purgatorial soul.

affiliated andré gide, written by silver.

[grisprit-blog]

upboundline:

“Hello again, mr. Andre! I’m glad it’s someone i know this time.”

“ahaha, likewise, monsieur emmet --”  gide smiles, offering out his hand.  “at least this time, hopefully it won’t end in another rearrangement, hm?”

[grisprit-blog]

“... a new room mate?”

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

Lotus flowers normally took a year to fully bloom, but under Karna’s guidance, they only took a couple of months, and shined as brilliantly as the one Surya carried in one of his four hands, even lasting longer as well despite not being under his sunlight. The same held true for all of the flowers guided by him; after all Karna was just as much the sun as his father. There were only two things in his life he took pride and joy in and those were the art of battle and plant life. His father created this World, bringing life to it and sustaining it all after, bringing new green life and vitality to all his brilliant rays touched. Equivalent he may be in his gifts, Karna could never hope to achieve what his father did but had only wished to never do anything that would smear Surya’s name and spread the wonder of life the sun god upheld. 

Gide’s drawing was very talented, and despite him saying it was a mere hobby and the fact that he was more talented at painting, it captured the beauty of Karna’s flowers thus far quite splendidly. However, he couldn’t accept his offer, at least without proper compensation.  Because of his charitable nature and the fact that receiving gifts he did not ask for came with the heavy price of misfortune, there was that daunting feeling he had if he had accepted something without giving in return. But still, it would be rude to turn Gide’s offer down, and that drawing would look very nice to frame in his home. 

❝ You are too kind in offering me such a remarkable piece of art that does capture the beauty of my flowers. But please, allow me to pay you as compensation for such work.❞

it’s been a long time since gide had shown anyone his artwork. even during his time as the commander of his men, he had no time to show them. they were too consumed by their desire to die, too consumed in their livelihood as a soldier to partake in menial hobbies. living in such a peaceful place and having thrown away his unhealthy dedication to die, of course one of the first things he thought was to get back into doing this regularly

he can remember in his youth, his mother admiring his artwork, saying one day he’d be a lovely famous painter.

(and then the war came. he loved his country, he wanted to protect it, and left his mother’s side to fight for what he cherished -- only to be tossed away when they saw it fit to do so.)

“remarkable? ahah... i don’t know about that. it’s just colored pencil. it’d look more professional if it were in something more grandeur. as of right now, i don’t have the funds for that sort of thing, though. it’s fine though, it’s not as if i could be some kind of famous painter or anything here.”  it’s just one city, after all. it can’t give him much financial stability if he were to become famous here, he thinks.

karna’s final comment throws gide off guard, blinking in surprise. he nearly drops his pencil, then grips it tighter once he notices it slipping. payment... that sort of thing isn’t necessary...

“... your friendship,”  he says, softly at first. he’s nearly embarrassed at himself for how his voice seems to crack. maybe it’s because it’s been a long time since anyone has complimented him so sincerely, moreover about something he hasn’t showed anyone in a very long time.  “if you really wish to pay me, all i want from you is your friendship, karna.”

[grisprit-blog]

luckgraced  ;  ???.

@grisprit ♡’d for a starter

She’s sure that she has seen him around before, on days like today, doing jobs around town. It’s a little lonely like that though, Ladybug thinks— most days, however, it does not seem very opportune for her to step in; instead opting to mind her own business. Today… today, she is rather determined to change that; with nothing else to distract her, and though she might have high hopes, she’s also fairly prepared to head home, should he wish to be left alone.

