Post by mushroom on Jun 5, 2023 20:02:08 GMT -6
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
"If that's what it takes. . ."
". . . I'll burn this city to the fucking ground."
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
[Decrypting file. . .]
[Please Enter Key: *****]
[Welcome Lt. J.H. Mitchell!]
[Displaying message. . .]
RE: The New Arrivals
[Please Enter Key: *****]
[Welcome Lt. J.H. Mitchell!]
[Displaying message. . .]
RE: The New Arrivals
Got a report from a little further up the vine about one of the new citizens down in your neck of the woods. Attached are all the files I was given pertaining to the woman in question, including: a passport, Net-ID number, licenses for various installed cyberware and for concealed carry, past criminal records, and their train ticket information leading up to their arrival within the district. Lotta fuss over one girl, I know. Name's ███████ ████. Supposedly some transfer from Atlantica, which I found pretty strange considering her father - one Nathaniel ████ - moved at the exact same time as her, and is working alongside our guys upstate. Wasn't given a lot of details on either, but what I do know is that this chick's packing some serious hardware, and has a history of crime.
Take a look at that passport.
You'll notice there's a lot of info missing. A lot of it was scrubbed, but I pulled a few strings and got a few extra details - beyond just a name. Apparently she was responsible for some major data leak overseas. Crossed Aetherstone of all fucking people, and yet somehow she was able to evade capture for *years* before shipping herself over our way. Turns out her old man used to work for them - real high on the pecking order, too. I've got reason to believe he's responsible for keeping her under their radar for so long, but I don't really have any hard evidence to prove it. The laundry list of shit they've got her pinned for back home is pretty steep though, and her pops isn't a saint either. Apparently he was caught in some real deep shit long before he started sheltering a fugitive daughter. Fortunately, he's got eyes on him at all times, so I'm not really worried about him trying to pull a fast one - but she's a bit more of a wild card. I'm not trying to step on toes, Lord knows what'd happen if I was, I'm just politely requesting that you get your boys to keep an eye on her. She's on thin ice as far as I'm concerned. She makes one - and I mean ONE - wrong move, you book that bitch for everything under the sun. And if she fights back? Well, majority of her data's scrubbed squeaky clean already. It'll be like she never existed. I trust you know not to keep this email around longer than you need. Any questions, meet me in person. You know the place.
- X
- * -
[Redirecting...]
Mister Mitchell won't be needing to see this one, I'm afraid. Maybe next time.
[Unknown Recipient. If you continue, your message may be lost forever! Are you sure? (Y) (N)]
[Sending message to: ████████████████ ████]
- * -
Take a look at that passport.
You'll notice there's a lot of info missing. A lot of it was scrubbed, but I pulled a few strings and got a few extra details - beyond just a name. Apparently she was responsible for some major data leak overseas. Crossed Aetherstone of all fucking people, and yet somehow she was able to evade capture for *years* before shipping herself over our way. Turns out her old man used to work for them - real high on the pecking order, too. I've got reason to believe he's responsible for keeping her under their radar for so long, but I don't really have any hard evidence to prove it. The laundry list of shit they've got her pinned for back home is pretty steep though, and her pops isn't a saint either. Apparently he was caught in some real deep shit long before he started sheltering a fugitive daughter. Fortunately, he's got eyes on him at all times, so I'm not really worried about him trying to pull a fast one - but she's a bit more of a wild card. I'm not trying to step on toes, Lord knows what'd happen if I was, I'm just politely requesting that you get your boys to keep an eye on her. She's on thin ice as far as I'm concerned. She makes one - and I mean ONE - wrong move, you book that bitch for everything under the sun. And if she fights back? Well, majority of her data's scrubbed squeaky clean already. It'll be like she never existed. I trust you know not to keep this email around longer than you need. Any questions, meet me in person. You know the place.
- X
- * -
[Redirecting...]
Mister Mitchell won't be needing to see this one, I'm afraid. Maybe next time.
[Unknown Recipient. If you continue, your message may be lost forever! Are you sure? (Y) (N)]
[Sending message to: ████████████████ ████]
- * -
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
"If that's what it takes. . ."
". . . I'll burn this city to the fucking ground."
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰ ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
RELATIONS
Ask to be added. If you want a graphic for your character, you have to be pretty important to Firehawk.
To get cool epic addition to the sheet, DM me a cutout of your character, or a pic with flat lighting and monocolor background.
As expected, this section is always going to be a W.I.P. - Any new additions will be dated accordingly.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru Kaneshiro
'Orion'
Edith Hoffman
blahblahblahblahblah
wip wip iwp iwpwi iwiu wpw pwi wiw p
Ask to be added. If you want a graphic for your character, you have to be pretty important to Firehawk.
To get cool epic addition to the sheet, DM me a cutout of your character, or a pic with flat lighting and monocolor background.
As expected, this section is always going to be a W.I.P. - Any new additions will be dated accordingly.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"It was never the chrome that made you Goldie. It was what you had inside."
"I remember when I first met you like it was yesterday. We stood around in an alleyway, and I'm not even entirely sure why. It was like a collective fever dream, where we were just watching the door to the club since it had a washing machine in front of it. We thought someone might get stuck. Someone might trip and fall over. That's all it was. That was the first time we spoke, really. At the time, I didn't think much of you. In fact, I saw you as an obstacle to overcome, someone I'd have to bury if I wanted to reach the top."
"But that was never who you were, Elias. I think deep down, I'd like to say I knew that - even then. I remember doubting myself. I remember all the times I thought for sure you were just going to kill me. I remember throwing up after giving you that chip, because it was so hard for me to stand up to you. I thought for sure you were just going to crush my head like a grape. But you listened. You stuck your neck out for me. I don't even know why, to this day, really. You said it was because I mentioned family - but you went above and beyond for me, for no reason. You risked your everything for me, and even when it seemed I turned my back on you, you didn't turn your back on me."
"I don't know how else to tell you that I knew from then on how important you were. Not as an asset, but as a person."
"In a lot of ways, I saw good in you greater than any I'd ever seen. You wanted me to believe you were a bad, bad man. A terrible person, with a terrible burden of their own making. You tried and you tried, and you pushed and you pushed - sometimes it felt like you just wanted me gone. Like you'd prefer it if we'd never met in the first place. But I kept coming back. I never stopped, because I knew that wasn't who you were. I know you weren't Orso."
"You were, and always will be, Elias."
"I'll never forget the time we shared. Every moment with you is one I've grown to cherish. Every laugh, every frown, every fumble and every drop of blood. I could die a thousand deaths, and still - in that thousandth and first life, I'd remember you. I wish things were different. I wish I'd been there the first time, and I wish I was stronger the second. It hurts more than I'm capable of saying to know that I'll never be able to see you again. Hear you again. Hug you again. - I have a million questions I want to ask, but I don't know that I'll ever see them answered. Part of me hopes that if I do ask them, somehow I'll hear you again. Calling me naïve, telling me to keep my chin up, or cracking a joke to make me feel better. I don't really believe in an afterlife, but if there is one - and you're somewhere in it - I hope you know you got your old wish in the end. I do hate you now, Elias. I hate you so much. I hate you with every fiber of my being. Not because of who you are. Not because of what you've done. Not because of any of the reasons you wished I hated you."
