[9] we're all trapped in a maze of relationships

[dammit_yuri]

Characters: Flynn Scifo. Open to anyone who I've discussed my plans with. You know who you are.
Where: Palitutu's Lab
When: November 11th
Summary: Flynn faces his Shadow, and we all end up dancing all night.
Warnings: Vesperia spoilers.


How are you any different from Commandant Alexei Denoia?

[Flynn didn't know off the top of his head how to answer that.]

Don't play dumb, asshole. You ride atop other peoples' accomplishments and take credit! Back on Terca Lumireis, Brave Vesperia did all the work while all you did was enable someone to activate the Adephagos, nearly bringing on the apocalypse! And you have the nerve to call Yuri your friend!

[Those words stung, so much that Flynn had to take a step back.]

I-

You think just following the rules and being a quiet little follower makes everything all right? How stupid are you?! It's because of you that someone incredibly evil was allowed to almost destroy the world!

[Flynn bit his lower lip.]

Well?! Don't you have any sort of excuse to say for yourself?! Not that it'll do much good. It runs in your family, after all.

[Flynn sighed, numbing himself for what was coming.]

I would, if you'd let me get a word in edgewise.

[The Shadow's face mutates into an off-color smile.]

You'll never be Yuri. You're you. A failure. Someone who will always just be a figurehead, someone who has no real power to change anything.

I've come to realize that now, as much as it hurts.

[Flynn casts his gaze temporarily to the floor.]

We grew up together. We share the same goals. Our methods may be different, and maybe he actually got results. He's the hero the world of Terca Lumireis needed, but did not deserve. Nobody deserves someone as good as him. Not even me. But he never doubted me. And while I've doubted him, I've still trusted him and his judgement. We are two sides of the same coin, and I'm glad for that, because we've come to understand each other better than any other pair of people. I strive to be as good as he wants me to be. And he strives to accomplish what I cannot.

[He takes on a fighting stance.]

I already feel guilty enough for everything, but he never did made me feel bad about myself. Not once. And I'll be damned if I let you.

Comments

[gorgeous_sin]

[Lust's stare is oddly impassive. She thought it might be fun to see the dark side of the golden pristine knight. But is this really all there is? It's disappointing. Her arms are folded, and neither anger nor amusement touches her eyes. Patiently she waits for things to build to a head. Of all the Heroes, she's certain Flynn will accept himself more easily than the others. He has more common sense.]

[Then he looks like he wants to fight it, and Lust SIGHS. So much for common sense.]

Don't be stupid, Flynn. You might as well be stabbing yourself in the gut if you think attacking that thing will do you any good.

[She leans one arm against the railing, her wrist turning as she gestures idly with an open hand.]

Stop arguing. If you doubt yourself, accept that you have doubts. You can work on clearing up those issues later if they really bother you, but you're forgetting why you're here.

[dammit_yuri]

Oh, it's the seductive woman who you've gone out of your way to treat like a human being, despite she herself telling you that she's otherwise!

Her name is Lust.

[Flynn and his Shadow's sword locked in a stalemate.]

And she's my friend.

Or is that a charity case? Someone whose views are so refreshing because she doesn't give a damn about human life, something you've had to take into consideration your entire life? You like how ruthless she is, don't you? Of course you're not trying to save her, like a good little boy.

I really don't care about her status as a human or homunculus. The thing is, she's a living being, and she has a right to live like anything else. Yes, she's done things in her past, and maybe she won't change in the future. But she's been nothing but kind to me.

Oh, like Yuri if he had tits?

No.

You should listen to her. She has a brain, unlike you. She'll live years after you because you won't survive out there with your two-faced ideals!

... tch!

[dammit_flynn]

...

[ Yuri's giving the Calamity version of Flynn a very high brow raise. ]

I'm pretty sure I'm nothing like that woman, and jeez I come in late and this is the first thing I get subjected to? C'mon Flynn.

[ AND this is Yuri being overly sarcastic because he doesn't give a shit about what the Calamity Self has to say. More importantly, he's pretty aware of how twisted things got quick. ]

For the record, you and I both know we're not perfect and we've all got our skeletons in the closet but having it projected like this isn't very helpful.

[gorgeous_sin]

...Interesting.

[Lust's brow arches slightly as her gaze slides toward Yuri. Does Flynn really think they're similar, or is his Calamity self just spouting nonsense to throw him off guard? She's afraid she must concur with Yuri's opinion, she can't imagine they're in any way similar. Her hair is much better.]

[In any case, it sounds like he really isn't sure what he thinks of her, repressed or not. While she does disagree with a lot of what his other side is saying, arguing the matter isn't going to help Flynn.]

You really don't need to stand up for me, you know. Let it say whatever it wants.

[She straightens, folding her arms loosely below her breasts.]

Honestly I'd be disappointed in you if you didn't have any reservations or doubts about me. Accept it for what it is, so you can move on.

[dammit_yuri]

[Not that much better Flynn managed to overpower the Shadow in the split second its attention was turned, and stumbles with his back to the wall. The Shadow quickly regains the upper hand as its sword punctures the wall just a mere centimeter next to Flynn's ear.]

Your thought process is really something else, isn't it, Miss Lust?

[A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face as he listened to what the Shadow had to say. Yuri and Lust's reactions were within his expectations. He was expecting his Calamity self to be rather boring.]

