marmalade and a sugar song

[omnivident]

Characters: Leonardo Watch + You!
Date: April 2017
Location: Depends
Situation: Depends
Warnings/Rating: Will be added if necessary


1. Outside Milyn's clinic

Every few days before noon, you may find Leo nearby the clinic-- sitting down on the steps, or, in the later days, talking with some of the nicer looking gang members that stand watch on the place. Every once in a while, he would even bring a few flowers to the place; he wanted it to stay nice and presentable. He hadn't known Milyn for long, but from what he gathered from talking around with the Kedan, she would have probably liked it.

On some of those days, he even took pictures of the place. It was too colorful not to do so.

2. A drink to...? | Some bar in Keeliai

It was a hell of a long week. And hellish long weeks were best departed with a shot of any drinkable alcohol that the bar had. Since there was no way to send his sister money all the way from another planet, he actually could afford something that didn't resemble isopropyl alcohol. He asked the bartender for something that wasn't too strong-- all seeing eyes + hangover = bad.

Nevertheless, his social skills left a lot to be desired from since he didn't do much other than listen to those around him. Please hit him up.

3. Rebuilding in the Lorn Level

The place that was hardest hit by the earthquake is also somewhere Leo frequents throughout the month. He may be seen a couple days a week for most of the day, helping out the kin'nal with rebuilding. He has no super strength or anything of the sort, but he's trying to do small things at least, like picking up necessary materials or simply talking to others.

4. Around Keeliai

Days have passed since Leo viewed the Xunutane and his curiosity won't stop nagging him. Those markings that he had seen, connected to the rock...what were they exactly? Where did they go? While his boss was more than excited with his findings, he himself was left with more questions than he had arrived with.

And like the somewhat average reporter that he used to be, he's going to go investigating. At first, he wanders around, unsure of what or where he's supposed to look for, but later in the month, he can be seen more around the beaches that border Hatal. Always with his goggles on, trying to hide the brightness of his eyes as they are put to work.

Comments

1

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine stopped by the clinic herself occasionally. Her reasons she kept to herself, but she watched the people and the clinic, and she thought.

On one of those occasions she spotted Leo. She didn't know him -- he couldn't have been there long -- but he left flowers nevertheless. It was an oddly sweet gesture. When he went to leave Raine fell into step with him, giving him an openly curious look. "That's kind of you," she remarked. "Bringing flowers. Did you know Milyn?"

[omnivident]

Leo had taken notice of Raine a couple of times before she had approached him; it was hard not to with those stupid eyes of his. Not that he ever thought about striking a conversation, but he had known that she was there.

"I didn't know her in person, if that's what you mean." He said with a timid smile. "I sent her a few messages a day or so after the announcement, because I wanted to know her side of the story." A shrug of his shoulders, followed by a sigh as he felt unsure of what else to say. "What about you?"

[ruinsprofessor]

"I'd known Milyn for some time," Raine explained in turn. "I've been here more than two years now-- she was a great help to us, back then, and she helped me get the Healers' Guild running again, as well." She sighed quietly, her eyes softening, and glanced away at the street ahead instead.

"Did you get a chance to talk to her, with those messages?" she wondered aloud a moment later. "I'd be curious to know what someone so new to Keeliai made of the situation."

[omnivident]

"From the Kedan that I've asked, it seems that she used to be a big help for everyone." Leo smiled softly, nodding to the other's words. He couldn't deny that he was a bit relieved that other Foreigners thought the same of her. "I'm glad that she was able to help you, too."

He paused to think over the second question, trying to judge his words with at least some care. "I think I did." He finally responded, more serious than before. "I learned that she did what she did because she thought that it was the best thing for the Kedan."

He hesitated once more, arms folded against his chest. "She was trying to help her people." His brows were knit together, the memory of his conversation causing a knot in his stomach. "Sure, it backfired awfully, but we all make mistakes, no? It doesn't mean that she betrayed anyone." A deep breath. "She just messed up. And that's fine." Definitely not worth getting killed.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine listened to Leo, waiting when he paused, patiently letting him get the rest of his thoughts out. "She was trying to help," Raine agreed before long. "It's worth remembering that good intentions can still lead to terrible actions. Regardless of what Milyn meant, people were still hurt." And Raine sighed. "But the fact that she strove to help, rather than harm-- it mitigates, yes. It's a difficult situation to judge."

Those who were aware of the time frame, those who had been there longest, likely felt something like betrayal that Milyn had been effectively helping the cultists even as she'd helped them.

"Still," she said at length, "it's good to hear forgiveness advocated."

[omnivident]

"I'm not saying that she should have gone free without any blame" Leo corrected himself, rewording his thoughts so that they're easier to understand. He was always better at writing than at face to face conversation.

More so when it came to a touchy subject such as this. "I think that some punishment would have been necessary. Jail time or...or I don't know what they do here." He chuckled awkwardly. "It wouldn't be fair for her to simply walk free."

"But it definitely wasn't fair for her to die." There was a hint of bitterness in his voice, his body tense with some repressed anger over the subject. "No one deserves to die because of their past mistakes." He was angry about the conclusion, that's for sure. But the fact that he could do nothing to prevent it, only fueled his emotions further.

[ruinsprofessor]

"There isn't really an organized police force at the moment," Raine pointed out, equal measures wry and regretful. "Most enforcement that I've observed seems to come from the Snakes." Who had, in this case, been the problem.