"I hate you because you left me here."
"I want you to know that... I'll never forget your last words to me. You told me to fly high - and I plan to fly straight into the fucking sun. I hope that on the other side, you'll be there."
"You still owe me that promise, after all."
"You better not forget it, you... you-... you-... big-... bast-t-tard..."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"... I think I'd like that. To... start again."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
[ PLAY AGAIN? . . . ]
"You better not forget it, you... you-... you-... big-... bast-t-tard..."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"... I think I'd like that. To... start again."
" . . . It's funny how things happen to work out, sometimes."
"A lot of people blame me for everything that happened to you. It's a rhetoric I hear left, right and center - and it seems to be a rather divisive topic. For a while there, I convinced myself that I was to blame, too. But when I saw you in Tara's room that day... I just... I couldn't stop myself. I understand if you, deep down, resent me for handing you over to HELIOS, for letting them make you into the fragmented man that you are now, for forcing you deeper into their greedy little mitts. But... I... I did what I thought was best, and it seems to be panning out somewhat well. You don't remember everything, but you still remember me. It's hard - uhm. Hard, really, to put it to... words, how that makes me feel."
"Overall, it makes me happy. Happy to have you again. To hold you again. I would have done so much to bring you back, to give you the chance at this life you deserved, and now that I have - I can't stop smiling. It felt like there was something gone from my life before, but now that you're back, I can see light again. I feel like I'm finally winning for once. -- Of course, there is the other part of me, too... the part that feels... upset, knowing how powerless I am to stop you from running headfirst into the same fate again. You can take the Elias out of Orso but - you're still left with a man who'd lay on the grenade for those he loves, instead of sharing that burden amongst them."
"... It doesn't really matter."
"... I'm just happy to have you now."
"Some people would have preferred you and I stay apart. You said yourself that you were considering it, too. I'm glad that neither of us let that happen. You're so important to me, Elias. And I promise you, no matter what I do, I am going to get you out of your situation, so that you can live your life the way you want to. I'm not sure how yet, but all of my ambitions... point to you. You talked to me about roads and how our paths were just intersected, inevitably meant to split apart... but I refuse to let that happen. I didn't shed all those tears for someone I plan to move past and forget. I didn't come this far to give up on you now."
"I love you, Elias. I'm not going anywhere without you - not again."
"I look forward to getting to know you all over again."
"A lot of people blame me for everything that happened to you. It's a rhetoric I hear left, right and center - and it seems to be a rather divisive topic. For a while there, I convinced myself that I was to blame, too. But when I saw you in Tara's room that day... I just... I couldn't stop myself. I understand if you, deep down, resent me for handing you over to HELIOS, for letting them make you into the fragmented man that you are now, for forcing you deeper into their greedy little mitts. But... I... I did what I thought was best, and it seems to be panning out somewhat well. You don't remember everything, but you still remember me. It's hard - uhm. Hard, really, to put it to... words, how that makes me feel."
"Overall, it makes me happy. Happy to have you again. To hold you again. I would have done so much to bring you back, to give you the chance at this life you deserved, and now that I have - I can't stop smiling. It felt like there was something gone from my life before, but now that you're back, I can see light again. I feel like I'm finally winning for once. -- Of course, there is the other part of me, too... the part that feels... upset, knowing how powerless I am to stop you from running headfirst into the same fate again. You can take the Elias out of Orso but - you're still left with a man who'd lay on the grenade for those he loves, instead of sharing that burden amongst them."
"... It doesn't really matter."
"... I'm just happy to have you now."
"Some people would have preferred you and I stay apart. You said yourself that you were considering it, too. I'm glad that neither of us let that happen. You're so important to me, Elias. And I promise you, no matter what I do, I am going to get you out of your situation, so that you can live your life the way you want to. I'm not sure how yet, but all of my ambitions... point to you. You talked to me about roads and how our paths were just intersected, inevitably meant to split apart... but I refuse to let that happen. I didn't shed all those tears for someone I plan to move past and forget. I didn't come this far to give up on you now."
"I love you, Elias. I'm not going anywhere without you - not again."
"I look forward to getting to know you all over again."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
[ PLAY AGAIN? . . . ]
"If I had a box full of wishes. . ."
"The time has come to face the reality of it all."
"There's so much I wish I could say. So much I wish I had the words to. A part of you died today, and with it - a part of me did as well. I don't think that even a locket could explain away what it's like. I know why you made the choice you did. I understand where you are going now. I think our rollercoaster has come to an end at last."
"I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you the truth. The whole truth. I don't think I'll ever be able to confront you again. I don't know that there's even a point to, if I could. You're going down the path I wanted least for you, and I feel so soul-crushingly incapable of stopping you. I see less of you in your eyes every day, and feel as though sometimes I am the only one who still gets to see... Elias. All that's going to be left in the end is Mors. - But I know that's not who you are. Just as I knew you weren't Orso."
"... I want to chase you."
"I want to beg you to come back."
"... But part of me knows that it's over. And suddenly, I feel so cold."
"Maybe in another life, another time, things could have been different. Maybe I could have saved you - or been that destination you so desperately seek. Maybe deep down, I wish I still could be. I know that how I feel hasn't changed, and I know that even now, I don't want to turn away from you, even if you have made it clear that you are going to run from me. I think maybe, all that time ago, you might have been right. Back when you were Orso. Maybe you had the right idea in trying to get away from me. Not to spare me from being near you, but to spare yourself the tragedy of knowing me."
"If I didn't do what I did, you'd be at peace."
"If we never met, maybe it'd be better."
"Is it selfish to want to keep trying?"
"Am I wrong to think of you?"
"I think I am the problem."
"I think I ruined you."
"I'm so sorry."
"...Elias."
"... I hope you find it.
your happy ending.
Somewhere at the
end of it all. I hope
someone, if not me,
can be there for you.
One.
Last.
Time.
Goodbye, Elias."
"The time has come to face the reality of it all."
"There's so much I wish I could say. So much I wish I had the words to. A part of you died today, and with it - a part of me did as well. I don't think that even a locket could explain away what it's like. I know why you made the choice you did. I understand where you are going now. I think our rollercoaster has come to an end at last."
"I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you the truth. The whole truth. I don't think I'll ever be able to confront you again. I don't know that there's even a point to, if I could. You're going down the path I wanted least for you, and I feel so soul-crushingly incapable of stopping you. I see less of you in your eyes every day, and feel as though sometimes I am the only one who still gets to see... Elias. All that's going to be left in the end is Mors. - But I know that's not who you are. Just as I knew you weren't Orso."
"... I want to chase you."
"I want to beg you to come back."
"... But part of me knows that it's over. And suddenly, I feel so cold."
"Maybe in another life, another time, things could have been different. Maybe I could have saved you - or been that destination you so desperately seek. Maybe deep down, I wish I still could be. I know that how I feel hasn't changed, and I know that even now, I don't want to turn away from you, even if you have made it clear that you are going to run from me. I think maybe, all that time ago, you might have been right. Back when you were Orso. Maybe you had the right idea in trying to get away from me. Not to spare me from being near you, but to spare yourself the tragedy of knowing me."
"If I didn't do what I did, you'd be at peace."
