exsilium | 03

[The feed clicks on to a very somber-looking Rita. She opens her mouth to say something, but shakes her head, remaining silent for several more seconds. Eventually, she sighs and starts:]

I'm... not that good with stuff like this. I've been avoiding people for the last few weeks because I didn't want to deal with it, and I know now's not really a good time, what with all the new people. But... there's no way around it now.

[She looks right at the camera, and if you're looking closely, it's like her eyes are... out of focus. Is something wrong?]

I can't really see anymore, after I got too close to a bomb few weeks back. Anything really close, I can work with - I can still use this thing, at least. But anything much further than that, it gets blurry real quick, and at distances it's like nothing stands still. So... I'm pretty much useless for what I'm good at, right now. I'm not really... coping with it very well, and I'm trying to figure out what the hell I'll be good for like this. Maybe research, I guess, or spellwork. But I don't think I can fight like this. Before anyone asks, I tried glasses; they almost worked for a minute or three, until I got a horrible headache I couldn't function through. So that's a thing. Uh... so, I guess I'm looking for work that doesn't require me to actually be able to function.

[A long moment passes, the girl having a look of being totally lost for a second, before Rita throws up her hands, reaching to stop the video feed.]

I don't even know why I did this. Dammit.

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How do you figure that? I have one job, and most of my ability to do it is gone. I'm pretty sure it's the only reason anyone puts up with me.

[She still leans back into her roommate, though. Physical contact is good.]

*Pidonus just holds on, smiling a bit.*

There's two things that make me disagree with that. First, that you're still able to work the labs. And second, it seems that people have usually been recovering from the damage over time.

Failing that, there's a variety of other solutions possible. I mean, we've got experts from many worlds here.

Yeah, but... how much time? Weeks? Months? ...Years? It's a big risk to take, that I'll be all right by the time I need to fight again.

But... maybe you're right. I'm just gonna have to work through this, for better or worse. Dammit... damn it all!

[Rita's starting to shake... on further inspection, Pidonus will likely realize she's crying, silently.]

I didn't sign up for this...!

*Pidonus responds by hugging Rita tighter, saying no more. Better to let the girl just cry it all out for a bit, THEN she could try cheering her up some.*

I thought this would be like home... A little creatively applied violence, gels and holy artes when things went south, and a job well done. This... this wasn't what I was expecting. It... hasn't really sunk in until now.

I'm... Already used to elaborate plans and long games. But this is... Long even by my standards.

[Rita's calming down, if only a little.]

Yeah, and it's not gonna end anytime soon, is it? We're in for the long haul, here... and it's not going to be pleasant. Especially if I'n blind as a damn bat.

... Relax a bit. Don't worry about your vision for now. You can read, you can use your devices, and you can move.

We'll find a way to get your sight back in time. For now...

*Pidonus pulls Rita back, and down onto a chair.*

... Don't be afraid to take help. You'll have plenty of time to give it back later.

I hate owing people. It always comes back to bite me, somehow. But... right now, you might be right. I don't have a whole lot of other options.

Oh?

It's not like they're gonna take your soul if you don't freely offer it or something...

Debts create obligations. And when you're in my line of work - professional research, study of ruins, and occasional baddie-stomping - obligations to the wrong people at the wrong time can make your job impossible.

Not that this place is at all like the one I left. [Rita glances at a life bottle on a table nearby.]

I'd think being able to do your job better is better than being obligation-free... But that's me.

Hypothetical situation: Let's say I'm out on a job and I nearly get myself killed trying to take care of a monster. The Hunting Blades - in some alternate world where they aren't misguided as hell - happen to be walking by and save me, with the expectation I'll do something for them later, because that's how the guilds work.

The next week, I've got to do an official investigation into reports of illegal blastia use, and I find something. And now I've got the Hunting Blades staring at me, because they saved my life and this is how I repay them?

Well that one's easy. Bury the evidence for them once.

*Thoroughly nonlawful mindset here.*</>

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