[semi-accidental video]

[double_edged]

[Not even a day has passed and you can already expect Azimuth to be on his feet, continuing life as normal. Except something about him still seems off, and in the process of preparing breakfast, the old Lombax could be seen stopping from time to time, murmuring to himself, or pausing to lean on the counter. His movements are stiff and hesitant, though he manages enough sense of mind to nearly complete an entire bowl of cereal.

Milk poured, an unsteady hand sets the gallon aside, opting to put it back in the fridge later. This is followed by another hesitant pause, and the Elder stares strangely down at the Lucky Charms filled to the rim.

He raises the spoon.

But his head is first to splash into the bowl, nearly knocking it over.

No, Alister, that's not how you eat.]

[ooc: aaaand wrap-up post. Alister's staying at the Villa with Rin and Yukio until he's a bit more steady on his feet. o7]

Comments

video; filtered

[double_edged]

--h-he's here? You talked to him? Why didn't you--

It's... it's Kaden. His name is Kaden.

video; filtered

[fulmination]

Why didn't I do what?

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[double_edged]

You didn't tell me.

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[fulmination]

I assumed we weren't on speaking terms, Azimuth.

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[double_edged]

That isn't an excuse! You don't understand, he--!

[Whoa whoa, we're getting pretty worked up here, aren't we? The Lombax breaks into a rough coughing fit, nearly falling off his chair.]

video; filtered

[fulmination]

Is this supposed to mean something to me?

_{[Alister he is not going to wake you up if you pass out, gosh.]}

video; filtered

[double_edged]

...haven't you ever had someone depart from your life? Wouldn't you want to see them again, finding out they're actually alive?

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[fulmination]

I can't say I've had anyone like that, so no.

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[double_edged]

But you were a soldier. There had to have been someone.

video; filtered

[fulmination]

Like what?

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[double_edged]

A bunk-mate, an acquaintance in a dropship. Nothing?

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[fulmination]

Nothing. Three days after I was placed on the front lines, my bunkmate was killed on his patrol so I never did get the chance to know him. It was a shame though considering he just turned eighteen.

video; filtered

[double_edged]

...war can be like that. And those who treat soldiers as heroes never get to see the other side.

video; filtered

[fulmination]

I can't say I've ever been hailed as a war hero.

_{[Because you know. Mad Bomber is just so much classier.]}

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[double_edged]

You don't need that kind of burden, anyway.

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[fulmination]

It couldn't be any worse than doing prison time simply for doing my job.

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[double_edged]

Would you rather a wasteland?

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[fulmination]

Ishval was a wasteland, Azimuth - A wasteland that was governed by death itself.

video; filtered

[double_edged]

Was it... populated?

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[fulmination]

It was up until I was called in with a number of other alchemists.

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[double_edged]

...you killed them.

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[fulmination]

It was ordered by the Fuhrer himself. Presidential Decree #3066 stated that all State Alchemists with combat-suited abilities would be sent to the front line to act as human weapons in the Ishvalan Extermination campaign seven years after the war began.

video; filtered

[double_edged]

Ex... extermination.

Why. Why.

video; filtered

[fulmination]

What part of orders don't you understand? I didn't enjoy it like some of my superiors did.

_{[Shhhh, he just liked it mostly for the fact that he could use his alchemy without any real issue.]}

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[double_edged]

Orders... can be--overturned!

[Whoop, we're getting a little worked up here, aren't we? The Lombax is trying to sit up now, shaking and glaring at the feed.]

You have no excuse!