Scene Title: Disturbed Ambience

Characters: Matthew Trinity (Clone) and Naito Zivaku

Context (Situation): The clone of Matthew Trinity meets Naito Zivaku for the first time since his creation in the First District of Traverse Town. This takes place a few threads in the future for Naito, after the later thread "Up Close and Personable."

Matt arrived at Traverse town for a supply run. His mind was still thinking back to that place, Fairport. The clone had once again ran into Gregory Zivaku. Once again, he had been lectured by him but this time there was a difference. Matt had acknowledge his mistakes, had taken the first step. The clone knew it would be a very long time before he could face the other people he had met in New Mombassa. Hopefully, by then things would be different. But it was too soon to tell.

Finding a moogle, Matt spoke with him, yes it was a male moogle he spoke with and made his purchases. "That's 950 munny if I'm correct." Paying the creature, he felt satisfied with his purchase. He had needed to stock up on more heat clips, simply as a precautionary action, and also more healing items just in case.

With that, he turned and made to leave. Walking down the stairs to the side of Cid's former shop, Matt bumped into someone. "Sorry."

"No, it's fine, I--" The stranger turned around, looking in the direction of the clone. White-blue eyes narrowed, mouth curling down into a frown.

Naito Zivaku had been having a pretty good week. He had finally gotten together with Jasmine after several worlds of dating and trauma, after he had told her his deepest secret, one he had not told even his own father or mother. He had been to her world, seen her gain not just a new ability from her normal set, but also an entirely new magic. On the whole, some embarrassment notwithstanding, it was a good time.

But this one meeting spoiled it. At one time, Naito was afraid of Matthew Trinity. Another, he was slightly irritated. By now, he had gone to up front hatred, and, given his attitude, he didn't really see it as unjustified. He did notice the new arm, wondered a bit about it, but looked to him directly then. He only said two words. "Matt Trinity."

Matt also turned around and was surprised at the person in front of him. Naito Zivaku, the last person he expected to meet. It had began with their first meeting and the clone knew it wouldn't end with this one. He lifted up his arms to show he wasn't going for his weapons, a very small comfort and one that Matt believed Naito wouldn't believe even for a second. But it was the only thing the clone could offer.

"Naito..." Matt simply said. He wouldn't say anything. After all, what do you say to the person that you wronged and threatened? The clone had never expected to run into Naito again and didn't know what to do or say. The first step would have to be made by the Zivaku.

The time traveler turned then, started to walk away without a word. He didn't bother to speak, didn't bother to even communicate with him. What would he say? If he had any desire to shoot him in the back, he wouldn't stop him from doing what he wanted. But if he wanted to change, wanted any respect, he would have to go after it himself, especially after the repeated insults, hypocrisy, and threats.

Matt saw Naito simply turn and walk away. So no scolding, no telling him off, calling him out on his hypocrisy, no nothing? The clone could simply just keep walking, forget he saw Naito here and just simply keep going. But it would mean he never got a chance to make peace with Naito. In Greg's words, he would be taking a step back.

"I'm sorry." Matt said, probably a bit more loud than he intended. With a sigh, he continued. "I know that sounds nothing but empty words to you. But I wronged you. I'm not here to ask for forgiveness. I haven't earned it yet and I don't know if I ever will. The only thing I ask is for the chance to change. Jasmine deserves you. You're nice, you listen to her, you look out for her. I'm nothing."

"Someone who really cared about her wouldn't even tell me that, wouldn't even bother. They'd let her make her own decisions and not bring attention to something that will restart any problems." He did not turn around. "You want a chance to change? Why not just do it? The rest of us do. We try to change, don't ask each other to let us. It just happens. Sometimes it's for the worse, sometimes for the better. Sometimes we lose allies, sometimes we gain them." He turned around, glaring. "You know what? I do listen. I listen to her and help her work through her problems, rather than push them aside with anyone else who might be nearby just to manipulate her trust. I can change. You say you want to change. Can you? Are you even capable? Does getting some kind of new arm make you a new man?"

He held up a hand, poking him in the chest on the next few words in anger, a poke on each emphasis. "You told me to touch her in the spring, then shouted at me when I did so. You threatened me there as well, acted like I was some kind of hostile competition. You tried to justify yourself and act like your pain was instinctively worse than anyone else's. You held a gun up at me when I tried to help her. You tried to act like she was some damsel for you to save. You called me the worse one." His back on him again, the scowl deepening. "You want forgiveness? You want another chance? Don't ask me. Earn it."

Matt simply stayed silent as Naito spoke. He knew the latter hated him but not this much. The clone stayed quiet as Naito began pointing out many things. It was exactly like when he saw Gregory Zivaku back in Fairport. The clone swore he even sounded like him. Matt did notice some differences. Where Greg always appeared calm even when angry, Naito oddly reminded him of his brother, ready to lash out at you. Except Naito had better control.

Once Naito had finished, Matt sighed. "He told me the same thing. You even sound like him." He wondered if he should tell Naito about what had happened last time he ran into his father or not. Considering what had happened back there, he decided to mention it. "I went to Fairport. I saw Azumi Ian there. You may or may not know who she is. If you do... She could use a friend like you." With that, he turned around and moved away from Naito. The meeting had been as tense as he imagined.

"She already has me as one." He didn't even bother to look at him again, disgusted with how he had acted. "Unless you actually try, this is over. I can talk to Greg, to Isaac, to a bunch of others. I can talk to Azumi, too. But after all you've done to me, to try to push me away? You're lucky I haven't found the nearest save point by now."

"I know. I didn't tell you that to earn brownie points. I am genuinely concerned about her. She's been there for who knows how long." Matt didn't turn as well. "I've said my piece, you told me yours. I don't know if we'll ever meet again in this life, especially after all that's happened but if we do, it'll be when I've changed and I hope it's in better terms. May you and Jasmine be happy." The clone walked away this time.

Naito frowned, but nodded. He knew about Fairport, knew how bad it could be. But his irritation with Matt was very high. He would talk with Azumi once he saw her, perhaps to tell her about finally officially being a couple with Jasmine. But that would come when it did. The Interference multiverse tended to act that way anyway.

He had no explanation for the arm. Perhaps it wasn't important. Still, he would ask later if it came up. He had other things to do.

With that, the angel, too, left. He wanted to talk to Jasmine. If Matt would get better, it would be on his own time.