“Monsieur?” She speaks only loud enough to get his attention, she’s fiddling with her fingers for a moment— she really wishes she’d thought this through a bit more in advance. “S’il vous plaît— oh, n-no wait… Could you help me— I mean, could I help you, please? I mean, you don’t really seem like you need it, but I really would like to help you if you would let me. But if not, that’s fine too, hahaha….” It is, perhaps, some sort miracle that she hadn’t managed to mess that up worse, so she’ll take that as a victory— warm smiles as she looks up towards the man, patiently waiting for a response.

another day, another list of things to do. though many might find it tedious, but gide finds it as a means to keep himself distracted. a former soldier he is at his core, and the idea of living a life simply at home wouldn’t do. he was used to being on his feet all day and then some, so it wasn’t too surprising to himself he had taken on the responsibility of odd jobs, doing whatever was requested of him so long as it wasn’t on his list of things out of the question.

fist off, he has to babysit a dog for 2 hours, then deliver a package on the other side of the city --

cue a blink. someone was speaking to him in french.

gide turns his head in the direction of the voice -- delicate, young, feminine. his eyes focus on a young girl, seemingly in her teens, and observes her with a bit of interest. help him... why would she want to do that?

the soldier hums, gaze drifting skyward. the idea of disappointing her doesn’t make him too pleased, so he opts for a different option. he gives a small nod to himself, then looks back at her with a smile.

“tu parle français, non?”  he asks.  “coincidentally, i am also french. you surprised me for a moment, mademoiselle. though i don’t know how you can help me, you’re free to accompany for the time being. my odd jobs tend to be rather boring and mundane, haha.”

[grisprit-blog]

seahibiscxs  ;  ???.

Boy, was Hau relieved. Just as he expected, someone stepped out from their room and possibly help a newbie out. Granted, he still wanted to explore Koi since everything was new to him and as his experience as a Trainer, he’d make sure he’d make the most of it.

“Thank you!” Hau called back. “Alola, sir!  Everything is fine! I’m just finding wondering if you can direct me to Hyacinth Academy? I know this place is huge but hehe, I forgot to buy a map upon arriving. Some pointers might be nice!”

a...lola? what a strange greeting. isn’t that a greeting from one of the american states? well, not that he would know considering he didn’t travel to the americas while he was a traveling mercenary, but he supposed it didn’t matter on the topic of a child.  “ahh, sure. actually, things have been kind of dangerous around here lately, so i can escort you there myself if that’s fine with you. i’ll give you some pointers along the way.”

[grisprit-blog]

seahibiscxs  ;  ???.

@grislysprit liked for a starter!

“So, this is the Capuccino Apartments. This is my first time being here.” Hau can’t believe his Primarina sometimes. He was on tour by himself around Koi for a day already. What’s a good way to ask someone for directions? That’s when Hau decided to ask someone from the apartment for help. He should have brought a map for Koi from a tourist guide shop.

“ ‘Scuse me, kind sir! May I have a minute?” Hau called out to the man. 

“----- ???”

that’s a rather young voice calling out. gide pauses just as he reaches the bottom of the stairs that led to the next floor. he glances around, just to make sure it’s someone else, but finding no one, he decides to focus his attention on the person calling to him.

as he thought, it’s nothing more than a child. what is a child doing, in a place like this? koi continues to confuse him.

“oui, that’s fine. is everything alright?”

[sarapyon]

Oda Sakunosuke VS André Gide (屮゜Д゜)屮

from Bungou Stray Dogs S02E04

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

Karna hummed quietly as he went about his own business. First, he set the broom aside to where it belonged. Then, placing the plants and seeds in a strainer in a sink, he began washing them, already looking forward to the curry dish he had planned for dinner that night. 

Taking the seeds from their pod and storing them to dry, he packed away the bulbs and began taking out three fairly big flower pots. He put dirt in them before patting it down then carefully placing the tubers in all there, making sure the growing tip was facing where it was supposed be. Once it was finished, Karna gave a satisfied looked before starting to bring the pots to the pond. 

Working as quietly as possible so as to not disturb Gide who looked engrossed in what looked like sketching, Karna quietly cooed to his soon-to-be new lotuses as he rolled up his sleeves more and submerged the pots into the more shallow part of the pond in his shop until they were grown enough to be moved deeper. He was careful not to dwell too long; otherwise the water would boil at his contact and ruin the others.

