[Junior's sure that Hickey won't be getting many visitors--at least not ones that have anything but animosity toward him. He's not really sure what inspires him to come visit, himself. It's not as if he feels guilty, really. Still, as he steps into the promenade of reflexion, he does offer a remorseful sort of frown.]
It's just a shame I couldn't do more. It seemed like you were going to get away with it, up until the very last moment. I'm surprised that you were singled out in the first place.
[It would have been nice, to have Hickey in his corner next week. Assuming he were to have kept his word.]
[Shaking his head, Junior cautiously takes a seat beside him.]
Not just that, no. Our alliance was just about furthering our goals, but...I understand, in my own way, knowing that returning home could very well lead to your end. You needed that wish for your own survival. No matter what anyone thinks, I think it was fair for you to do what you had to do.
[ He doesn't sound especially remorseful, but then, he doesn't need to admit this at all, does he? He's certainly not gloating. Just stating facts. ]
Returning as I was would've landed me in a tight spot, yes, but I had a plan. I was going to survive. Do more than survive.
[ He takes a pull of his cigarette. What a pair the two of them make, echoed into eternity with all the mirrors surrounding them. ]
But to achieve this would've required a great sacrifice I wasn't keen to make. With a wish, though... The opportunity to dream even bigger? For a smaller price? I'd make that deal again any day. You should make that deal, if your situation shares any similarities with mine.
[He doesn't seem offended or bothered at the idea that Hickey was lying. Maybe it was because he already admitted at the end of the trial that his name wasn't even his own. Maybe it was because he'd never really fully trusted him in the first place.]
What was it you wanted to do, beyond surviving?
[He wondered just what kind of man he was dealing with. Just how desperate.]
If you could go back home with everything you wanted, what would your life look like?
[ He exhales, smoke pluming from his nose. What a question. ]
I wanted to live. A real life, you know? Not—
[ Scrounging in the streets, hardly able to feed himself on honest work, reduced to petty crimes and bloodying his hands to earn what he's due. ]
—living on the scraps of others deeming themselves better than me.
[ But that's a vague answer. He couldn't say such a thing to Ish and expect anything to come of it. ]
We found something, out there in ice. A spirit. I found a way to... connect to it. Commune. I don't know for sure what that would've meant, but it would've opened up a world I hadn't even known existed. I wasn't keen to keep living up in that barren landscape, but such a thing must exist elsewhere, too. Somewhere friendlier.
[The life Junior lead wasn't one of poverty, but he empathized with the feeling just the same--forced to walk down a path that those above you had shackled you into. Not really living.]
...but if you did find somewhere friendlier, would you even still need a spirit?
[Wasn't it enough, to be somewhere kind? Or had Hickey become so bitter that he needed that power--whatever it was--to get back at those who he felt had wronged him?]
Maybe, maybe not—but I wouldn't run that risk. You can't trust anything in this world.
[ His head tips as he considered Junior for a long moment. Then, he looks off into the mirrors, thinking of what Homura said to him at the end of carnival. People should at least be remembered... ]
[But a very big part of him, the part that was truly still just a child, really wanted to. No matter how illogical, no matter how hard he had been betrayed by the people who had dictated his life, he still wanted to believe in something better. Kinder.]
...thank you for telling me. It's good to officially meet you, Elias.
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spotsalone) wrote2025-03-11 02:26 am
w3, saturday, post-trial
I'm sorry.
no subject
If he's upset about his death sentence, he doesn't show it. His head cranes up as Junior enters. ]
For what? You played your part well enough. Trying to draw attention away from Andrew's murder near the end... That was a good play.
no subject
[It would have been nice, to have Hickey in his corner next week. Assuming he were to have kept his word.]
Are you going to fight?
no subject
I won't need to. Were you rooting for me to secure my help next week?
[ Junior speaks as if he's actually sad to see Hickey go. How much is genuine? ]
I won't hold it against you if ours is merely an alliance of function. It's a smart way to play.
no subject
Not just that, no. Our alliance was just about furthering our goals, but...I understand, in my own way, knowing that returning home could very well lead to your end. You needed that wish for your own survival. No matter what anyone thinks, I think it was fair for you to do what you had to do.
no subject
I've lied to you, you know.
[ He doesn't sound especially remorseful, but then, he doesn't need to admit this at all, does he? He's certainly not gloating. Just stating facts. ]
Returning as I was would've landed me in a tight spot, yes, but I had a plan. I was going to survive. Do more than survive.
[ He takes a pull of his cigarette. What a pair the two of them make, echoed into eternity with all the mirrors surrounding them. ]
But to achieve this would've required a great sacrifice I wasn't keen to make. With a wish, though... The opportunity to dream even bigger? For a smaller price? I'd make that deal again any day. You should make that deal, if your situation shares any similarities with mine.
no subject
What was it you wanted to do, beyond surviving?
[He wondered just what kind of man he was dealing with. Just how desperate.]
If you could go back home with everything you wanted, what would your life look like?
no subject
I wanted to live. A real life, you know? Not—
[ Scrounging in the streets, hardly able to feed himself on honest work, reduced to petty crimes and bloodying his hands to earn what he's due. ]
—living on the scraps of others deeming themselves better than me.
[ But that's a vague answer. He couldn't say such a thing to Ish and expect anything to come of it. ]
We found something, out there in ice. A spirit. I found a way to... connect to it. Commune. I don't know for sure what that would've meant, but it would've opened up a world I hadn't even known existed. I wasn't keen to keep living up in that barren landscape, but such a thing must exist elsewhere, too. Somewhere friendlier.
no subject
[The life Junior lead wasn't one of poverty, but he empathized with the feeling just the same--forced to walk down a path that those above you had shackled you into. Not really living.]
...but if you did find somewhere friendlier, would you even still need a spirit?
[Wasn't it enough, to be somewhere kind? Or had Hickey become so bitter that he needed that power--whatever it was--to get back at those who he felt had wronged him?]
no subject
[ His head tips as he considered Junior for a long moment. Then, he looks off into the mirrors, thinking of what Homura said to him at the end of carnival. People should at least be remembered... ]
My name is Elias.
no subject
[But a very big part of him, the part that was truly still just a child, really wanted to. No matter how illogical, no matter how hard he had been betrayed by the people who had dictated his life, he still wanted to believe in something better. Kinder.]
...thank you for telling me. It's good to officially meet you, Elias.
no subject
But that's enough. He lets out a laugh, though it sounds a touch forced. ]
You're the only person in this place who'd say such a thing to me now. Be careful with your kindness. Don't let anyone use it against you.