Week Two Afterparty: For the people who are Still Alive

[literalidiotball]

That afternoon could not be more confusing.

Not only was the witch who called herself Yuuko a fake, but it turned out the witch who communicated through bird and notes was none other than one of the pieces. And the suffering... Oh, the suffering...

At least nobody else died for now...🗈

In spite of the lack of death, Wheatley was about as shaken up as everyone else. If he wasn't sure he was going to die here before, he is definitely certain now.

But he wasn't going to try and let it get to him. Even if he kind of wished he could consume things in the real world, he's still clinging to the small victory they had in sparing everyone.

On that note, he had the goats prepare a feast, turning the dining room table into a buffet table. There was turkey, fish, granola bars, fish shaped crackers, a giant bowl of frosted flakes, Macaroni and cheese with chunks of fish, fish shaped granola bars... Look, Wheatley didn't quite understand what humans liked to eat at these things, but at least it looks professional.

There's even a large cake in the center of the table. It's covered in chocolate frosting, strawberries, and has a lovely message written in bold white frosting: "WE SURVIVED".

Comments

[clearumbrella]

[ As he thinks, he moves his hands in his pockets. ]

Then... I think that's good enough. [ Isn't it? He's not sure, but he feels like it probably is. Wanting to be innocent, that means something. ] I don't think you're a bad person, Erhard-sensei. No matter what anyone else says.

[cryosurgeon]

Others here have said that, actually. For some reason, they're determined to see me as a good person. Maybe now, I am. But memory can be a terrible thing. Erasing it can turn a good person into a bad one, or vice versa.

[clearumbrella]

That might be true. I haven't— [ He stops there. No, he supposes he can't say that, can he? He pulls his hands out of his pockets and starts again. ] I haven't seen what regaining memories can do to a person, but no matter what you remember... I don't think the person you are now can completely disappear.

Erhard-sensei is Erhard-sensei.

[cryosurgeon]

... your reasoning is too innocent for someone who's been hurt by life. You remind me of a child, Clear. But that will only come back to haunt you eventually, because the world is cruel.

[clearumbrella]

That must be how most of you see me. [ Innocent, naive, like a child. He won't argue against it. It's probably true, especially if more than one person thinks it. He tilts his head down as he averts his gaze. ] Still, even if the world is cruel, even if something "comes back to haunt me," I don't think I'll change.

[ Quietly, almost to himself— ] ... No, I may not be capable of it.

[cryosurgeon]

[Softly, hollowly:]

Everyone is capable of being broken, Clear.

[clearumbrella]

You're wrong, Erhard-sensei.

[cryosurgeon]

Why? You can't tell me you've never been sad, or angry, or hurt.

It isn't as if you're a machine.

[clearumbrella]

[ A few moments of silence before, quietly: ]

Being sad isn't the same as being broken.

[cryosurgeon]

I've seen enough people break because of sorrow. I saw it in the faces of families, the people whose loved ones I might have killed. They'll never completely recover from those feelings.

[clearumbrella]

Yes. What you're describing right now, that's what it means to have a "broken heart." But not all sadness is the same, is it? The same goes for pain. How we're affected depends on our circumstances, depends on who we are.

That's why I can say this honestly, Erhard-sensei. No matter what happens, I won't break. It's impossible.

[cryosurgeon]

... then I wish we were all as strong as you, Clear. Someone must've loved you, for you to have this much faith in humanity.

[clearumbrella]

It isn't strength. [ For some reason, saying that's what it is doesn't sound right. And... sad, almost. He lifts his head back up. Despite this, his voice remains somber. ]

Though, maybe you're right when you say I was loved. [ He'll have to dwell on that point later. For now— ] But sensei, you wanted to talk about you, didn't you? Please don't mind me. Continue your story.

[cryosurgeon]

There isn't much more to tell. I was put in prison, and I never expected to see the outside world again. Eight years later, the FBI wanted me to do surgery on a high-ranking politician for five years off my sentence. So I did it. I forgot about what happened for a few hours, until someone painfully reminded me.

[Maria's really strong, enough that she easily lifted his scrawny ass off the floor before slamming him into a wall.

"Are you responsible for Cumberland College?!"

"We took an oath to do no harm!"

"Remember what you did, damn you!"

He closes his eyes.]

I couldn't operate any more after that. What was the point? No matter how many lives I save, it won't make up for the ones lost.

[clearumbrella]

[ As the conversation circles back to Erhard's past, Clear shifts back to listening. ]

Yes, that's true. My grandpa taught me that no two lives are equal, no matter who those lives belong to. That's why I must always cherish life. Why it must always be protected. However... [ He steps closer and puts a hand onto Erhard's shoulder. ] While your way of thinking isn't wrong, it isn't right either.

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard isn't the type to chuckle, with or without humor, but that comment at least makes him sigh instead.]

What do you mean by that?

[clearumbrella]

[ He pulls his hand back and slides it back into his pocket. ]

Looking at it like that makes it sound as if you're putting lives on a scale, sensei. I don't believe that's how it works. Or, maybe it's more that I don't want to believe that's how it works.

What happened will never be undone, but causing hurt in the past doesn't take away from the good you can do. If it's what you want, there's no reason to stop helping others. And, in the end, the lives that were lost and the lives that you've saved... they're not the same.

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard falls silent for a while, staring at nothing. He wants to accept Clear's words, but it's too optimistic. How much good can he do while he's still a prisoner in his own world or a disposable instance bound to the Foundation?]

... I don't want anyone else to die, Clear. But I know it's going to happen as long as the witch has us prisoner here.

[clearumbrella]

I feel the same way. It would make me happy if no one here had to get hurt again, and I know we're not the only two who feel that way.

[ However... His hand clenches gently in his pocket. ] If someone dies again—will you blame yourself?

[cryosurgeon]

... I don't know. I really don't.

[clearumbrella]

[ Hm... ]

Would you like to hear a song?

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard shakes his head slowly.]

I don't think it will help right now. I'd rather be alone for a while.

[Clear was there first, so Erhard is the one to turn and start to walk away.]

[clearumbrella]

I see. I'll be here if you change your mind.

[ Clear gives Erhard a polite bow before resuming his seagazing. ]