48 [Text]

[flameandpassion]

I'm going out for a couple of hours.

I'll be back soon.


ooc: If you want to offline her by stumbling across her, she'll be at the edge of the Wastelands.

Comments

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

[She takes one, wordlessly, though it's more to be polite than out of actual hunger.]

It's going to happen to all of us, one day.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

Not if I can help it.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

[She's silent for a long moment before she lowers her head to her knees, exhaling shakily.]

I almost died in the Inner City and it feels like such a waste.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

[Al makes a sound, a soft exhalation of breath that isn't really a laugh.]

You found us valuable information. The Animus and the scientists fought over something. We'll find out what it was.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

It didn't help do what I want to do.

[not yet, anyway.]

[Offline]

[al_truism]

Maybe not yet. But you're closer now.

If there's anything I know about having a difficult goal, is that you just have to keep trying. Even if it doesn't happen right away, your efforts will have meaning in other ways.

[He sets a hand on her shoulder.]

... that doesn't make it any easier on you, though.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

... nothing in this city makes sense.

[She doesn't shrug off the shoulder, for the time being.]

And no matter how hard I try, it doesn't get any better.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

[It's how she feels right now, he can't fault her. He's been in this same position so many times.]

... I'd say it gets easier, but... it doesn't.

Instead, you get stronger.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

Usagi is going to break, Al.

[Quietly.]

[Offline]

[al_truism]

[He shuts his eyes, takes a deep breath.]

... everyone breaks, here.

Everyone.

[Sometimes it ends in tears, withdrawl, depression. Sometimes it ends with rage, killing. Sometimes it's suicide. The madness gets to everyone here eventually. Al's been there.]

You come back from it.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

She can't take this place. She won't change her mind. She won't adapt.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

She will.

It'll be painful for her, more than most, definitely... because she cares so much. But she will be able to continue on. Especially if she has you.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

She can't rely on that.

[It's quiet, and harsh, but it's true. Rei is at risk to leave, just like any of them are.]

... she used to. But she can't here.

[That is quite possibly the most difficult thing Rei has ever admitted in her entire life.]

[Offline]

[al_truism]

Maybe not, but she's strong. ... stronger than almost anyone I've ever met.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

She's been through a lot.

[So has she, but it always seems like Usagi has been through more.]

[Offline]

[al_truism]

Yes.

Hopefully, we can protect her from what we can.

Re: [Offline]

[flameandpassion]

There's only so much you can protect someone from.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

Yes. But every bit helps.

[Offline]

[flameandpassion]

Mm.

[She's trying, desperately, to cling to that idea.]