poly_chromatic | video/action;

Entry tags:

angel sanctuary - setsuna mudou

video/action;

[Filtered to Michael;]
[As he promised, Mika's first.]

Hey, Mika! Told you I'd talk again. See? It's all good now. And you are the first person who has to endure my voice after silence for so long. Don't brag about it, too much. I wouldn't blame you if you did it a little, though.
[end filter;]

[Filtered to Kira;]
Hey, Senpai, I think there's a lot we need to talk about, and I'll start with I'm sorry. [He gives the camera a very serious and ashamed look.]

I really didn't think you'd care if I couldn't talk. I'm not sorry I helped Katou, but I'm sorry it affected you like that. Everything else, I'd rather talk about in person.
[end filter;]

[Filtered to Saya;]
[He shows the window open above him, while he's seated under it. The screen shifts to just him, and Setsuna grins.]

That invitation was permanent, just so you know. But we moved, so I'll need to show you where we live now.

And thanks, for sticking by me and spending time with me even when I couldn't talk. It means a lot to me. Especially since it seems like, sometimes, we didn't need words. The only other person I felt that comfortable with was Kira. And we've known each other a very long, long time.
[end filter;]

[Filtered to Alexiel;]
Hey, Alexiel, I'd like to discuss something with you. But not on here. On a roof, or something. Why don't we get out of here and go flying for a bit?
[end filter;]

[Filtered to Karl;]
Karl, when you have some time, I'd like to talk you for a bit. Let me know when you're available, we can meet at Xanadu.
[end filter;]

[Filtered to Hatter;]
[He starts off smiling on this one.] Just so you know? No hard feelings. Don't know if I made that clear.

One thing, though. [Then he hardens, giving the screen a cold glare.] Don't ever trade something like that again. Don't let him push you into trading something important. Because if I ever see that again? I'll kill you. I won't even leave a fucking body.

Got it?

Other than that, we're good, as far as I'm concerned. [Muttering before he switches out the filter.] He's such an idiot....
[/end filter;]

[Public]

[He gives the screen a big smile.] I can talk again. So how many of you missed listening to me? It's okay to admit it.

At least, I hope some of you did, because I'm not gonna shut up for a while, not now. Not when I just got my voice back.

For starters, what was with that...rebellion? Not even sure what to call it. It was a mess, and I couldn't tell what was going on, or what I should do. At the same time we know what doesn't work, now. Keep that in mind for next time.

Next, hi, Police Force. Sorry I've been unable to do much other than take orders. Next time I'll warn you guys before I make trades like that, or something. Now I can go return to back-talking your decisions when I don't like 'em.

Oh! And everyone I kept giving two fingers to? [He raises them up.] I meant two more weeks of this. Though I kept saying that.... Even when I was still at three weeks, I think. Sorry about that. [Sheepish grin.]

I met this cute little girl on the beach that talked with me while I was petting Naga. Jinora, I think her name was? Hi, Jinora. [He waves to the screen.] My actual name is Setsuna. You sounded like you know Naga.

Anything else.... [He thinks about that for a moment, then shrugs.] Guess that's everything. See you around! [Click.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, he has died enough times that, yeah.... It wasn't something he wanted to make a big deal out of.]

[But seeing tears slip from her eyes, thinking he made her cry, it's worse than being stabbed. Worse than when he died. He's callous, and an idiot, and every insult ever thrown his way bubbles up in the back of his mind.]

[His first impulse is to attempt to hug her, at least, rather than hit his head like he used to.]

It's okay. I'm back now. I didn't mean to, either. It just sort of happened. [Dammit. Maybe he should have tried to lie? But what would he have told her? He was asleep?]

[And her first impulse isn't to return the embrace, it's to lash out. Even as she leans heavily on him, her small fists strike his chest and shoulders a few times before unfurling to clutch at his shirt. Fortunately she's not using anything close to her full strength; it's just making a point.]

[The point that he almost left her alone and she does not forgive him. Not yet, maybe not ever.] It's not okay! How can you say that?

[He just stares at her, the reaction tinged with nostalgia, reminding him of Sara. He really just pisses people off by existing sometimes, doesn't he?]

[Setsuna's voice remains on a lower tone notch.] I'm just used to it. It's not the first time. And I always come back. [It's a desperate attempt, while he watches her, worried. How can he make this up to her?]

And I really didn't mean for it to happen.

