week 2; saturday ( jae-ha )

[axilium]

[... ha. well, that trial sure was a trip.

belph's tired for a number of reasons, a lot of which he probably has in common with everyone else? but the way sandalphon was talking about himself... it's easy to pretend to everyone else that it's all fine, but the truth is—inside, belph is more exhausted than he'd care to admit.

anyway, for once he's not drinking. instead, he's aimlessly wandering around, when he happens across jae-ha.

...]

Comments

[alttitude]

[For once, Jae-ha doesn't seem to be having it.

The aimless wandering around is fine, but Jae-ha is flicking his hair behind his shoulder irritatedly and making a beeline for the exit of the castle.

Though he appears to be so lost in thought that he only just barely manages to avoid colliding with Belph, stepping off to the side last minute.]

... ah - sorry.

[axilium]

[belph freezes up as a reflex, before relaxing when he does not, in fact, run into jae-ha.]

Distracted, huh?

[alttitude]

[ . . . ]

Well, I'd be surprised if someone doesn't have a lot on their mind after all that.

[axilium]

... Yeah. It's a lot to take in.

[alttitude]

... what do you think about it all?

If you'll tell me.

[axilium]

... It's twisted, forcing people to kill, especially by dangling their desires in front of them.

I don't even remotely like Francis and I found him pitiable—not even getting into Sandalphon, who never seemed like a bad guy.

[alttitude]

.... I voted for Francis.

Even though I didn't dislike him - but Sandalphon's background... what he's told me, it hurt me more to think that he would have to go.

[ . . . ]

It doesn't feel right, does it?

To balance lives, to weigh them against each other?

[axilium]

... Yeah. I don't think any of us were meant to play judge, jury, and executioner.

[alttitude]

No one is.

[That answer is quick.]

Anyone who thinks that it's their right to dictate another's life is ugly to their core.

[.... maybe why he's so mad at dazai,,]

[axilium]

... This has to do with the whole Dragon thing, doesn't it?

[alttitude]

Does it...?

You're human, aren't you? You don't agree with me?

[axilium]

I do. I'm just wondering if the reason you feel especially strong about it because of that... blood thing you told me about before.

[alttitude]

[ . . . well.]

Part of it is that.

The other is that the Green Dragon Village had a mishap a few generations ago - one of the Green Dragons soared too high and too far, and was noticed. Seeking out the power of the dragon, the village was destroyed and ransacked by outsiders. Following that, every Green Dragon was chained and shackled from birth. Myself included.

It's like everything in my life has taught me to hate those who steal freedom.

[axilium]

[...]

Your village sucks.

[alttitude]

[It's not wrong.]

Hence why I chose to leave.

[axilium]

[... belph wishes so badly that he could do the same. though... ah, in a way, he finally can? but there's nowhere else in the world for him to go.]

I imagine it was one of the better decisions you made.

[alttitude]

... possibly the best. Actually orchestrating my escape was a bit more difficult -

[and it came with a great amount more heartbreak]

- but I obviously can't imagine where I'd be if I'd given up.

[axilium]

... Probably still trapped in that village.

[alttitude]

... Probably. Can't save what you don't know exists, after all.

[And he just sighs about that before offering a smile.]

... lucky me, then.