are we actually living? or are we being kept alive?

[finalring]

After the execution, the survivors are dismissed to rest in preparation for the next week. The miasma curls and turns into each room, letting fall a cold and oppressive atmosphere that fills every corner of the place.

And yet, even in a place that has caused so much grief, life must go on. Thirteen has always been considered to be an unlucky number, but that is the number of people that are left--what will you do, in this false calm?

Comments

[sageking]

If I had a simple description, it'd be someone who was level-headed and knew how to keep his wits about him even in such a situation. Perhaps a close ally.

[ He's far too extremely allergic to saying he thought of anyone after Enkidu as a friend, but... yeah. ]

[oxidegreen]

...Mm. It... really seemed like he was trying to help us all along.

[sageking]

You're not wrong. Even if he could be relatively reserved, he did his own best in his own way to assist in our cause.

[ For that part, he supposed he could be at least a LITTLE grateful he didn't twiddle his thumbs throughout the entirety of this. ]

[oxidegreen]

[She nods.]

After all that... when he started talking so differently, I was...

[Confused. Hurt. A little betrayed.]

[sageking]

[ Even for a little time, it was a shock. Something Gilgamesh himself didn't want to admit.

Though just upon seeing that note he'd been given...it hadn't all been for waste, had it?

...Bah, when did he become so soft? ]

Hmph. I understand even without you finishing.

[ Because it was a betrayal to him as well. He's not just saying this on understanding the state of events by witnessing them. That said... ]

There's no comfort to be found in the deception of that fool, but know this:

All of your interactions have had an impression on him, for better or worse. Even if he was someone who acted so insolently in most of his final moments, you've made an impact. That, I promise you.

[oxidegreen]

You... think so as well, then?

[It's hard. Part of her wants to think it's the logical conclusion to come to, with the way he spoke to her in the end. The other part is much more mocking: isn't that just what she wants to believe? Isn't it just more comforting to wish that were the truth?

Her voice remains soft and level, but she's listening to his words intently.]

[sageking]

I do. Though I believe he had no intention of getting close to anyone or caring about them in the first place, he seemed to have an interest in us defeating the creature.

If he hadn't thought much of any of us, I could only imagine he wouldn't bother to pass along some information, and express that he at least seemed to hold some interest in our interactions. That's why I've come to such a conclusion—that we've been able to do something that would move his heart.

[ ... ]

Of course, you must also remember that the words he said, denouncing the relationships he's made with us all, were ones he believed as well. I don't have any illusions he would desire to twist the knife some more if he could.

But in the end, there was a limit for even him. That too was proof enough—though it's not something wholly comforting, and it's not supposed to be. Consider these words as more of a rightful defiance to that foolish display he had. Which is another reason to heed them, of course.

[ That 'Hikage', who seemed to rebuff the idea that anyone was close to him may have taken issue with it. And in there lay the comfort as well, that the truth of the matter was that he had developed some semblance of attachment to them. Of course, he recognized such thoughts could be foolish, but he wondered if it'll be enough to steady the young child some more. ]

[oxidegreen]

[Her head dips a little in thought, but... ultimately, she nods.]

...He lied so much. Maybe... he lost track of the truth. So much that he couldn't even tell it apart from the lies.

[She's earnestly trying to convince herself of that.]

Maybe he didn't want to think... that he could care.

Dying hurts more when you have something to leave behind.

[sageking]

...Hmph, exactly.

[ Though Gilgamesh wouldn't presume to know Hikage in the end as he really was...at the very least, he wouldn't be surprised if either of those things were true in the end in some way, shape, or form. Even if these were mere presumptions, foolish or no. ]

He's not the first one who would've gone down that path that leads towards surrounding oneself in lies, and to deny the bonds that've been made in the end.

But, he deserves no pity, even if that is the case.

[ ... ]

Now that you've reached a possible answer, will you be able to keep moving forward despite it?

[oxidegreen]

No. Even if he was lying, he still did those things.

[She can acknowledge that much, even if her heart still hurts.]

...I was always prepared to keep moving forward. It's the only thing I ever can do.