[None of that helps, at all. But then, what possibly could? Nothing. So she just cries into his shoulder and clings like her fingertips are the only thing keeping him from vanishing in a tuft of smoke.] I don't know what I'd do without you. [So he can't die! Not even for a little while!]

[All Setsuna can do to that is run a hand through her hair, down her back, holding her close, a promise he's not going anywhere. He's solid, for the moment. He flounders quietly for a time, desolate expression over her head.]

Saya.... We don't stay here in the City forever. What are you going to do if I get sent home? [It's a horrible thing to bring up now, and he knows that as soon as the words have left his mouth, but it's too late to take back.]

[Saya says nothing, only clutches him tighter. She has known ever since Sara left that anyone could follow, but it hadn't happened to anyone important to her yet. It was much easier to push the possibility aside.]

I know. Don't scold me. [Her voice is quivering, broken.] How would you be if I told you I died?

I'm not trying to. But we do have to accept the fact either one of us might leave at any time. [He tries to be soothing, his hand rubs gently down her back.]

And I'd be upset, but I'd see if you needed your life back for a trade, and maybe we'd go do something fun to take away all the icky feelings.

[Part of wants to thump him right on the head at the idea of trading something of himself away yet again, but then there's the part of her that's pleased about it.]

Fun? ...Like what? [This might be her wanting encouragement, hint.]

[Thumping him is what he's used to.]

Uh, I don't know. What do you like best here? What's the place you've had the most fun at? [Because, yeah, he's thinking of her, and if this happened to her, exactly what he would do.]

I... don't know. [She can hardly think straight with all the twists and turns of the last few minutes, all she can remember now are the bad moments.] I feel like nothing good happens.

Maybe it's me. Because I'm a monster.

[He's slightly alarmed by that, eyes wide with concern.]

I thought we already had this conversation? You're not a monster.

Yes, I am. [They had this conversation before, but never has she sounded so certain of her answer.]

[Her mouth moves like she might elaborate, but in the end she doesn't. Maybe she doesn't want him to agree with her, and surely he would if he knew.]

[His eyes narrow a little at Saya, fixed on her. When she doesn't continue, Setsuna sets off, tone sharp.]

What the hell makes you say that? Is Karl trying to convince you?

You're not a monster. Being a chiropteran doesn't make you one! I've met angels that were monsters. You're not even close!

[She refuses to meet his eyes, or match his passion over the matter.] I am, Setsuna. I wish I weren't, but I am. And you don't want to believe it, because you're not.

[His annoyed fervor remains, though he doesn't yell, his tone remains demanding. Setsuna even starts to tighten his hands into fists, and gestures with them.]

So what makes you one? You keep saying that, but you don't offer any proof.

Do you go around killing people for fun? Rip off arms and heads and laugh while you do it?

[He slams a hand, flat and hard, against his chest.] Even I've killed people, Saya!

[She opens her mouth, then closes it. Her trysts with Karl certainly are part of the argument, or more accurately the way she feels when she's with him, but she doesn't want to even try to explain that.]

I don't need proof. I just know it. I feel it. When I get my memories back, they'll be full of death and suffering. [How could they be anything less?]

[And Setsuna continues on, anyway.]

Saya, what do you think my memories are full of? Most of my recent ones, and the ones from Alexiel's life? Those are full of death and blood.

But you still think I'm not a monster, and you are?

Stop trying to talk me out of this. [She's getting a little desperate now, because comparing the two of them isn't fair in any way.] If I start believing I'm not and I loosen my grip just a little then I'll be just like them.

Why do you think that? Why is that all it would take for you to be like them?

I don't want to talk about this anymore. [Flat and cold, she turns back to the window. Maybe she should just go.]

[Distraught, by the conversation, and her desire to suddenly end it - was this one of those times you're not supposed to let it drop? - he runs a hand through his hair.]

Okay...but why not? Do you want to be seen as a monster?

Maybe. [She's still not looking at him, but she does tense up substantially.] I don't want to get too relaxed and cause more people to get hurt.

[He's slow about it, but does reach out to hold her.]

What do you mean? Who got hurt?

[Saya doesn't squirm away from the embrace, but she doesn't do much more than stand there.]

I don't know. But I remember running from person to person, just cutting them down as they screamed and ran away. They didn't even have weapons... Karl says that's who I really am.

[The lack of reaction to his embrace is a little unsettling, but he has little time to notice it. He stiffens for a moment as she speaks, then his expression softens.]

Saya, this is Karl you're talking about. He doesn't say everything for anyone's benefit. A lot of what he says is for his. Haven't you figured that out by now?