thefoundation | WEEK 6

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round 3

WEEK 6 - LOBELIA

Six weeks.

They had been here for that long, and still...the game was continuing.
Yet, it felt like they were finally about to reach the end of it...
Just a little longer. 🗈

Still, things were just the same as they had been the past few weeks.

The goats and servants were still around, and so too were the witches.
Yet, it felt like this week would be the week they would finally get all the pieces to the puzzle.
But...could they solve it?

Only time would tell.

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... if you came in here just to taunt me, I'm leaving. I don't have the energy or the patience to deal with your scorn today.

[He takes two bottles of iced coffee out of the fridge, closes the door, and starts to walk past Natsuno.]

[ Yeah about that. Standing in his way. ]

No, actually. There's a lot better ways to use my time. [ But the fact is that he's here anyway, so there's a reason. ]

I'm here to remind you that your actions—no your inactions have consequences. You seem to like forgetting that. [ Glancing to Terios as he says this. ]

... I'm doing everything I can, Koide. I haven't been hiding in my room, I'm doing my best to eat. I'm trying to be social. I even shot that demon wearing Sherlock's body to save Moriarty, since he's been helpful. What more do you fucking want from me? And you don't have any room to talk about inaction. How many times did you sit there during investigations and trials, proving you didn't give a damn about anyone?

[He knows trying to shove Natsuno out of his way is pointless, but he doesn't like feeling boxed in. So he turns and goes toward the door into the kitchen garden. He doesn't want to be outside in this heat while he's having a hot flash, but he prefers the heat to dealing with Natsuno.]

[ Erhard's tirade gets Natsuno to be quiet for a few moments at least, though there's no reaction besides. ]

I don't usually care about anyone, you're right. [ There's a weight to that one word that he couldn't even disguise if he wanted. Except that might be the whole point because- ]

But when I do, I'd do anything for them. Even argue with hopeless causes like you. So stop telling me that you're doing everything you can because if you were he wouldn't need to waste so much energy protecting you.

I didn't ask Shadow to send Terios with me everywhere, and arguing with him is pointless. Do you know why that wolf is following me, Koide? Because Shadow cares about me. He's been more of a father to me than anyone else in my life ever has. Even if Terios doesn't do anything to protect me, just having him here reminds me that I matter to someone.

[He unlocks the garden door and opens it, pausing to look back at Natsuno.]

You'd do anything for someone you care about? That's why I broke my oath and killed Anon. If you would've killed for him but you hate me for doing the same thing, then you're the worst sort of hypocrite.

[And out the door he goes, closing it behind him.]

[ It may seem like Erhard will have the last word in this argument, because the door closes behind him into likely welcome silence. Several seconds tick by, maybe enough for Erhard to relax until-

Natsuno may as well have added meteor to his equipped classes with the speed and force he lands with in the garden. There's a bunch of grass, dirt, and rocks that spray up from the impact but Natsuno pays it no mind. ]

Shut up. Do you know anything Erhard? Or did you never stop to think that I know more than you do? You have a security blanket wolf, nice. All it costs is draining Shadow so that he can barely keep his eyes open. [ He honestly doesn't really care what his former blood partner thinks of him, but he has to clear up a few things. And as for the other part-]

I've tortured and killed an old man for less, so of course I would. I would destroy a world for Anon if he wanted. The fact that you killed him isn't why I hate you. I hate you because you're incapable of standing up on your own and pull others down with you. You've killed now whether you did in the past or not. But rather than accept what you've become, you'd rather just make yourself a martyr who had to betray his Hippocratic oath for love. Get over yourself. You either embrace what you are or get destroyed by it.

[To Erhard's credit, he doesn't cry out in surprise when Natsuno lands in front of him. He's startled, but he won't give the jinrou the satisfaction. He shields his face with an arm, but once the debris settles he drops it and shouts at the one he once trusted.]

If you're enough of a monster to kill an entire world for someone like that, then your opinion doesn't mean anything to me!

[Harden his heart. Burn it down. Disconnect. He has to.]

Think whatever you want of me, I don't care! I'm still human enough to feel shame for my selfishness, but you're just as far gone as Anon! Thank God you're out of play, or I'd come after you next to protect the others, and I know I wouldn't regret it for a second!

[He's breathing hard, his heart pounding and his eyes wild with fury. Still, the next words he says are quieter and far less wrathful, but they're directed at Terios and not Natsuno.]

You need to go. I didn't know I was hurting Shadow, but I do now. My own comfort is less important than his health. So please, just go.

[Terios does not go. In fact, he sits right there, refusing to leave.

But someone else does appear, standing on the eave of the mansion. He addresses them with all the gravitas of the dad he apparently is now]

That is quite enough from both of you. Having Terios accompany Erhard at the expense of some of my energy is my choice, and my choice alone. Koide, I don't appreciate being used like that in your little diatribe. I know you care for me, but do not use me as a reason to yell at the doctor. Doctor Muller, I didn't tell you that keeping Terios manifested was tiring because it's none of your concern. My energy resources are mine to do with what I please.

[he's not angry. He's disappointed.]

You two don't have to be the very best of friends. You don't even have to see one another ever again after this game is over. But in the meantime, please remain civil.

