四十四 (Voice Post, Japanese)

[onikui_tengu]

Basically, waiting for this illness to "fade" has only proved impossible. Either the affected wind up dying, or the ones who don't have the strength to fight them.

I have no interest in pointing fingers... What I'd like to know instead is why there doesn't seem to be a better solution. Is there no way to develop a medicine to cure or a seal to bind these people?

Their powers and strength are the real problem. Because they can only use it to harm. It is beyond their control to do otherwise. I haven't been proven wrong yet.

Hmph. If anyone sees death as the quickest method of turning this around... You've let this world change you too much. ...You've let them change you too much.

Comments

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

Where should I go?

I don't think I can go back to the high school. ...I'm in no mood to face Kantarou or Bonten like this.

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

Hmm... the rooftop of the hospital.

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

...Have you always been this partial to rooftops, or is it because of me?

All right. I'll be there in a few minutes.

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a bit of both

I'll make my way up, then.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka turned off his communicator and pocketed it in his jacket. Then he tilted his head up toward the sky, standing just outside the bar.

His wings unfurled, and he took flight to the hospital rooftop.

The mood didn't make it nearly as enjoyable as a necessity though... It was discomforting.]

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Testament had just made his way to the fenced ledge, the breeze catching his hair. The air was thick with despair and anger... it physically hurt to almost be out there, but there was little that could help it... It felt too much like the war had.-

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[Haruka drifted in on the breeze, beating his wings together as he came in for a landing. The window didn't become any less gentle. A few black feathers even became caught in it and drifted off before those great shadows disappeared away from his back.

The light of the moons gave him an ominous silhouette as he looked at Testament standing in the distance.

There were no words. Anything he tried to muster only ended up becoming caught in his throat. It was difficult finding the motivation to push them out.]

.....

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

...The world is decaying around us...

-He drew in a breath, slowly turning to face Haruka. There was... definitely a deep sadness in those eyes. Lute, Bridget, Nill... Almost everyone he loved and cared about...-

This... the sort of thing none of them should have ever had to experience. It was... too much like it was in my home. The world Dizzy wanted to change... but I don't have that sort of power on my own. I... I can't save any of them, in the end.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[His lips parted. That was it-...
That unwanted nostalgia, and that feeling of helplessness. That was it exactly.

His head sank, and he averted his gaze away from Testament. He was tired. Despite all of his promises, he couldn't truly deliver on any of them. The circumstances wouldn't allow it... he was never there in time. He couldn't protect anyone.]

I...

[Not even the person he loved most.]

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

...But it's strange...

Ever since that revelation... ever since finding why I choose to live in this place in spite of it all...

-Something... a phantom of a smile... appeared on his face-

In spite of it all... when I look into the night, I can still find that thing. The shining thing that Dizzy was able to hold onto even in our darkest times. The one thing that makes humans, gears, any being that has a will to survive so remarkable...

Haruka... I can still feel it...

Hope.

Re: [comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[As Testament's tone changed, he looked up. Bewildered.]

.....

[Hope... huh. He walked slowly toward the Gear, his footsteps evenly hitting the pavement on the rooftop.]

You're really something else. ...You can find the motivation to hope when a thing like that can be so fragile or forgotten completely in this place.

Humans... and monsters, can have every reason to, if this city lets them.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

Maybe I've just grown soft.... I can't say it's a bad thing.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

Heh.

[Haruka couldn't help but shed a small smile at that.]

Neither can I...

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-Slowly, Testament leans against the other and rests his head against Haruka's shoulder. A moment more and he was wrapped about him in a soft embrace. So much of the strength he had now was thanks to this...-

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[He blinked, watching at Testament leaned his head against his shoulder.]

Tess...

[As the Gear wrapped his arms around him, his expression melted and became more passive. He slowly brought his own arms around his lover and returned the gesture with a gentle squeeze.]

I'm sorry...

[His voice was soft, like a whisper, and there was a touch of distant melancholy.]

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

There's nothing for you to apologize for.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[His grip tightened, and he shook his head slowly.]

I couldn't protect anyone from this... not Bridget, Titi, or any of your loved ones.

How can you be so...

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

-A single hand moved to tenderly caress the other's cheek-

Neither could I. And yet I direct no animosity inwardly... and neither do they hold it against me. We both tried out best... they're here now and they're safe. That's all that matters, Haruka...

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[He couldn't finish that sentence...

Instead he closed his eyes, frowning and thoughtful, but relaxing with that reassuring touch.]

.....

[Slowly, he brought his hand up, and caught the other's. His fingers curled around it, holding on, and Haruka opened his eyes halfway.]

I am sick of all this destruction and death, Tess... It's wearing me down.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

...

-He took those fingers, bringing them to his lips to gently brush against his lips-

And I as well. But still I hope.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[He let out a slow breath, not minding how those fingers were being handled by the other. He leaned forward, and puckered his own lips slightly to gently kiss Testament's fingertips back.

It was mysterious what a calming effect the Gear had on his troubled mind sometimes.]

Thank you...

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

Part of love is giving each other strength when we are at our weakest, Haruka...

-He lets out something of a laugh- Or so I've been told.

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[He'll never get over how Testament can just say things like that with a straight face. It always manages to give him a bit of color.]

I... guess there's still a lot that I have to learn.

[comment log]

[7th-warrant.livejournal.com]

We both do...

[comment log]

[onikui-haruka.livejournal.com]

[His lips parted, as if he had something more to say... but then Haruka just as quickly gave up, letting out a soft and short chuckle.]

You're right.

[He hesitated for a second. Then he leaned forward and kissed Testament softly on the lips. It lingered there a little longer than he hoped for, but he eventually drew back.]

I'll... escort you back down.