[He looks startled at the question, like she's a mom or dad who is asking if their teenager has any weed or porn mags hidden in their room — that is, he's sputtering to answer quickly, mortified at the thought.]
No! No, no, I would not. By the time I'd arrived and saw the effects of the Plasmids, I knew it would be a foolish thought... [He wrinkles his nose, glancing aside as he recalls his time there.] The people down there were reason enough to stay far away from it.
... That's not even accounting for the slugs people were eating.
[Okay. So, she feels bad responding with only that, but she'll come back around to not being in Big Sister Mode in a moment. Right now, what the fuck slugs?]
They were all over the place, and for some reason, people were eager to consume them for their powers... I think the 'plasmid withdrawals' had some hand in it.
[He of course says 'plasmid withdrawals' like a 13th century boy who has never had to deal with such words.]
[He sips his tea, curls flopping as he shakes his head with some exasperation.]
... Reappeared from the depths.
We had vanished in the midst of a new years celebration — and we returned to that very party, as if two months had not passed. It was as unpleasant as usual, and as confounding as Deerington strives to be.
[That's a start. But he looks fond when he says it.]
He'd taken a vow of silence, so he doesn't speak. Despite that, I suppose he is one of my only friends from home — we've known each other for the past five summers, now... I've been trying to have him meet new people and branch out, but... he's a very isolated sort of person.
He's a lay brother. He does not commit to our way of life, but he lives among us and exchanges his labors for food and bedding and a place to call his own.
[It's — difficult to realize that it should be past tense. The idea of home... of what was normal to either of them, it was gone now. And worse for the Mute. But Diarmuid pushes away that thought.]
If I may be honest, I know his past is steeped with violence, but...
I have not asked about it. It is not as if he would answer, but I'm not so sure it's my business anyway.
[Rei leans back and exhales, watching his reactions carefully now. She hadn't really explained it to him before, had she? No.]
The transformation is a magical gift that lets me draw on my past life. In a previous existence, I was a person known as Princess Mars. Princess Mars was a goddess, in the Greek or Roman fashion. And she was the goddess of fire, passion, and war.
[Willing a bit of magic into her forehead, she lets some power shine through, making a burning red symbol of an arrow piercing a circle...the sign of Mars...appear.]
She and I have only ever used my power to protect people, but that doesn't make it less violent.
With the understanding that sometimes, violence is necessary to protect the weak from the wicked. If one has power, one should use it to do good. And I have it, so...I take comfort in knowing that I've done the right thing with it.
[It doesn't make it any less serious, and she'd rather not have to be violent, but that's not an option all the time.]
[But after a moment, he shakes his head, offering her hand a pat.]
Just unpleasant thoughts of the past. I shall not dwell when I should be happy to see you again. Have you made your rounds about the town? I'm sure you're surprised to see so many new faces.
[A lot of people came and went, since Rei was here.]
[Rei slips her hand up to take his in a firm grip.]
Lance, Chloe, Allura. The other Paladins. There are a few I've yet to see. And...yes, there are certainly a lot of new people. Far more than when I left.
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...I do too. It's bad enough having simple drugs around.
[So sue her, she's pretty anti-anything that alters your brain chemistry.]
Did you try them?
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No! No, no, I would not. By the time I'd arrived and saw the effects of the Plasmids, I knew it would be a foolish thought... [He wrinkles his nose, glancing aside as he recalls his time there.] The people down there were reason enough to stay far away from it.
... That's not even accounting for the slugs people were eating.
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[Okay. So, she feels bad responding with only that, but she'll come back around to not being in Big Sister Mode in a moment. Right now, what the fuck slugs?]
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Slugs, Miss Rei.
They were all over the place, and for some reason, people were eager to consume them for their powers... I think the 'plasmid withdrawals' had some hand in it.
[He of course says 'plasmid withdrawals' like a 13th century boy who has never had to deal with such words.]
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[Actually beyond disturbing, frankly.]
How did you all get back here? Did you escape?
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... Reappeared from the depths.
We had vanished in the midst of a new years celebration — and we returned to that very party, as if two months had not passed. It was as unpleasant as usual, and as confounding as Deerington strives to be.
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[Rei takes a step closer and puts a hand on his shoulder.]
It seems you've grown quite a bit this year, my friend.
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But soon he relaxes, because... Lord above, it's true. He feels much older. Too old, he thinks.]
... It has been a long year.
I'll be a man next spring. I've never felt so much and so less like an adult than right now.
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{Much, much more, if she's honest.
She knows some real goobers.]
I think you're already an adult in all but name. And I think have been for a while now.
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His mind and soul is in burning agreement.]
I certainly know how to live on my own now. Too well.
[A pause, and he gestures to the other little bunk in the cabin with a laugh.]
Well — I suppose I don't live alone now, at the moment! My friend from home has joined me.
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[Rei smiles over at it.]
Tell me about your friend? I imagine I'll meet them eventually, but I am curious.
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[That's a start. But he looks fond when he says it.]
He'd taken a vow of silence, so he doesn't speak. Despite that, I suppose he is one of my only friends from home — we've known each other for the past five summers, now... I've been trying to have him meet new people and branch out, but... he's a very isolated sort of person.
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{Vow of silence makes her think yes. Also, does he write? Inquiring minds!]
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[It's — difficult to realize that it should be past tense. The idea of home... of what was normal to either of them, it was gone now. And worse for the Mute. But Diarmuid pushes away that thought.]
If I may be honest, I know his past is steeped with violence, but...
I have not asked about it. It is not as if he would answer, but I'm not so sure it's my business anyway.
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[She offers a bitter enough smile, but...no.]
...I am not exactly in a position to judge, either. My own past is one thick with violence, as well.
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You, Rei?
... Does it have to do with your transformations?
[It suddenly occurs to him he doesn't know very much about that.]
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[Rei leans back and exhales, watching his reactions carefully now. She hadn't really explained it to him before, had she? No.]
The transformation is a magical gift that lets me draw on my past life. In a previous existence, I was a person known as Princess Mars. Princess Mars was a goddess, in the Greek or Roman fashion. And she was the goddess of fire, passion, and war.
[Willing a bit of magic into her forehead, she lets some power shine through, making a burning red symbol of an arrow piercing a circle...the sign of Mars...appear.]
She and I have only ever used my power to protect people, but that doesn't make it less violent.
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It sounds like you've led a very long and difficult life...
How do you cope with such a past?
[He asks partly because he cannot ask the Mute — thought he has some idea of how the man copes.
Or... doesn't cope?
He's not sure.]
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[It doesn't make it any less serious, and she'd rather not have to be violent, but that's not an option all the time.]
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[He frowns down, fidgeting anxiously.]
... Some do not realize they're the wicked, and not the protector.
That is when things become complicated, I've noticed.
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[Rei reaches for Dia's hand, taking it in her own.]
The wicked I'm referring to are monsters from beyond the stars, or devils and mad gods. Beings that want to conquer the planet and kill everyone.
I agree that it can be complicated when people are involved, but sometimes things are just monsters.
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... Perhaps I just wish it were only monsters.
[But after a moment, he shakes his head, offering her hand a pat.]
Just unpleasant thoughts of the past. I shall not dwell when I should be happy to see you again. Have you made your rounds about the town? I'm sure you're surprised to see so many new faces.
[A lot of people came and went, since Rei was here.]
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[Rei slips her hand up to take his in a firm grip.]
Lance, Chloe, Allura. The other Paladins. There are a few I've yet to see. And...yes, there are certainly a lot of new people. Far more than when I left.