[ Brigade shakes his head despondently ] Was it really a choice? [ He thinks of what Hikaru might've chosen if Setsuna hadn't been held in his face like blackmail. If he'd been given a chance to not have been the victim of the cosmic finger. ] Is it really a choice when there's only one right thing to do?
[ Brigade sets the bottle down, takes a long drag, and closes his eyes. He understood that little bit at least, from their talk with Calintz, Rethe and Jessie Vice ] Was he just supposed to walk away from his sister? Cause, Ma'am, that doesn't really sound like a choice.
[ He takes another long drag and thinks of Hikaru. Then speaks his next words softly. ] He didn't have to be a weapon.
[She says nothing to that, at least not immediately. Her son's decisions have always been his own: she simply does what she can to make it a little bit easier for him, in whatever way she can.]
Thank you for your concern. Still, I think that we have all walked well past the point where contemplating on how he did not have to be what he is now is moot and academic. [Taking a drag from her pipe.] Better to move from where one is now, in my opinion, and adjust accordingly. To ease the burden, so to speak. To remind him that this is not something that he has to do alone.
[ Brigade lights a new cigarette and takes a drag ] There are many of us, Ma'am, who always do. [ I don't plan to leave your son alone to do deal with this ]
But [ He thinks on it ], if there was a way to take the burden away from him, if either Hikaru wanted it done, or it had to be done because Death would be taking over anyway [ Leaving his Brother trapped in a body he had no control of anymore, having to watch as his hands, controlled by something else, kill everyone and everything he loved ], would you find that way, Ma'am? Would you take it to save him from a fate I'm sure he'd find worse than... [ Death? No, living forever, trapped inside Death, watching it do the exact opposite of everything he's worked toward in his 29 life cycles ] all this. [ Every night, Brother Hikaru goes out, Death's whipping dog, even though they say they've agreed to walk side by side ]
Perhaps I would, if I am certain that it is not my own arrogance and compassion blinding me and convincing me that I am right.
[Which was her subtle way of saying that she is not going to lift a finger right now. These are growing pains, in her eyes. Everyone adjusting, everyone making their own judgments.
She has seen her son in some of his more quiet moments, and read between his lines. It has told her one thing.
Thank you, Ma'am.[ That's enough for Brigade. It's enough to hear that she would. ]
I'm sorry.[ He apologizes, as he knows he got worked up on the matter ] I just... I just care very much for your son, Ma'am. He's a brother to me. [ And not just in honorific. He remembers the day in front of the chained Godslayer. "Stay with me. One Weapon to another.", "I'll see you on the field, Brother." ] And I do what I can as a fellow weapon.
[He is not lying. It's in the tone of his voice, in his eyes, in his movements. The things he is not saying. The things he is probably thinking about now, even as he tries to find more words.
Good. Filing that away for future reference now.]
You're welcome. It is nice to see that he appears to have yet another person that he can view as family.
[ It's calm in Brig now. Relatively. He still has so much to ask, but they can wait for another night. He wants to enjoy his sake. And the company. ]
[ He laughs a bit, noting now how she's been speaking the whole night. So calculated. So measured. What would it be like if --]
Would you like to continue this outside? Out in the air overlooking your garden? [ He smiles as he makes the request ] It's a bit stuffy in here and I think the stars are nice tonight.
It's not a problem, Ma'am. I would have taken the initiative even if you hadn't asked. [ He smiles and takes the two opened bottles and the sealed one in one arm, and reaches for his cup with the other. He makes his way to the door and deftly opens the sliding door with the hand holding his cup ] After you.
[ Brigade follows her to the spot she's chosen and sets everything neatly before taking a seat. He's laid the bottles and the cup in-between them, making about a foot of distance between her and him ] The breeze is nice here. Do you sit here when you think?
[ Brigade offers to pour for her, ready to give her the bottle if she wishes to take it ] With the amount of papers I saw on your table when I arrive, I have to wonder how often you do take breaks.
[ Brigade looks over the garden. And then up at the night sky. ] I've never really been a fan of breaks myself.
[ But so far Seigi has been nice. Barring the brutality of the measuring, he's enjoyed the sights and things like meeting the Great Koi ]
[ Brigade tries his best to follow her form earlier. He tilts his head to ask if he did it right. And adds ] That's good to know. [ He feels comfortable around her, even when everything else in his training tells him she's a dangerous woman ] Could I ask something of you, Ma'am?