But she couldn't disagree with him, and in fact something in his response softened her a little as they went on. There was a brief, peculiar silence in the wake of his last words. "Yes," she said finally, "I believe you're right. Someone... important to me once said that every person has the right to live, no matter how they came into this world, or what mistakes they've made. He's something of an idealist, but he isn't wrong, either." Her words sounded fond, at odds with the heaviness of the conversation. "A better outcome would be in living to recognize those mistakes, and to do something about them."

Not everyone could change that much, no. But Lloyd believed they could, if only given the chance, and Raine found she missed that aspect of him, the idealism coupled with determination that had changed the world.

[omnivident]

He didn't say anything at first, but it was obvious to see that he wasn't happy. If there had been a better police force or judicial system, maybe something could have been avoided. But something like that felt far-fetched, even back at home.

What she said next, though, softened Leo's hardened expression. Shoulders loosened as he released his baited breath in the form of a sigh. "Man, and to think I'm more of a pessimist myself." He commented with a wry laugh. "I think I agree with your friend, but barely anyone thinks like that, do they? That's why these sorts of things happen."

There wasn't anything else he could say on the matter. Fighting about what was right in front of you was silly, in his opinion. Milyn was dead, and the dead couldn't be brought back to life. "I guess that's why I keep coming here. To at least help respect her death?" He shrugged, half unsure of what he was even saying. "I wish I could have done more."

[ruinsprofessor]

"It's rare, to find people who genuinely think like that," Raine confirmed. "Rarer still to find those who refuse to falter or give up on those ideals, even when it becomes difficult. But they're capable of changing the face of the world." Still that same wistful fondness, until Raine drew a careful breath, and made the conscious choice to set it aside. Missing her friends did no good right now.

"So do I," Raine admitted instead. Never mind that she was keeping the secret of Milyn's death; it shouldn't have been something that needed to be kept in the first place. There wasn't much more to be said on the topic, though, and anyway she preferred to skirt it rather than lie.

She had not, however, introduced herself. "--I'm Raine Sage, by the way. I run the Healers' Guild."

[omnivident]

"Nice to meet you, miss." He greeted back with a smile, somewhat thankful that she had left such a dark topic be. It wasn't as if there was anything else they could do about it anyways...simply hope that there is no repeat of this situation.

Even if there was no real way to prevent that.

But whatever, nothing he could do about it. "I'm Leo, by the way. Leonardo Watch. It's nice to meet you." With a sheepish chuckle, he added: "At least I know that there are still people to go to if I ever get injured. One thing less to worry about." For someone who was as accident prone as he was, this was probably a somewhat real concern of his.

[ruinsprofessor]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, as well." Leo, then, if that was what he preferred. She returned the smile with a small one of her own. "The Guild building is in this sector -- I can show you, if you like, I'm headed there next -- but there are a number of healers in the city now. You shouldn't be at a loss for help if you are injured."

That had been her entire reasoning for taking over the Guild, after all, and Milyn's in giving it to her. "You haven't been here long, correct?" Raine inquired next, curious. "Have you encountered any difficulties in the city?" The present problem of Milyn aside, that is.

[omnivident]

"Well, I wouldn't mind visiting if you don't mind." It's a little awkward to follow someone that he had just met, but it wasn't like he had much better things to do with his time anyways.

He paused at the sudden question though, thinking back. "Uhm, not really actually. Nothing I'm not used to." Sure, he almost got attacked by some ninja like assassin only two weeks ago, but he's somewhat used to almost dying.

"The Kedan have gotten a bit colder after last month but, I think that's to be expected, no?" He'd be more surprised if they were as welcoming as before, actually.

[ruinsprofessor]

"Of course not," Raine said, almost dismissive. The Guild was there for people to use, after all, and it would hardly make progress if interested people didn't stop by as well as injured ones. "I'm often busy, but usually there's someone on hand who won't mind answering questions, if you'd rather some time more convenient."

'Nothing he's not used to' is phrasing that's a little suspect in terms of severity, but Raine let it slide for now. "Regrettably, yes," she agreed. "On the whole, it's still somewhat better than it was, but the step backward is a little discouraging." Raine sighed at that. They'd made such progress, too. Even if she agreed with the decision, and could understand the shift in attitude...

She didn't have to like it.

[omnivident]

"It's fine, it's fine!" He assured Raine, although a bit nervously. Mostly because he was never really that good with dealing with people, but he knew enough to get by. And for someone who lived in what used to be New York City, it's actually quite a lot. "I just didn't want to be a waste of time."

On the topic of the Kedan, though, Leo's not really sure what else to say, other than: "I really couldn't expect anything less."

And, unfortunately, it is true. If the abundance of gifts and protection meant anything, it was that Milyn was very well-liked and appreciated. In fact, Leo was somewhat surprised there wasn't any worse retaliation; towards anyone in general. "I think we just need to give it time, though." He added after a moment. "Let things settle down...and stuff."

[ruinsprofessor]

"If you're genuinely interested, then you won't be a waste of time," Raine said simply, like that alone was enough. It was her pet peeve, with students: those who simply weren't interested. It resulted in a failure to apply oneself, and a waste of potential.

To his last she nodded. "It's understandable," she said. And they'd expected something like that, when they made the initial decision, but that didn't make it any more comfortable. "And I believe you're right: with time, things will get better. Right now, it's a fresh wound, to use the obvious metaphor."