I'd like to discuss the situation with Guy Cecil. None of us expected him to...be with us today.
[Sweats. He takes a breath.]
So I'd like to know what you have planned. I understand that you, Connor, and Nonon have taken up the responsibility of guarding dangerous individuals?
[ It wasn't exactly planned, but that's where they've ended up. ]
... I won't speak for them, but I'd like to keep Guy safe. It's basically a certainty someone will come after him this week, even if only to hurt and not kill him. We plan to keep an eye on him, and he'll be in the dungeon at night.
... I know. I won't let anyone fall into that trap.
[ God. If he can't do any other fucking thing right in this temple lately, at least he can do that.
The request softens him, his brow furrowing into something concerned. ]
Piety...
[ ... a sigh. ]
... I don't want that for him, either. [ slow, his voice colored with complicated emotions. ] I believe one of us should remain with him at all times, because the risk of someone attacking him is just too high. But ... it's just to guard him, not contain him. I'm sure ... everyone will have their own reasons for wanting to speak to him, and they should be allowed to do that, too, as long as they don't hurt him. [ ... he shakes his head. ] I don't think we plan to restrict where he goes or anything like that. I certainly won't. The dungeon is just at night, so Nonon-san and I can sleep, and Connor-san isn't constantly occupied. Does that work for you?
For now, I suppose it's the most that I can ask for.
[His shoulders droop. It's clear he doesn't want to fight on the issue, even if he isn't particularly satisfied.]
He made a mistake...a terrible, terrible mistake, and I'd never ask anyone to forgive him for that. But I can give you my utmost confidence that he won't hurt anyone else for as long as he remains here. Guy isn't just Luke's friend, he's mine, too, and...I know he's better than this. He just thought...he thought he had to protect us.
[...]
I feel that I'm the one who should be taking responsibility. If I had proven to him that I'm...if my position didn't seem so precarious...I don't believe he ever would have done this in the first place. I'm so sorry. Please, hate me instead.
It's my fault. No matter what he did. I'll take the burden of that responsibility. Please...I can't erase what happened. I can't wash away the cruelty, or make up for the lives lost. But regardless of what we may or may not have asked for, we always promised to take on these acts in our own names.
[He hesitates, but then lowers himself to his knees, bowing his head as he places his hands together before him.]
[Piety shakes his head only slightly, making no move to lift himself.]
I do. A leader shouldn't inspire doubt in their people. In anyone, regardless of where their allegiances lie. If my ability to protect even one person so dear to me has been put into such question that it would drive someone to murder...who else should be to blame?
You don't need to do this for me, [ he gently clarifies. ] I don't hate him. Disappointed, betrayed, angry, all of those feelings I can't deny. But I don't hate him. Please, stand up.
[ ... soft: ]
I know what it is to be a leader who feels he failed those who look up to him. Who did fail them.
[ ... Yu is quiet at that. It's Connor he thinks of -- Connor, coldly telling Senri to stand. He gets to his feet, too. ]
I'm sure this isn't what you meant, but I want to be clear. I don't think anyone who does hate him is a hateful person by nature, or close-minded. Guy... deeply hurt many people in ways they may choose not to forgive, and I won't tell them that's wrong. It's only my own personal beliefs that I speak for when I say I don't hate him.
[ a breath. ]
Guy also made his own choices. You can't control his every action.
No, I didn't mean that. As I said before, I'd never expect anyone to forgive him. I apologize for poor phrasing. The last thing I'd ever do...is begrudge anyone for their feelings.
[His voice grows small.]
At the heart of it all, I'm just afraid for my friends.
He's shattered unlike I've ever seen him shattered before. I believe...things will turn around, but it will take time, and time...there...there isn't very much of it left.
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And Yu is ... pretty surprised Piety is approaching him, of all people. He'll blink a few times, but incline his head respectfully. ]
It's fine, Piety. What can I do for you?
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[Sweats. He takes a breath.]
So I'd like to know what you have planned. I understand that you, Connor, and Nonon have taken up the responsibility of guarding dangerous individuals?
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That seems to be the case.