"If we never met, maybe it'd be better."
"Is it selfish to want to keep trying?"
"Am I wrong to think of you?"
"I think I am the problem."
"I think I ruined you."
"I'm so sorry."
"...Elias."
"... I hope you find it.
your happy ending.
Somewhere at the
end of it all. I hope
someone, if not me,
can be there for you.
One.
Last.
Time.
Goodbye, Elias."
"The beginning of my end - and the end to my beginning."
"I still recall those days before I knew your face. Blissful ignorance, some might call them. Things were a lot better then - a lot better before you were a factor in my day-to-day. And yet... somehow, I feel you always have been. I can't pretend to know what it is you wanted from me, even from the day I stepped off that train. I can't pretend to know what it is you're looking for in the grand scheme of it all. Honestly, I'm convinced you don't even care what it is that Corsair wants. You just get to kill. And that excites you. - Is that really all that's left within you, Kaito? A cold dead husk, that thirsts solely for blood?"
"Well."
"That's okay, Mister Red. - Because for once, I think you and I are starting to see eye to eye. We're both predators on the prowl for their prey - thirsting, hungering for blood in our teeth. You hunt... foxes, was it? Yes, tricky things, you called them. So very elusive. You have to set traps. You have to lure them to you. You have to sniff them out in their dens and corner them. - From one huntsman to another, I commend you. You got me. You got us. - But I'm no fox, Kaito."
"Are you familiar with the Firehawk, Mister Red?"
" - In nature, they are birds of prey, as the name might suggest. Unlike you, the Firehawk does not lay a trap, nor sniff out their prey, nor stalk them to their den. They wait, patiently, for the catalyst to their chaos to fall into their lap. Someone makes a slip, leaves something open, drops a cigarette, forgets a campfire - and in comes the Firehawk... grabbing that flame, and setting the world on fire. They'll drag that flame for miles, intentionally snagging the blaze on anything they can find. Circling, burning everything that ecosystem held dear until there's nothing but smoke in the sky - and a ring of fire flushing its prey to the center. In the chaos, it's impossible to discern where the shadows overhead are coming from. - Smoke? Ash? A falling branch? Then - is when the Firehawk strikes. It doesn't care what gets hurt in the end. All that matters is that it gets its meal."
"You lit the fire, Kaito. You took him from me. I'll take everything from you."
"I can't wait to watch you fucking burn."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"... Every time I close my eyes, I see that mask. Looming over me."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"I think we might be cut from the same cloth, you and I."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"... Every time I close my eyes, I see that mask. Looming over me."
"You know, Kaito. . . I'm starting to care about you, less and less."
"For a while there, Mister Red, you had me good. I couldn't sleep. Every time I'd close my eyes, I'd see you there. Every time I stepped outside, I thought your blades would find my back. Every time I heard a noise in my home, I thought it was you. But... honestly? I'm beyond that fear, now. Where once I was filled with rage and hate, and a vengeance unending - it's becoming harder and harder for me to... care, about you."
"You sit atop an ebony tower, looking down on all of us from the safety of your little throne. Someone, some day, is gonna come kick you down. It may not be me, but I'll be laughing alongside them once it happens. You took something from me. I'm sure part of you thought it'd be for good. And yet... here I am. I took him back."
"... Whatever game your playing, I don't care to keep playing it."
"I'm starting to think I'll just let you have this city. I'll take those that I care about and leave, start a different life, somewhere you won't be able to ruin it anymore. And though I'm clinging to that slow-building dream, there is still a fire in me. A fire that burns for you."
"I'm curious to see if the lid of reason can snuff it out, or if I truly will let my hate consume me."
"I don't think things will end well for you, if that turns out to be the case, Mister Red."
"You might be better than me. You might be able to kill me without batting an eye. But I won't go down easy. And soon - you'll come to realize that."
"For a while there, Mister Red, you had me good. I couldn't sleep. Every time I'd close my eyes, I'd see you there. Every time I stepped outside, I thought your blades would find my back. Every time I heard a noise in my home, I thought it was you. But... honestly? I'm beyond that fear, now. Where once I was filled with rage and hate, and a vengeance unending - it's becoming harder and harder for me to... care, about you."
"You sit atop an ebony tower, looking down on all of us from the safety of your little throne. Someone, some day, is gonna come kick you down. It may not be me, but I'll be laughing alongside them once it happens. You took something from me. I'm sure part of you thought it'd be for good. And yet... here I am. I took him back."
"... Whatever game your playing, I don't care to keep playing it."
"I'm starting to think I'll just let you have this city. I'll take those that I care about and leave, start a different life, somewhere you won't be able to ruin it anymore. And though I'm clinging to that slow-building dream, there is still a fire in me. A fire that burns for you."
"I'm curious to see if the lid of reason can snuff it out, or if I truly will let my hate consume me."
"I don't think things will end well for you, if that turns out to be the case, Mister Red."
"You might be better than me. You might be able to kill me without batting an eye. But I won't go down easy. And soon - you'll come to realize that."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"I think we might be cut from the same cloth, you and I."
"The scariest part to me. . . is that I understand you."
"... Funny how much I can think of someone I haven't seen in nearly a month."
"Somewhere in my mind you've always been there. Gnawing. Clawing. Scraping. Lately I've been getting those nightmares again, and I've been seeing you in my eyelids. I think I might be one of the people who knows the most about you - at least, at a street level. I've spent a lot of time thinking it over. Thinking you over."
"... If what I know now is actually what I think it is, then I understand you, Kaito."
"You lost someone important to you. And you're willing to do anything and everything to get them back. - Or to avenge them, I'm... not sure on that part. I don't blame you at all. In fact, I think that's sort of what I'm doing; except I already got him back. Sort of, I... guess."
"... I can see now that you're the head of this snake, not just a large piece of the puzzle. With you out of the picture, I could leave this all behind - go somewhere else, somewhere new. Be free, at long last. But I promised you fire, Mister Red. I promised you'd get to see it all burn."
"... And though I had my doubts before..."
"... Now? I plan to deliver."
"See you soon, Kaito. Hope you missed me."
"... Funny how much I can think of someone I haven't seen in nearly a month."
"Somewhere in my mind you've always been there. Gnawing. Clawing. Scraping. Lately I've been getting those nightmares again, and I've been seeing you in my eyelids. I think I might be one of the people who knows the most about you - at least, at a street level. I've spent a lot of time thinking it over. Thinking you over."
"... If what I know now is actually what I think it is, then I understand you, Kaito."
"You lost someone important to you. And you're willing to do anything and everything to get them back. - Or to avenge them, I'm... not sure on that part. I don't blame you at all. In fact, I think that's sort of what I'm doing; except I already got him back. Sort of, I... guess."
"... I can see now that you're the head of this snake, not just a large piece of the puzzle. With you out of the picture, I could leave this all behind - go somewhere else, somewhere new. Be free, at long last. But I promised you fire, Mister Red. I promised you'd get to see it all burn."
"... And though I had my doubts before..."
"... Now? I plan to deliver."
"See you soon, Kaito. Hope you missed me."
"A flickering candle while the darkness closes in."
"It's strange, really."