His forearms covered in a bit of mud from the work, Karna went to clean himself before shifting as discreetly as he could behind Gide, curiously peeking at the paper on his lap.

in the background, gide can hear karna move about his shop, tend to his pots and the seeds of flowers that would be soon to bloom in the future. he wonders, if the undeniable power karna has any influence on how fast they grow, or if it influences them in any way -- but really, it’s not his place to ask, even if he feels karna would answer honestly without hesitation. a simple soldier like gide has no reason to inquire about the complexities of gods or goddesses.

( or perhaps he merely thinks so little of himself -- which seems just as plausible, and very believable. )

soon enough, the hand that sketches on his notebook pauses when gide notices karna’s presence behind him. he gives an amused smile, pointing his colored pencil towards the main focus of his artwork: the glowing sphere in the middle of the shop.  “i’m drawing your flowers and what keeps them so beautiful to keep my skills intact. when i’m done, you’re more than free to have it.”  he offers, holding up his half-finished work.  

“even though i take on a handful of odd-jobs, i still have free time on my hand, so i thought i’d get back into an old hobby of mine. well... i’m better at painting, i think, but it’s not as easy to carry around an easel.”

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

Karna tilted his head, a small smile on his face as he guessed what the other’s smile was for, looking at his broom. ❝ I may be the child of a god, but I was still raised by humans. Since they were a merchant couple, work like this is nothing new to me. ❞ 

He listened to the other and blinked, surprised and a bit amused upon piecing together the other’s words. After all, Savitashri and Ksatriya had two very different meanings in his native tongue, though it was rather interesting how Gide deduced things just from it.  

❝ It’s no trouble at all. It just crossed my mind that i should probably plant more lotuses once I’m finished prepping the remnants of these, ❞ he held up the stem bulbs and pods.  ❝ So I’ll likely be here a bit longer than usual.❞ Even without the feeling of pride upon hearing the compliments of his flowers just now and the fact that his man had earned his trust, the Hero of Charity was already set on accepting Gide’s request despite not knowing what it was.  

  ❝ Very well, you may. Please, make yourself at home in my humble shop.❞ he replied, bowing with all the plant parts and broom cradled in his arms. As he headed back to put the broom away,  he stopped in his tracks remembering something very important.  ❝ Ah, please do not touch that which burns red there, ❞ he began pointing as best he could to the eye-like centerpiece in the shop, a bundle of Karna’s mana burning in the middle of the golden piece, while a red glow outlined it.  ❝ While it bends to my control, it is still akin to the sun itself, so touching it will have dire consequences for humans.❞

the son of a god being raised by simple humans -- truly, it was something right out of myths from legends. gide is in no position to deny this as the truth anymore, but it isn’t as if his way of treating karna will change either simple because this man is supposedly the son of the sun god. considering the various flowers and how they were alive in full bloom, he has no room for doubt at this point.

“i see... well, i’m glad i won’t bother you too much or disturb your business.”

if there was even a way to disturb a business as simple and peaceful as a flower shop, anyway.

glancing around the room, gide finds a nearby stool, grabbing it from underneath and tugging it closer before taking a seat next to the counter. he sets his satchel atop an empty space, pulling out his sketchbook and balancing it on a leg he crosses over the other. though he’s using nothing more than simple colored pencils he bought from a convenience store, he decides they’ll work well enough to give color to his artwork.

the former soldier taps his red pencil against his blank page, soon focusing on the item karna had warned him of.

well... might as well use that as a focus. from the angle gide sits at, the flowers in the background of such a strange object give him quite the picture to create. with a small smile on his lips, the man bows his head and begins his sketch.

