Catch-all: Claude

[ercnerd]

Comments

[shaft]

[ WELL PROVE HIM WRONG THEN ]

No. I hope you can sympathize with the fact we'd all like some information about that night.

Were you compelled to kill?

[ercnerd]

[Sympathize? Spreading the facts is all he expects out of tonight. He doesn't want sympathy.]

. . . You could say that. My hands committed the crime, but my control was lacking.

[shaft]

[ . . . ]</small Did you see anything? Anyone? Aside from the rest of us.

[ercnerd]

I saw a shadow. That was at the beginning of the week . . . It's gone now.

[shaft]

Was it with you this entire time?

Did it... say anything? Mention your hostage?

[ercnerd]

Mm, it was. It spoke to me once—that it would help me secure Mari's safety.

[shaft]

[ Great. ]

... Sounds like an ass. [ ... ] Did it have to be Flayn?

[ercnerd]

. . . It could've been anyone. She just happened to be there.

[shaft]

[ . . . ]

You didn't use your sword.

[ercnerd]

It would've been too obvious.

[The twin blades in one that he hefted around Wiwaldi is here in the cell with him. Using either or both really would've outed him right away.]

. . . And Soluna is an extension of my duty to enforce balance on Aernas. It's meant to cut down demons.

[shaft]

Fair enough.

[ He nods. ]

... Are you pissed off?

[ercnerd]

[His smile turns faintly wry.]

Of course I am.

[If he has to be honest, though, he's more ashamed than angry now.]

[shaft]

[ He sighs. ]

Yeah, me too. Is it safe to say there will be others like you? Each week?

[ercnerd]

If it happened once, it's bound to happen again. That's how these places operate.

[shaft]

[ rubs his face ]

Any advice?

[ercnerd]

Be kind to each other. . . . And get as much rest as you can.

[shaft]

... Thank you, Sieghart.

I'm sorry.

[ercnerd]

Don't be. I'll be fine. Spare that energy for the others.

[shaft]

Yeah? Nothing for you?

[ercnerd]

Who do you think you're talking to?

I'm the legendary gladiator, Sieghart. Death doesn't scare me, and it certainly won't stop me from achieving my goal. I can take care of myself just fine.

[shaft]

[ He huffs a quiet laugh. ]

Right. My bad. I'll make sure not to underestimate you again.

[ercnerd]

. . . If anything, it's me who should be sorry.

[His expression softens with a touch of remorse.]

Sorry. I put Flayn and everyone through that again—you as well. I can't right what was wrong, but that doesn't mean I can't do what's right going forward, so that's what I'll do.

[shaft]

... I know.

I wish it wasn't Flayn. Though it's kind of shitty to say it would've been okay if it were someone else.

[ He shakes his head. ]

But we need to keep our eyes on our actual enemy.

[ercnerd]

Yeah, we do.

Even if they end up closing tomorrow, I'll open mine as soon as I can. As for you . . . I don't know what the other bunches were like at their respective locations, but you guys should strive to work together.

[shaft]

We will.

[ Hopefully! ]

I'll be waiting for you to contact us from wherever you end up.