video;

[chestboard]

[battler is smiling into the camera once it finally turns on, but it's a little sadder.]

October the 4th is here once again.... I see. [he nods to himself, and he leans forward to grab something. he had just purchased it the other day (most likely with yuri's money which he will give back to her later) and he's been toying with it. in his hand is a simple chess piece, the queen, and he moves it around in his hand as he talks.]

These days used to be completely torment for me, the family conference would begin and... well. I guess I can talk about the truth now, there's no more risk here.

Mmm- my family is dead, but hey- at least my sister is alive, that was my main goal in the end. Even so... the memories in my head, they're so clear, yet they seem more like a distant dream. There were eighteen of us, and only me, my aunt escaped.... and I only lived thanks to someone here in Genessia who changed my fate.

....Guess I'm rambling now, huh? I just meant to get that out there, even though I've already accepting this long ago. They're all always with me, and I'll never stay in the past, there's always a need to keep going forward now.

Comments

[ifbymyhands]

Battler?

[chestboard]

Hey Kano. Don't worry about me, just wanted to think about some things a little. Like I said, my family is always with me.

[ifbymyhands]

You're alive because of the people who love you. It's natural to feel bad about it.

[chestboard]

And alive thanks to the community..... seriously, it's a major lifesaver.

[ifbymyhands]

Which just means you better not die again.

[chestboard]

...I hear if you die here, then you have to give something up to come back. As if I would do that.

[ifbymyhands]

You mean like how you have to pay sacrifices to open up doors to your world? Yeah, that's why there's no portal to Kasumi Town down in Everglade. I feel bad about it, but I get what you're saying.

[chestboard]

Yeah....

[battler glanced off to the side.] I wonder.... what would I see if I opened up a gate to Rokkenjima.

[ifbymyhands]

...I wouldn't know if I wanted to find out, if it were me. It'd be tempting, but also something I wouldn't want to confirm.

[chestboard]

Probably an island with a massive hole in the center of it, actually....

In the end, the bomb went off after all.

[ifbymyhands]

And that's why--?

...Sorry.

voice;

[tenminutes]

Hey, come out to the backyard.

[ He doesn't get video from Yuri, she wants him to come see. ]

action;

[chestboard]

[he didn't need to say anything else, he just shut off the device and then walked out of the house. he exited, going over to the yard, and spotted her.]

Hey! What's all this about....?

action;

[tenminutes]

[ Yuri is kneeling down in front of something, but she stands up when he comes out, revealing a small pile of arranged stones about a foot high. ]

It's not much, but I figured it was best to do something.

action;

[chestboard]

[...battler blinked.... and then he walked over to her. he stared down at the stones, then back to her.]

A..... memorial?

action;

[tenminutes]

[ Yuri nods. ]

I know they're probably complaining at me in spirit that it's not extravagant enough, but it's all I could do right now.

[ She did just buy a house for the two of them that didn't even have a lot of furniture in it yet, but she still wanted to do something for them, and for Battler. ]

There's some incense in the kitchen drawer if you want me to go get it.

action;

[chestboard]

It's.... it's amazing.

[battler came closer to her, and he just reached out to her and grabbed her hand. he laced his fingers with hers, squeezing gently.]

To remember them.... this is... [battler blinked, and suddenly he felt tears spring to his dark eyes. he hadn't cried over them in a long time, and he wasn't about to shout and scream for them either.... he was done with that. he accepted they were dead, but he would miss them.]

Thank you... so much.

action;

[tenminutes]

[ Yuri held his hand back, leaning against his arm. She knew that he hadn't cried in so long, even if he used to cry all the time. But sometimes it was what was needed. Yuri knew that better than anyone. Even if she refused to cry until she was at her breaking point, usually she felt better after it.

..Of course, she also usually ended up hurting someone or shooting something until it's completely impossible to fix, but she would try to work on that. Probably.

Worrying about Battler was easier for now, especially since she knew that he needed someone by him. ]

You're welcome, Battler.

action;

[chestboard]

[he isn't crying entirely, just a few tears slip down his cheeks as he stares down at the memorial. he reaches up with his free hand, wiping away the tears quickly as he sniffles.]

They're always with me, I know that. [he squeezed her hand tighter.] Already a new house and we have a full home. You, me, my family....

...Should we make three more? [for her siblings?]

action;

[tenminutes]

[ It's good enough for Yuri. She's not expecting him to break down or anything, like she does. Yuri turns her head to look at him. ]

Sure, but I already got the nice rocks from our block. We're going to have to go further.

[ They're terrible neighbors already. ]

action;

[chestboard]

[hold on. he sniffles again, then he simply looks down at her once she responds back.]

Did you already steal things?

[evil_chin]

Hmhmhm! It is a joy to watch you in the throes of despair. Of course, there is a way to meet them again. Die by my hand, and join your pathetic family in hell.

Or perhaps you'd prefer to share your pain? After all, if you've escaped, then perhaps you're not quite as worthless as your kin. Serve me, and you may yet enjoy wrecking a few homes of your own. After all (great big smile), misery loves company.

[chestboard]

...Hm?

[at this request, battler can't help but remain entirely stoic. he didn't say anything while the man spoke, he hardly raised an eyebrow, and at the end of it he just stared at him for a bit longer before replying.

then there was a distinct sigh from him.]

Aah.... it's useless, it's all useless.... do you really think I would take you up on such an offer? My family is dead... they're all gone. I fought for a long time to regain their souls, to bring them back, but in the end.... that is the truth, that's the final act.

Sorry, so sorry, but I won't tamper with the past anymore.

[Audio]

[frostheartedrose]

As long as you don't forget them, their lives were not meaningless. I, too, have a past on my shoulders but I must carry it while moving into the future.

[Audio]

[chestboard]

I'm sorry to hear that. Yeah, I'll never forget my family for as long as I live. I was saved from certain death, I can't afford to forget them for a second.