[heireating]

         BOOK STARTERS VOL.26     ( GRACELING )    ( KRISTIN CASHORE )   ( PART I )

❛ I’m very pleased you’ve come with me. ❜

❛ If there’s anyone I wish to stun at dinner, I’ll hit them in the face. ❜

❛ When a monster stops behaving like a monster, does it stop being a monster? Does it become something else? ❜

❛ How absurd it is that the weakest and most vulnerable of people - girls, women - go unarmed and are taught nothing of fighting, while the strong are trained to the highest reaches of their skill. ❜

❛ What are you grinning at? ❜

❛ Is the ceiling about to cave in on my head or something? You look like we’re both on the verge of an enormous joke. ❜

❛ Only you would consider the collapse of the ceiling a good joke. ❜

❛ I’m afraid to tell you what I wish for, for fear you’ll… oh, I don’t know, throw me into the fire. ❜

❛ You’re more dear to my heart than I ever knew anyone could be. ❜

❛ I’ll teach you how to defend yourself, how to maim a man. ❜

❛ Wonderful — It’s quite boring really, the way you beat me to death with your hands and feet. It’ll be refreshing to have you come at me with a knife. ❜

❛ Forgive me, I was only trying to get your attention. ❜

❛ I suppose it never occurs to you to start small. If I told you my roof needed rebuilding, you’d start by knocking down the house. ❜

❛ Almost as beautiful as you are conceited. ❜

❛ You saved my life. I’m going to name my firstborn child after you. ❜

❛ I’ve heard you can kill a man with the nail of your smallest finger. ❜

❛ Does it make it easier? To have beautiful eyes? Does it lighten the burden of your Grace, to know you have beautiful eyes? ❜

❛ It seems better to me for a child to have these skills and never use them, than not have them and one day need them. ❜

❛ I wouldn’t marry him to save my life. Not even to save yours. ❜

❛ I know you’re teasing me. And you should know I’m not easily humiliated. ❜

❛ I should have stuck to my lies. It was the truth that almost had me killed, after all. ❜

❛ When you’re a monster, you are thanked and praised for not behaving like a monster. ❜

❛ I would like to restrain from cruelty and receive no admiration for it. ❜

❛ Mercy is more frightening than murder, because it is harder. ❜

❛ Your brand of comfort bears some similarity to your tactical offence. ❜

❛ The only way for you to keep your mind straight is to run from those who would confuse you. ❜

❛ How long will you be? I’d like to show you a couple of my new discoveries. ❜

❛ I thought it was supposed to be impossible to sneak up on you. Eyes of a hawk and ears of a wolf and all. ❜

❛ I’ll protect you. You’ll be safe with me. ❜

❛ Let me explain what will happen the instant one of your men makes a move toward me. I’ll get out of the room alive, but most of the rest of you will be dead. ❜

❛ I didn’t know you were capable of such bad temper. ❜

❛ You’re afraid of your own anger. ❜

❛ What have you done to yourself? Your hair is positively blue. ❜

❛ There’s no shame in crawling when one can’t walk. ❜

❛ Don’t be ashamed. Your sadness is dear to me. ❜

❛ Don’t be frightened. I won’t die. I won’t die, and we’ll meet again. ❜

❛ The colour of sunrise? It’s the colour of blood. I am not going to wear a red dress. ❜

❛ Everyone has some kind of power to hurt people. ❜

❛ Please, at least talk to me. ❜

❛ And how I feel? Doesn’t it matter? ❜

❛ I can’t know your feelings if you don’t know them yourself. ❜

❛ I will have a life, even though I carry this burden. ❜

❛ If I’d been trying to kill him, he’d be dead. ❜

❛ I told you before, I won’t fight when you’re angry. I won’t solve a disagreement between us with blows. ❜

❛ We’re too dangerous to each other. ❜

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

There were still many tasks to do during closing, but those were tasks Karna took upon himself as the owner to ensure that his employees could go home on time and not have to deal with the night-time cold during the winter. Take the outside display flowers in for the night, so they could soak up the rays of his flower shop’s sun overnight, water them, harvest the lotus plants for any loose pods or bulbs that have surfaced on the water for dinner ingredients and snacks, sugarcoat some lotus seeds for Enkidu’s snacks and store them, and clean up the shop of any soil, petals, or leaves that have fallen on the floors or counters. He did not mind though, hard work like this was rewarding for him. 

He paused in the middle of sweeping and hummed, leaning on his broom as the thought of hard work did make him think of a friend he met recently, or at least he had hoped it wasn’t too presumptuous to call him a friend. He hadn’t seen him in a while so he did have to wonder if he was doing okay. 

