REDACTABLE - Rufus

[heartablaze]

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[soulus]

[He turns partway to her.]

I perceived your opponent clearly.

[heartablaze]

...You mean Eagle?

[Her smile is soft, saddened.]

I remember him. I didn't used to - not the last couple of times we've spoken, I don't think, but... I remember.

I remember his eyes the most. The color of a copper coin, and always so sad.

[soulus]

. . . Have you remembered anything else?

[heartablaze]

[She shakes her head.]

No. That's all that came back.

Why?

[soulus]

I wondered how you're doing compared to others. The rate of recovery varies.

[heartablaze]

Recovery...

[Her hand drifts back to run through her hair, to where the braid no longer was attached.]

I don't know. Nobody else has mentioned remembering anything.

[soulus]

As of now, there isn't much of a reason to mention it. There is also the issue of confidentiality.

[heartablaze]

Because it might involve our leaders, right?

How many secrets can we all keep to ourselves before they just start to hurt all of us, Rufus-san?

[It's asked very calmly.]

[soulus]

How many can we reveal before the Realm crumbles?

[heartablaze]

[She doesn't flinch under that expression.]

I don't know. I don't know if that's something we can test any more. Not after what happened a couple weeks ago. But at some point, we need to be saying more to each other than what we are right now.

I think too many people are lost on what to do, while others seem to have all the answers. I don't think that means people should be breaking the rules to spread that kind of information around... but we shouldn't have to have something horrible happen for people to bear their hearts and try to trust each other with something that might be difficult to hear.

I don't think we're going to be able to help this place unless we do it together, Rufus-san. And I think people are trying, but... I just wonder if we need to be a little braver about it.

[soulus]

. . . Is that my problem?

[heartablaze]

It's a problem you can help with. But it's not my job to force anyone's hand, Rufus-san.

Is there a reason you asked about Eagle?

[soulus]

There was no indication that you'd remembered.

[heartablaze]

Mm. I probably should have said something, huh. I'm sorry.

[That is not what he meant, but she doesn't seem too horribly concerned for some reason? It's fine.]

You saw the whole thing okay, though? No fuzzy parts or anything?

[soulus]

Yes. There were no splinters in your memories.

[heartablaze]

...Mmn.

[Her expression tightens a little.]

Could... I ask you to remember it for me, then, Rufus-san? As best as you can?

I remember most of it, but... I feel something important about it is gone. There were people missing. And...

I don't understand why I felt so strongly against Eagle to begin with, even though I... I remember the feeling itself.

[soulus]

. . . You said that he resembles Princess Emeraude, who left behind her adoring people.

[heartablaze]

Mmn.

I don't... remember why. I remember she attacked, and I killed her... but...

[There never was a reason, was there? So why did she feel so passionately angry, beyond just simple guilt?]

[soulus]

Before the test, you told Lantis that you fight for yourselves.

All but two candidates qualified. The testing place was Tokyo, where you learned of your opponent's plans for Cefiro. You then mentioned that you had killed Zagato.

[heartablaze]

[She simply nods, up until he mentions the testing grounds, where her expression suddenly blanks out.]

I... remember most of that, yeah. I think.

Sol Zagato was Princess Emeraude's high priest, and the one who captured her. Lantis was his younger brother.

[soulus]

According to you, they were in love.

[heartablaze]

[...]

I... what?

[Laughs in memory loss.]

I'm... sorry, Rufus-san, but, um... whatever you said was just nonsense. Are you sure?

[soulus]

In the memory, you likened them to your opponent and Lantis.

[heartablaze]

...I... did? That's not...

[Her confusion is muddled, but subdued.]

Eagle... looked so sad whenever he talked about Lantis. They were close. But I don't think it ever reminded me of anyone else...

[soulus]

I'm only stating what I experienced through you. If you really can't remember, it may be that you've forgotten.