Oh, is this thing supposed to be helpful, Yuri?

[dammit_flynn]

[ Yuri really doesn't like watching this anymore than Flynn does. He's also not trying to be helpful if his words aren't already of any indication. ]

You just need to accept the creep for what it is. Means you gotta embrace the stupid shit that it has to say too, even if it's going overboard.

[ The swordsman paused before before slowly saying that. Instead of watching it any further, he walks over to the both of them instead. ]

I'm not trying to be helpful because whatever I say won't matter. What you have to say is much more important.

[ and the long haired swordsman is now shoving both of the Flynn's to opposite directions of the room. If the Calamity Flynn tries anything else in the process Yuri will man handle him because no one is stabbing his best friend even if it's Flynn stabbing himself. ]

Now, let's all try to get along alright?

[gorgeous_sin]

[Lust doesn't so much as twitch in Flynn's direction, unlike Yuri. She's confident that Flynn can handle himself, even against his other side. Instead she goes back to leaning on the railing, cupping her lovely face in the palm of her hand.]

I'm not as easily goaded as you seem to be. That's all it is.

[Yuri is saying it better, so she'll let him continue to deliver the pep talks. Honestly she doesn't think Flynn needs her here at all, but just in case some horrific upset does cause him to falter, she's on hand to beat him back to his senses.]

So what's it going to be, hm?

[dammit_yuri]

So, do I just sit here and take whatever he has to dish out? When does he stop?

[Flynn's tone sounds defeated.]

[dammit_flynn]

It's a little more than that if I got this whole thing straight. It's about letting it go at it and then accepting the crap it says wholeheartedly. So if there's an ounce of doubt that it can be you, then you're pretty screwed for the lack of better words.

[ Yuri replied as he asked that question. Honestly, having Lust here is helpful and she is damage control. He's sure if something breaks off between the Flynns and him, she'll probably be able to make sure they don't all kill each other. Not that he wants to rely on her too much but she's here so why not? ]

[gorgeous_sin]

Mostly.

[One finger leaves her cheek to gesture vaguely at Yuri before returning.]

It isn't a matter of doing what it tells you to do, but accepting that you have these thoughts and feelings. Saying 'that's not me' or 'I wouldn't say that' is just denying the things you repress. It'll only cause you trouble in the long run.

[She's quiet for a moment. Thoughtful. He seems so unhappy, and she doesn't care for that. Besides, she owes him. He looked after her when she was ill, and without any benefit to himself. By the law of equivalent exchange, she still owes him for that.]

[Finally she straightens, walking down the short steps that lead to the center of the room to stand on the other side of Flynn and place a slim hand upon his shoulder.]

All of us have a dark side. Some of us have nothing but that. There's no shame in admitting it. Besides...

[She chuckles.]

If this is as bad as it gets, it speaks volumes about the goodness you still carry inside of you that you don't repress. Go on.

[Lust squeezes his shoulder then releases him, looking at his Shadow.]

You know what you need to do.

[dammit_yuri]

[The touch that Lust gave him - it was a first, he thinks. Well, it felt warm. Maybe that's why it stood out. For someone who insists they lack humanity, she sure seemed more human than some of the other people Flynn's known. But no... she was herself. Yuri was himself. And Flynn was himself. There was no point in pushing a cart sideways. People can change a little bit at a time... but being anything but who you were wasn't going to help, especially if it was forced. Starting bar fights... trying to take on roles that weren't his to take... none of that was helping anyone. As exhilarating as it felt to try new things, he had to stand tall. Which is what he did - facing his Shadow, he extended his hand.]

What can I do for you?

[His smile was solemn yet subtle. Yet it was genuine.]

...!

[The Shadow moved toward Flynn, and whispered something in his ear.]

... I can't promise she'll say yes.

[The Shadow shook its head, before disappearing.]

[dammit_flynn]

[ Let's just say Yuri may or may not have heard that last statement as he coughed a laugh. His best friend was easy to deal with honestly. Flynn would never change no matter how much time had passed. Even if he tried to do other things, it wouldn't change him. Having Lust here was helpful. He didn't know the woman too well but he could tell that she was pretty close to his best friend. He was fine with it of course. It was something Yuri had bet on for the longest time. ]

Alright, now that this is over, why don't we all take a step outside and grab a few drinks? You're included too, Lust.

[ He replied with a big grin before throwing his usual arm around his best friend, and putting his weight on the blond. ]

You can't be a light weight tonight alright?

[gorgeous_sin]

[Oh? It sounded as if he had a question for her personally, unless there were a great many more women in Flynn's life. He did have two female roommates, but while others were inclined to give the benefit of the doubt, Lust was a little more savvy than that.]

[Ah, well, she doubted it was all that important. If it was, he'd ask her, and she'd reply honestly to whatever it was. The ordeal was over, and there was just a tiny part of her that felt a sense of relief that he'd come out of it unharmed. She just wouldn't say so aloud.]

I'll pass.

[She smiles as she folds her arms, allowing Yuri to take the lead.]

Drinks really aren't my thing. Besides, the two of you are best friends. I'm sure you have much to talk about.

[And she doubted that kind of conversation could take place with her hanging around. She needed to prepare for that excursion to Mysidia in any case.]

You two boys have fun~