The ring of the shop’s bell pulled the demigod back to reality, and just as he was about to open his mouth to state that Savitashri was closing for the night, internally chastising himself for forgetting to lock the door, a warm, welcoming smile took it’s place. 

❝ I could say the same of you, Andre.❞

somehow, the oddly mundane picture of karna -- the son of the sun god -- sweeping in a flower shop was endearing to some degree. gide does not speak this thought aloud, but it may be read in the tilt of his smile he gives in greeting as he tucks his hands into his pockets to keep them from wandering and touching flowers.  ( he doesn’t know if it’s allowed, but better safe than sorry. )

"well... i came here on my own free will, so i suppose it’s not much of a chance encounter. the store name reminded me of you. or -- something you called me during our talk last time.”  his words drift off, taking a look at the broom in karna’s hands.  “-- i didn’t think to check when you closed. i hope i’m not bothering you too much.”

at the very least, perhaps he could help to some degree if karna was closing shop for the day. it wasn’t as if he had anything better to do at home, and he didn’t want to think his trek here was for nothing...

the thought makes the former shift how his bag rests on his shoulder, looking up at some random place on the ceiling, studying the light fixtures in vague interest.

“though this might seem strange, would you indulging a strange request of mine? this is the only place in the city i’ve actually seen flowers in bloom of so many colors...”

[grisprit-blog]

there are certain words, when spoken, that you associate with certain people. anyone who knew gide would surely think of him when some topic of france or his former occupation came up, and the same can be said for gide as he reads through his morning paper, and notices something he must’ve looked over for who knows how long -- a word that is not japanese in origin, but bears a significance to one man he’s met before.

savitashri...

( “Your eyes. They’re that of a Ksatriya, a soldier.” )

“maybe that guy.” 

while it’s only an assumption, gide decides to go check it out anyway. if not to see that man again, but to see what kind of flowers were there. due to the snow and cold, there were little flowers of many colors to be seen... and they were fun to paint, if he could see them. with art supplies kept safely inside a shoulderbag, he leaves his apartment, and steadily makes his way over towards that of the chamomile area.

“this place, right...?”  gide muses, studying the folded newspaper he had carried along with him, opening up the entrance door to glance inside. the air is almost choking him from the scent at first, but he slowly grows accustomed to it the further in he goes. calloused fingers reach out to brush against a blooming daisy, pausing when he hears footsteps -- and then, he sees a familiar face.

so he was right after all, huh?

“fancy seeing you again, karna.”

@sxryashakti.

[grisprit-blog]

mysticeeyed  ;  ???.

Surprised is the first that comes to her mind, getting thrown on the ground that is. The other must have sensed Shiki at some point, and he only now acted upon it. How would the other pinpoint the exact moment she was going to strike? Unless…he was a mage. This is becoming more tedious than planned. Quickly getting back on her feet, no, she won’t easily be defeated. There a lot more other points she could attack at. This is the time where Shiki is happy that her eyes give her more to work with.

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out.”

just a few seconds locking his gaze with hers is more than enough to understand that he would not be getting out of this without some sort of altercation. gide steels his jaw, clenching his bleeding hand open and closed just a few times to ensure mobility. nothing vital had been damaged -- at least, not yet. being the former soldier he is, gide is capable of telling if someone is truly dangerous...

there’s no denying this woman is skilled.

why she would want to attack him, he isn’t sure. perhaps she merely saw him as a worthy foe, perhaps he made an enemy somewhere that hired her... no, he’s lived a rather meaningless existence so far. it’s not uncommon for soldiers to want to fight someone worthy, at least he can attest to that much.

“... though i don’t know your reasons for attacking me, i have no intention of letting you kill me.”  gide thinks about grabbing for one of his guns, but he doesn’t move -- not yet. he doesn’t want to fight in a place like this, let alone possibly hurt, possibly kill. instead, he clenches his fist, widening his stance into a defensive posture.  “i’m not a man who will go down easily.”

