02.50 - week two, saturday

[afflictionmods]

W2 SATURDAY

Like last Saturday, everyone will get an announcement on their tablets; this time, the announcement is preceded with a bell of some sort before Lorelei appears on the screen again.

"Good morning, everyone. This is an announcement to let you know that today's lesson will take place starting at 8:15 tonight. Again, today's lesson will be starting at 8:15. Please meet at the lower campus exit near the lecture by 8:00pm; Florence will be waiting for you there.

If you have a bag for some snacks and, perhaps, an item you can use for self-defense in the case of an emergency, please arrive with those things on you. We will provide you with an overview of what to expect when you arrive at 8pm.

Thank you."

The alert ends.

You have the day to prepare, ask each other what the hell is happening -- Florence and Lorelei do not seem to be available, strangely enough. There's a lot to take in with the information you have now. But before you know it... night falls.

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[fabulation]

...Shin?

[ Here is (1) martial artist, coming over with some items in his hand from earlier, yep. And after his possession escapades, probably??

Something about him seems odd from what Xingqiu can tell, though. ]

You're going at it rather hard, aren't you?

[ Not that he'd normally blame him and he has been, uh, busy doing something similar of his own... ]

[undertakings]

[The approach is level enough that he's not setting him off at the moment, so Shin will just turn around and face him with his frigid gaze, giving the impression he's not all entirely... looking at Xingqiu.]

This is the only thing cutting off our route of escape. The faster we remove it, the better.

[fabulation]

[ ...That's odd. Xingqiu doesn't know Shin well enough, but he has made his observations from not only speaking to him a couple of times but due to working on a team with him before—that this may not be normal for him. ]

That's true.

But, you seem a little off. Is something bothering you?

[undertakings]

...No. If anything, it's been easier since we got here.

[No need worry about any unnecessary emotions getting in the way, and no need to think about anything except what's in front of him... it's a cold clarity that isn't unwelcome, in many ways.]

[fabulation]

[ . . .

Yeah, that is strange because if anything Xingqiu has to say that things have grown even more difficult for them as of now. ]

How so, exactly?

[undertakings]

[There's a pause as he considers how to articulate what he's (not) feeling.]

I can focus on what needs to be done without anything getting in the way... and I don't need to think about anything pointless.

[fabulation]

It's not bad to focus on what needs to be done, but I'd hardly think things are easier now than they were before.

[ Which to him may be the red flag he's looking for, he thinks. It's very subtle, though. As if very hard to grasp, like trying to pull someone out of quicksand. ]

But, what would you consider to be 'pointless'?

[undertakings]

[There's something of a blank stare back at Xingqiu, like he can't resonate with that statement at all. Nevertheless, his brows furrow slightly at the question, like he's partially puzzling it out himself. And while he normally wouldn't air out his thoughts like this, he can't find it in himself to care much about that either.]

Questions I don't have the answer to, and emotions that aren't necessary... in the end, they don't accomplish anything, so isn't it better to go without?

[fabulation]

Isn't it important to find answers to those questions? If you just leave them hanging, how will you ever resolve whatever problems those questions may be tied to? Or get closure?

[ ... ]

Emotions, too, are necessary. Without them, we can lose the ability to understand and help the people around us. Or even help ourselves.

[ Xingqiu states firmly, with a belief that this is true. Even with the unpleasant experience he's had earlier, he can't help but think that this isn't wrong at all. ]

[undertakings]

[He closes his eyes, as if recalling something. When he opens his eyes next, the emptiness remains, but there's something in there that's also weary and resigned.]

...I can survive without answering those questions. And emotions would only distract me when I'm fighting, anyway... But this way, I don't need to worry about watching everyone around me die.

[fabulation]

...You would survive, but would it be a meaningful existence?

[ Logically and pragmatically these things sound like boons. But at the end of the day, can one call that truly living? ]

It's logical to maybe think that way. But, would it help when someone is suffering and all you can do is watch them die without a single care? Do your allies or friends deserve that? ...Do you?

...It sounds like just a lonely existence in the end.

[undertakings]

[What Xingqiu's saying probably isn't wrong. And perhaps there are parts that even would have resonated with Shin if he wasn't possessed. But as he is right now, it's difficult to feel much about any of it.

A lonely existence... Yes, that was exactly the case.]

They all leave me in the end anyway, no matter what I do. Even if I cared, it won't protect them from the Legion's attacks... it won't stop them from dying.