genessia | 23: Reluctant Return (Video, Open Action)

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23: Reluctant Return (Video, Open Action)

A. Video

[ She still doesn't know.

Adela can't help sighing, frowning as she turns on the feed. ]

For those of you concerned with my whereabouts in the past while... I apologize for causing you worry. I will be returning home today, if you so wish to speak with me it might be easiest to do so then. Thank you.

[ She seems tired and still unhappy at the least, though she doesn't let the image linger and cuts off the feed after. ]

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B. Action, Genessia (Sycamore Cycles, Garden Park, or Genessia City in general)

[ It's with Sebastian's help that she's returned to Genessia, though part of her is still hesitant to return home straight away. Rather than simply stepping inside to face everyone, she began to take a walk. It's not as cold as it was, and she can be allowed that much right?

Still, she's more lost in her own thoughts than anything else. It ends up with her wandering, gravitating towards familiar places and even taking rests there. She's not really paying attention to anyone or anything around her, maybe not even hearing them calling her name the first time. She might have been skipping stones across the pond's surface at Garden Park, or staring at people walking by.

Eventually, by the time the sun starts to set, she will return to Sycamore Cycles. She'll be sitting outside there, still debating on if she wants to come back in or not. If she can face those she, on some level, considers family or not.

Somehow, it feels colder than even that fateful winter day several days ago now. ]

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[It's nice to her see out of the manor. That means she's ready to go back to where she was before instead of being cooped up. The house will be empty though...

Anyway, he's driving on his way to work and dropped her off on the main street of Genessia city near the square.

Peering at her through the car window, wearing sunglasses, because he's a businessman, he dressed sharply for work.]

Now Adela, are you going to be all right? I'm sure your people misses you, but you're always welcome back to stay. The cats will miss you.

Edited 2017-01-10 03:17 (UTC)

I do not know, truth be told. But... I cannot hide forever.

[ She sighs, not being able to meet Sebastian's eye then. ]

... I do thank you, for everything. I will try to come by some times as well, if you would permit it -- I would like to see the cats again as well.

Don't forget, you do have friends. They look out for each other. And the cats will be happy to be in your company again.

[Of course, it's strange coming from him, but he said on the behalf for his cats.]

Let me know if you get reunited with your puppy. Until then.

[With a smile, he waves, closed the car window, and the car drove toward the Nova City archway to work.]

[ All she can do is watch while Sebastian leaves, weakly waving while doing so.

It's all she can do, thinking about how she's supposed to approach her family. Until then, she feels like she's bothered Sebastian enough. ]

[The brisk winter chill the air does cause Regis to shudder a little but his black wool coat keeps him quite warm. He clutches the matching black shawl closer around his neck as he wanders through the park. Besides the icy winds, it's actually rather pleasant out. It's a nice winter day with bright blue skies and ample sunlight. Too bad the temperature isn't very agreeable.

The gods know that Regis despises the cold.

He was out overlooking the lake when he spots a rather despondent young woman by the pond. Her bright red hair is what caught his attention initially followed by the gloomy expression upon her face. Oh, he knows that look well. Regis seen Noct make a similar face countless of times whenever he's brooding. The girl looks so pitiful much like his son in situations past.

Regis let's out a soft sigh as he dares to venture over. Despite his bad knee, Regis manages to sneak his way over towards the redhead without so much as a sound. His bronze scepter scrapes against the concrete ever so slightly with just a gentle tap.]

Now what did this tranquil pond ever do to you? [He jests with a faint smile upon his lips.] You look awfully angered by it.

What?

[ She's startled when he speaks, looking him over before sighing heavy and shaking her head. ]

I am not angered, sir.

[ She really doesn't know what else to say though, and instead turns back to the water. She doesn't even care if it might be seen as rude now, not with what else is on her mind. ]

[The seemingly crass response doesn't phase Regis much. Again, he's used to such things from Noctis. His son is very similar to this despondent young woman.]

If it's not anger that guides you, then what could it be?

[He asks curiously as he watches her with a pair of well-trained eyes. Something is really bothering the poor dear.]

You look as if you don't have a friend in the world.

After today, I very well might not have.

[ Adela lets her shoulders slump then, not turning to look to Regis again and instead keeping her eyes on the frozen pond. ]

... I do not understand why you wish to know of my plight at all.

Edited 2017-01-11 21:35 (UTC)

It's because I'm an nosy old man who has nothing else better to do. [He chuckles quietly at his own lighthearted joke.] Honestly, I think...you could use a friend or confidant of some kind.

I highly doubt you're as alone as you think you are.

And if I do not wish to speak of what ails me, sir? Would you place any blame on me for wishing to keep it to myself?

Of course not.

[Regis replies with a faint sigh.]

But I would suggest you seek another to speak with when the mood suits you better--

[He knows what it's like to internalize your problems and keep everything bottled up within. Regis does it all the time and it honestly sickens him and weighs his mind with so many morbid thoughts. That's why he's urging her to seek comfort in others.

This poor girl shouldn't keep all that malice and sorrow within like this. She needs someone to listen to her.]

That and a good cup of hot chocolate or tea to offset the gloom.

You assume I am worth such trouble.

[ Adela sighs once more, shaking her head before turning to Regis with a tired expression. ]

I am not. It is that simple.

Somehow I doubt that's the truth, young lady.

[He replies once he finally has her full attention. That poor girl looks as if she ran a million miles only to get nowhere. The exhaustion is almost palpable.]

Whatever ails you isn't worth such gloom because mistakes are bound to happen. It's how you fix them that matters.

