catch-all: alphinaud.

[siblingless]

one day a meme will go here

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[arcsplainist]

I am well, as ever. Think not of me for now.

[ But he does appreciate it, truly. ]

If there is aught I can do for you, but say the word and it shall be done.

[siblingless]

[A shake of her head.]

There's nothing I really need... I appreciate it, though. I really do.

[That said...]

Um, do you know if the others are okay? I think I fainted, and... my memory's fuzzy right now.

[arcsplainist]

Rest assured, many have rushed to their aid. Their conditions to worry me, but we are in a vastly better position to tend to your injuries now than we had been a fortnight ago.

Doubtless it will be rough, but in time they shall heal, I believe.

[siblingless]

[She seems to hold her breath for a moment, until Alphinaud clarifies that — yes. Everyone else is okay.]

I'm glad... I was so, so worried...

[arcsplainist]

Aye... Understandably so.

... Were you four taken away to someplace unknown, like the others afore?

[siblingless]

Yes... And separated like the others as well.

[She reaches up to touch her neck, without quite noticing.]

We arrived at a crossroads. Dorothy-san and Wilde-san took one path, while Taako-san and I took the other.

[arcsplainist]

[ He listens, nods, and then: ]

If... you are able, and willing—may I ask what happened from there?

[siblingless]

I don't mind telling you about it... Though, it's a long story.

[A pause, as she thinks.]

Um... Did you speak to Sora-san, Soo-won-san or anyone who was with them the last time this happened?

[arcsplainist]

[ With a nod: ]

Aye. I had been able to speak with both Alex and Sora.

[siblingless]

Okay... Then, you'll understand when I say our experience was similar to theirs. We arrived at a crossroads as a group, but were forced to split up. [Speaking slowly, obviously tired.] Dorothy-san chose one path and Wilde-san accompanied her, so Taako-san and I went down the other. The two of us arrived at a... football field? But it wasn't football as I'm familiar with it.

[Because it was American football, and she's absolutely thinking about soccer.]

[arcsplainist]

[ it was what now ]

I confess I haven't the slightest what "football" could be—if you think it of vital importance that I know.

[siblingless]

... I wouldn't call it important. But I suppose it may help to know it's a team sport, and some people are hired to perform stunts on the sidelines to cheer the teams on. We call them cheerleaders. [Does that make sense? Heck if she knows. But she will only pause for a moment, to give Alphi space to digest that, before she moves on.] Taako-san and I were asked to perform for the cheerleaders. We didn't really want to, but... we were left without a choice. And after we did as they asked, they told us to kill one of them.

[She pauses, just. Tired.]

Honestly... there were many times we were asked to kill another person, or bring harm to ourselves.

[arcsplainist]

[ He does digest it, and continues to listen. But his frown never fades. ]

And to what end?

[siblingless]

... It was the only way for us to return to the town. We tried everything else we could think of, until we had no choice but to do as we were told.

[arcsplainist]

So needlessly cruel. There is nothing worth justifying such horrible acts... I am deeply sorry you forced into something so abhorrent.

[siblingless]

... You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault, Leveilleur-san. [Tiredly.] I just hope, um... what we learn can be useful in the future.