"I know that a lot of people have been curious about us for a very long time, and frankly I haven't bothered bringing it up - nor have they bothered asking. I couldn't tell you when it started exactly for me. I know that when I found you on the brink of death I felt... a pain in my chest unlike any that I'd felt before. I knew that I needed to do something, because the thought of you no longer being around wasn't even one I could humor. And yet even then, I didn't accept that something was there. Even then, I wasn't sure."
"I guess that's been the story of us. Uncertainty, at every turn."
"It feels like we fight as much as we don't. For a while, it was all we did. Every day, a new argument, every gig, another night spent crying. I know you've probably noticed how often lately I've had to leave the bed to go clear my mind at night. I know there's a lot I need to say to you, but it's hard to get it out the right way. I don't want to die with unspoken words, though. I made that mistake twice now, and I don't plan to lose another important person to me without so much as making an effort to tell her the truth."
"... It's just... hard. Sometimes. Sometimes it feels like I'm not allowed to be upset. Sometimes it feels like if I confide in anyone else, it's a sin. Sometimes I feel suffocated, and trapped - and other times, I wonder why we're even doing this. We're both so busy. We have so much work to do all the time. And things are only getting worse. What you did the other night was fucked up, Kate. I needed you, and you... - and then you... It-... It doesn't matter. The point is, it's starting to feel like we're nothing but oil and water."
"... But then I see your smile, and my heart skips a beat. I hear you tell me you love me, and I remember why I stay. I hear you laugh, and my only thought is 'how can I make her do that again'. I feel your hand in mine and I never want to let it go. I know I'm not good at this, Kate. I never claimed to be. But you make me want to try harder; to be the best me I can be for you. You make me want to sit here and mix oil and water, until the end of time. I know that I love you. I've said it a hundred times by now. I didn't make that up, and I don't take it back."
"No matter how hard things get, we'll figure it out. I won't turn my back on you again, as long as you don't turn yours to me."
"I love you. Remember to say it back."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"... Love is a funny thing."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"I wish we could be happy, too."
"I love you. Remember to say it back."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"... Love is a funny thing."
"Never have I felt more complete than when you're home and safe."
"I'm starting to understand how you've felt about me all this time."
"You're working yourself to the bone, barely coming home. And when you do come home, it's just worse and worse every day. I don't know what you're doing out there, but sometimes it feels like you're killing yourself to provide for us. I know that whatever it is must be important, because I don't think you'd risk what we have for anything less. You try to reassure me when you have the time, but it's never really enough to put my mind at ease. I'm so worried that one day you just won't come back home."
"But when you ARE here, when you ARE with me. . . I've never felt better. Every moment spent with you reminds me why I wake up in the morning. It makes me remember that not everything has to be a big moment, and that all the little moments matter, too. I've been thinking lately that maybe you were right, when you said we should just get out of here. There's a part of me that wants to just tell you to take us away, get us out of all this."
"... But I do have other obligations here, and people I care about too much to leave behind. Elias, Vass, my father... - until I'm certain they're safe and okay, we can't go. I know you understand family, but I didn't really have a lot of that growing up. These people? They're like family to me. I can't just leave them on their own."
"I love you so much, Kate. You complete me in ways I didn't know I needed to be complete. Things have been going really, really well lately, and I just hope that this isn't some sort of blissful calm before the storm."
"... Just... slow down a little for me, okay?"
"Work can wait, sometimes."
"I'm starting to understand how you've felt about me all this time."
"You're working yourself to the bone, barely coming home. And when you do come home, it's just worse and worse every day. I don't know what you're doing out there, but sometimes it feels like you're killing yourself to provide for us. I know that whatever it is must be important, because I don't think you'd risk what we have for anything less. You try to reassure me when you have the time, but it's never really enough to put my mind at ease. I'm so worried that one day you just won't come back home."
"But when you ARE here, when you ARE with me. . . I've never felt better. Every moment spent with you reminds me why I wake up in the morning. It makes me remember that not everything has to be a big moment, and that all the little moments matter, too. I've been thinking lately that maybe you were right, when you said we should just get out of here. There's a part of me that wants to just tell you to take us away, get us out of all this."
"... But I do have other obligations here, and people I care about too much to leave behind. Elias, Vass, my father... - until I'm certain they're safe and okay, we can't go. I know you understand family, but I didn't really have a lot of that growing up. These people? They're like family to me. I can't just leave them on their own."
"I love you so much, Kate. You complete me in ways I didn't know I needed to be complete. Things have been going really, really well lately, and I just hope that this isn't some sort of blissful calm before the storm."
"... Just... slow down a little for me, okay?"
"Work can wait, sometimes."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"I wish we could be happy, too."
"I really thought things were gonna get better."
"Time and time again we prove to be oil and water."
"I don't know why we're still trying to mix it, Kate."
"No matter how good things seem to get, they never really last. No matter how many good moments we have, they are always so wildly fleeting. It's like the universe is trying to tell us to stay apart, and yet we stick together anyway. Looking at you lately has been hard, just as I know it's been hard for you to look at me. I doubt I'll ever really forgive you for what you did, even if Elias already has. I don't know that I'll be able to let go all the fights, the yelling, the bickering. I'm not sure that things will ever really heal between us. I'm starting to wonder if it's even a good idea to try."
"... But it hurts so much to think otherwise."
"I want to go North so bad. I want to just let it all go. I want to just quit this line of work - this city, Kate, and I want to go someplace far from all of this. I don't care if I remember it anymore, I just want to be free. But my mind won't let me. I know that if I left now, I'd never get over these nightmares. I'd live a horrible life, and I'd probably end up kissing my own bullet before we ever really got to enjoy the sunshine."
"Despite it all, I still love you. I always have, and I don't think that anything will change that. No matter how much we fight, no matter how much we argue, no matter what. I've sacrificed a lot to be with you, and I know you've made some sacrifices too. At this point, I'm willing to keep mixing this pot until my arm falls off. I don't plan to quit on you. I simply refuse. No matter how hopeless I become, I won't leave you alone - and I won't let you go."
"... I'm sorry for who I am, Kate. I wish I could be better, for you and for a lot of others."
"I just wish you'd trust me enough to be better, for once."
"You can't keep me in the safety of this cage forever."
"You need to let me fly free."
"Time and time again we prove to be oil and water."
"I don't know why we're still trying to mix it, Kate."
"No matter how good things seem to get, they never really last. No matter how many good moments we have, they are always so wildly fleeting. It's like the universe is trying to tell us to stay apart, and yet we stick together anyway. Looking at you lately has been hard, just as I know it's been hard for you to look at me. I doubt I'll ever really forgive you for what you did, even if Elias already has. I don't know that I'll be able to let go all the fights, the yelling, the bickering. I'm not sure that things will ever really heal between us. I'm starting to wonder if it's even a good idea to try."
"... But it hurts so much to think otherwise."
"I want to go North so bad. I want to just let it all go. I want to just quit this line of work - this city, Kate, and I want to go someplace far from all of this. I don't care if I remember it anymore, I just want to be free. But my mind won't let me. I know that if I left now, I'd never get over these nightmares. I'd live a horrible life, and I'd probably end up kissing my own bullet before we ever really got to enjoy the sunshine."