[ He looks back at the stars and then down at the garden, before turning again to look at her. ] Can I keep your company these next few nights I have in Seigi? I've enjoyed this evening's conversation. [ He smiles genuinely. He really has. ]
Well, she had learned quite a bit from this encounter. There was always more, however, to look into with each new meeting.]
Certainly. [Painting a pleasantly surprised, perhaps a little flustered smile on her face.] You can help me enjoy my nightly breaks. You've been worthy company.
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[ Brigade sets the bottle down, takes a long drag, and closes his eyes. He understood that little bit at least, from their talk with Calintz, Rethe and Jessie Vice ] Was he just supposed to walk away from his sister? Cause, Ma'am, that doesn't really sound like a choice.
[ He takes another long drag and thinks of Hikaru. Then speaks his next words softly. ] He didn't have to be a weapon.
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Thank you for your concern. Still, I think that we have all walked well past the point where contemplating on how he did not have to be what he is now is moot and academic. [Taking a drag from her pipe.] Better to move from where one is now, in my opinion, and adjust accordingly. To ease the burden, so to speak. To remind him that this is not something that he has to do alone.
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But [ He thinks on it ], if there was a way to take the burden away from him, if either Hikaru wanted it done, or it had to be done because Death would be taking over anyway [ Leaving his Brother trapped in a body he had no control of anymore, having to watch as his hands, controlled by something else, kill everyone and everything he loved ], would you find that way, Ma'am? Would you take it to save him from a fate I'm sure he'd find worse than... [ Death? No, living forever, trapped inside Death, watching it do the exact opposite of everything he's worked toward in his 29 life cycles ] all this. [ Every night, Brother Hikaru goes out, Death's whipping dog, even though they say they've agreed to walk side by side ]
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[Which was her subtle way of saying that she is not going to lift a finger right now. These are growing pains, in her eyes. Everyone adjusting, everyone making their own judgments.
She has seen her son in some of his more quiet moments, and read between his lines. It has told her one thing.
Too early, too soon. Wait and see.]
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I'm sorry.[ He apologizes, as he knows he got worked up on the matter ] I just... I just care very much for your son, Ma'am. He's a brother to me. [ And not just in honorific. He remembers the day in front of the chained Godslayer. "Stay with me. One Weapon to another.", "I'll see you on the field, Brother." ] And I do what I can as a fellow weapon.
[ I care for him very much ]
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Good. Filing that away for future reference now.]
You're welcome. It is nice to see that he appears to have yet another person that he can view as family.
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[ He laughs a bit, noting now how she's been speaking the whole night. So calculated. So measured. What would it be like if --]
Would you like to continue this outside? Out in the air overlooking your garden? [ He smiles as he makes the request ] It's a bit stuffy in here and I think the stars are nice tonight.
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You're right. A change of mood deserves a change of scene.
[Letting her smile grow now, as if this suggestion pleased her. She stands up, and takes the brazier, her cup and her pipe.]
Would you mind carrying the bottles for us?
He doesn't even know what he's doing.:(( Oh my poor, poor Brig. Just being nice.-___-
Heh heh heh.
[And stepping right out. She pauses a moment, looking around for a good spot.
Ah.]
Here.
[Walking down the patio, over to an even more quiet corner of the garden. The breeze is best here. Now she's settling down like she belongs there.
Trust in a woman like Kasumi Aoi to look so perfectly settled in her own skin t at all times.]
Iz all right. It's how I always play Brig. Must be IC consistent all the time. Stupid idiot. hah
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[No she doesn't.]
This is where I go when I need a proper break. Like now.
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[ Brigade looks over the garden. And then up at the night sky. ] I've never really been a fan of breaks myself.
[ But so far Seigi has been nice. Barring the brutality of the measuring, he's enjoyed the sights and things like meeting the Great Koi ]
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I make sure to take a break every day, actually. All things must be done in moderation, even one's work.
Activating Autonomic Control! haha
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[Of course he could. Now whether she was going to answer was another thing altogether.
Not that he'd ever really know. But.]
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Well, she had learned quite a bit from this encounter. There was always more, however, to look into with each new meeting.]
Certainly. [Painting a pleasantly surprised, perhaps a little flustered smile on her face.] You can help me enjoy my nightly breaks. You've been worthy company.
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