eighteen [action]

[imatreenow]

[Friday afternoon finds Mithos dragging a granite statue through the streets of Luceti. It will look familiar to those who can claim Aselia as their home world, carved adoringly in the likeness of a young man wielding dual swords. The figure is planted atop a base that bears a plaque engraved with the simple honor, "The Hero Lloyd Irving." All together, it stands at about three and a half feet, scaled down from the original model.

For Mithos, it's a bitter reminder of things that could never have been. Its sudden appearance in his house had been an elbow nudging him sharply in the ribs, an obnoxious stage whisper prompting, "Hey, remember that time all your hopes and dreams were crushed?"

Yes, yes he remembers.

Which is why he had to get rid of it. The first day, he dragged the statue behind the house, let it topple into the river, and watched the determined stony face sink below the surface. The next morning, it found its way back to his living room. Each day, he drags it farther away, and each morning it proudly comes back.

His route today takes him up from the south end of the village through the north end and into the woods. The farther away, the better.]

Comments

[revolutionarygirl]

Do you ever say anything nice to anyone? [That's truly the best rebuttal for this situation.]

[imatreenow]

[He scoffs.] There isn't anything "nice" to be said about anyone. [Back to pulling at this stupid thing, inching it along the icy street.]

[revolutionarygirl]

Ah... you know, with the streets the way they are, I don't think you're going to get very far with that thing. [Just... saying.]

[imatreenow]

Don't tell me what I can't do, insolent human. I don't care how long it takes me - I'm taking this piece of trash as far away as I can.

[revolutionarygirl]

I wasn't saying if you could or couldn't, I just said I don't think you're going to with how the streets are! Do you always have to take things so personally?

[imatreenow]

[Yes, it's a side-effect of hating the world and everyone in it, of being knocked down a few times too many. He ignores her advice in favor of struggling more with his granite burden, intent on proving her wrong.]

[revolutionarygirl]

[She just watches with a sigh. The more she sees of this kid, the more she's reminded of Nanami.]

[imatreenow]

[He will pretend he didn’t hear that sigh, focusing all of his energy into moving the immortalized Lloyd. After he’s managed to slide it across the icy ground a few inches, he’ll pause. With each passing minute, he wishes more and more that he could still rely on the powers of his Cruxis Crystal – he could have flown the damned thing to the edge of the barrier and be done with it by now.]

[revolutionarygirl]

...isn't that exhausting you? [She actually sounds sort of concerned. While she doesn't know what to make of this guy, she doesn't want him to hurt himself.]

[imatreenow]

Hardly. [Which may or may not be a blatant lie.]

[revolutionarygirl]

Are you sure? It looks like you could use a little help. [She's sincere, but there's still a sharp edge to her voice. Mithos is sort of a jerk, after all.]