sparkstrikes | empatheias IC contact. (archive)

Your death.

[Her jaw clenches, and in the dim light of the streetlamps, he'll be able to spot it. Killing Caius meant killing the Goddess, and if that meant getting what he wanted, Lightning knew he would stop at nothing to get it, and he didn't. He had something he believed in and fought for, and won – he got what he wanted but why not see your efforts to fruition? Well, whatever. What's done is done and talking about that now with him won't do anything to change the past... With his death, though, she wonders if the little Seeress is even aware?

She looks at him now, too, her gaze sharp.]

Do you regret it? Now that you know what Yeul wants? Can't imagine she'll be too happy about that.

Do I regret it? Not even for a second, because in the end it led to Yeul finally being freed from the chaos... or at least one of them.

[ Caius gives her a sharp look in return, but as sharp as it might be, somehow it doesn't seem to have quite as much intensity as it once had. ]

Admittedly, there are a few things I will admit regret for....

Other than destroying the world?

[She rolls her eyes, but he was right about one thing – curiosity is getting the better of her. It's not often that Caius calls her out like this and even more rare that the two of them can have a somewhat calm conversation where they're only at each other's throats a little bit...]

Like what?

Still so curious?

[ It was a tiny jab at Lightning. She really must be nosy though, because there is no other way she would actually be this invested in Caius' well being or his thoughts. Perhaps she was a little bored too... Should he humor her any longer, or should he give her the cold shoulder. Either way she probably wouldn't care... ]

There is someone... other than Yeul who was hurt in all of this.

[ He frowns thoughtfully to himself as his gaze goes forward and he moves to stand up once more. ]

And there is no going back to fixing that.

[She doesn't follow him up, but she does watch him get to his feet. Lightning thinks she knows exactly who he means. She had a feeling that Caius cares a lot more than he lets on, and perhaps always has, in his own twisted way. They were all the others had at one point, and no matter the pain people have to go through, at the end of the day, they were still some kind of family. There's no erasing that, no matter how hard one tries, but at least here, things are different.]

No, you can't.

[There's no fixing what Caius had done, and there's no way for him to take it back – that much she knows. There will always be that hole in everyone's hearts.]

But you've got another chance. Use it.

[The last part is said with some vexation, because why is she even giving him this advice?!? What has he done to deserve it?]

[ He snorts softly, turning his head back to look at her, his hair falling over his shoulder. Why was he even telling her this much? Why did it feel like he was confiding so much of his feelings with her? Perhaps... it was just easier. Lightning and him weren't exactly comrades, but he didn't feel that hatred he once felt before. As of late it even seemed like she tolerated his existence.

Perhaps it was just easier to talk to Lightning, because she had a level head and despite her feelings toward him, she was still honest. ]

How does one start?

[Is this Caius trying to turn over a new leaf right here???

Lightning is trying to do the same, in a different sort of way, but it's not easy for people like them; people who have a hard time opening up, or letting others help. As much as she hates to admit it...]

Start by trying to live for yourself. It's not just about surviving anymore.

[There aren't threats here. No fal'Cie or Gods to tell them what to do, and Caius isn't even that much of a concern here. It's a lot easier to focus on other things when their first instincts aren't to just get past the day without a scratch from trying to take their enemies down a peg or two.]

That is easier said than done.

[ Then again, who ever said anything in life was easy in the first place? The two of them knew just how terrible life could be, and just how many curve balls it could throw at a single person. ]

When you live for someone else for so long, it's not easy to pull away from that mindset.

I did.

[It took a lot of work, and sometimes she still has troubles remembering that she needs to do more for herself and to stop worrying so much about others, but it's in her nature. She grew up looking out for Serah and only Serah that now, she's trying to figure out how to look out for herself, too.

And if Lightning can, she believes that maybe Caius can, too. They've both got about the same levels of stubbornness....]

Find something else you love and pour your heart into it.

[Or someone... If Caius is even capable of that.]

It feels... very strange to get encouragement from you.

[ It couldn't be pity. She didn't have enough feelings toward him to even consider pity, and he really didn't think she was that type of person either. ]

Find something else... who knew that a concept so simple would be the biggest trial...

[Lightning gets to her feet and folds her arms again, huffing in a 'you didn't have to point it out' kind of way. It was a matter of time before the moment was ruined by one of them... Lightning turns so that she's facing away from him entirely and shakes her head.]

Yeah, well... that part's up to you.

[She can't help him with that. If he truly wants to find a way to live happily ever after here, it's up to him and only him to find whatever that thing is. Wanting to change things is the very first step and if it took Lightning as long as it did for her, then she wonders how long it will take for Caius. It's none of her business, though.]

I gotta head back. It's late.

[ He gives her a small nod. He's taken up enough of her time, and he got the answers he wanted, at least for the most part. Even a little extra he wasn't expecting. ]

It feels strange wishing you a "good evening" so I will just leave with a rare sentiment of gratitude instead.

[ He doesn't turn to meet her gaze and instead just starts walking off. Where was he heading to? It was hard to tell. He wouldn't tell anyone where he was "living" anyway. He does pause briefly as if to say something else, but whatever it was he just ignored and kept on walking. ]

empatheias IC contact. (archive)

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