[ None of them -- well, almost none of them -- were happy about the execution. But the look on Lacus' face had Psyche a little more worried for her than some of the others. Once they've crossed back to the island Psyche is quick to seek her out again. ]
Lacus...
[ "Are you alright" probably isn't an applicable question here. ]
[ They hadn't spoken a word at the execution, only exchanged some physical gestures of comfort. Lacus appreciated it. If Psyche hadn't sought her out already, she would have done the same. ]
I'd like to, if possible.
[ She smiles, for the first time since sometime mid-trial yesterday. ]
Though I am not sure there are many words that are apt for what we just witnessed.
[ This is just to say she'll be fine, or at least as fine as she was those last times. She also suspects it won't be the last death they witness while being here. ]
There's nothing we can do but to remember the lives of those who were lost. We'll have to expand the memorial...
I agree. I'd barely spoken to either of them, but... However shortly, they were part of this group and bound to the same fate as us. We owe it to them and to ourselves to remember that.
[ Once they stop mourning the people who die here, that's when they'll have truly accepted the game and will become unable to break its cycle. That's Lacus' great fear here. ]
Zelkov had the idea for the memorial in the first place, but I am sure he'll be glad to have more likeminded people helping with it.
I think so, too. Even Sonya... I don't think he would have done this if the administrators hadn't put us in this position. He deserves to be remembered, too.
[ Maybe it's a little strange to think of him as a victim of the island when Chai's death was on his hands. But Psyche can't help it, at least a little. She shakes her head slightly to clear it. ]
Zelkov did? He looks a little intimidating, but he's surprisingly kind. I remember he wanted to leave food for Fou.
He has a good heart. A good reminder that we can't judge a book by its cover.
[ Which goes both directions - there might still be harmless looking people among them who will surprise them with cruelty. ]
This world has put us all into a peculiar position regarding one another - we're free to form relationships without the struggles of our own world, but at the same time we're bound to be looking at each other with suspicion.
Mm. I think that was almost the worst part of the trial, aside from worrying that we'd reach the wrong conclusion. [ And very probably by design, she wonders. ] Having to doubt everyone... wondering who was lying, and who was just trying to make us doubt someone else.
[ They have their answers for now, but still. Should she think of it as a kindness that the administrators told them they had the right answer? ]
[ The atmosphere is already extremely heavy, it's hard to imagine just how fraught it would get if they happen to get a culprit wrong at some point. They can't let it happen. ]
I'd rather hold people to their word for as long as I can. Is that its own kind of pressuring, I wonder...?
[ Tiresome... definitely. Psyche already feels tired, deep in her bones. ]
...Maybe it is. But, maybe that's not a bad thing? I have a friend who told me something like that once. "You make people want to be like you." I don't know if that's true, but... I think of that when I see the way you are in front of the others.
[ Maybe that's it's own kind of pressuring, too? Psyche glances away with a sheepish laugh. ]
I'm sorry. I came to make sure you were alright, and I ended up bringing up difficult things anyway. What would you normally do for something like this? Do you want some tea, maybe?
[ That is a sweet compliment. With the easy way Psyche gives it, Lacus can understand why it was said about her in the first place.
For Lacus herself the topic is a bit more complex. There had once been a girl who'd wanted to be like Lacus, to become her... It's a story for another day, that does not need to taint these kind words. Lacus smiles. ]
Tea sounds lovely. And... hmm, usually when I have something difficult to process, I find myself going someplace with a view. Staring off into the calm water or the endlessness of the stars reminds me of what a beautiful world we are living in even despite it all.
[ Psyche brightens a little again, and gives that a firm nod of agreement. A place with a view... they've been through some terrible things. But it will help to remind herself of what she's gotten past, too. ]
So it still seems that way to you, when you've seen space? [ Space! ] Or maybe it seems bigger... I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at the sky. Sometimes it feels comforting to think that people are so small.
[ She moves to start steering them towards the bar as they talk; maybe the kitchen isn't out of commission yet, after Beelzebub, but she isn't really cherishing any hopes there. ]
[ The bar certainly seems like a safer bet - and it is directly facing the beach, which is a plus. The sea is a mysterious thing - even seeing it day in and day out, Lacus finds it loses none of its charm. ]
Well, given that my home is in space... Looking up at the stars makes me feel like I am looking towards it. Even having traversed the distance a few times, it is still hard to truly comprehend the scale of the distance, honestly.
I can't really imagine it. I've never been further than a day's ride from the city I grew up in.
[ Psyche smiles sidelong at her, glancing up almost reflexively. The stars aren't quite familiar to her here, but they're just as beautiful nonetheless. ]
Does that make you feel like you're closer to home? Wherever we are, maybe you've already traveled further before.
[ A day's ride...? Ah, so that's the kind of time period Psyche is used to. The world must have felt far too small and way too big at the same time, then. ]
A little, mhm. Even if my country is not really up in this sky, it feels like through the endless stars I may be able to spot it yet.