[ It wasn't exactly planned, but that's where they've ended up. ]
... I won't speak for them, but I'd like to keep Guy safe. It's basically a certainty someone will come after him this week, even if only to hurt and not kill him. We plan to keep an eye on him, and he'll be in the dungeon at night.
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[But, there's clearly more than that going on here, given Piety's urgency.]
I just don't want him to be...treated like a prisoner.
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[ God. If he can't do any other fucking thing right in this temple lately, at least he can do that.
The request softens him, his brow furrowing into something concerned. ]
Piety...
[ ... a sigh. ]
... I don't want that for him, either. [ slow, his voice colored with complicated emotions. ] I believe one of us should remain with him at all times, because the risk of someone attacking him is just too high. But ... it's just to guard him, not contain him. I'm sure ... everyone will have their own reasons for wanting to speak to him, and they should be allowed to do that, too, as long as they don't hurt him. [ ... he shakes his head. ] I don't think we plan to restrict where he goes or anything like that. I certainly won't. The dungeon is just at night, so Nonon-san and I can sleep, and Connor-san isn't constantly occupied. Does that work for you?
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[His shoulders droop. It's clear he doesn't want to fight on the issue, even if he isn't particularly satisfied.]
He made a mistake...a terrible, terrible mistake, and I'd never ask anyone to forgive him for that. But I can give you my utmost confidence that he won't hurt anyone else for as long as he remains here. Guy isn't just Luke's friend, he's mine, too, and...I know he's better than this. He just thought...he thought he had to protect us.
[...]
I feel that I'm the one who should be taking responsibility. If I had proven to him that I'm...if my position didn't seem so precarious...I don't believe he ever would have done this in the first place. I'm so sorry. Please, hate me instead.
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Yu is silent for a very long moment, the look on his face horribly sad, but something else, too. ]
... Piety, he told us everything. Luke and I. Everything about what he did Thursday night.
[ like,
everything. ]
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[He hesitates, but then lowers himself to his knees, bowing his head as he places his hands together before him.]
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[ it's not even a question. Yu kneels, reaching out to gently touch the god's shoulders. ]
Please. You don't need to do this.
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I do. A leader shouldn't inspire doubt in their people. In anyone, regardless of where their allegiances lie. If my ability to protect even one person so dear to me has been put into such question that it would drive someone to murder...who else should be to blame?
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You don't need to do this for me, [ he gently clarifies. ] I don't hate him. Disappointed, betrayed, angry, all of those feelings I can't deny. But I don't hate him. Please, stand up.
[ ... soft: ]
I know what it is to be a leader who feels he failed those who look up to him. Who did fail them.
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...I'm sorry. I know that you aren't the sort of person to be close-minded or hateful. I've just felt so helpless about all of this.
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I'm sure this isn't what you meant, but I want to be clear. I don't think anyone who does hate him is a hateful person by nature, or close-minded. Guy... deeply hurt many people in ways they may choose not to forgive, and I won't tell them that's wrong. It's only my own personal beliefs that I speak for when I say I don't hate him.
[ a breath. ]
Guy also made his own choices. You can't control his every action.
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No, I didn't mean that. As I said before, I'd never expect anyone to forgive him. I apologize for poor phrasing. The last thing I'd ever do...is begrudge anyone for their feelings.
[His voice grows small.]
At the heart of it all, I'm just afraid for my friends.
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... you must know them well.
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[His hands shaking, he places them over his chest.]
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You aren't obligated to answer this, but ... Piety, are you from their world...?
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Yes...but please, I've only told one other person. I don't want...to cause them any trouble.
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I know. ... I understand what that's like, after all.
[ Yu breathes in slow and lets it out slower. ]
... Guy was my friend. I ... don't know how to feel about him now. But I swear to you I'll keep him safe, as much as it's in my power to do so.
[ ... ]
Luke ...
[ god. Where does he begin? The other boy is destroyed. ]
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[Trusted Guy.]
He's shattered unlike I've ever seen him shattered before. I believe...things will turn around, but it will take time, and time...there...there isn't very much of it left.
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