Mission 5

[skysmirror]

[Cambot has found yet another human-vs-doppleganger conflict. This time it’s Xion facing off against her double on the weapons deck. It looks like the fight is well underway--Xion’s hood has fallen back to reveal her face, and her sword is drawn. So is her shadow’s, and it looks like they’re taking a moment to size each other up, circling as they catch their breath. The shadow hisses something that makes Xion smile mirthlessly.]

If I’m a copy and a fake, then what does that make you? A copy of a copy? A fake’s shadow?

[She lunges to attack, and the shadow blocks. This pattern continues until the shadow sees an opening and strikes to land a hit on Xion’s arm. She jumps back, sword raised to block any other attacks. The shadow laughs and hisses again. Xion’s expression goes from serious to downright angry.]

We may not have been meant to exist...we may not have had hearts...but we were friends anyway.

[The shadow pulls a face and goes on the offensive, forcing Xion to block. The next time the two stop to rest, they’ve both got their share of cuts and bruises. The shadow hisses again, and Xion goes still, her expression disturbingly blank and hard.]

I did what I had to to keep him safe. Even if it was only for a little while.

[The shadow barely has time for an “oh crap” expression before Xion rains fury down on it, eventually knocking its sword out of its hands. It manages to rake its claws down the side of her face, barely missing her eye, before she runs it through and it fades.

Shaking, Xion drops her sword and slumps to the ground, face in her hands. When she has a better grip on herself, she looks up and sees Cambot.]

How long have you been here?

Comments

[virtualunknown]

I don't see what you're sorry about. [Making his way down. Cambot's following.]

[skysmirror]

[Part of her is surprised that he doesn't seem upset about this, but an even bigger part is happy about that fact.]

Thanks.

[virtualunknown]

No need for that. [Stops briefly to grab a first aid.]

[skysmirror]

Because this is what friends do for each other?

[Tiniest of smiles, she has one.]

[virtualunknown]

Right. [And... is soon at the right deck.]

[skysmirror]

[Xion looks up when she hears him enter.]

Hey.

[virtualunknown]

Hey. [Hurries, over, rummaging through the kit.] How bad is it?

[skysmirror]

Nothing I haven't dealt with before.

{She gestures towards where the thing got her on the arm.] I think this is the worst.

[virtualunknown]

[Nods.] Can you take off your coat? I can't really see well enough.

[skysmirror]

Okay.

[She shrugs out of her coat, and takes off her gloves for good measure, making it easier to see which cuts are worse than the others. The one she mentioned is still bleeding, along with a few others.]

[virtualunknown]

[Gets to work. He seems to know exactly what he's doing.]

[skysmirror]

[Lets him take care of things, as she's not used to this kind of first aid and isn't quite sure what to do.]

[virtualunknown]

[Decides he may as well make small talk.] Grandpa Gen taught me how to do this.

[skysmirror]

[Small talk is good, it takes her mind off things a bit.] So you learned this from your grandfather?

[virtualunknown]

He did, among many other things. He's a pharmacist. But... he isn't my real grandfather.

[skysmirror]

Pharmacist?

[She hasn't really heard that word before, but there's another thing that piqued her interest.]

So you call him grandfather even though he isn't?

[virtualunknown]

He did a lot with medicines. Somewhat like a doctor.

That's right. He's close enough to one, although we aren't biologically related. He raised me.

[skysmirror]

Medicines? Like Potions?

That must be nice--having someone like that.

[virtualunknown]

Close enough.

It's been a while since I've seen him.

[skysmirror]

[She nods.]

Since you got here, right?

[virtualunknown]

Even a bit before that. I was busy, you see... Ah, careful, this may sting a bit.

[skysmirror]

Oh.

[She winced at the stinging, but managed to hold still.]

[virtualunknown]

It's a bit of a long story. We still talk, though. ...or did, rather.

Log at some point for more in-depth conversation?

[skysmirror]

I'd like to hear it...Maybe over ice cream?

Works for me. ^^

[virtualunknown]

If you're sure you want to.