[ It's the beauty of fantasy - there's absolutely no way you'd see a colony from Earth with naked eye, no matter the world. ]
Ah, but if you've never left your hometown for long - is this climate all new to you, then?
That's a nice thought. I know you said that it was — decorated to look more like Earth. But I can't help but picture it more like living among the starlight.
[ Psyche is absolutely not the type to discourage flights of fantasy, after all. She gives Lacus' question a little smile. ]
A little. I've visited a beach once in Vasilios, and it was a bit like this. The sea really does look a little familiar everywhere! But the foods and the devices here, the clothes... most of that is nothing like home.
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Week 2 Sunday, post execution
Lacus...
[ "Are you alright" probably isn't an applicable question here. ]
Did you want to talk...?
no subject
I'd like to, if possible.
[ She smiles, for the first time since sometime mid-trial yesterday. ]
Though I am not sure there are many words that are apt for what we just witnessed.
no subject
Maybe not. It's... a little overwhelming. It doesn't have to be about that, if you don't want.
[ Is there much to say about it? In some ways, maybe. Psyche hates that part of her has to consider that it could have been much worse. ]
no subject
[ This is just to say she'll be fine, or at least as fine as she was those last times. She also suspects it won't be the last death they witness while being here. ]
There's nothing we can do but to remember the lives of those who were lost. We'll have to expand the memorial...
no subject
[ Even with practice, witnessing death doesn't necessarily get easier, she thinks. Just familiar. ]
no subject
[ Once they stop mourning the people who die here, that's when they'll have truly accepted the game and will become unable to break its cycle. That's Lacus' great fear here. ]
Zelkov had the idea for the memorial in the first place, but I am sure he'll be glad to have more likeminded people helping with it.
no subject
[ Maybe it's a little strange to think of him as a victim of the island when Chai's death was on his hands. But Psyche can't help it, at least a little. She shakes her head slightly to clear it. ]
Zelkov did? He looks a little intimidating, but he's surprisingly kind. I remember he wanted to leave food for Fou.
no subject
[ Which goes both directions - there might still be harmless looking people among them who will surprise them with cruelty. ]
This world has put us all into a peculiar position regarding one another - we're free to form relationships without the struggles of our own world, but at the same time we're bound to be looking at each other with suspicion.
no subject
[ They have their answers for now, but still. Should she think of it as a kindness that the administrators told them they had the right answer? ]
no subject
[ The atmosphere is already extremely heavy, it's hard to imagine just how fraught it would get if they happen to get a culprit wrong at some point. They can't let it happen. ]
I'd rather hold people to their word for as long as I can. Is that its own kind of pressuring, I wonder...?
[ She's sure it is. ]
no subject
...Maybe it is. But, maybe that's not a bad thing? I have a friend who told me something like that once. "You make people want to be like you." I don't know if that's true, but... I think of that when I see the way you are in front of the others.
[ Maybe that's it's own kind of pressuring, too? Psyche glances away with a sheepish laugh. ]
I'm sorry. I came to make sure you were alright, and I ended up bringing up difficult things anyway. What would you normally do for something like this? Do you want some tea, maybe?
no subject
For Lacus herself the topic is a bit more complex. There had once been a girl who'd wanted to be like Lacus, to become her... It's a story for another day, that does not need to taint these kind words. Lacus smiles. ]
Tea sounds lovely. And... hmm, usually when I have something difficult to process, I find myself going someplace with a view. Staring off into the calm water or the endlessness of the stars reminds me of what a beautiful world we are living in even despite it all.
no subject
So it still seems that way to you, when you've seen space? [ Space! ] Or maybe it seems bigger... I don't think I could ever get tired of looking at the sky. Sometimes it feels comforting to think that people are so small.
[ She moves to start steering them towards the bar as they talk; maybe the kitchen isn't out of commission yet, after Beelzebub, but she isn't really cherishing any hopes there. ]
no subject
Well, given that my home is in space... Looking up at the stars makes me feel like I am looking towards it. Even having traversed the distance a few times, it is still hard to truly comprehend the scale of the distance, honestly.
no subject
[ Psyche smiles sidelong at her, glancing up almost reflexively. The stars aren't quite familiar to her here, but they're just as beautiful nonetheless. ]
Does that make you feel like you're closer to home? Wherever we are, maybe you've already traveled further before.
no subject
A little, mhm. Even if my country is not really up in this sky, it feels like through the endless stars I may be able to spot it yet.
[ It's the beauty of fantasy - there's absolutely no way you'd see a colony from Earth with naked eye, no matter the world. ]
Ah, but if you've never left your hometown for long - is this climate all new to you, then?
no subject
[ Psyche is absolutely not the type to discourage flights of fantasy, after all. She gives Lacus' question a little smile. ]
A little. I've visited a beach once in Vasilios, and it was a bit like this. The sea really does look a little familiar everywhere! But the foods and the devices here, the clothes... most of that is nothing like home.