Post-Trial, Week 1

[thanatosincarnate]

{ The quiescence that filled the room that had showcased such an abhorrent execution after a few remarked meant it was time make a departure. The Eldarian warrior had only been arrested by the quick and good-hearted greeting by a certain young woman. He had been brusque in his own actions, and all the same, seemed in harmony with what she suggested.

The pale-haired man obstensibly acted as if it was a mild inconvenience and was as "friendly" as ever -- but he had his own reasons for following.

Once they were within her room, he crossed his arms, taking his usual rimrod straight stance in posture. }

Hmph. Afrer what had happened, I didn't think anyone would want to bother to confer with another alone so soon. What did you want to talk about?

Comments

[allout]

[ minako isn't sure why, but there's something about arumat that engages her. maybe it's something as simple as his name, or perhaps a little more than that... but his brusque nature makes her want to befriend him, or at least see if she can make him smile. everyone here might need a little cheering up, especially after what's just transpired. ]

I'm not going to let myself be afraid of anybody unless they give me a good reason to. [ and that implies that he hasn't. ] I just... wanted to see if you were okay, I guess. Maybe get your opinion on some stuff.

[thanatosincarnate]

{ Arumat doesn't seem to respond much to her first half of her sentence except with a grunt of sorts -- she had a good point. She was likely one of the few who didn't get immediately defensive or paranoid about his appearance.

As well as one of the few to even check up on him. He almost seems to relax -- but he doesn't really know how to, so he just stiffens immediately after. }

I'm fine. I don't have to deal with others being insufferable in the same room as I am for at least a few days. The culprit was caught, and Callisto avenged.

{ ... }

You seem to be doing alright. At the beginning, when Callisto had been found, I had my doubts -- but you pulled through well. Correct me if I'm wrong.

If I'm not wrong, what matter do you want my opinion on?

[allout]

[ nope! she's seen some spooooopy shit in her time on earth, and he's one of the more tame things she's dealt with. she knows how to handle the gruff, non-friendly types, and she knows arumat just needs to be given a chance. ]

Well... You're half right, I guess. I tried my best to help with finding the evidence, and I'm doing just fine right now! But to tell the truth, I actually ended up voting for the wrong person...

[ it was her own fault, really. she won't disclose who it was that she voted for, but being so involved with the case actually made her end up forgetting to change her vote before the trial was over. it was an oversight, and one that she won't be so careless about in the future. ]

I think I just need to get used to the whole "trial" thing.

[ there's a pause as she looks down, mulling over her question. ]

What do you think about all of this, Arumat-san? The motives, the killing - do you think it's all really worth it?

[thanatosincarnate]

{ The Eldarian does not give any obvious signs to the common observer that he was okay with her presence, but given that he's not being overtly rude, he actually does not mind her presence at all.

Her being one to not back down from a fight, thoughtful, and friendly probably made this even possible. }

You do. Next time you'll vote for the right person -- this time was obviously a fluke.

{ He doesn't pry -- Arumat isn't really the type to dig for details especially when he considered them not too important. }

... I'll tell you what I think. Listen closely.

{ ... }

I once told someone that the ultimate obliteration of one's enemy mid-confrontation was at the core of conflict -- something that people followed to achieve their victory. In the end, they're attempting to force that belief on us. The thought and belief 'killed or be killed' -- some sort of twisted natural selection they thought would pave a way to the future. It was similar to what these monsters, who lived in shadows, were doing in the part of space I had come from.

In that situation, where people thought that if they listened to a malicious being that advocated for a 'new future in a new universe' that they would get something out of it, and the end result wasn't pretty.

No one with integrity would kill off civilians who couldn't defend themselves. To even trust that those who pushed for this to happen would even deliver on their promise in any motive is foolish and can even mean a fate worse than death itself.

Nothing they offer you, I, or anyone else here will ever be worth it. Nothing.

[allout]

I mean, the ideal would be to not need to vote for anyone at all... But you're right. I'll still be ready for it.

