Second Strike of Lightning

[lightning-1.livejournal.com]

[1]
(Fate is standing before the tube which holds Bardiche with a hollow look on her face. Because she wasn't strong enough Bardiche got this damaged. She was also reckless in pushing herself and Bardiche so hard during the battle. Fate walks up to the tube and puts her forehead and  clinched  hands on it. Silent tears start to fall down her face.)

Bardiche...I'm so sorry....

[2]
(Fate is out on the observation deck with a distant look in her eyes. If you approach her you will see that she hasn't even noticed you yet. Her eyes are puffy, she obviously has been crying.)

(What do you do?)

Comments

[lightning-1.livejournal.com]

It's Bardiche...I pushed him too hard and now he is critically injured. I feel so ashamed and anger at myself.

[emorangerpink]

Bardiche... your Device? ["He"? "Injured"? I thought it was a weapon... but if they can make talking animal-people with magic...]

Will he recover?

[lightning-1.livejournal.com]

(Fate nods sadly.)

Bardiche will recover but it will take time but...it just hurts so much to have to see him in such a state.

[emorangerpink]

[Laura looks thoughtful.]

On my old team... people used to... protect me. I was always the weakest one, and they'd put themselves in harm's way to keep me safe.

They did it even though I wasn't much use. I always felt like they did more for me than I gave back. Any fight where we had a rough time of it, I knew that part of it was because they were covering for me.

Bardiche... from what you said before, he wouldn't be able to fight without you. If you pushed yourselves, it's because you both were working hard to protect people. Am I wrong?

[lightning-1.livejournal.com]

Well...yes but it was selfish of me not to consider the fact that he was hurt.

[emorangerpink]

Could you make him do something against his will? Could he tell you if it were too much for him?

[These aren't rhetorical questions - Laura genuinely isn't sure, and sounds it.]

I think... if Bardiche is anything like his wielder, then risking himself to help others comes naturally. And I suspect if you ask him about it he wouldn't say you pushed him too hard, but that thanks to you he was able to do everything in his power. Maybe you could have held back and he'd be in better shape... but would he thank you for that, if more people got hurt as a result?

[lightning-1.livejournal.com]

Well, he could tell me if it was too much...but he didn't when it obviously was...I should have known better as his partner.

I...I don't know. I think he...I mean...

(Fate can't find the words and turns away sadly.)

[emorangerpink]

[There's a rustle of skirts as Laura kneels behind Fate and wraps her arms around her.]

Blaming yourself won't help anyone. If you made mistakes, learn from them. But for now... if you're worried about Bardiche, maybe you should be with him. Or with your friends. Because I'm sure they're worried about you.

I've pushed myself too hard a few times and woken up after the battle was over. Whoever was there when I woke up... the relief was always in knowing they were all right. Go let Bardiche know he kept you safe.

Then when he's recovered send him to me so I can give out to him for scaring you.

[lightning-1.livejournal.com]

(Fate flinches slightly from the sudden hug. Fate slowly gets used to it and goes over what Laura has said in her mind. Fate wipes away her tears and tries to look strong.)

Alright...I'll go and talk to Bardiche. It's going to be really hard though.

(Fate gives a small laugh.)

If you can scare an AI, then you're probably the most terrifying person on this ship.

[emorangerpink]

[Laura cracks a smile.] If it's for a good cause, I'll try my best.

You don't have to go right away. Take a little time if you need it.