I know we didn't have much of a choice. But I... I don't understand why - why make those serums to revive someone if they'd just have to be killed again? Why...
[ why do any of it, really.
...none of this is an answer to his question, either, but that might be enough of an answer in itself. ]
... I spoke to Soo-Won earlier. According to him, he was shown memories and illusions that he suspects were meant to elicit strong reactions. Maybe even break his spirit.
[his eyes close, recalling their conversation]
If that is the case, our own battles mirror that struggle. We fought against two seemingly impossible creatures, won, and then instead of victory, were forced to kill our companions after attempting to save them.
[...]
Nova is drawn to powerful emotions, yes? I cannot say for certain, but perhaps that is why we were set up to fail.
[ is that what it was...? it makes sense, in a way, but somehow that doesn’t make her feel any better. ]
Maybe. But then… who set it up that way? The leaders? Or was it something the Realm did so we could get more of the nova? Or… was it just one of those disturbances they’ve talked about? If that’s the case, it could happen again… and there’s no guarantee they’ll all survive, like we did.
[ isn’t there anything they can do to keep anyone else from dying? ]
[Much as it pains him to admit it, that's the truth. He's as lost as she is in some ways]
... And you are right. There is no guarantee that anyone will survive, just as we have no guarantees there will not be another death.
[...]
Even still, you must not despair, Ochako. It is alright to grieve, but you will have to have a strong heart to survive -- not just for yourself, but for everyone who might turn to you in times of need. You said that you wanted to be a hero, correct?
[ she says softly, voice small. aizawa-sensei had said something similar, but that was different, too - ochako hadn’t had such a direct hand in the loss of life, then. this is... so much harder to accept. ]
But there has to be something we can do, right? So that if it does happen again, whoever is affected by it will at least be more prepared than we were?
[He isn't going to say they will succeed, as who knows what will happen to those whisked away to another place, perhaps forced to fight on a battlefield.
But it's as he says -- there's no harm in thinking up solutions]
We can prepare little baskets with salves, ointments, and bandages for others to carry with them, for instance.
I cannot speak of the potency -- at best they would alleviate symptoms of pain, perhaps speed up the healing process, make the patients more comfortable -- but it would be better than no supplies at all.
[Chiron really that dad who can make/do/build anything]
Yep, the one with the pointy ears and the funny hair. [ don't just talk about someone like that, ochako. ] He helped me find fresh bandages, after we got back.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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W-What? But you're injured, too!
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My human half is injured. The rest of me escaped more or less unscathed.
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[ and she'll probably need help getting up, so, ]
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Very well. But please, let me know if you start to feel dizzy at any point.
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...Thank you for your help today. I don't know if I'd have been able to do all of that, if you weren't there.
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[They made quite a team, he thinks with amusement]
... How are you feeling, now that it is all over?
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I... [ a false start - she takes a deep breath, and tries again. ] Tired, mostly. And... I still wish there'd been another way. I've never had to...
[ kill someone, or even something. it's left her shaken, uncertain where it leaves her. ]
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Do you regret your actions?
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[ why do any of it, really.
...none of this is an answer to his question, either, but that might be enough of an answer in itself. ]
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[his eyes close, recalling their conversation]
If that is the case, our own battles mirror that struggle. We fought against two seemingly impossible creatures, won, and then instead of victory, were forced to kill our companions after attempting to save them.
[...]
Nova is drawn to powerful emotions, yes? I cannot say for certain, but perhaps that is why we were set up to fail.
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Maybe. But then… who set it up that way? The leaders? Or was it something the Realm did so we could get more of the nova? Or… was it just one of those disturbances they’ve talked about? If that’s the case, it could happen again… and there’s no guarantee they’ll all survive, like we did.
[ isn’t there anything they can do to keep anyone else from dying? ]
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[Much as it pains him to admit it, that's the truth. He's as lost as she is in some ways]
... And you are right. There is no guarantee that anyone will survive, just as we have no guarantees there will not be another death.
[...]
Even still, you must not despair, Ochako. It is alright to grieve, but you will have to have a strong heart to survive -- not just for yourself, but for everyone who might turn to you in times of need. You said that you wanted to be a hero, correct?
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[ she says softly, voice small. aizawa-sensei had said something similar, but that was different, too - ochako hadn’t had such a direct hand in the loss of life, then. this is... so much harder to accept. ]
But there has to be something we can do, right? So that if it does happen again, whoever is affected by it will at least be more prepared than we were?
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[He isn't going to say they will succeed, as who knows what will happen to those whisked away to another place, perhaps forced to fight on a battlefield.
But it's as he says -- there's no harm in thinking up solutions]
We can prepare little baskets with salves, ointments, and bandages for others to carry with them, for instance.
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But the first aid station’s still locked. I know we can make bandages from the sheets, if we have to, but where would the rest come from? The leaders?
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You can do that?!
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I cannot speak of the potency -- at best they would alleviate symptoms of pain, perhaps speed up the healing process, make the patients more comfortable -- but it would be better than no supplies at all.
[Chiron really that dad who can make/do/build anything]
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Can I help? I don't know much about first aid, but I can try to learn.
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Mm! And then we won't be relying entirely on you and Leveilleur-san to help us all the time, either.
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Leveilleur?
[A beat, and then]
Ah yes, the young one with the white hair, correct?
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[Listen, Dad approves. The more people who know how to stitch up the shonens in this game, the better]
But you're correct, it wouldn't do to place the burdens on the shoulders of a few. So I will teach you what I know.
[Like, Chiron doesn't mind it, but more hands means more people who will hopefully not die to infection and all]
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[ she’s positively beaming with gratitude, both for alphi and for chiron. the people here are great? ]
I’m not the smartest person in my class, but I’ll try my best, Archer-san!
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