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

Hmph… what a roundabout answer, and the demigod didn’t expect such honesty from the other man. Nonetheless, it sated Karna’s curiosity, but the anguish in the other’s voice was still apparent in his voice. Out of respect for his new friend, Karna imparted with him advice. 

❝There was once a king in my homeland who grieved the men who were killed in a war he incited, feeling his actions wicked and sinful he resolved to fast to death as penance. However, a Brahmin approached him with these words: The miseries of human existence occur through the actions of fate; all that befalls a man does so through the course of time, and in the end, death comes to all. Kings should act according to their dharma, not run away from what they have done for in the end, it is fate that moves us.❞

❝ Death no longer holds any honor for me for in this second life,  I return many times over, as long as the magus who I find befitting to serve calls forth for my might. That does not diminish my pride as a soldier, or a Servant of the Holy Grail, however.  You cannot change the misfortune you brought unto the man you spoke so highly of, but your death in this life now would only put all his sacrifice in vain, would it not? Rather than to continue to seek a warrior’s death, you should honor that man, your soldiers, and your dharma by continuing to live and holding to that belief as you do.❞

gide wants to scoff, but he manages to hold back. despite his youthful appearance, this man had some rather intelligent and profound things to say... at least on the topic of a warrior’s pride and the life they led. this in itself is something he appreciates, finds reassuring and making karna’s words more trustworthy. people may be different, but the pride of a warrior, of a soldier -- they are always the same. they wish to die for a cause, for their country or their leader.

though there is a part of him that is envious that karna may still fight in war for someone to call his ‘leader’... the words he says ring true, reaching to the depths of andré gide’s soul, the quivering, aching thing he curses for even continuing to exist.

your death in this life would only put his sacrifice in vain.

“... that’s very true,”  gide answers at last with the softest scoff of amusement. he lifts a hand to run it through his hair, shaking his head with a smile.  “my men are all gone now, but i hope they will forgive me for not joining them in the afterlife as i promised. i’ve stayed alive this long trying to honor sakunosuke, it’d be pointless to give in halfway.”

“tell me: are you always this forward with everyone? or, am i special due to my title or ability?"

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

Something in those words deeply resonated in Karna, sharp eyes going wide as it struck him how they did.

❛ I cannot change that victory belonged to Arjuna. ❜

Well, Arjuna was a man of justice and Karna loyally followed a wicked man, never once stopping his deeds and even aiding them. It was to be expected.

❛ I cannot change that I ignored my mother’s pleas to not go against my brothers. ❜

While it would have been a story with a much happier ending if Karna fought alongside them, that woman had never once treated him like her son, even admitting being ashamed of his existence. He did not hate her for feeling so, enough to promise her he would not kill any Pandava but Arjuna, but to betray the man he owed his very life to would be worse than death to him. 

❛ I cannot change that things were simply never in my favor. ❜

But it was just how the world worked. Even someone like his brother, who had no flaw to be heard of or seen since the day he was born had his share of hardships, and Karna cannot deny he played a part in some of them. No being had a perfect life, and the demigod merely accepted everything that happened to him. The man before him, Andre Gide, has so much in common with Karna and yet at the same time did not, the son of Surya unable to tell if he was lashing out against his fate with his words or simply accepting as he did.

❝ …. Have you accepted it or do you curse your fate, to be rejected by the country you love and denied a warrior’s death? ❞  he straightforwardly asked. There was no deep meaning to the question, but he did feel curious what Gide’s answer would be. 

“... that is...”

fate is a difficult word for gide to speak of. as a soldier, he had sworn himself and his men to the fate befitting of them -- dying with honor on the battlefield, dying for their country with pride, having their dying breaths be ‘vive le france’ before they were greeted with the light of the next life. when they were exiled, their ability to do so vanished.

they wandered for so long, through so many countries, fighting so many pointless battles that were not worthy of being deemed their final resting place. the men he watched commit suicide when they could not bear the pain... gide remembered each of their faces, had their names etched for an eternity on his right arm and the trembling wind that wraps around his still-beating heart.

i’m sorry i failed you. i hope you are at peace.

