Initiative.

[trustbound]

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else. "We should leave." And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building. Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you. "It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment." She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone. "I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like." And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Comments

[heritrix]

...yeah, definitely ask Rachel first, before moving on to Lisbeth. I think she'll be satisfied with this ending someday, but she'll need more time to really believe the words she said.

[Rin's still pretty sure the woman hates her, despite everything; that'd go for all of them.]

That said, I'd like to be sent back to the same point I left, too, and I'm sure the others will. Someone will ask it.

[chessturner]

It's strange...to feel like despite everything that happened in this place, I'd prefer this to having never come here, and I'm not saying that because reversing the timeline would mean I'd be dead again. Is that strange?

[heritrix]

Yeah, a little bit. [And yet, Rin smiles.] But I feel that way, too.

[Maybe it's just the way she is, living wholly in the present while looking forward.]

People are made from their experiences, so it's too backwards for me to regret the things that made me who I am. But you're a person who's lived with regrets... So if you're saying that, I imagine it goes deeper for you.

[There's both gentle surprise and intrigue in her voice, saying that. A question, maybe, if Kyrie wants to share.]

[chessturner]

Maybe it's because I'm alive again. It's helping me appreciate more what I had before I lost it all. I want it all back, and right here is the chance to get it all back.

I don't want anything more than to grow old with my family. This is a...fourth chance, at the very least, and I think this time I may have learned something about not being a completely horrible person.

[Yeah, right.

But she's indeed going to try to be a little better]

[heritrix]

[...]

Honestly, I don't know how many people will tell you this, but I've always admired you. In both the good ways and the bad, you remind me of the mages in my world. That's not necessarily a compliment, but it's the kind of person I've always wanted to be.

[A pause here, and then she corrects:] Wanted, past tense. I'm going to find a way that better suits me, but even so, I still admire you for those qualities. If you can make a normal life for yourself, I think you'll do well.

[This isn't the same as forgiveness; there's an edge to Rin's voice that suggests some complexity. The way people admire a shark for its deadliness; a wolf, for the threat in its beauty.

Kyrie killed Alex and Sayaka, and that can't so easily be forgiven. But in general, Rin still admires that cunning, and wants to see this woman thrive. She hope she'll be able to move on from being as cutthroat as Rin always thought she herself needed to be, and get that fourth chance she's suffered so much for.]

[chessturner]

[Wow. Of all things, that's not one Kyrie expected. She stares at Rin for a moment, surprised, and then starts laughing. For the first time since she remembers, Kyrie is laughing as if there's nothing to worry about]

You really needed to get better rolemodels, if I was some sort of person for you to aspire to be!

[You really don't want to be like her, Rin, and it's a good thing you don't want anymore. Once she calms down, she sighs, rather cheered up]

You'll be okay. I think the kind of person that can help get someone like Lisbeth-san to stop what she was doing is the kind of person you should be. At the very least that's someone who has enough determination to do whatever you want to do. You don't need to aspire to be any better than that, but I'm rather sure you'd consider it a starting point instead of the goal.

[heritrix]

[Kyrie looks better than she did before; Rin can't help but smile as she laughs, joking back at her. But she kind of person who could talk down Lisbeth is who she should be, huh.]

So you're advising me to be more like Elda?