[ but she does listen carefully, nodding along as she does. it's a serious topic, but she finds herself smiling slightly when he finishes speaking. ]

I feel the same way. Those motives can plant an idea, but it's only that. I think a lot of us here are stronger than that.

[ not everyone, but many. but there's another thing that he said that interests her-- ]

What would you consider "a fate worse than death"?

[thanatosincarnate]

{ If only someone didn't give into the motive so they didn't have to bother with the trials -- he's already sick of them and he's only been involved in one. }

That and we still don't know what the end of this Cradle Project entails or what use this ship had before we came upon it. The dust in the daycare means this craft has been around for quite awhile anyway.

{ He crosses his arms. }

The monsters I mentioned briefly were called the Grigori. They were beings able to twist the nature of anything they touched -- including people. This meant they could cause someone to turn into a monster, like themselves. Something like that happening for example, would be what I'd consider as much to be worse than dying itself.

I doubt anyone here has heard of them or had to deal with anything similar.

{ Since it seems to him that no one here has heard of Eldar, which made the probability low... }

[allout]

I can't say I've seen something exactly the same at that... but I think I know what you're talking about.

[ as she listens to him talk, the first thing that comes to mind is seeing the victims of apathy syndrome roaming aimlessly around tatsumi port island. to have your soul stolen away from you by a shadow... something like that was a fate worse than death, wasn't it? you were living, but only as a husk - all of your humanity was sapped away.

it's a sad thing to reminisce about. at least she can count on the fact that no one had to suffer like that again. but enough about that. ]

But our first priority should be trying to solve the mysteries of what the heck this ship is... or what it was, I guess.

[thanatosincarnate]

Which is another reason why we can't give into those motives.

{ If anything, Arumat was of the mind that giving into killing would also leave them in the dark as to what the hell was even going on. }

I don't know much about this spacecraft, but I've been able to make some educated guesses. It doesn't appear to be an Eldarian vessel of any sort, and giving what information we've received -- it's a craft from Earth. Although, it doesn't happen to use any measuring system from Earth or Eldar.

We should make a list of goals -- specifically on what to undercover first.

{ He brings up his datapad which has a program propped up probably with something typed in. It's ... surprise!! A list.

1. What is the Cradle Project?
a. How and why was it set up?
b. When was it conceived?
c. What else does it entail in its entirety -- besides having us murder each other?

2. Who is behind this?
a. How many members are/were involved? Who is or was involved? The AI won't confirm any numbers or names so far, so we need to figure it out ourselves.
b. What are their intentions?
c. How long has this been going on -- or been in progress for?

3. How were we taken from our worlds and placed here?
a. How were they able to seal away some or all of our abilities?
b. When were we taken?
c. How do we even understand each other, exactly? }

This is what I have so far. Any suggestions?

[allout]

It's sure not something that I'm familiar with, and I'm from Earth. From the time that I'm from, space travel isn't nearly this expansive.

[ she nods at everything he's typed up as she reads on, considering all of the questions herself. it's not as if she has the answers, but they're all good things to keep in mind.

she does have a suggestion, though. ]

Just one. Out of all the people in all of the universes that exist... why take us, specifically?

[thanatosincarnate]

Yet, from where I've come from, Earth has perfected space travel and has space craft in other areas of space.

{ He seems to think upon this one in particular. }

There are billions of individuals out there -- this is why the answer to us being selected over those others is just as important to figure out.

[allout]

Wow...

[ she thinks on that for a moment; about just how many different times and worlds that they all come from. it's really interesting when she really stops to consider it, but it also brings up more questions that need answers. ]

Yeah. I mean, there has to be some kind of hint on this ship, right?

[thanatosincarnate]

Undoubtedly.

{ After all, it's not possible to dwell in ignorance here forever -- considering their circumstances. }

It's not like that AI will be able to hide it all forever. A machine or computer is hardly omnipotent. In addition, once we have enough knowledge to form a proper strategy, we'll be able to route out the enemy and obliterate them.