week 5, post trial.

[robitussin]

[Another week draws to a close, but as more culprits are led away, something is different all the same. After this particular trial, perhaps it's not a surprise that there's no note or offer to meet in a specific place tonight. Can any of them say they have any energy or desire to do something like that at a time like this? The place they regrouped last Saturday evening stands there, burned nearly beyond recognition, and the townspeople look at them with the distrust that's been steadily building. Not to mention... Those are the least of the losses they've faced in the last few days.

Of course, even as so much changes day by day, the town remains, with plenty of places for people to go if they don't want to stay inside the motel. Where can you be found tonight?]

Comments

[quickpersuader]

Why would it?

There's no way I could see everything for myself. Countries rise and fall all the time - I've even seen a few collapse myself within three days.

But that's what makes it worth it to keep living, isn't it? Every moment you're alive is unique. Things will never be exactly the same as they are right then. The things you see and experience... all of that is only for you.

[Her gaze started off on Natalie, but it drifts elsewhere as she talks.]

I'm only one person in a great, vast world - no, universe. But my experiences are still important to me, and the things I do might become important experiences to others. When I think of the limitless potential... that's what's so exciting about it all.

[robitussin]

[She starts off with a curious expression, but as Kino goes on... Well, it's hard not to smile at that, even if it's a small one.]

It sounds pretty nice, when you put it like that.

[quickpersuader]

[And Kino smiles back, redirecting her gaze to Natalie once again.]

Maybe it makes me strange, but I think... all the ways the world is flawed, all the ways it's cruel... just contributes to the beauty of the world.

The world is beautiful, because it is not. Things will never be perfect no matter where you go, but that doesn't make it any less special when you finally get a chance to see it for yourself - or even survive it, in some cases.

[And then, she releases a soft sigh, smile fading to seriousness again.]

I'd prefer not to be stuck here of course, but even my experience being here, and meeting all of you... For better or for worse, I'll carry them with me as well.

[robitussin]

[Her pause after all that is just as lengthy, but her words just as sincere.]

You think any of us will see each other again after all this is over?

[quickpersuader]

[Kino looks thoughtful.]

I rarely meet people on the roads again after I've left them, but for the others... it's possible.

[robitussin]

If your answer is rarely... This isn't exactly the most common circumstance.

[Just saying.]

[quickpersuader]

Well, that's also because I'm always going from place to place every three days. Crossing paths with people I recognize seems like it should be impossible, but it's happened twice now.

[robitussin]

[She tilts her head.]

Who were they?

[quickpersuader]

One was a couple that drove a carriage. Although... I only met the wife the second time. The other was a man and his dog, Riku. I met both of them in one country and then ran into them again in another.

He was a really good fighter.

[robitussin]

...Small world, I guess. Still, I bet you were surprised to run into him again.

[quickpersuader]

Yeah... we ended up fighting again when we met the second time, but due to circumstances, we sort of teamed up after.

[robitussin]

[A beat.]

Is there a reason you fought both times?

[quickpersuader]

Well... the first time was because we were in the country that forced everyone who came to it into a tournament to win the right to citizenship. We were both finalists who managed to force all of our opponents to surrender instead of killing anyone, but neither of us wanted to surrender to the other, so we fought.

The second time, I was hired as a guard while traveling on a country made up of ships that would take people across the water. He chose to live among the people during that time instead, so when he started to approach the elders of the country, I had to step in. It seems the reason he did that was because the ships were falling apart though, so I ended up accompanying him to see the elders ourselves.

[You know.

The usual.]

[robitussin]

[There's a pause.]

First of all, wait, why did you want to fight for the right for citizenship? That doesn't seem like you.

[quickpersuader]

Everyone who goes to visit the country is forced into the tournament. When I first met the couple, they told me they were headed to a country surrounded by a verdant forest, where the people lived simple, modest lives.

Later, I ran into the woman again, and she said it was a truly wonderful place that I should make sure to visit. I only found out about the tournament when I was signed up at the gate, and refusing meant being enslaved instead.

[It was not ideal.]

[robitussin]

Oh.

[Hm.]

Wait, so whoever didn't win their tournament was forced into slavery?

[quickpersuader]

No, slavery was just if you turned down the battles altogether. If you agreed to fight, you could be let free if you surrendered and your opponent accepted your surrender.

Just... most of the people who went to that place went there to kill. So most of the time, if you surrendered, you would die.