“i have not accepted it, but i do not curse it.”  gide says, voice softer than he intends for it to be.  “i found a worthy enemy to give me the battlefield i desired... but it was at a price. he was a good man who wished to not kill, who wished to write, who cared for orphans. in my selfishness and blind desire to die, i stole what he cherished away from him. i cannot say i would have died a death worthy of a soldier, forcing a good man to war. even to the end, he wished to convince me to change my ways.”

“though i will not die a soldier’s death now, i wish to honor the belief he had in me...”

[grisprit-blog]

guillotinebriseur  ;  mademoiselle marie.

“You’ve done far more than enough, Monsieur André!” 

There’s a certain kind of sadness that makes itself at home in Marie’s chest. Even if the intention hadn’t been malicious, even if she had expected it, it’s undeniably unpleasant knowing that even today the people of her beloved France consider her name a synonym for “spoiled”. 

She doesn’t stop smiling, nor will she let this put even the slightest damper on what has been nothing but an enjoyable exchange. However, knowing that their meeting was coming to an end lead to a different kind of sadness, one more easily dealt with.

“There is one thing, however…” Perhaps she was still being a bit forward, but one never gets anywhere in life without a bit of boldness. This whole meeting would have never taken place otherwise, after all. “Would you be so kind as to exchange contact information with me? I would love to continue our talk another time, and it would be quite a shame if I didn’t get a chance to meet Antoinette.” 

“that so? i’m glad to hear it.”

a small price to pay to ensure she learns her way around, even if it’s just a little. the way she pauses makes gide falter just slightly, giving her a curious raise of his brows - but soon enough that melts away, replaced with a welcoming smile. why would he ever think of denying her, when she was partially the reason why he had finally found a name for the troublemaker back at home?

“tout le plaisir était pour moi,”  gide answers, reaching into his jacket pocket for his phone - the one so graciously distributed to him by the city. he assumes she must own one as well, as this place was... oddly generous in that regard. he flips through the functions, pausing when he finds his number.  “i would be more than happy to speak with you again, and i’m sure antoinette would be excited to meet you. if you need anything else from me, don’t hesitate to call. you can say i have a lot of free time on my hands.”

what better way to keep himself busy than with other people, right?

“i feel lucky to have met you today, mademoiselle marie. i hope to see you again soon.”

[grisprit-blog]

sxryashakti  ;  karna.

Karna looked at him with intrigue in an almost childlike way, well, as much as his eternally dull expression would allow.

❝ Perhaps some form of magecraft or clairvoyance..?❞ The demigod mused to himself, although it was the first time he had come across such a power, even with all the magus he had encountered in this second life or even in his first. He tilted his head. There was still much to learn about humans. Suddenly a thought struck him.  

  ❝With a useful ability such as that, was it not foolish of your country to throw you away?❞ Well, even without it, in Karna’s homeland every soldier was a valuable resource in war whether a former Suta or Brahmin, but only those who made miraculous feats in battle were praised by the gods themselves.

“clairvoyance would be the most apt description, i think. an ability like this... it’s nothing short of nigh omnipotent, all things considered.”  no surprise attack would work, he could see far enough into the future to counter it and whatever may have followed. this ability allowed him to rise to the rank of commander faster than anyone in his time had ever seen. a prodigy, he had been called, and yet --

they had thrown him away, yes. 

gide believes the same thing as karna, that it was a foolish move on their part to throw him away.

“... it is foolish, i agree. i never learned the reasoning either. perhaps it was because they were scared of my power, perhaps they never intended to have me in their army for anything short of being their sacrifice... perhaps it’s because they knew that even if they wished to spare me, i would rather die alongside my men than be spared on selfish favoritism.”  even if he thinks all these things, he will never know what is the real answer. maybe there was no reason at all to begin with, and he was simply hoping there was some profound explanation why his life was tossed aside. he wanted to hope his life was worth something to the country he swore to die for.

gide looks away and shrugs.  “whatever the case may be, i will never know. the end result of the matter is that i was labeled a war criminal. i cannot change something from more than ten years ago.”