dev 13 - final goodbyes

Keitaro asks, "Something the matter, Ashalle?"

Ashalle says, "Nothing, really."
Ashalle says, "Just doing a follow up, I suppose."

Ashalle asks, "How are you feeling from earlier?"

A single shrug is offered.

What he saw outside is perhaps not what he expected, but it was enlightening all the same. As for the markings? They didn't bother him that much, except the occasional pain. That much reflected in his own gaze - as cold as ever, and somewhat distant, probably brooding.

"It's fine. Hurts a little, but otherwise not noticeable."

"The same, the usual out there. People accuse me of many things that I've never done and are quick to jump at my throat. Though, it offers training on its own, I suppose."
(Keitaro)

"Welcome to the rest of the world then, where people assume the worst, accuse you for the stuff that doesn't make sense, and well...Are generally animals." She finds herself beginning to shrug her shoulders. Slowly, but surely, would she find herself beginning to turn her back...A sigh spilling past her lips...Hands folding, one over the other. "In any case, there was something I wanted to speak with you about....Mostly, your involvement in the upcoming fight." Perhaps, he had heard of the news.

 Or maybe, he already knew from the moment it had begun. Either way...At this particular moment, there was little reason for her to continue being that 'blockade' - especially, when she wanted nothing to do with Dawn in the first place. However, but since Akasha was doing the usual...What was the point?

"That is, if you don't know about it already. And if so...Then nevermind.
(Ashalle)

This was terribly tiring in its own right.

To think that the people he called friends would be doing this to him... it hurt a lot, at first, but as the time went on, he learned to not care. If nobody keeps to the title of friendship, then why should he? Does it not make him lesser to simply crawl back to them?

He doesn't want that to happen.

"It's a shame that it had to be that way. I did my best to still try and stay friends with them all, but most decided to turn against me. For... whatever reasons, other than just assumptions."

"Or give me cold shoulder... but that's not so much better."

Still, a pause. His own involvement? He could guess, but he isn't sure just yet; perhaps, it would not be as pleasant news to him as he expects. It's better to be sure.

"Let's speak about it then. Here, or elsewhere?"
(Keitaro)

"It's how the world works. You lose one family, you gain another." She says while beginning to look out towards the beach. "The people that we grow with grow old...They whither, die, fall to pieces after making so many promises of being 'good' or being 'whole'....But in the end, they only damage others. Typical, really." She just shakes her head from left to right. The cold shoulder? Never experienced it. And if she had, then she most certainly didn't notice.

 Most of the time, she was just charged at with slurs and things that didn't make sense. Accusations, crimes that she hadn't ever committed. Just hearing Tototl saying how he handled her wrong...The admittance was good for closure. But his death? It would've been even sweeter.

 Nevertheless.

"You have your freedom now. You already travelled but..." She reaches into her satchel and simply tosses the remote into the beach's waters...Where it'd sink into the abyss. "Now you really have it. Also. If you want, feel free to attack members of Dawn. Briar Lock is pulling out of this war."
(Ashalle)

That much he realized. Yet, sometimes, he couldn't help but ponder to the past... how it could turn out so differently, but it never did. What exactly caused it? Was it something that he's done that he just doesn't realize? Or maybe it was just fated to be this way, because they didn't care from the start?

It's the questions of 'why' which he could not answer. It just happened... and he couldn't do anything about it.

"I don't think I ever had any family, to begin with. I think I was a temporary fling to those I used to call friends - and no matter what I've done, they would abandon me by now."

"Though... I don't think I should even focus on that. There are still things for me to do."

When she speaks, a single glance is cast to her side. It was somewhat surprising, really, but it would mean that Akasha hasn't granted her what she was looking for. Still...

"I'm thankful for that. I'll be attacking as soon as I can, in that case."

"Though... what about you? I suppose you're going to take up on Isaac's offer?"
(Keitaro)


 In general, it was Akasha's lack of presence. His lack of involvement. His lack of effort. In comparison to the high angel that had came here - in search of the fallen, who dropped tomes of wayfinding, who brought children who blessed others, and more...He was doing an extremely piss poor job. And she, most certainly, wouldn't be fighting for a sinking ship. So...The damage that she might've done at this particular moment may have been a lot. But now? Now, she would most certainly be pulling away.

 If Akasha wanted pawns to make sure that his little pet, Sors, would survive, then he would have to find it elsewhere. But other than that, the woman would just shrug her shoulders. "We'll remain at attention at this particular moment. As far as I'm concerned, Isaac has always been...Well...An enigma." Essentially, Isaac's dream was her own...And well, two of the same dreams cannot exist.

 That much, was proven with Sienna.

"So, I suppose I'll be responding to his letter soon enough. Along with sending something to Levengard." A missive, perhaps. A warning. Should they dare interfere a second time...

 This war will be a lot bloodier. That much, she'll promise.
(Ashalle)

Unlike Sors, Ashalle wasn't terribly bad in his eyes.

It's true, she hurt him, but he also attacked her. It's true that his stay in Briar could've been a lot more pleasant, but... he was allowed more freedoms by not being stupid, and the entire thing could've ended a lot worse than initially anticipated. In the end? He doesn't have much to complain about, especially when this whole thing was fairly enlightening.

But the likes of Dusk still must be brought down to their knees.

"I believe Isaac actually has plans to expand upon the rest of Agartha, but in a way that would be seen as 'legitimate'. To me, it seems that he's using his position with demi-angels to push that agenda further."

"I'm sure you can make your own judgment though."

A pause. Where he would go then? Just fight against Dusk? Certainly, that's what he wanted... and after that? Who knows. He'll have to decide.

"I'll come visit here and there. Maybe I'll even have more things to learn."

"Until then... I'll be on the battlefield."
(Keitaro)


"Which is why I won't be the one that'll be assisting either side of the war. As far as I can tell - doing anything in particular is a lose-lose situation for me." But is it, really? Keeping Sors alive would mean that the lot of them would have a meatshield infront of them. However, the most pertinent issue would've been the fact that there was nothing to show for the struggles that had been made. For the losses. For the bleeding.

 She goes silent, if only briefly.

"If I'm going to talk about freedom, then I may as well do what it is that I want, when I want to. I'll deal with the consequences later...Maybe." She waves a hand, not necessarily 'liking' Isaac's idea. But not really disapproving of it either. She could, very well, join him in the end...After all, the angels have always been a means to and end.

"But ah...Right. Spirits protect, Keitaro. Try not to bite off more than what you can chew." After all, not many people have a lot of bite behind their bark.
(Ashalle)

It's fairly obvious to him that the attentions would be turned to Briar once this entire thing is over, but he also suspects that this war would last a lot longer than most people suspect. By then, Ashalle's presence may not be as noticeable anymore, and surely not as threatening.

Unless you're from Gehenna, but that's a different matter.

"Well..."

"Assisting Sors even further would solidify you as enemy to everyone else, whereas Sors being gone would mean that people would pay attention more to Briar. However, the relations between Gehenna and Levengard have been somewhat shaky."

"It feels like a box with explosives... someone throws a match and the entire thing blows up."

Considering all the complications they had between each others, this is probably as close to the truth as you can get.

"Farewell then, Ashalle."

"These words may not mean anything to you, but your life experiences taught me something. I wasn't nearly as strong, both mentally and physically, before I met you. Of course, I still have a long way to go, but..."

"I'll get there eventually."

With that, he turns to step away. With conversation nearing its end, he throws one last glance.

"I'll see you around."

And just like that, he leaves.
(Keitaro)