LOCKED TO bloodofgrima

[diamondo]

[Death has never been something Mondo liked to consider. Prior to Daiya's death, it hadn't been something he'd considered at all. Not that he thought he was invincible, he just hadn't thought about dying.

Daiya's death changed that. The events in Hope's Peak changed that. The events here in the pass changed that.

Robin had been the only one he felt he could confide in. Even his classmates weren't close enough for that. He hadn't told Robin everything - he hadn't had time to - but he had trusted her nonetheless. It was the evening after the trial, but Mondo's thoughts were still on Robin's corpse, the word WOLF carved into her hand.]

Why didn't you tell me?

[He's all alone in his cabin, but even if he wasn't he still would have spoken aloud. He balls his hands into fists and draws away from the window, sitting on the bed and resting his head in his hands.]

Comments

[bloodofgrima]

...Owada. You were my friend here. Someone I could rely on no matter what.

I lied to you. I deceived you. I was an enemy. Even if I tried to protect you, I was killing those around you for that. My hands are stained with blood, and had I not died, I would have done my very best to ensure that many other lives were sacrificed in place of yours.

You would be completely justified in hating me for what I've done. But you don't. [She smiles softly.] You listened to me. You were upset, but you refused to believe the worst of me. And here I am... and the only thing I see in your eyes is sorrow and pity for what I've suffered.

...That you can forgive me and still hold me as a friend after all of this, Owada, is more than enough.

[diamondo]

Of course I can! You were forced into this! It's not your fault! It's fucking Critter's fault for putting you through all this!

I... I get that you've killed people and there's no changing that. But that doesn't mean you're a bad person! Look at the situation we're in - do you think all the other hunters are terrible? What about the ones who are like you, who were doing this because they thought it was right? Are they just as horrible as you think you are? It's not fair to beat yourself up for what Critter's forced you to do!!

[bloodofgrima]

[Robin seems a bit caught off guard, but as he speaks, her pained look begins to slowly fade away. By the time he's done, the smile he's looking into is the same old Robin he spoke with for the past few days.]

Hahahaha! I don't think I've had anyone tell me to stop beating myself up like that in a long time.

[She pauses a moment, then, shaking her head.]

You're right. I'm still the one with the blood on my hands, but the fault of this doesn't lay with me. It lays with Critter.

...Thank you, Owada.

[diamondo]

'Course! I'm glad I can help!

[Now if only he would learn to apply his words to himself...]

There's no sense in getting hung up over it, right? You've just gotta focus on what you can do. I'm not entirely sure what you can do as a ghost, but I'm sure you can help out somehow!

[bloodofgrima]

[...Ah. Robin turns away again, looking out the window.]

I don't think I can do anything.

[She lets the words hang for a moment, then:]

I think... I'm fading away, Owada. I don't know how much longer I'll still be connected to this world.

[diamondo]

N-no way! That's not fair!! You're here now, why do you have to go!?

[He knows why. She's dead, of course she has to go.]

It's not fair!!

[bloodofgrima]

[She looks at her hands a moment, then goes over and tries to wrap her arms around him in a gentle hug. It seems whatever deity took pity did so immensely... because even if her touch is cold, it's still physical enough for Mondo to feel it.]

The chance I was given... it was to handle the regrets I have. That's all. My death came, and that I even have this chance is a miracle.

[She releases after a moment, looking out the window again.]

...Sunrise. I believe I have the rest of this night to speak with you, but once the morning begins, I have to go.

[diamondo]

[Mondo latches on tightly, not wanting to let go. He does when Robin begins to pull away though, settling for staring at his hands resting on his knees. He glances up at her last words though, expression open and pained, but he nods.]

Yeah, I see. At least you have tonight, right? It's better than nothing.

[bloodofgrima]

[Robin moves back over to him, opening an arm as an invitation if he wants to cling again. She really doesn't mind, and of anyone, he deserves it.]

Is there anything you want to ask me?

[diamondo]

[At first he hesitates, if only because he's a teenage boy and he hates showing any sort of weakness, but Mondo quickly gives in, scooting closer and wrapping his arms around Robin. In some ways, she reminds him of Daiya and the bond they shared before... well, he doesn't want to think about that.]

What about your friends and family back home? What will happen to them without you? Will they be okay?

[bloodofgrima]

[Even if Robin doesn't entirely understand, it doesn't matter. Even if she were alive, what happened here would be between them and no one else.

Once he's comfortable, she puts her arm around him, a comfort of an older sister.]

Chrom... will hurt for a long time, I think. But all of those I cared about I left my mark on. I helped them to find their own strength, and even if I'm gone, I know they can continue without me.

They did once before, after all.

[diamondo]

I'm glad to hear that they'll be alright, even if it does take time.

[He falls silent after that, not moving from where he's sitting. He supposes it's now or never.]

Hey, Robin? Can I... talk to you about something? It's... kinda personal and not something I'd really tell anyone but... since this is my last chance to talk to you I want... I want you to know everything.

[bloodofgrima]

[Robin looks down at him as best she can, giving that soft smile and nodding.]

Of course.

[diamondo]

Okay. Thanks.

[Even then, it takes him a moment to get started. When he does, Mondo isn't looking at Robin, but rather at the floor.]

I grew up with an older brother, Daiya. We were really close for awhile but... there was an accident and--

Hang on, let me back up. See, where I'm from, after you graduate high school, you graduate from the gang. Since Daiya was older than me, he was the leader of our gang. Well, he was about to graduate and he was getting ready to hand over the gang to me, but some people started complaining, thinking I wouldn't do a good enough job. So I decided to prove that I could beat Daiya by racing.

I started losing, so I started racing recklessly. I got caught up in the heat of the moment and didn't realize there was a truck behind me. Daiya... he shoved me out of the way and took that blow for me. He died because of what I did. I... I killed my older brother!

[Mondo swipes at his eyes, trying not to cry. He hates getting his eyes wet, after all.]

[bloodofgrima]

[Robin listens quietly, saying nothing during his explanation. She gets the general idea of it, at least, so there's no need to interupt. As he finishes, however, her eyes soften and she shifts her arm a little to rest in a hopefully more comforting position.

Her voice, however, is firm.]

You didn't kill your brother. [She hesitates, but Mondo is strong. She won't coddle him.] You may have caused the death of your brother, and that's something horrible I can never imagine. But there's a difference. A major difference.

He loved you so deeply he was willing to trade his life for yours. I may not know your brother, but I know a person who cares that much about someone will never consider them their killer. Especially not when it's an unfortunate accident that pushed them to make that ultimate trade.

Owada... what did he say to you? In his final moments, surely he had some words for you.