REDACTABLE - Rufus

[heartablaze]

Comments

[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.

[heartablaze]

...Mmm.

[She doesn't seem too horribly upset by this, like he just told her he doesn't like the color blue or something.]

I guess so. I've forgotten a lot, lately.

How about you, Rufus-san? Do you still remember about your Underworld?

[soulus]

[Of course she has.

But before he can answer either way, a bubble pops in the vicinity, engulfing them in two recent memories (51:22 to 53:38 and 57:10 to 1:00:12) that show her what there's to know about the Underworld's current political climate.]

[heartablaze]

[...

It's not quite an answer. But her eyes widen slightly as she lets the unfamiliar memory wash over her. An ignorant queen with honest intentions, a revolt against injustice, a demand for freedom, a change forced on one of their own that seemed to alter them immediately...]

Soul... slaves?

[It's not a pleasant term, not one that feels right to repeat.]

...Rufus-san, you knew that man?

[soulus]

[Recent though they are, they're distant enough that Rufus lets the memories wash over him without reaction.]

. . . Which one?

[heartablaze]

[There's a whole lot of nonexistent reactions going on in this thread. For once, same hat!]

Tristan. The one you said was a traitor.

[soulus]

[His eyes darken.]

I've known him for a while. Why?

[heartablaze]

[Her own gaze stays even, as does her voice.]

I'm just trying to understand. The people from the Wilderness, where you grew up... they all sounded and looked so angry. From what you've said, they had a lot of reason to be angry. Death wasn't kind to them, and the city doesn't look like it helped any. But...

You weren't with that group. The ones who were chasing the queen, even though you knew them. How come?

[soulus]

They were manipulated by Tristan. The Queen was nothing more than a scapegoat for their anger; justice had nothing to do with it.

[heartablaze]

...Manipulated...

[Her expression tightens a little, the only indication that she's feeling something.]

What happened? He mentioned soul slaves.

[soulus]

What else is there to say? He and the Queen explained everything.

[heartablaze]

[stares at that dubious translation, stares into camera]

I heard both of them, Rufus-san. I want to hear it from you.

You knew both people involved. Your view on it is valuable.

[soulus]

. . . The Queen has no power. Soul slavery contributed to the widening gap between the city and the wilderness. My view is nothing new . . . but I do know that Tristan has never cared about equality.

[heartablaze]

What did he care about, then?

If the Queen doesn't have power, then what did he expect to gain? Why lead all of those people to use their anger in that way, if it wasn't truly to close the gap and have something better done to rescue those in slavery?

[soulus]

He's a double agent. All he wants is power.

[heartablaze]

...Like, working for both the Wilderness and for somebody in the city?

If power isn't through the Queen, though... what do you think he was really trying to do? And what was it he did that made that one person hurt so badly, and made the other scream...?

[She isn't sure what to make of it all. There's enough context to paint a bigger picture than before, but one that leaves so many questions behind.]

[soulus]

That was a soul slave who'd forgotten who he was. Tristan, as a dog of the invading demons' army, restored his identity to sow discord.