![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
I am angry. You're being annoying. I don't yell, it could draw the walkers to me.
Walkers? Are those the "zombies" you mentioned before?
[He just shrugs off the "annoying" part. He knows just how annoying he's being.]
I've never heard of them.
[He just shrugs off the "annoying" part. He knows just how annoying he's being.]
I've never heard of them.
Edited 2013-12-26 19:12 (UTC)
Yeah, and they're attracted to loud noises.
[She glances around as she walks, arms crossed. Here at least she doesn't have to be quite as vigilant or slow in her movements.]
[She glances around as she walks, arms crossed. Here at least she doesn't have to be quite as vigilant or slow in her movements.]
I see. I've fought monsters like that, though usually with someone who thought it would be better to make as much noise as possible and draw them all out.
[He has many more years of practice at this, so he's not terribly concerned. There's no real feeling of danger here and, though he's separated from his king, he can still feel Baal's power in Bararaq Sei, so he's quite well armed.]
[He has many more years of practice at this, so he's not terribly concerned. There's no real feeling of danger here and, though he's separated from his king, he can still feel Baal's power in Bararaq Sei, so he's quite well armed.]
There's too many of them to do that, and I'm alone. It's not something smart to do.
I never said he was smart, but he is strong enough to pull it off. Also he--and you--aren't alone. You may not find me trustworthy, but I'll look after you nonetheless.
[He probably wouldn't usually be this persistent, but she reminds him a lot of himself at that age. Just quieter and better behaved.]
[He probably wouldn't usually be this persistent, but she reminds him a lot of himself at that age. Just quieter and better behaved.]
I don't need to be looked after. I can look after myself.
I'm sure you don't, but always fighting on your own drains you. After a while, you don't have any hope or dreams or happiness left. You don't care, since it's easier that way, but bit by bit every last little piece of you dies. You end up angry all the time because it's the only way you have left to feel anything.
[He sighs.]
These aren't empty words, Clementine. That was my life when I was your age.
[He sighs.]
These aren't empty words, Clementine. That was my life when I was your age.
No, I don't think you know what my life is like and I'd like you to not assume you do.
[Back in town she points at the shops.]
Go that way to get anything you need and leave me alone.
[Back in town she points at the shops.]
Go that way to get anything you need and leave me alone.
[Wordlessly, he pulls up one sleeve, revealing the dagger tucked away at his wrist and the thick red wire wrapped around the length of his arm. Beneath it are visible the indentations and scars it's left over the 20 years he's worn it day in and day out. In the process, his other sleeve falls back just enough to show the matching weapon on his other arm.]
I began when I was six and you have the same look I had in my eyes back then; I recognize it. Would you like to know how many people I'd killed by the time I was your age? I think I'd lost count by then.
I began when I was six and you have the same look I had in my eyes back then; I recognize it. Would you like to know how many people I'd killed by the time I was your age? I think I'd lost count by then.
[She takes a step back from him. He's armed and she isn't. It makes her a little nervous.]
I don't kill people. Not really, not directly.
[But she can make an exception.]
I don't kill people. Not really, not directly.
[But she can make an exception.]
[He was about to question the initial statement, but then came the qualifiers. He shakes his sleeves out and folds his arms before speaking again.]
You've killed, though, and you've ceased to have a reason for it other than keeping yourself alive.
[He sighs. Apparently he isn't cut out for this, as much as he wants to help. Maybe he's being too impatient. It wasn't like Sin had gotten through to him the first time. If his subordinates hadn't dragged him off, he has no idea what might have happened back then.]
I know I can't make you care about the reason I found and the reason I left that life behind me, so all I can do is help you however I can.
You've killed, though, and you've ceased to have a reason for it other than keeping yourself alive.
[He sighs. Apparently he isn't cut out for this, as much as he wants to help. Maybe he's being too impatient. It wasn't like Sin had gotten through to him the first time. If his subordinates hadn't dragged him off, he has no idea what might have happened back then.]
I know I can't make you care about the reason I found and the reason I left that life behind me, so all I can do is help you however I can.
I don't want your help anymore. I am not going to be in your debt. Go away.
[Clementine's had enough. She stalks off again with a glare thrown over her shoulder, at least she goes into town and moves quickly in the crowds, to disappear.]