"Despite it all, I still love you. I always have, and I don't think that anything will change that. No matter how much we fight, no matter how much we argue, no matter what. I've sacrificed a lot to be with you, and I know you've made some sacrifices too. At this point, I'm willing to keep mixing this pot until my arm falls off. I don't plan to quit on you. I simply refuse. No matter how hopeless I become, I won't leave you alone - and I won't let you go."
"... I'm sorry for who I am, Kate. I wish I could be better, for you and for a lot of others."
"I just wish you'd trust me enough to be better, for once."
"You can't keep me in the safety of this cage forever."
"You need to let me fly free."
"The cold beer waiting for me at the edge of destiny. When it all falls down, he'll still be there. Smiling."
"You know, it's funny. When you and I went on that first job together, I really didn't think we'd get along. I thought you were cute, but kind of annoying. The sort of guy I'd keep around just to have another gun - but not anything else. And then... we spoke again. And again. And again. We smoked together, we laughed together, and I came to realize - that's all I ever wanted. Someone to be there when I need them, to laugh with and to let the world fall away for a while."
"We've been through a lot of ups and downs, but I promise you the majority of the ups are thanks to you. I know that things got weird between us when I started seeing Kate, but I don't think of you any differently. I'm a lot different than I was when we first met. I've had to change. . . a lot. But you haven't changed a bit, and you're still the Siggurd I know and love."
"I trust you with my life. I trust you with my heart. I trust you with everything I have, no matter how much I make fun of you. You've earned my respect in every fathomable regard - and I think you're probably the realest choom I have out there. No matter what dumb shit I wanna do, you're down. If I need a shoulder to cry on, you provide. If I just want to watch you do some stupid shit, you're there to monkey around. You're my favorite meatshield, Siggs."
"... Never forget what I told you in the Void that one morning. I meant every word, and no matter what happens between us, I'll continue to mean them."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"I swear you're more bone than brain up there."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"I swear you're more bone than brain up there."
"Something about you is starting to worry me."
"You're one of the best friends I have in this place, but lately I've started to wonder about your loyalty."
"Not so much your loyalty to me, but your unerring desire to remain everyone's friend. No matter what people do, you seem content to stay in their pocket unless they directly attack or wrong you specifically. While there might not always be something wrong with a mentality like that, it does make me wonder what exactly is worth taking a stand for - for you."
"Do you stand for anything? Why are you willing to fall for everything? Everyone?"
"It's not my place to tell you who you can and can't socialize with. You're a grown man. You make your own choices. It just hurts me to see you on the fence all the time. Maybe it's selfish of me to wish that you'd just come down and get it over with, but I can't help myself for having that desire. Part of me feels that eventually you'll grow to hate me, because you spend so much time with people who do. Or worse, you'll die, chasing causes that ultimately don't matter, for twisted, sick people who just want to use your kindness as a weapon. You're so much better than that Siggurd."
"I just wish you'd see that."
"You're one of the best friends I have in this place, but lately I've started to wonder about your loyalty."
"Not so much your loyalty to me, but your unerring desire to remain everyone's friend. No matter what people do, you seem content to stay in their pocket unless they directly attack or wrong you specifically. While there might not always be something wrong with a mentality like that, it does make me wonder what exactly is worth taking a stand for - for you."
"Do you stand for anything? Why are you willing to fall for everything? Everyone?"
"It's not my place to tell you who you can and can't socialize with. You're a grown man. You make your own choices. It just hurts me to see you on the fence all the time. Maybe it's selfish of me to wish that you'd just come down and get it over with, but I can't help myself for having that desire. Part of me feels that eventually you'll grow to hate me, because you spend so much time with people who do. Or worse, you'll die, chasing causes that ultimately don't matter, for twisted, sick people who just want to use your kindness as a weapon. You're so much better than that Siggurd."
"I just wish you'd see that."
"Tonight, I dreamt of a butterfly. Tomorrow, I dream of its aftermath."
"I get it. I've gotten it for a long time. - Things between us have struggled ever since... the obvious turning point. I don't judge you for how you felt, nor entirely for how you acted. I wish things had panned out differently, though. It led us down a pretty dogshit road, and it's a road that we're sort of railed into now. It'd be easy for me to say I hate you, tell you to go die on your lonesome, rat you out to the fixers and leave you for dead."
"... But why would I do that?"
"... I just want things to go back to the way they were. I miss when it wasn't life or death every waking moment. When we weren't at each other's throats with every single word we spoke. I think we both have a lot of things about us that need to change. I've said a lot of things to you that I didn't mean, just as you've said a lot of things to me that I'm sure you didn't. At the end of the day, all that matters is that I don't hate you. I want to help you. I know what you're going through is terrible, and I'll do what I can to see you through it."
"I still consider us friends. I still want to get you out of this."
"... But know that I have bigger fish to fry."
"You and yours played a hand in taking Orso from me. I won't forget that."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
". . . I'm done shedding tears for you."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"... You were right about something."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
". . . I'm done shedding tears for you."
"You made your bed. I hope you're happy to die in it."
"There was a lot I excused for you, Tara. I know your condition is a hard one. I was willing to put a lot behind me to help you get better. A part of me loved you, even. Maybe part of me still does."
"But now... I don't care."
"You pushed me away of your own volition. You tried to convince Elias to stay away from me. You could have killed me. And all I wanted was for you to be okay. I don't care how anyone tries to excuse you, you are a plague on this world, slow-consuming and all encompassing. Everyone who touches you gets infected, caught up in your web of destruction, as you slowly drag them down to the bottom with you. You can't handle dying alone, so you insist on taking everyone else to die with you, all because your greed and need to prove yourself is too great. Your ego is and forever will be your only true love, and I hope that when the darkness meets you at the edges of fate, you come to terms with who you are."
"You saw Elias as an asset to be used for your own personal gain. How nobody else seems to take issue with this is beyond me. You just wanted to use his life as a bargaining chip with HELIOS to save yourself. You never cared about Elias. You like to stand behind this great moral shield where you feel 'guilty' about what happened, where you blame me and angry at me for Elias. You never knew him. You never cared about him. All he ever was to you was a body to be thrown at the enemy to keep you alive, and even post-mortem, all he was to you was an asset. A rung on the ladder you're constantly trying to climb. You sick fucking bitch."
"I don't really care to speak to you ever again. My mind won't really change on that. I'd prefer it if you stayed away from me, and I'd prefer it more if you stayed away from my friends. You're a terrible influence, a terrible person, and a dangerous one, to boot. In some ways, I think I envy the person who gets to put you in the grave."
"There are no more excuses for you, Tara."
"You're awful. And I hope you can some day accept that fact, and do the world a favor."
"Find a corner."
"Curl up."
"And die."
"Alone."
"There was a lot I excused for you, Tara. I know your condition is a hard one. I was willing to put a lot behind me to help you get better. A part of me loved you, even. Maybe part of me still does."
"But now... I don't care."
"You pushed me away of your own volition. You tried to convince Elias to stay away from me. You could have killed me. And all I wanted was for you to be okay. I don't care how anyone tries to excuse you, you are a plague on this world, slow-consuming and all encompassing. Everyone who touches you gets infected, caught up in your web of destruction, as you slowly drag them down to the bottom with you. You can't handle dying alone, so you insist on taking everyone else to die with you, all because your greed and need to prove yourself is too great. Your ego is and forever will be your only true love, and I hope that when the darkness meets you at the edges of fate, you come to terms with who you are."
