001. out there in the sun | beneath the sky // open post

[clayce]

Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.

Comments

[clayce]

[Chuckling at that one, with a rueful shake of his head. The Force jokes were always coming his way these days.

Anyway.]

You fight her in order to convince her. You fix what you can in the world to show her that she is wrong. We did what we could to do both back in 2012, and - thankfully - we succeeded.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade takes that as a yes. She will come back someday. But he's also relieved at Father Aidan's last statements. You don't just roll over when something says the world should end. You fight. ]

When she comes back, sir, I would like to be there at the forefront. [ How ants can't even comprehend the bigger things occurring around them. And how elephants fail to note that the ants are even there. ] I already missed "World War I". I'm not going to miss "World War II".

[clayce]

I welcome your enthusiasm, Brigade, but we are trying to make sure that she will only come when all of you are already long gone.

[Smiles.]

There are other battles to fight at the moment, as it is.

[atlas_shrugged]

Sometimes, sir, I think my maker was of a Promethean line like the Zeky. He just couldn't die. Maybe I'll be a cockroach like him and last long enough to help you all at the end. [ He's joking about it, but he means it. He doesn't plan to die of anything but his Azoth burning out. He's going to help do heavy lifting as long as he can. ]

Yes, sir. Some I'm sure I'm not privy to yet. But I'll do what I can in the operations I've been assigned to. [ He thinks of TFV and the dossier Chief Eli gave him. He read through it on the same day it was given to him. ]

[clayce]

[Listening quietly as he's leading them both deeper into the garden. More murals, more stories.

He knows them all, and some of the stories that never got to be recorded. His fault, that.]

All in due time. As things stand, you have an impressive record with us already.

[atlas_shrugged]

It's nothing, sir. My blademates have all performed better.

[ He thinks of Kaz and how - no matter how torn they all were about it - he burned his hands trying to save the kid in Korea.

He thinks of Taning and the giant bolt of lightning against the Amrita in Marikina.

He thinks of of Brianna and how, after a little shaking and talking to on her first op, has become one hell of a deadshot he's always glad to get paired up with.

He thinks of Josh and the tactical advantages his Boneyard - after he finally started exploring his Sin-Eater side - had given them in investigations and on Train Day.

He thinks of Yulia and her throwing arm; pretty soon she'll be throwing 4 Fireflowers in a single breath. ]

I'm just doing what I can as a 122-year-old Hunter to help them grow into their full potential.

[clayce]

Which is plenty. You don't give yourself nearly enough credit.

[He read all of that in your words, between your words, and on your face, Brigade.]

Brig has no doubt that this Jedi Master's Kung Fu is strong. haha

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade lets out a sigh ] I've got a long way to go, sir. I'm not nearly good enough to help out in the real heavy lifting. [ Brig glances back to where the mural of Nyx was. ] But I'll make sure I get ready. [ He's mentally noting all his next training sessions, and replaying the sessions he's had at the back of his head. Just a quick review so that muscle memory would just follow later. Then maybe synthesis. ]

y e p

[clayce]

I would like to think that any of the work that is sent your way as a Keeper of the Vigil is as 'real' as it gets, no matter how 'small'.

[He can see now, why Hikaru likes this one. They're alike in ways that Aidan is certain neither party has anticipated.]

[atlas_shrugged]

Thank you, sir. [ Brigade pulls out his pack again and motions if he's allowed to smoke in the garden. ] I'll try my best not to disappoint.

[clayce]

[Nodding. Go right ahead.]

You are welcome to come to Voidsong any time, by the way. There is a lot to see here.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade lights up and offers Father Aidan a stick ]

I think I will visit again, sir. And probably try to get a pair of Frog Feet when I do. Seeing the world from a different perspective [ sideways, while running up the tower ] is always fun. That and I'm wondering how long it'll be for me to run up this place.

[ He takes a long drag and let's out a relaxed puff of smoke ] It's beautiful here, sir. Thank you for showing the tower and the garden to me.

[clayce]

You're welcome. It is nice having someone to walk with.

[Or sit down with, as Aidan is now on one of the nearby benches. Mmm, cigarette. =w=]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade heads over to one of the tower's edges and stares into the horizon. They're so high up he sees the clouds below him ]

[ Makes him wonder if this is the highest point in the world. This must be what Aidan Clayce sees when he takes to the skies. ]