soul_campaign | ♍01 | Video |June 7, Early Morning

[ The video feed opens, but shows only the sunrise. Pretty, isn't it? The scorching rays are only just beginning to heat the city up, and there's still the slight darkness looming over the city. The view is offered from the 13th floor of Casualty Communal. After a few moments, Kanaya speaks. ]

Good morning, Death City. I must admit that a view such as this, one of the sunrise, is a most pleasant one to accompany my first morning here. Likely like a handful of other residents, I find the sunrise to be a beautiful, pleasant beginning to the day. Others may view it as a disappointing end to the night. Neither view is wrong, but at the very least for those who may miss it today, it is here.

[ After a moment, she turns the video to face herself, and she's sitting on one of her room's chairs on her balcony. A jade-green Virgo symbol (♍) is clearly visible on her black short-sleeve shirt, and is one of only three things that break away from her monochrome colors; the other two being the yellows (not whites) of her eyes and her horns. The residents of Death City have seen a troll before, though only those who are more familiar with them (or trolls themselves) will notice that her gray skin is notably lighter than the others here. ]

Good morning to each and every one of you. To those I already know, I look forward to our time here. To those I do not yet know, I am Kanaya Maryam. [ A smile. ] Sunrise or not, may you all have a bright, pleasant day.

[ She turns the feed back to the sunrise for a few moments, offering the beautiful sight once more... before she ends it. There was no sense in beginning anyone's day anything but pleasantly. ]

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[Yes, yes it was.

He laughed, short and devoid of humour (though somehow not bitter. Being bitter meant he still cared and caring was something he had stopped doing a long time ago).]

That is a nasty thing to have happen, isn't it? It's not something you ever expect up until the moment it happens.

[ She shakes her head, unfortunately agreeing as much as she didn't want to. ]

It has lessened my hesitation in certain situations, at the very least, and should it ever happen again I will hope to be quicker even if only by a moment to prevent it from happening again. [ A sigh, she takes a moment to put the thought aside. ] Apologies, I did not mean to burden you with such a topic.

[It was a necessary but terrible lesson to learn which is why, if he could, he would rather spare the Queen from learning it.'

He waves off the apology with a casual grin.] You don't need to apologize. It seems like you and I have something we can bond over.

[Hm. Well, why not?]

I was also betrayed by someone important to me, and I'm a different person because of it.

[ She's about to reinforce her apology. After all, forcing this sort of dark past on a... well, total stranger, really, wasn't at all the proper way to go about anything, but then he explains and she stops herself. ]

[ Because that changed things, and it was indeed something that they had in common already. An unfortunate shared experience. ] Such things are, I feel, impossible to walk away from unchanged. The toll, both physical and emotional, is too much of a burden to simply fade away without effect.

[ ...a slight pause. She'd been told the one responsible in her case was here, in Death City. So. ] ...How do you feel about the one responsible for it, now?

And you can never go back. You change and there's no way to undo it because that bridge was burning even as you were forced to cross it.

[In his case, by his own hands.

How did he feel? That was a question no one had ever thought to ask. He chuckled.]

I hate him. If he showed up in front of me right now, I'd probably kill him all over again.

[It was easy to convince himself of that now, when he was awake, but on those rare occasions when he dreamed...there was still a lingering feeling of warmth. And more than anything that was what he hated.]

Or the bridge falls, and you with it.

[ A shake of her head. Betrayal, for lack of a more proper word: Sucked. ]

I see. So he already lays dead for what he did to you.

[ She was less sure of her feelings, of her course of action when the time came. She'd given her word, however, that she wouldn't act out unless he did first, so. That was something she had to prepare for. ]

Right after he shot me, actually.

[It had been done in the heat of the moment but he doubted he would have chosen differently if he was allowed to think about it. The rest of his comrades had died because of him, after all.]

What about you?

[ The way he admits it so simply is reason for pause. He'd done it and he'd do it again. She was beginning to think his was a far worse betrayal than her own... or simply that he was more willing to hold the grudge than she was. ]

Shortly after being killed, when I returned as... [ She takes a moment to motion at herself, referring to the paler color that came with becoming a Rainbow Drinker. ] This. I did away with what he had used to kill me.. before introducing him to my chainsaw.

[ The memory was a nice one, since she also punched a certain troublesome spider in the nose and kicked a clown in the groin. But she shakes her head, putting the thought aside. ]

Unfortunately, he may be here in Death City, now.

[He didn't have much to hold onto besides that grudge. Letting go of it at this point would be like letting go of an old, dear friend.

He made a mental note not to piss her off. Though he has to admit he was probably more amused than afraid.

He lets out a quiet huff.]

I see. And what do you plan to do about that?

[ She shakes her head, putting the thoughts behind her. Dwelling on them wasn't a wise idea, really, especially when... ]

I gave my word not to act out unless he were to do so first.

[He let out a quiet breath.]

Does he know about your promise? Pause.] Or that you're here?

No, and likely no. I do not know what I intend to do about the latter just yet; but he will not be made aware of the former.

Well, you'll need to think fast. This city isn't that big. It's only a matter of time before you run into each other.

[He wasn't going to argue about the latter point though. It was always better to keep that to yourself in these situations.]

[ A nod. ]

Unfortunately you are correct. I will need to come to a decision quickly, so that I am prepared.

[Honestly, she does not envy her position at all.]

So who is he?

No. [ To everywhere Hyoubu was going with that question. ]

I may be willing to speak of his identity, but only after I have properly spoken with him first.

Fair enough.

[He was hardly going to pry (yet).]

Can I at least have your name?

Kanaya Maryam. [ She's thankful he didn't pry. ]

[It was only because he felt an almost strange sort of camaraderie with her. Since their situations were so similar.

There was no guarantee that it will stop him from prying in the future though.]

I'm Hyoubu Kyousuke.

[ That was very true, and she could handle it in the future, but not just yet. It was still a little too soon for her; she'd only just arrived. But already there was that feeling that he could understand her a little better than most, so... ]

A pleasure to meet you. I am certain we will speak again.

Oh, I certainly hope so.

[He could say something about hoping everything works out. But that's not really his style any more. Instead, he'll say,]

You know, if he's a Weapon, you know you can kick him down a flight of stairs without actually hurting him. It could be entertaining to watch.

[ ...that is one potent suggestion, and admittedly one she puts into the back of her mind. ]

[ But she's done for the moment, so she nods to him in response before ending the video feed. ]

♍01 | Video |June 7, Early Morning

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