"You saw Elias as an asset to be used for your own personal gain. How nobody else seems to take issue with this is beyond me. You just wanted to use his life as a bargaining chip with HELIOS to save yourself. You never cared about Elias. You like to stand behind this great moral shield where you feel 'guilty' about what happened, where you blame me and angry at me for Elias. You never knew him. You never cared about him. All he ever was to you was a body to be thrown at the enemy to keep you alive, and even post-mortem, all he was to you was an asset. A rung on the ladder you're constantly trying to climb. You sick fucking bitch."
"I don't really care to speak to you ever again. My mind won't really change on that. I'd prefer it if you stayed away from me, and I'd prefer it more if you stayed away from my friends. You're a terrible influence, a terrible person, and a dangerous one, to boot. In some ways, I think I envy the person who gets to put you in the grave."
"There are no more excuses for you, Tara."
"You're awful. And I hope you can some day accept that fact, and do the world a favor."
"Find a corner."
"Curl up."
"And die."
"Alone."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"... You were right about something."
".. Do you feel accomplished, knowing I'm still thinking of you after all this time?"
"... I've had a lot of time to reflect. On everything. I guess it's easier when you aren't around to punch the thoughts out of my head, huh?"
"... Jokes. That was a joke. You'd have laughed- I think."
"... You know, even if we didn't exactly end things very well, there's a part of me that wants you to know just how much I..."
"... I miss those days too. Sitting in the bar. Playing Avalon. Talking about shit that didn't matter, and not worrying about what tomorrow would be. Our biggest worry was getting cool drinks made in our honor. Our dreams were bigger than we ever could be, like a star about to explode. And that was good enough for us. For you and me, it felt like that's all we needed."
"... Even if what you wanted out of me was off the table, I wish we could go back there."
"I'd kill to just sit down and talk about nothing with you again. Forget it ever happened. Be... just you and me, for a little while longer."
"I take back what I felt before, Tara. I still think you were a bitch, but so was I."
"I'm so sorry."
"I hope you rest easy." - "Kill that big final boss in the sky and save some of his loot for me, would you?"
"... I've had a lot of time to reflect. On everything. I guess it's easier when you aren't around to punch the thoughts out of my head, huh?"
"... Jokes. That was a joke. You'd have laughed- I think."
"... You know, even if we didn't exactly end things very well, there's a part of me that wants you to know just how much I..."
"... I miss those days too. Sitting in the bar. Playing Avalon. Talking about shit that didn't matter, and not worrying about what tomorrow would be. Our biggest worry was getting cool drinks made in our honor. Our dreams were bigger than we ever could be, like a star about to explode. And that was good enough for us. For you and me, it felt like that's all we needed."
"... Even if what you wanted out of me was off the table, I wish we could go back there."
"I'd kill to just sit down and talk about nothing with you again. Forget it ever happened. Be... just you and me, for a little while longer."
"I take back what I felt before, Tara. I still think you were a bitch, but so was I."
"I'm so sorry."
"I hope you rest easy." - "Kill that big final boss in the sky and save some of his loot for me, would you?"
"... Why?"
"You know, I was originally taught to hate you. At times, I wonder if things would have been better if I still did. Not because you're a bad person, or because I think you have bad beliefs, but because of how confused you are. You tell me to stay in touch with my humanity, and yet encourage me to let the death of my dearest friend go the night it happens. You speak of my 'focus', when I've just watched him die again - the exact same way."
"I'm not a machine. I don't want to be."
"I know you aren't either, Delilah. I wish you'd stop pretending to be."
"You punched me because you thought it was better than letting me throw myself back into the fire. I guess I owe you a thanks for that. You should know better than anyone that you did nothing more than delay the inevitable. I'm going back for Kaito. I don't know if you'll really be at my back by then, and frankly, I don't care if you are. You've become a nonfactor to me. I've got things I need to take care of, and if all you're going to contribute to me is punching me out and telling me to let it all go, then I don't need you there."
"Take care of Vass, at the very least. He cares about you. They all do."
"Loosen up for once, and maybe you'll remember what it was like before you were eighty percent chrome."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"Birds of a feather flock together. You're just like your sister."
[ Update: 2/26/2023 ]
"... I get what it's like."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"Birds of a feather flock together. You're just like your sister."
"Don't let go of my humanity, huh?"
"I can't say I hate you, not the same way I do your sister."
". . . But you suck, too."
"I thought for a while that maybe there were just some differences between us. Maybe it's childish of me to still cling to some of them. But you've done a lot to hurt me without even so much as speaking to me. Things you say and do trickle their way to me, and while normally I might discard them to make an effort to make amends, I don't really see a point."
"You have a really dumb way of living. You are quite possibly the most hypocritical individual I've ever had the misfortune of coming to know. I think you're just confused, but confused people like you are dangerous, especially when they proclaim to be wise or have people who lean on them for support."
"You and Vass didn't work out, and while normally I might be okay with that, the whole situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Vass moved on from you and I'm happy for him. He deserves a lot better than you. - And though he's forgiven you, I simply can't. I know what you're doing. I see how you talk to people, and I see how certain individuals pine after you. I have my suspicions of other things going on, but even putting those aside, it has become clear to me that you would rather engage in casual, loose affairs and pleasures of the flesh than something real, with a man who really loved you."
"I guess I see where Tara gets it from. Both of you push away the people who actually care, so that you can do whatever the fuck you want."
"I dunno, Delilah."
"Maybe I'm wrong about you. But some part of my gut tells me I'm not."
"Go on, live your life, have fun. I'm not going to bother you anymore."
"I can't say I hate you, not the same way I do your sister."
". . . But you suck, too."
"I thought for a while that maybe there were just some differences between us. Maybe it's childish of me to still cling to some of them. But you've done a lot to hurt me without even so much as speaking to me. Things you say and do trickle their way to me, and while normally I might discard them to make an effort to make amends, I don't really see a point."
"You have a really dumb way of living. You are quite possibly the most hypocritical individual I've ever had the misfortune of coming to know. I think you're just confused, but confused people like you are dangerous, especially when they proclaim to be wise or have people who lean on them for support."
"You and Vass didn't work out, and while normally I might be okay with that, the whole situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Vass moved on from you and I'm happy for him. He deserves a lot better than you. - And though he's forgiven you, I simply can't. I know what you're doing. I see how you talk to people, and I see how certain individuals pine after you. I have my suspicions of other things going on, but even putting those aside, it has become clear to me that you would rather engage in casual, loose affairs and pleasures of the flesh than something real, with a man who really loved you."
"I guess I see where Tara gets it from. Both of you push away the people who actually care, so that you can do whatever the fuck you want."
"I dunno, Delilah."
"Maybe I'm wrong about you. But some part of my gut tells me I'm not."
"Go on, live your life, have fun. I'm not going to bother you anymore."
[ Update: 2/26/2023 ]
"... I get what it's like."
"I don't know if I was right or wrong about you, really. I just know that I was wrong for how I treated you."
