...that's an attempt at a joke, or at least a rather poor one. ] It just sounds like
everyone was toying with you.

[ as heavy a thing as it may be to say, souji says it without my reservation. if he was put in a position where he had to give up his life to save the world... he would. he'd already risked it more than a few times. ]

I would. It might seem strange but... isn't that the right thing to do?

Koyemshi was. [In the original Japanese, his name sounds a lot like dung beetle.] I think he liked watching us freak out. It wasn't fair that we got such a bad leader for everything.

[When he says what he does about fighting, though, she smiles warmly. 'The right thing to do.' He's said the magic words.]

That's not always enough for everybody. It says a lot that it is for you.

Koyemshi... [ it's a rather interesting name, enough for him to sound it out himself. ] I'm sorry that happened. Maybe things would have gone differently if you'd had someone better...

Some people have things they can't give up... things they have to fight to protect. [ a shake of his head. ] People like that would probably choose to live. I don't think that's any less important...

It sounds cool to say you'd die for the world, but if you turn it around... it can also mean you don't have anything you need to live for, either.

[That stuns her a little, and she's silent for a long moment.]

Some of us had a lot to live for. [Sadly, remembering Daichi and his siblings.] If we could've said no, I don't think I would've blamed them. We didn't - I didn't want to die. Right up until the end, I didn't want to die. But...

[And now a small smile appears.] When someone's taught you how to be strong, and do the right thing, sometimes that means leaving them behind. I think she'd understand. I - I hope she'd understand. [Teary-eyed through her smile.]

Sorry, I think I said too much.

[ a nod. ] I guess there's a difference between having something you need to live for... and having things you're willing to die for. [ he couldn't possibly say what that difference was though. perhaps the weight of responsibility? ]

She would. [ he isn't quite sure who mako means, but he's nonetheless certain of what he says. ] Anyone would be proud of you for the sacrifice you made.

No, no, it's okay. It's... nice.

[To talk to someone about it. To get some comfort. Moji had sworn them to secrecy, so they didn't have much in the way of support before their deaths.

When he reassures her about her mom, her throat closes up and she feels even more dangerously close to tears, but she forces out a laugh instead.]

Oh gosh, I've told you all this, and I didn't even tell you my name. I'm Mako Nakarai, but... I go by Nakama.

It's nice to meet you, Nakama. I'm Souji. Souji Seta.

[ he can tell she's trying to hold it all in... and perhaps that's simply her way of coping with it all.

nonetheless, it is still a bit troubling. ]

Things should get better.

Edited 2011-12-13 18:50 (UTC)

It's nice to meet you too, Souji. [A shy smile.]

Here, you mean? [Blinking firmly before the tears can fall.] Yeah, I know. We'll get used to it, and if everyone learns to work together, we'll bring the colour back and it'll be a way nicer place. Things'll be fine.

You can think of it as a second chance.

[ though, at what, exactly? at life? at saving a world? he's not entirely sure. ]

Except this time... nobody should have to die.

They might even come back. If the gods can bring me back, maybe they can bring back the others. [Solemn.] They deserve it too.

Um... thanks. [Her voice is almost inaudible, but it's sincere.] For listening, and believing, and... everything. You don't even really know me, you didn't have to do that.

You're right. There's no telling what might happen. I listened to you because I wanted to... that's all.

[ he pauses to think. ] Maybe this place is actually a good place. It's weird to look at it this way but... letting the dead come back, to see each other again... that's kind of like a miracle, isn't it?

There are lots of miracles happening here, every day. [She clutches her overlarge cloak a little more closely around her.] I know there are people who have to get home - if I hadn't fought yet, I'd be like that too, so I understand them. But I'm glad I'm here.

I... [ he's not sure, himself. he's done what he had to do at home, but still... he has things to go back to as well. ] I'll stay and help, if they need it. But otherwise, I can't stay here.

[She nods, although she does look a little sad.]

I bet a lot of people will miss you when you go back.

You think so...?

Goodbyes are always tough.

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video; 1/2

video; 2/2

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;