❝ i was shattered. i lost everything. ❞ ❝ i warned you not to take me lightly. ❞ ❝ we’re partners, aren’t we? ❞ ❝ ever since we’ve met, you’ve been disobedient and rude. ❞ ❝ take suffering as your companion, and unease and fear as friends. if you do, darkness will become light. ❞ ❝ it’s a cold world out there. you’ve gotta learn to trust folks. ❞ ❝ as you stand before me now, you’re all desperation and bravado. that is not true bravery. ❞ ❝ you can’t change your past and you can’t change who you were. you can only decide who you’re going to be. ❞ ❝ resentment is a trap of the heart into which everyone falls. ❞ ❝ you don’t look well. are you ill? ❞ ❝ you were born into life with a destiny. you cannot run away from that. ❞ ❝ you carry a smouldering darkness inside you. ❞ ❝ it’s considered impolite not to give your all in a fight. ❞ ❝ at dusk and dawn…it’s easy for all sorts of things to sneak by. ❞ ❝ since that day, so much has changed for me. ❞ ❝ i’m sorry. it’s been hard, huh? ❞ ❝ a true hero must shoulder a heavy responsibility. ❞ ❝ stay calm. move cautiously and remain vigilant. ❞ ❝ one more time. try telling the truth. ❞ ❝ why keep fighting until you’re just a broken wreck? ❞ ❝ if we start a fight, we must be ready to hit back. ❞ ❝ in the end, it’s easier just to be selfish. ❞ ❝ i was lost without you. i was lonely. ❞ ❝ why do i so often taste this sense of loss? ❞ ❝ i think both our journeys are pointing to the same place. ❞ ❝ power does not inhabit a blade without bravery. ❞ ❝ did you hear something? like the cry of a beast… ❞ ❝ what’s wrong? if you’re too weak, then just leave. ❞ ❝ what is strength? is it displays of power mocking the weak? destroying beauty simply to satisfy your greed? ❞ ❝ you get too worked up over things. ❞ ❝ easy for you to say. i’m the one getting beat up. ❞ ❝ i don’t need thanks. i didn’t do it for you. ❞ ❝ depending on your attitude…i might be able to help. ❞ ❝ if you don’t do as i say, i’ll take your arm off. ❞ ❝ as leader, i will not choose the path of pain and death for my people. i must protect them. ❞ ❝ strength isn’t about power…it’s about being brave. ❞ ❝ you have good eyes. the eyes of a proud beast. ❞ ❝ if the need arises, i will not hesitate to pick up a sword and fight. ❞ ❝ i guessed you had a secret past.   people can try to hide it, but nature shows through. ❞ ❝ i was lying when i said i’d never held a sword.❞ ❝ there’s no time for sentimentality. ❞ ❝ if someone comes in who knows about your past, i’ll protect you if they try to hurt you. ❞ ❝ is there something strange about me? ❞ ❝ be careful…there have been monsters around here lately. ❞ ❝ choose…surrender or die. ❞ ❝ when i feel uneasy or afraid i just think: ‘this is my mission’. ❞ ❝ don’t take me for nothing more than a fine doll good only for decoration. ❞ ❝ i’m nothing more than dirt. i’m not worth all that effort. ❞ ❝ why do you think we’re any safer here? ❞ ❝ don’t die on me now. ❞ ❝ ha! even you have a good idea sometimes. ❞ ❝ i fought through all kinds of monsters to get here…and i survived. ❞ ❝ i’ve spent so long looking for you! i’m so glad you’re safe. ❞ ❝ people are always hovering over me…and it’s so suffocating! ❞ ❝ some detours lead to unexpected good luck. ❞ ❝ you say whatever you think…i’ve never done that. ❞ ❝ there is no greater joy than helping a friend. ❞ ❝ what do you mean ‘never mind’? ❞ ❝ these days such peaceful travels are rare indeed. ❞ ❝ wildly rushing into danger isn’t courage. ❞ ❝ didn’t you say there’s something you need to do, no matter what it takes? ❞ ❝ i sense unprecedented danger approaching. ❞ ❝ how do you feel now, looking back upon yourself at that time? ❞ ❝ as usual, you’re a wimp. ❞ ❝ resentment is dangerous. it comes in through the slightest crack in your heart. ❞ ❝ i’d go to the ends of the earth for you. ❞ ❝ it really hasn’t been that long, but you’ve grown into a fine man. ❞ ❝ now is the time for us to take back all that was stolen. ❞ ❝ one thing’s certain — those aren’t human. ❞ ❝ what do you fight to protect? answer. ❞ ❝ i wish you wouldn’t do such dangerous things. ❞ ❝ if you got hurt due to my mistakes…i don’t think i could live with that. ❞ ❝ why would you do all that…when we’ve only just met? ❞ ❝ it’s a pretty name. perfect for you. ❞ ❝ once your wounds heal, you’ll need to leave right away. ❞ ❝ the hero on his knees! quite a sight. ❞ ❝ how does it feel to be so strong? quite a rush, isn’t it? ❞ ❝ you’re all puffed up on your own arrogance…drunk on your own pride. ❞ ❝ i once wondered how good you are…now i see you’re really skilled. ❞ ❝ i’m not physically strong like you…but my wits, brains and analysis can be helpful. ❞ ❝ don’t say you can’t accept that this is the end. ❞ ❝ you just want to satisfy your own ambition and lust for power. ❞ ❝ it’ll be all right because we’re together. ❞ ❝ why would you leave me at a time like this? ❞ ❝ for the first time i feel like i’m overflowing with incredible power. ❞ ❝ there’s no time for doubt. you are the chosen one. ❞ ❝ your problem is that you demand absolute perfection. ❞ ❝ there is no easy path. but you can definitely overcome it. ❞ ❝ i’m so very sorry. i broke my promise. i hurt you. ❞ ❝ that’s the spirit. hate me more. only then will this fight be worthwhile. ❞ ❝ i thought you were dead. ❞ ❝ well…? say something. or has my beauty left you speechless? ❞ ❝ i never forgot you. not for one moment. ❞ ❝ sorry for killing the mood. ❞ ❝ light and shadow are two sides of the same coin. one cannot exist without the other. ❞ ❝ if you desire something…then that is my desire too. ❞ ❝ who says i’m afraid of you? ❞ ❝ your weapon is little better than a toy. ❞ ❝ all that awaits you is despair. ❞ ❝ i’ve done the unforgivable. i betrayed you. ❞ ❝ i’m here to repay you for what you’ve done. ❞ ❝ since i’ve met you, we’ve travelled a long way…and a lot has happened. ❞ ❝ are you on a journey of self-discovery? ❞ ❝ that was a great strike. if i was a hair slower, you’d have gutted me. ❞ ❝ when i was young, i wanted to be a hero. ❞ ❝ your struggle is futile. ❞ ❝ as you can see, i know how to fight. ❞ ❝ my hatred toward you will not be satisfied by merely killing you once or twice. ❞ ❝ you’ve been through a lot. ❞ ❝ whose side are you on? light or shadow? ❞ ❝ if you run then we’re done for! fight to survive! ❞ ❝ i’m not strong enough. not good enough. ❞ ❝ i must crush your bones, rip out your organs and relish your lingering cries of pain. ❞ ❝ that was close, huh? ❞ ❝ rest now. you don’t have to fight any more. ❞ ❝ i bear this sword so i can protect my home in times like this. ❞

