The first die cast -- again.

[thedicearecast]

[Amelia's given herself a little over a day to settle back into the Castle, much of it spent retracing steps she'd forgotten about completely until twenty-four hours ago. Most of that time has been spent alone, save for a few random encounters; she wants to be ready before she talks to most people, and to one person in particular. But midway through the day, Amelia opens her journal, still largely blank, lets out a slow breath, and starts speaking.]

This is Amelia. If anyone remembers when I was here before, I'm back now.

[She pauses for a moment then, considering something. The first time she'd been drawn to Paradisa, she needed a long conversation to realize what had been taken from her. This time she's noticed a certain absence right away, not a memory but a thing, although that doesn't make it much easier to accept.]

I think this place or whoever runs it--[Because she still refuses to completely believe the Castle is sentient]--took something else from me. I still have that same loss from before, but I can't find my glove. Not my cloth gloves; it's technology.

[Amelia hesitates. She wants to describe it, because maybe it can be found...except she knows better. Just like she knows that when she left, that memory came back only to be taken again.]

Anyway. I guess I should ask what I've missed.

[But of greater concern is the trek Amelia makes shortly after she finishes the entry. There's a piece of long overdue business to address, and Amelia heads downstairs to the castle basement. Regardless of anything else, Amelia can be glad for the chance to finally finish things with Legato.]

Comments

[endthem]

No. You don't want to know why.

[calm, empty, offhanded. as if the conversation is already beginning to bore him.]

That isn't why you are here at all.

[thedicearecast]

Oh really? Can you read my mind now, along with all of your other powers?

[All of which are blocked, from what Amelia's been told. Even as she asks she knows it isn't possible for him to read any of her thoughts, or take control of her body, make her fire her gun--

Yet it does little for the anxiety, or the way it threatens to make her temper flare.]

If you really think that, then you tell me why I'm really here.

[endthem]

If that was why you are here, I would answer your question and you would take it and simply walk away. ...But that isn't going to happen, is it?

[he straightens up a little, the movement making the buckles creak]

Would you really be satisfied with any answer I could give you?

[thedicearecast]

Probably not.

[Because nothing could justify the things he's done, even just those that Amelia knows of. How many other horrible crimes is Legato responsible for, either in this world or their own?

Amelia's body tenses at that creak, but she holds off the urge to step back. She won't show him any fear, damn it.]

But I still want to know what the point of all of it was supposed to be.

[endthem]

Why? Are you hoping it will bring you closure? Peace of mind?

[he's still only looking at her in the vaguest sense, head mostly hanging and eyes unfocused. And he sounds tired, like he can't quite muster the energy to invest all of his attention into the conversation]

[thedicearecast]

I already said it wouldn't.

[It might go against the better judgement of the guards or whoever else is listening, but Amelia frowns as she hits the glass again. Even if his reply had been that creepy smirk the first time, at least it was something.]

Don't act bored. Maybe trying to kill a whole city's worth of people really doesn't mean anything to you, but not everyone is insane. I want to know why you did it, Legato. What on Gunsmoke were you trying to prove to Vash, or anyone else?

[endthem]

[again, that little bit of violence gets a reaction. Invoking Vash's name helps as well. His expression doesn't change, but his eyes do sharpen up, voice sounding a bit more present.]

I don't know why you're asking, when you have very little hope of understanding at all. I'm sure I've tried to explain it before.

[but she's asking so nicely. ...ah, and now there is a small smile]

I was trying to help.