I doubt that you would agree if you knew what was important about it.

[ She pauses, looking back to the pond and closing her eye. This may be damning... But it can't remain secret forever. ]

You are speaking with someone who allowed a known murderer to walk free away from her. Hardly the sort you would wish to associate with, sir.

[The redhead did manage to surprise him with that bit of information but he doesn't turn to leave. Instead, Regis remains where he is and forces a smile upon his aged features.

If only the girl knew of the sins he committed in Eos. Goodness, she...she wouldn't be sympathetic towards him at all or so he believes. Despite everything that transpired, Regis did the best he could with the bad hand dealt to him and his kingdom. Fate was against him but he needed to stay true the prophecy bestowed to him.

He needed to protect Noctis at all costs.]

I know something about tragedy and I feel there's more to that tale than you're willing to tell.

[His smile fades a bit.]

Why did you let them go?

That question... I wish I had such an answer.

[ She holds her legs to her chest then, sitting curled as she starts recalling more vividly. ]

I was ready to kill him. He hurt and killed so many... Even if one can return from death here, you still lose something by choice in order to return. I... I did not have the chance to choose -- he left me alive with what he had taken from me.

[ After a beat she pulls up her left pant leg, showing a glimpse of the metal prosthetic she now has. ]

I was ready to end his life. To inflict on him a fraction of the pain he had caused myself and so many others, I... I had my sword at his throat, and yet... I stayed my hand. I do not know if it was because I was too cowardly to do so, or if I simply did not want his blood on my hands.

[ Again she shakes her head, burying her head against her knees with her eyes closed. ]

I let him walk away. He said that he had a master, one who was in danger, one who would not allow him to hurt anyone else again. If there was even a shred of truth to what he said, had I stayed I only would have slowed him down until it was too late. I was fool who believed him, even though I know his word is worth nothing. Maybe it was what I wanted to believe -- I used to be able to tell myself that it would be enough if he hurt no one else, but it feels like such a joke now. I felt so much hate for him that... That truly wanted to kill him.

[ Her shoulders slump, and she takes a shuddering breath as she tries to keep the last of her composure. ]

I think... The worst of it is that, had I managed to kill him, I would not be satisfied either -- not when I know striking him down would not have been for justice or to protect others, not entirely.

So I am not worth your concern or pity. Not when he walks free because of me. Not when I did not stop him given the chance.

[A deafing silence settles between them once the girl finishes.

Still trying to process all that he learned just now about the girl and the perilous situation thrust upon her, Regis takes a moment to reply. There's much that this old king could say but will the girl listen? Probably not given her despondent state.

The young woman is depressed and rightfully so. A betrayal like that runs--]

It runs skin deep. [He suddenly mutters.] The agony, I mean. To know you've been betrayed by someone who swore an oath to you.

To be betrayed in that manner, I...I know of what you feel.

[He sighs softly.]

We all desperately want to believe in the good of others even they prove to be wicked. It's human nature to cling to hope.

I would not call it a betrayal... As I have been learning, people here are not always genuine.

[ She shakes her head, knowing by then her speech might be at least a little muffled and not really caring. ]

That man... He wanted to see suffering, made certain that all he took felt it. There was no remorse in him, I know this. He laughed when he tore my leg away, among other things.

[ She's feeling sick then, starting to feel like she's reliving a nightmare once more. ]

He has done so much wrong, brought so much pain, and yet I...

Edited 2017-01-13 01:59 (UTC)

And yet you wanted to believe there was something still good left in him?

[He asks with a sense of reverence in his tone.]

Oh, I understand all too well. [Perhaps a tad better than he let's on.] Some shall say you were 'blinded' from the truth before you, while others will claim that he 'tricked' you. Both scenarios could be true but at this point, does truly matter?

[His lips curl into a deep frown.]

Reach out to those this criminal has hurt. Maybe you could find solace in healing together with them.

[ She sighs at that question, one hand reading to rub at her temple while she slumps on the spot. ]

... It is not an easy thing to speak of. Some may not wish to at all... I know I am among that number.

[Ted's on his usual route through the park in his usual routine: walking pokemon. Gengar's in his shadow, and while Ted isn't exactly sure if that counts as exercise, he seems to enjoy it, eyes closed in mild reverie.

As so often happens when he's not looking, he bumps into a certain someone. What a coincidence!]

"Oh! Ah, excuse me, very sorry...Adela! How are you? Is Ash enjoying his toys?"

[ Adela only grunts slightly when they collide, though when she sees it's Ted she wears a weary expression that can't even pass for a smile. She can only nod, her shoulders slumped in her slouch then. ]

I... I could not say, I should assume so.

[ She's not even in the mood to try to be polite, and with that she just makes to walk right past Ted. Of course, that's only if he'll let her. ]

[So she's been away from home for some time, then. Doing...something depressing, by the looks of it. Even he can tell something's wrong.]

"Tell me what's bothering you."

[ It's really that obvious? Adela can't help flinching at the words, stopping and pausing before she speaks up again. ]

I do not wish to speak of such things, Ted.

[Something looked really wrong, hence the pained look on his face when his sympathies were denied. If that's the way she wanted it...]

"As...you wish."

[Though leaving it at that didn't feel right either.]

"Though if that changes, you're welcome to make use of me, all right?"

... I will if it comes to that. Thank you.

[ She doesn't look at him -- she can't bring herself to. She's not ready to face everyone, not yet... It was a mistake to return so soon. ]

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23: Reluctant Return (Video, Open Action)

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[Action/late poast orz]

Totally fine xD

Re: Totally fine xD

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