why cant you break up like normal people why’d you have to get everybody involved

"   I'M  NOT  ON  ANYONE'S  SIDE.   "    none  but  her  own,    anymore.   that's  how  it  should've  been,   and  that's  how  it's  staying.   his  lips  pull  into  a  soft  frown  as  dark  eyes  take  in  the  quirkless  form.   (   she  remembers  him,   bright  eyed  and  young.   )      hopelessly  naive,    like  she  was  once.   but  time  makes  students  of  them  all   —   and  the  commission  chews  up  and  spits  out  everyone  it  touches.   hawks  was  never  going  to  be  exempt  -—   and  yet,    she'd  hoped.      "   i'm  just  here  for  a  pardon  ...   what  do  they  have  you  doing  now,  anyways?   " / @wingin

we should have been on the same side. he bites his tongue to keep himself from talking, but truthfully, he's too tired to argue these days. there is a lack of weight on his back that he's still learning to live with, but seeing her now brings with it phantom pains; fire at his back and licking at his face. these things are not kaina's fault, but hawks wants someone to blame. he can admit this. but instead of spitting vitriol, he gives the barest bones of a smile. i'm optimistic to a fault. that feels like a lifetime ago, now. he wonders if kaina believed him then, and if he believes him now. ❝ deskwork, mostly. apparently i'm no good without bein' able to fly around, so. . . ❞ he shrugs. tries not to let that same bitterness from earlier seep into his words. ❝ maybe i can be an accountant. might pay better. ❞

"    HAWKS...   let's  have  a  chat.   "    legs  cross  at  the  knee. it pats the seat beside it.    the  suit  she  wears  still  hangs  loose  on  skin  and  bone,  not  unlike  the  way  clothes  cling  to  corpses  at  funerals.   (  no  matter  how  many  times  grandpa  or  grandma  wore  that favorite  sweater,   it  never  quite looked  like  it  fit  them  in  that  casket!  )   despite  how  well-dressed  he's  made  himself  now,   that  whispery,   nails-on-chalkboard  voice  has  not  yet  lost  its  boyish  tone.  "   dabi  said  you  were  with  us;    i  just  don't  know  if  i  buy  that,  number  two  hero.   " / @wingin

❝ what, am i not warm, cuddly, and trust - worthy enough for you? ❞ his smile is an easy one, even with the way her voice grates at his ears. eyes dart to the offered seat, and with a roll of his shoulders, he dismisses his feathers to rest in a neat pile in the corner so he may more comfortably lean back once he's seated. he mimics its posture almost without thinking; a learned thing, to mirror someone so he seems normal. it feels wrong, but then, this whole ordeal feels wrong. he uncrosses his legs. his knee bounces slightly and his hand comes to rest atop it in an attempt to stop the motion. ❝ nah, seriously. i'm with you guys, whatever you need. the whole hero thing. . . kinda a load of crap, don't you think? ❞

a finger points to a chair tucked under the small table you've been alloted. this room is far too small for a reunion like this. you would prefer the outdoors, where you could walk away. keigo has you hostage to a conversation you would rather never have, but at least you can benefit. at least you only have to endure until he grows bored. or too uncomfortable, whichever comes first. ‘ get me some real food an' you can talk. ’

❝ so. . . do i have to wait for you to stuff your face, or am i allowed to talk while we wait? 'cause i'll be honest, i hate the idea of sitting in silence with you. ❞

‘ when they said there was a visitor, ’ head tilts with the feigned sneer in your voice. eyes don't move from the boring view outside. you know the sound of everyone else that would dare to visit — their gait, the way they knock — and you know when to expect them. but not @wingin. you believed your last meeting would have been the final. he, in a way that differs from you, should not be here. ‘ you're the last person i would've guessed. ’

❝ . . . sorry. ❞ you give a dismissive wave of your hand. you really don't know what to say to them, after everything. ❝ i just figured you could use a change of scenery. more than the faces of your family, yunno? and... i'unno. we should talk. or i can go get you food that's not the crap i imagine they're feeding you, and i can talk while you ignore me. ❞