queenofheartsrp | fifth light [action/video]

[Epsilon is seated on one of the benches in her memorial garden, which is near the edge of the Gardens. Standing before her is a very tall, muscular woman with short, blonde hair, dressed simply in pants and a sleeveless t-shirt. She appears human, but if someone were to study her very closely, they might realize that she is not breathing, and she does not blink. The two women are too preoccupied with each other to realize the Vine is recording them.

At first, nothing seems to be overtly wrong. Epsilon appears quite calm. Then the taller woman speaks, her voice low.]

There's nothing left now.

[Epsilon's eyes widen, but she holds the woman's gaze.] You mean--everyone?

There was no one to protect them, after you were gone.

I-- [As the full meaning of this sinks in, Epsilon's calm suddenly breaks, and she buries her head in her hands.]

[The other woman continues to speak, implacably.] You watched it happening, and you were too weak to act. It's your fault.

[Epsilon looks up again, and although her expression is as pained and twisted as if she's been crying, there are no actual tears on her face.] I accept responsibility for my choice.

For all their deaths?

[Though Epsilon cannot answer this question verbally, she nods. Another few moments pass before she can speak again, her voice edged with desperation. She doesn't want to be alone. In spite of the woman's anger, Epsilon knows her--though the robot she remembers was male in form. Nonetheless, this person is a part of her world, something that remains.] Stay with me, Heracles.

With a weak little traitor like you?

[Epsilon nods again.] Yes.

[After a hesitation, the woman snorts.] All right. There's nowhere else I could go, now. I'll stay with you, to remind you. You shouldn't be allowed any peace after what you've done. What you didn't do. [Heracles sits beside her on the bench.]

[Epsilon does not object. She's aware that this woman might not be real, could well be another of the Gardens' illusions. Heracles died before she herself did; how would Heracles know what had happened after? Yet Epsilon has no way to contradict her words. It is all too possible that they could be true. She has feared that possibility since arriving here. She has no knowledge of what happened after she was destroyed. Her children, dead. Everyone dead. She can see the flowers all around her, so bright and tall, but they seem so far away.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Epsilon rises, unhurt.]

It matters a great deal. Everything that happens to people matters, Dot. What happens in our worlds is still important, even though we're here.

[Heracles doesn't seem impressed by these words. Instead, she's angry.] Then why didn't you do something? Why didn't you save them? You didn't act. You were always too weak. [She rises as well and stands facing Epsilon. She looks as if she wants to strike her again.]

It doesn't have to. You wouldn't have to talk to that bitch at all right now if you just let it go.

No, that isn't true. Everything does matter. Letting go of my home and everyone I love would only do harm. I'll always remember them all. Like Heracles. [She turns toward the other woman again.] Heracles isn't like that. It can't be the same person. I know it isn't.

[She says this confidently, and Heracles suddenly disappears. Epsilon looks sad for a moment, then turns toward Dot.]

You can't forget the things that are important.

It's not fuckin' important.

[It's not that she doesn't feel distressed by what happened, but it isn't so immediate now. She can reduce that emotion to a low, dim sadness, turning her attention to Dot, instead.] Why do you say that?

What matters to you?

Nothing!

Why would I be worryin' about shit when I'm on fuckin' vacation? No monks breathin' down my neck, plenty of chicks to fuck. It'd be perfect if I could eat what I wanted.

I didn't ask what worries you. I asked what matters to you. What do you care about?

All the food you might need is provided here.

That's what I care about.

And I'm not fuckin' human, I'd eat these bitches if the Queen wouldn't fuck me up for it.

Don't you care about anyone here? I care about you.

You know I'm not human, either. [After what happened with the Pokémon, Epsilon isn't entirely surprised by Dot's announcement, though she isn't happy, either. Her expression is concerned.] There's no need for you to do so.

Why would I waste my time caring about you people? We're all just gonna get shipped off back home eventually.

We'll fuckin' see about that. It's not like I eat it for kicks, I don't get all washed out and wrinkly like Jan does when he doesn't get his red meat, but you try being hungry all the time and get back to me on that one.

Caring isn't a waste of time. It takes no more time than its opposite. Even if we're sent home, that doesn't mean our time here doesn't matter.

It's true that I don't know what hunger is like, but I do know what it's like to experience discomfort for the good of others. Do other kinds of meat not provide you with what you need?

It'll waste my time eventually, if not my energy.

And it's gotta be human. Jaromir feeds us fuckin' ham back home and we all just lie around hungry.

If you do truly care, the time won't feel wasted. [Epsilon says this simply, not as if she's trying to contradict Dot.]

I don't believe you should be made to suffer. If there's some component in human flesh that you're lacking, the Queen might be able to synthesize it for you. I know she does that for some people here.

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