"I said a lot of things about you that I regret saying. I was just angry at your sister, and a lot of it bled onto you. Yes, I heard some things, and yes, I was upset vicariously through Vass for the way things ended... but ultimately, I hated you for things that were none of my business. I never should have held such contempt for you, when all you wanted at the end of the day... was to help."
"... I can see how much you're hurting now. Even if there's a part of me that wants to tell you 'I told you so', I know that'd be a real shitty thing to do. And besides, that part of me sucks anyway. I'd rather just be there for you. Offer you a shoulder, if you want it. - I dunno. I'd still like to make big on those words we shared by the fire, down in the depths of the hab. I haven't forgotten them, you know. That first time we really talked."
"You deserved a lot better than I gave you. I know that now, I can see it perfectly clearly."
"I just hope that it's not too late to fix things, before I'm too far gone - or we're both too far apart."
"I said a lot of things about you that I regret saying. I was just angry at your sister, and a lot of it bled onto you. Yes, I heard some things, and yes, I was upset vicariously through Vass for the way things ended... but ultimately, I hated you for things that were none of my business. I never should have held such contempt for you, when all you wanted at the end of the day... was to help."
"... I can see how much you're hurting now. Even if there's a part of me that wants to tell you 'I told you so', I know that'd be a real shitty thing to do. And besides, that part of me sucks anyway. I'd rather just be there for you. Offer you a shoulder, if you want it. - I dunno. I'd still like to make big on those words we shared by the fire, down in the depths of the hab. I haven't forgotten them, you know. That first time we really talked."
"You deserved a lot better than I gave you. I know that now, I can see it perfectly clearly."
"I just hope that it's not too late to fix things, before I'm too far gone - or we're both too far apart."
"All the way to the edge, right choom? Blaze of glory."
"It takes a special kind of man to remain as consistent as you, Vass. When work needs to be done, you get it done. You're busy, busier than most, and yet somehow you still manage to make time for everyone. I don't know how you do it, honestly. I don't know how we managed to become so close even despite you being tugged every which way at every possible moment."
"In hindsight, it'd be easy for me to hate you. You didn't trust me about Orso until he was dead. You didn't trust me about Aetherstone until they left us for dead. I guess I can't blame you. You didn't know me as well, then. But it seems that we see pretty eye to eye on most things now, even if it is too little too late in some regards."
"I dunno."
"You did what I asked. You got the people out of there when it mattered. But the one person I wanted to get out most-... I... I could have done something. You helped them take me away from him. You encouraged them to do so. I want to be mad at you. I do. I think I am."
"... I just-..."
"... I just wish things had gone differently."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"You remind me what real loyalty is."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"The end's coming, and you're still here."
[ Update: 6/18/2023 ]
"You remind me what real loyalty is."
"Even at my lowest, you remained one of its high points."
"Vass, I'm sorry that any part of me ever doubted or disliked you. I'm sorry that I even considered for a moment letting that selfish anger of mine boil over. I'm sorry for it all."
"You are such a good man. A better man than most people know, and I'm grateful to know you like I do. Though you are still busy all the time, you always made an effort to make time for me when I needed it, and I appreciate that beyond words. When people turn their backs on me, you stick with me. When it feels like I'm on the edge, your hand reaches out to grab mine."
"You saved my life recently. Not just in the literal sense - though, you did do that, too; when you shot the barrel of the guy who was about to kill me - but in the sense that you helped me stay steady when I felt like everything was crumbling. When I had nowhere to turn, I could still turn to you. No matter what happens, I'll stick by you, Vass."
"I know that stuff has been hard on you lately. Just because things are looking up for me doesn't mean they're looking up for you, but I'd like to think that things are starting to go better for you as well. You've still got some bumps on that road to clear out, but I'm sure you'll get through it. You're the man, after all. The Guy."
"You deserve a happy ending. I hope you can find it sometime soon, choom."
"Vass, I'm sorry that any part of me ever doubted or disliked you. I'm sorry that I even considered for a moment letting that selfish anger of mine boil over. I'm sorry for it all."
"You are such a good man. A better man than most people know, and I'm grateful to know you like I do. Though you are still busy all the time, you always made an effort to make time for me when I needed it, and I appreciate that beyond words. When people turn their backs on me, you stick with me. When it feels like I'm on the edge, your hand reaches out to grab mine."
"You saved my life recently. Not just in the literal sense - though, you did do that, too; when you shot the barrel of the guy who was about to kill me - but in the sense that you helped me stay steady when I felt like everything was crumbling. When I had nowhere to turn, I could still turn to you. No matter what happens, I'll stick by you, Vass."
"I know that stuff has been hard on you lately. Just because things are looking up for me doesn't mean they're looking up for you, but I'd like to think that things are starting to go better for you as well. You've still got some bumps on that road to clear out, but I'm sure you'll get through it. You're the man, after all. The Guy."
"You deserve a happy ending. I hope you can find it sometime soon, choom."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"The end's coming, and you're still here."
"You know. . ."
". . . I think it's about time you hung it up, Vass."
"... We're approaching an inevitability. Each day, it draws closer. My wick nears the end, and my wax is running out. I think you may have finally found what you've been looking for. I can't know for sure, just as I'm sure you can't either - but I think it's time you stop taking those risks and just run with it. Live your life, stop worrying about others. Kick your feet up, and look back on your accomplishments."
"You've made it, Osmar. You've made it all the way. You're on the steps to the life you've always wanted, and you have someone to love holding your hand as you ascend those steps. I don't want to be the reason that gets taken away from you. Leading you into the end. I don't want you to throw it all away because of some dumb promise we made over a pair of cigarettes."
"A blaze of glory?..."
"I wish you'd just take the slow burn."
"Be happy, Vass. No matter what happens, that's all I want from you."
". . . I think it's about time you hung it up, Vass."
"... We're approaching an inevitability. Each day, it draws closer. My wick nears the end, and my wax is running out. I think you may have finally found what you've been looking for. I can't know for sure, just as I'm sure you can't either - but I think it's time you stop taking those risks and just run with it. Live your life, stop worrying about others. Kick your feet up, and look back on your accomplishments."
"You've made it, Osmar. You've made it all the way. You're on the steps to the life you've always wanted, and you have someone to love holding your hand as you ascend those steps. I don't want to be the reason that gets taken away from you. Leading you into the end. I don't want you to throw it all away because of some dumb promise we made over a pair of cigarettes."
"A blaze of glory?..."
"I wish you'd just take the slow burn."
"Be happy, Vass. No matter what happens, that's all I want from you."
Mamoru Kaneshiro
"You know, I once planned to ruin your life."
"Back in the district before, I saw you as little more than an oaf, working for the people I hated most in this world. I had plans to... well. To drive you insane, to tarnish your company's image. I was going to make you do terrible things to get you decommissioned and your business scorned. I regret those thoughts, now, but - some of the feelings still remain."
"I don't like you, Mamoru. I don't think that I'll ever really be able to, not as long as you are a part of the corporation that you are. I hate you through affiliation, and as much as it might suck to hear, that's just the way things will always be. We'll never be real friends. I'll never trust you completely."
"... But you understood my pain with Elias better than just about anyone."
