twenty-fifth pact ❖ {the invitation}

[perfectpartner]

[Emil looks vaguely melancholy as he rests on the Plane against a wall, a fuzzy white rabbit aggressively cuddling up to him. He needs time-- all the time he can get in order to make his decision. But part of him knows he's already made a decision... and yet--

Suffice to say, he's a bit lost.

They have yet to get to Verius, but he wants to talk to Marta first. They have a lot to talk about, actually, and he's neglected her as of late. Something is bothering her, and he can tell. Maybe it's the same thing that's bothering him.

He's open to talking to other people though. Say hi to the monster? It won't bite you... hard.]

Comments

[formervanguard]

[Marta's on the Plane as well. She's had a lot on her mind, and the latest events on the Plane certainly didn't help matters. At all. Truth be told, she's wanted desperately to be near Emil, but...

Something's bothering him. It's obvious. And she's been trying to do so well about leaving him be, about waiting for him to come talk to her when he's ready instead of trying to push herself onto him and pull anything out of him. But when she sees him like that, she can't just leave him alone. He's hurting... and it's making her hurt too.

She walks over to him, slowly, hands clasped together behind her back. She smiles at the Cotton Tail, and then at him.]

Um. Emil?

[perfectpartner]

[He's not sure when Marta got here, but he feels bad for not saying hello first.]

Marta...

[The Cotton Tail flips out and scampers right up to Marta, demanding to jump into her arms. Sometimes it's less like taming monsters and more like a nursery, right? Yeah.]

I was going to ask why you weren't yourself lately, but to be honest, I think I've been acting weird, too.

[formervanguard]

[Marta easily holds her arms out for the Cotton Tail, cuddling it close when it does jump for her. Yeah, uh, nursery's kind of an understatement at times. Good thing she's used to it!]

Well... maybe a little. [She moves beside him, leaning back against the wall as well.]

Emil... a whole lot has happened. Even here. [Pause.] And there's more coming, you know?

[perfectpartner]

[He watches her for a moment, and then he nods. The Cotton Tail is extremely happy to snuggle into Marta's chest. Emil is a tiny bit jealous.]

I know. I'm just beginning to figure out who I really am, and then this place keeps throwing things at us. Making us forget everything. I... I even forgot you. [This is a sore point for him.] I didn't want you to go through that again.

[His hand squeezes the loose fabric gathered around his knee.]

Looking at everything, it's easy to get frustrated. But I'm not scared. I don't think I'll disappear.

[formervanguard]

Emil... [She turns, fully facing him, the Cotton Tail still nestled happily in her arms.] I... I forgot you too. [Her voice shakes, a little, and she looks away. It's not something she likes to think about.] It isn't your fault.

[But that last bit makes her look back up at him, eyes wide.] You...? What do you mean?

[perfectpartner]

Mm... I guess it's not anyone's fault.

[He meets her eyes.]

I thought that I could disappear when I got all my memories back, but I didn't. It's a little confusing, but I think everything's going to be okay. You were right... you and everyone else.

So that's not what I'm scared of. [He is scared of something, but disappearing isn't it.]

[formervanguard]

[She really, honestly had always believed that he wouldn't just disappear once his memories returned... but it was one of those things that she knew, but she didn't know. There was always that nagging little doubt, and though she could drown it out most of the time without so much as a second thought, she'd be lying if she said she didn't worry. Hearing him say that everything was going to be okay... yeah. It made all of the difference in the world. She smiled as she felt her worry dissipate, a little.

Of course, there were still things to discuss. She'd have to celebrate with him later.]

But... you're still scared? Emil, what's wrong? ... Tell me?

[perfectpartner]

[Emil is dead silent for a moment as he tries to think of how to phrase this.]

I'm... scared of fighting Richter. I don't know exactly what he's trying to do, but we have to stop him. When I think about that, my chest feels really heavy. He was the first friend I made when I woke up, but even more than that, he's Aster's best friend. All of his memories are mine, because I'm him, too.

So... what if he finds out that I'm Aster? I'm afraid he'll do something terrible. Aster is the last person he wants to fight, but Ratatosk is his enemy.

It feels wrong to lie to him.

[formervanguard]

Oh...

[You know, for all that she's really not a fan of the guy, she knows that Emil still considers him a friend. Further, she knows who he and Aster are to each other, so that's definitely double the trouble. But lying...?]

What if... you don't have to lie?

Maybe you should tell him the truth. [She sighs... and she actually bothers to make a small, wrinkly-nosed faced.] Maybe I don't really like Richter, but... [Her expression softens again.] If you don't have to lie to him, then maybe you shouldn't. I think if you told him the truth, maybe it would change some things! I think he'll listen to you.

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[LOOK AT THE RABBIT LOOK AT IT Morgana smiles because that is an adorable monster. But then there is Emil!] Are you all right?

[perfectpartner]

Do you really think so?

[He looks down at his hands. It's strange, knowing they are his and yet not his. He's been given a second chance throughout this entire chaotic adventure. A second chance to change things, and to make things right.

For everyone.]

No, you're right. I need to try.

[He closes his hands and smiles, though it's faintly sad.]

Thank you, Marta.

[formervanguard]

I do think so. [She manages another smile for him.] If he'll listen to anyone, it's you, Emil. [Have a single, firm nod as well. She's just that sure of it.]

And you don't have to thank me, you know. But... I'm glad I could help you. [She scoots closer and leans against him - shoulder to shoulder.]

[perfectpartner]

[He watches her for a moment, not pulling away. They've sat like this before. It always makes him feel better. He smiles and covers one of her hands with his, not pushing it any further than that. Just taking solace in her presence.

Maybe nothing needs to be said, sometimes.]

[perfectpartner]

[He blinks at Morgana, not because she's terribly ugly, but because she's beautiful and her colors are as bright as any elf's. She has magic of a sort. He's a little stunned.]

Ah-- yeah, I'm all right. [The bunny squirms out of his arms and goes to inspect Morgana, sniffing her shoes, long ears twitching.] This is Peter. He won't hurt you.

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[Morgana isn't so sure about Emil's all-right-ness, but she smiles, offering her hand to the rabbit anyway.] That is a relief to hear.

[perfectpartner]

[The rabbit sniffs her hand for a long minute. Deciding he likes her, he places his paws on her dress and hopes she'll pick him up. Goodness.]

Oh and... I'm Emil. It's nice to meet you.

[ex_oneiromancer912]

Morgana. But are you sure you're all right? You seemed a little out of sorts.

[perfectpartner]

Ah-- sorry to worry you, then. A lot has happened lately.

[He sits crosslegged.]

... Can I ask for your opinion on something?

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[Her smile is warm and welcoming.] On anything.

[perfectpartner]

If there was someone you... cared about, but they could be dangerous to other people, would you imprison them? Or would you try to give them a chance?

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[She considers this, reflecting both on what she might do with those she loved and with herself, for her own crimes.]

If they have done wrong, but they wish to atone, they deserve a second chance. But if there is no hope for them, then they must be locked away for the good of others.

It's a heavy choice. I don't know of my answers are right.