[Erhard wants to tell Shadow that he tried to walk away, that Natsuno is the one who cornered him in the first place just to throw insults and warped opinions at him. But he's tired. He's so damned tired. He walks around Natsuno and the small crater the jinrou left in the garden-- Terios likely on his heels, of course-- and leaves without a word.]

[Shadow will jump down and follow Erhard. As he passes Natsuno, he tells him pointedly to not follow right now. Once they're a good enough distance away, he'll speak]

Doctor, I know you tried to leave the situation, and Koide pursued. That was the correct choice.

[ There's a fair amount of silence after everything that's said, though Natsuno doesn't avoid looking at Shadow any. Erhard gets no attention at all as he leaves, like he's an insignificant speck of dirt that gets taken away by the wind. It takes a while for Natsuno to speak up but he eventually does. ]

Sorry. [ Not for everything here, just for one thing in particular. But Shadow is free to take that however he wants. And then he's flying off to get some air for a while and eventually something else. ]

Edited 2019-05-03 01:39 (UTC)

[you're learning, young padawan]

[ Actually he's not sorry about Erhard at all.

He's sorry about the using thing, because man does he get that. Everything else though? Would do again A+++++ ]

[it's a start.....]

... I cared about him. Yes, I used his bite as an escape, but I wanted to give him strength. I didn't criticize him when he was spending so much time with someone as dangerous as Anon. For him to corner me like that and say those things....

[He's shaking. He reaches for his stress toy and squeezes it in his left hand, though it leaves his right still clenching jerkily.]

It's no different from the few memories I have, the ones of my parents calling me a monster. I don't need him to tell me what I am, I know it. I walked out as fast as I could after I killed Anon because I couldn't believe what I did. It wasn't supposed to be like that, but I lost control. And he'll stand there and insult me for feeling regret instead of being cold like him....

He was in the wrong there. Even if what he says has merit, one should not continue to bother when the other tries to disengage. [Shadow sighs, and Terios whines at Erhard] I'll talk to him about it. It's kind of my fault, anyway. He's worried about me because I'm tired from protecting you, so he took it out on you. But that was my choice.

It's not as if people are eager to approach me anyway after what I did to Anon.

[If Erhard could climb out of his own body and run from it for the same reason, he would. Just who or what has he become?]

He called me a martyr for love. Is it really such a bad thing, if my own life is worthless compared to the person I lost?

[Even if he could run from his body, he can't run from what remains of his memory. His parents' voices haunt him constantly these days, along with the sight of Sherlock's bloody, still face.]

[Shadow jabs Erhard in the back with a finger] You must stop saying things like that. You aren't worthless.

....

[Arguing is pointless, no one ever listens to him. They just tell him he's wrong, he doesn't understand, his feelings are warped or invalid or just confused. But they wanted him to have them, and now that he does they're wrong?

He has such a headache.]

Shadow, if... if something does happen to me, don't blame yourself. I just want you to remember one thing, okay?

[He crouches down and, after a moment's hesitation, hugs the hedgehog.]

You really are the closest thing I've ever had to a real father. Thank you.

[Dammit, Erhard, that isn't what he meant at all...]

I-- [he gets cut off because he sees what Erhard is about to do. He could move, easily. Get away. But he lets the man hug him] Doct.... Erhard... [Shadow is taken off guard not only by the physical affection, but by what Erhard tells him. Like a father? ... Him?

He sort of stands there awkwardly, unsure of how to react or what to do. Then he carefully wraps his arms around Erhard, too]

I... I won't... blame myself. Erhard. I... don't know what to say....

You don't have to say anything. I'm just glad you're here.

[Erhard doesn't linger in the hug for very long, since neither of them are very physically affectionate people. When he straightens up, his eyes are a bit damp.]

You didn't have to worry about me all these weeks, but you did. You've tried to help me without stomping me into the ground mentally. That's more than my biological parents or Professor Sartre ever did. So even if everyone else hates me by the time this is all said and done, knowing you care is more than enough.

[Shadow's eyes may be a bit damp as well, and he quickly paws at them, wiping away whatever is there with the heels of his hands]

... Erhard. I'm.... [Sorry that no one else has ever treated you this way. Sorry that some weird little inhuman science experiment had to the first to show you respect. Sorry that no one else here besides maybe Sherlock had showed him decency]

...

You're welcome. I'm glad I could... I'm glad I could help.

[Well, Ann and Takumi have been really nice to him? And Kurama helped him with that panic attack. So it hasn't been all bad. Except he set a lot of those bridges on fire with his little post-trial anatomy lesson.

He still offers Shadow a slightly watery but genuine smile.]

You always have. Even when you yelled at me, it just took me longer to see it then.

[ After Erhard comes back from his walk with Shadow, when he's alone he'll hear a very familiar voice. There's a lot about being jinrou that Natsuno hasn't told anyone, for one reason or another. But one of the skills they possess is the ability to project their voice from far away. ]

"I told you that I wasn't human anymore, Sensei. You didn't believe me, and that's on you. But at least I know who I am now and what I want.

Do you?"

[ Whether Erhard replies or not, there won't be an answer. ]

[rrrrrrrrrrrrr.......]

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WEEK 6 - LOBELIA

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