"You cared about him almost as much as I did. Even if you two are enemies, you understood what it was like to... really care about him, on a deep and meaningful level. His disappearance actually affected you. You didn't move past it immediately like a robot. You didn't just forgive and forget. You held the same sort of pain I did, deep down, and for that - I think I respect you. Part of me wants to trust you. To extend an olive branch, the same way that I did with Elias originally."
"... But I know better. As much as I'd like to suspend disbelief, I know what you are, and who you work for. I'm sorry, Mamoru."
"We'll never be more than associates. - Thank you for understanding me, though. And I hope that in some way, my existence, and talking to me, has helped you to find peace."
"Back in the district before, I saw you as little more than an oaf, working for the people I hated most in this world. I had plans to... well. To drive you insane, to tarnish your company's image. I was going to make you do terrible things to get you decommissioned and your business scorned. I regret those thoughts, now, but - some of the feelings still remain."
"I don't like you, Mamoru. I don't think that I'll ever really be able to, not as long as you are a part of the corporation that you are. I hate you through affiliation, and as much as it might suck to hear, that's just the way things will always be. We'll never be real friends. I'll never trust you completely."
"... But you understood my pain with Elias better than just about anyone."
"You cared about him almost as much as I did. Even if you two are enemies, you understood what it was like to... really care about him, on a deep and meaningful level. His disappearance actually affected you. You didn't move past it immediately like a robot. You didn't just forgive and forget. You held the same sort of pain I did, deep down, and for that - I think I respect you. Part of me wants to trust you. To extend an olive branch, the same way that I did with Elias originally."
"... But I know better. As much as I'd like to suspend disbelief, I know what you are, and who you work for. I'm sorry, Mamoru."
"We'll never be more than associates. - Thank you for understanding me, though. And I hope that in some way, my existence, and talking to me, has helped you to find peace."
'Orion'
"Even if you have nobody else, you'll have me, big guy."
(im sorry it was too funny i couldnt stop myself)
"When I first met you, you were one of the weirdest people in this city. Don't get me wrong, choom, you still are - but I've seen a lot of growth in you since then. Even though we haven't gotten as much time together as I'd like, I still think you're on the up and up, even without my guidance. Life is tough, and yet you seem more than able to stand up and take those punches."
"I can't say confidently that I know what your deal is; I don't think we've gotten that far yet. But you're a good kid. A strong kid, too - maybe a bit reckless, and who knows, maybe all that cyberware will catch up with you before you have a chance to do great things. - I dunno how synthetik people work, really. Never really... been my area of expertise."
"What I do know, however, is that you constantly put yourself down because of it. Other people kick you, too - they tell you that you're nothing but a husk, a fake, a nobody. And though you may not have a name for yourself yet, I know one thing that everyone else doesn't - maybe even yourself: You have a good heart. A better heart than most actual people left in this shithole. You're a good guy, and you want to do real, substantial good things; even if you've had to do things that you aren't proud of."
"I know deep down that you're going to do great things, Orion. Just keep your chin up. You've got this choom, and even if you don't, I'll be right there to pick you back up and dust you off."
(im sorry it was too funny i couldnt stop myself)
"When I first met you, you were one of the weirdest people in this city. Don't get me wrong, choom, you still are - but I've seen a lot of growth in you since then. Even though we haven't gotten as much time together as I'd like, I still think you're on the up and up, even without my guidance. Life is tough, and yet you seem more than able to stand up and take those punches."
"I can't say confidently that I know what your deal is; I don't think we've gotten that far yet. But you're a good kid. A strong kid, too - maybe a bit reckless, and who knows, maybe all that cyberware will catch up with you before you have a chance to do great things. - I dunno how synthetik people work, really. Never really... been my area of expertise."
"What I do know, however, is that you constantly put yourself down because of it. Other people kick you, too - they tell you that you're nothing but a husk, a fake, a nobody. And though you may not have a name for yourself yet, I know one thing that everyone else doesn't - maybe even yourself: You have a good heart. A better heart than most actual people left in this shithole. You're a good guy, and you want to do real, substantial good things; even if you've had to do things that you aren't proud of."
"I know deep down that you're going to do great things, Orion. Just keep your chin up. You've got this choom, and even if you don't, I'll be right there to pick you back up and dust you off."
Edith Hoffman
"My BBBFLEA, I think?"
"Honestly, I don't really remember the night we... err... bonded, all that well. I remember we hugged a bunch, and were talking about... brains? I think? - I dunno. It's weird, though, because even if most of that night is sort of a blur to me, I still have these feelings that she's a friend of mine, now. Not really a stranger to me, and yet... not exactly someone I'd call close. The term 'BBBFLEA' comes up in my head a lot, and funnily, I somehow know exactly what that means. Man - I was really drunk."
"... Beyond that night, we only really spoke once, at Vass's party. She's a sweet person. Smart, too, and funny when she wants to be. I think that as far as businesses go, she's on the up and up. I'm rooting for her, whatever the case may be."
"I hope that her and I can hang out some more sometime. She's cool."
"... And I also hope that Siggurd doesn't break that poor girl."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"I'm glad to know you. More than you know."
"Honestly, I don't really remember the night we... err... bonded, all that well. I remember we hugged a bunch, and were talking about... brains? I think? - I dunno. It's weird, though, because even if most of that night is sort of a blur to me, I still have these feelings that she's a friend of mine, now. Not really a stranger to me, and yet... not exactly someone I'd call close. The term 'BBBFLEA' comes up in my head a lot, and funnily, I somehow know exactly what that means. Man - I was really drunk."
"... Beyond that night, we only really spoke once, at Vass's party. She's a sweet person. Smart, too, and funny when she wants to be. I think that as far as businesses go, she's on the up and up. I'm rooting for her, whatever the case may be."
"I hope that her and I can hang out some more sometime. She's cool."
"... And I also hope that Siggurd doesn't break that poor girl."
[ Update: 6/26/2023 ]
"I'm glad to know you. More than you know."
"Still going strong, it seems. Wasn't just a drunk fluke."
"You are a breath of fresh air in this place. No matter what, you have been there if I've needed you - even if I haven't cashed out on that as much as I'd like. You are always a delight to be around and speak to, and you never fail to make me feel welcome. You probably understand me a lot better than most people here, probably because you remind me a lot of me before the city changed me. I think that our estimates in the latter half of BBBFLEA were quite accurate, and I don't think anything'll change that anytime soon."
"I hope that whatever happens, you come out of all this strong and happy. I may not always be there to see it, but you're doing so good as it is. I'm so proud of you. I'm rooting for you, in this life and in the next."
"Godspeed, Eedie. I believe in you."
"You are a breath of fresh air in this place. No matter what, you have been there if I've needed you - even if I haven't cashed out on that as much as I'd like. You are always a delight to be around and speak to, and you never fail to make me feel welcome. You probably understand me a lot better than most people here, probably because you remind me a lot of me before the city changed me. I think that our estimates in the latter half of BBBFLEA were quite accurate, and I don't think anything'll change that anytime soon."
"I hope that whatever happens, you come out of all this strong and happy. I may not always be there to see it, but you're doing so good as it is. I'm so proud of you. I'm rooting for you, in this life and in the next."
"Godspeed, Eedie. I believe in you."
blahblahblahblahblah
wip wip iwp iwpwi iwiu wpw pwi wiw p
