Week 1, Saturday Post-Trial - Sandalphon

[fragileprophet]

[Ion's normally in bed rather early, curfew or otherwise, if for no other reason than his own lack of physical stamina. Tonight, however, he comes in pretty late, face lined with anguish. He deposits his shoes and his staff and his accessories and all but collapses onto his side of the bed. It's odd, coming from him, who always has something nice to say to great someone with, regardless of how he expects them to reciprocate. Silently, he grabs his pillow and presses it against his face, coiling toward his knees.

How hard does one have to wish to escape a cruel reality?]

Comments

[melancoffeea]

[Sandalphon retires to their shared room following the trial's conclusion. He sits on his side of the bed and waits, be it for his partner or the next day.

Hours pass, and the latter has yet to come; Ion, however, returns just as Sandalphon considers leaving the room to look for him.]

Does today's trial trouble you?

[fragileprophet]

...yes.

[No matter how he's feeling, Ion would never truly ignore anyone, let alone his partner.]

I'm worried for Akechi.

[melancoffeea]

[As of right now, that's not a word he would choose for Akechi.]

Worried?

[fragileprophet]

...it sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? He isn't the one who was voted for. But still, in his own way, he's just as condemned. Only now he has to live with that knowledge, and there are undoubtedly very few people who will choose to trust him again.

[Ridiculous, but here it is. Here HE is, his heart gripped with the frightening idea that someone will really make good on their threats to take revenge on him before the week is out.]

[melancoffeea]

[Sandalphon has no illusions about the situation in which Akechi has dug himself. It's ugly. People are angry, enough that they might pursue their own justice.]

Of course. That is his punishment; he said it himself.

[fragileprophet]

Of course.

[Ion sighs, and unwinds himself just slightly from the ball he'd curled himself into.]

I find it...cruel. No matter what he may have done, in the end, he's just afraid, isn't he? Afraid to be lonely, afraid to die.

[melancoffeea]

That doesn't the change that he was complicit in a crime. [He pauses.] Not that there's proof, but he just about admitted it on his own. He was aware of the consequences from the beginning.

[fragileprophet]

I know.

[He sighs.]

And that's why I feel...like an incredible fool. But as disappointed as I am, I can't find the strength to be angry.

[melancoffeea]

[The corners of his lips curl up faintly.]

A fool wouldn't feel disappointment in the path he chose. That's your compassion speaking.

[fragileprophet]

[Ion pauses, and then finally rolls over to look at Sandalphon. It feels weird talking to someone he can't see, anyway.]

Sometimes I wish I was less compassionate.

[He sighs, shaking his head.]

No, that's not true. It didn't sound even a little bit true. But...it's exhausting. [Another beat.] What are your thoughts? On today?

[melancoffeea]

[Sandalphon gives a quick glance to the side in thought. He doesn't take much time to formulate his response.]

It was another trial. The culprits were discovered and will receive their due punishment, starting tomorrow. What is there to think?

[fragileprophet]

Well...there's...how you feel about the people involved, I suppose.

[Sandalphon...]

[melancoffeea]

[His features unfurl into a neutral expression.]

It's unfortunate about the girl, but the same can be said for everyone here. As for Akechi, he knows the retribution he'll be receiving. I have no judgment to cast on either.

[fragileprophet]

[Ion shakes his head. Judgement, retribution...]

Did you talk much to either of them?

[melancoffeea]

I spoke with Akechi a few times. Back then, he was skilled at putting up a front.

[fragileprophet]

Yes...I noticed that.

[He thinks about it.]

There were some slips sometimes, when I'd speak with him. Certain words, or subjects, and he'd fall into a quiet contemplation. I took it simply...as loneliness. Perhaps loneliness is just something easier to relate to.

[With a sigh, Ion sits back up, rubbing his face.]

Regardless of the reasons behind his facade...it's sad to need one in the first place, don't you think?

[melancoffeea]

[Certainly, the slips were there. He cants his head at the mention of loneliness.]

Sad? I suppose that's one way to look at it. But a facade can be put up for a number of reasons.

[fragileprophet]

Ambition? Control? Power?

[He can think of a lot of reasons, too. Still...]

It gets so tiring to pretend to be someone you aren't, especially when you start to forget which parts are really you.

[melancoffeea]

[For a brief moment, he just stares.]

Speaking from experience?

[fragileprophet]

It's not that important.

[Read: I feel badly talking about myself so much!]

I just wonder what the case is for him...I wonder if he'd even be forthcoming if I asked. It's not as if any of us have ultimately known each other for that long, after all. But I've been speaking with him so frequently, I think I'd begun to misconstrue our relationship.

[melancoffeea]

[Please.]

You should ask, unless you're content with wondering forever. [He doesn't say this unkindly, and is rather pointing out a fact.] The only way to know for sure is by talking directly. Assuming is . . . dangerous.

[fragileprophet]

Yes, I will.

[He smiles ruefully.]

I only need to worry about getting my hopes up too far. I put a lot of faith into people, as I'm sure you've noticed by now.

[melancoffeea]

[At that, he huffs. It's a small, mirthful sound.]

You were so concerned about losing yourself, but it's been two trials and you're still you.

[fragileprophet]

[There's a pause, and Ion chuckles, too.]

I guess I'm stubborn that way.

[melancoffeea]

In any case, I advise against getting your hopes up too high. If he's been wearing a mask for so long, he's not likely to give you an answer easily.