[Clementine's had enough. She stalks off again with a glare thrown over her shoulder, at least she goes into town and moves quickly in the crowds, to disappear.]
[It's the first time she's been on Isla Empieza for New Arrival Day since the day she was a new arrival herself. She's had a great time talking to everyone she can find who carries a journal and she got quite an interesting story out of one of them. He'd had really cute freckles and a really sad face, so she'd obviously had to stop him and quiz him about how things had gone for him so far. Imagine her surprise when he mentioned Clem! She'd though Clem had gone home like all of the boys from Iwatobi, but apparently she'd just disappeared for a while!
So obviously she has to find her.
She's not any sort of expert tracker, just really friendly and really nosy, so it takes her all of an hour or to pin down Clem's location. Well, a spot close enough to Clem's location to yell across the remaining space.]
CLEM! HEY, CLEM! CLEEEEEEEEM! CLEM CLEM CLEM!!!
So obviously she has to find her.
She's not any sort of expert tracker, just really friendly and really nosy, so it takes her all of an hour or to pin down Clem's location. Well, a spot close enough to Clem's location to yell across the remaining space.]
CLEM! HEY, CLEM! CLEEEEEEEEM! CLEM CLEM CLEM!!!
[That kind of noise these days is a huge warning bell and it startles her completely. Who would scream like that?
Clementine turns to look at the offender with narrowed eyes. She knows her, she just has to place her. Her name, it was unusual. Japanese right? It was two years ago and a lot has happened since then.]
Clementine turns to look at the offender with narrowed eyes. She knows her, she just has to place her. Her name, it was unusual. Japanese right? It was two years ago and a lot has happened since then.]
[Not deterred in the slightest, Hajime rushes up to her and snatches her up in a hug.]
You got so big! Clem is gonna be a giant some day!
You got so big! Clem is gonna be a giant some day!
[Whoa whoa whoa! Clementine is startled by the hug, and she lets out a cry, not just of surprise but of pain, being squished against Hajime catches her arm up in that mess.]
I...let me go, okay?
I...let me go, okay?
Hm?
[Hajime loosens her grip, but she doesn't let go.]
Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?
[Hajime loosens her grip, but she doesn't let go.]
Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?
Yeah, kind of.
[Clementine raises her good arm and pushes on Hajime's shoulder so she can put a little distance between them and nurse her arm a bit. Her sleeve is still covered in the blood that was coming from the wound awhile ago.]
[Clementine raises her good arm and pushes on Hajime's shoulder so she can put a little distance between them and nurse her arm a bit. Her sleeve is still covered in the blood that was coming from the wound awhile ago.]
Then we should go back to the boat! It looks like you're gonna need some clean clothes, anyway.
[She pauses and looks Clem over. She looks pretty rough, the poor thing.]
Your old clothes aren't gonna fit, but you can borrow some of mine or Ai's.
[She pauses and looks Clem over. She looks pretty rough, the poor thing.]
Your old clothes aren't gonna fit, but you can borrow some of mine or Ai's.
[She exhales a little.]
Well I need to wash my clothes anyway. They're in pretty good shape. I just got them not too long ago when I got taller.
[Clementine glances at Hajime.]
I'm okay you know. I don't need to be protected anymore.
Well I need to wash my clothes anyway. They're in pretty good shape. I just got them not too long ago when I got taller.
[Clementine glances at Hajime.]
I'm okay you know. I don't need to be protected anymore.
'Course ya do! Everybody needs some protecting! The captain's always protecting Mitsuhide and they're both older than we are. Plus, it's my job to protect the whole Earth, so that means you too.
[She takes Clem's hand and tugs her in the direction of the docks.]
No need for the serious face. We're all together again.
[She takes Clem's hand and tugs her in the direction of the docks.]
No need for the serious face. We're all together again.
[Clementine is a little bewildered, but she can't just tell Hajime off. She sighs and lets her lead her back towards the ship.]
I've been gone a long time.
I've been gone a long time.
Has it? It's been three days here. We just got into Isla Empieza after meeting Onichika and all his friends on the Christmas boat. How long was it for you?
[Three days? That was it? Her eyes widen a little.]
Two years.
Two years.
Page 3 of 4