paradisa | (no subject)

[Katara has never had issue with the beds in Paradisa. They were warm, comfortable, but as snug and content as she is in the blankets, she can sense that there’s something maybe just a little off. There’s pressure against her arm and side - something is cuddling her.

Momo isn’t in Paradisa. So what in the world —

She shifts just a little, groggily opening her eyes and looking to the side.

Oh. It was Joshua.

Joshua was cuddling her. Of course.]

[Katara flings herself back, knocking her journal off of the bedside table — and this is where it begins transmitting. She screams.]

What are you doing in my room? What are you doing in my bed? [Her voice just gets shriller and shriller.] Out, out, out, out, out!

[ And while anyone listening might expect just as loud of a reaction (After all this is a rather commonplace scenario here, isn't it?) from whoever is invading the poor girl's bed, instead there's just a soft grunt of irritation. He's half-asleep and not placing the voice, but the shriek sure sounds familiar. He mutters groggily, ]

Huh, Langley...?

Joshua?!

[Another shuffling sound, and the sound abruptly stops as Katara scoops the journal off the floor.]

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...Yes. I remember my sister now, after all. But you know, the castle was the one to take those memories in the first place. Does that even count?

You... remember her? [oh wow, this is the first she's heard of this. her expression softens and she looks like she's about to say something (she almost wants to ask about her, this person that he's always loved so much... she's always wanted to know more about her) before she changes her mind]

I don't know. I guess it's a blessing that balances out something sad. So maybe... this loss is something happy to make up for a lot of other suffering that you've experienced because of Paradisa.

Hmph. The only time I suffered here was during that pathetic spring and summer.

If it wanted to make me happy, I can think of much better things.

[ah... it's sad to have him call those times suffering]

I guess it's just like a good thing back home, sometimes they're hard to recognize.

Mm? And what's a good memory from home that you didn't recognize before?

Hm... [she looks up for a second, then back through the crack in the door when she thinks of an answer]

My journey, everything about it.

Everything?

Mm hm. It was painful at times... and there were a lot of times that I was really afraid.

But it's because of that journey that I learned something really important, and we were able to save a lot of people. So... I'm glad.

[And, don't mind Katara. She will just be getting up from her meditation corner as quickly and silently as she can, making a beeline for her bathroom door. Her head is ducked and her movements are swift.

It's impossible not to overhear, but she really doesn't want to.]

[ Katara's movement draws a flick of his gaze, but nothing else. He had assumed she could hear their conversation, but it's not something he cares about really. It's only a bother when the whole castle hears.

Back to Colette. ]

All that matters is that you survived it, right? With the people important to you.

[the gaze makes her pause, and she tries to adjust her view so she can see what he's looking at... oh. never mind, she can vaguely hear the sounds of someone else moving. But she won't comment on it, if Katara doesn't want to say anything]

Mm, and we discovered that if you search, there's always a way to make a world where no one has to sacrifice themselves.

[ He laughs softly, but not kindly. ]

That sounds like a nice, idealistic world. Like something out of a fantasy.

[mm, she hears that tone]

I used to think so too... but I think if people are willing to work hard for it, it can become reality.

If that's what they care about, sure. That's why it's war. Both sides believe in what they're fighting for.

Your side just happened to be more driven, and stronger.

Then, both sides are trying to create something good! There has to be a way for them to compromise, or understand each other.

Not when one's side goal involves destroying and rebuilding the world. No compromise there.

Why do they want to destroy the world?

I already answered that. To rebuild it. In order to tear down the twisted monarch and her kingdom, sacrifices must be made. Humans no longer enter the picture. Most of them will probably die, if not all.

Of course, my sister will be at my side.

No... [oh this breaks her heart. How can anyone... think that is okay? It reminds her too much of Mithos' ideals the world he wanted to build]There must be a way to destroy the... monarch without sacrificing lives.

This isn't a whim of Aion's. He's hundreds of years old, and he's been planning this for some time. Everything is at stake, and before arriving here I recall we were merely moments away from the climax.

This is a fight for the demons, and for a new world. Something you wouldn't understand.

[she shakes her head, even if he can't really see her with the door and all] You're right. And... I don't think I'd really want to understand.

That's probably best. You're fine the way you are. We couldn't exactly convince Hendric to see it our way, either, even if she was cooperative.