(no subject)

[strictdiscipline]

CHARACTERS: Riza and friends! ("""friends""")
DATE: Post-Ghost town log
WARNINGS: Talk of death?? Probably some throwing up too, we’ll see.
SUMMARY: Riza died and that was fun but now she has to talk about it and that’s less fun. A bunch of starters in the comments, give me a holler if you'd like something.

Comments

dw actually ate my tag and i didnt notice until a day later...rip

[viscontree]

[He holds his head down and cries to himself while avoiding eye contact with Riza.]

When I heard that you died I just couldn't take it. Please give me a minute, I need to calm down. [Julius hates showing his weakness like this, especially to a friend. Riza didn't even finish explaining yet and he's already crying. He didn't come here thinking he'd shed tears!]

I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. [After that Julius is quiet. Looks like he's trying to regain himself.]

oh no....rip nami

[strictdiscipline]

[Julius is in luck; Riza finds herself too stunned to do more than sit and stare as the calmest man she's known for some time breaks down into tears. It's not so surprising, not after she'd cried herself into a panic after Lust's pronouncement of the colonel's death, but it does cause her heart to wrench in guilt. She'd never meant to cause anyone this much pain.

Carefully, she stretches one hand out, a few fingers lowering to rest lightly on his arm. It's a gesture of comfort, of reassurance.]

Please don't be sorry. [Her voice is quiet, barely more than a whisper.] It wasn't your fault.

[It was no one's fault except for her own, and even then she'd been prepared to accept death, the fate promised to her for so many years.]

its ok i made it back from the dw war!!

[viscontree]

[Since Julius is caught in the moment he's easily drawn towards Riza's support, accepting it readily.]

This shouldn't have happened to you in the first place. [When Julius recollects himself he's going to ask Riza to go on extra training sessions with him. They gotta stop this.]

Promise me that you'll never do anything like this again. [Realistically, either of them know when death will visit. He knows that much. What Julius just wants is some reassurance from Riza herself. A simple promise is good enough. ]

whoa congrats!!

[strictdiscipline]

[She's grateful his initial pain seems to be subsiding, but any relief she might have felt turns to ash on her tongue at his urging.

Her hand slides back, her expression turns sorrowful.]

You know I can't do that. I'll do my best to be careful, but I can't promise anything else.

[As much as she'd like to live longer now that she's been given this chance, the only thing she can safely promise is that she'll do whatever it takes to keep her teammates safe. Everything else remains up in the air.]

[viscontree]

It's not fair!! Damn it!! [There's nothing but seething rage in Julius tone now. His sadness is now transforming into anger. The wild emotional roller coaster ride's never gonna end is it??? Not this one.

Riza's situation reminds Julius of the time his best friend died. Maybe that's why it hurts harder than it should. His anger's stemming from another event in his life.]

Why does this happen to the people around me? I just want you to be safe. [She's got a point though. Riza's only being realistic. No one can be sure of anything. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[His outburst has her pulling back, alarm flaring up momentarily as she stares at him, eyes wide. For a moment, it's not Julius she sees but her father, lost in one of his fits as he rages over the importance of his research.

She doesn't fear Julius as she had her father, but the sight fills her with sadness all the same.]

I—

[What? What is there even to say? Life isn't fair, they both know that. There's nothing she can say, except:]

I'm sorry.

[The words are a whisper, laden with grief as she shuts her eyes tight, shoulders hunched inwards.]

[viscontree]

[Julius shakes his head twice and pats Riza on the shoulder. He easily gets worked up and angry when it concerns his friends lives. This is part of the reason why he retired from Captain at early age. He's not mentally fit for this type of thing. Julius frowns and looks up at Riza with a look of concern. ]

You're alive now, that's what matters. What about your health?

[He asks a bit hesitantly. Surely Riza can't be completely healthy after experiencing death. She looks pained by this and he just wishes there was more he could do.]

[strictdiscipline]

[It's sweet of him to ask, and though there's still a wealth of concern on her face for his well-being - ironic, that she's more concerned for him even though she'd been the one to die - she manages to pull together a small smile for him. Very small, and likely not as reassuring as she'd want, but the sentiment is there.]

He [Koltira] mentioned it would take a week or two for me to recover fully. In the meantime, I just need to rest.

[Though easier said than done when they're still on a mission, with objectives still to complete.]

[viscontree]

Rest up as much as you can. Don't hesitate to call me again when you need help, alright?

[His eyes are red from all the tears he shed earlier. Knowing that Riza will be healthy in time brings him hope. In return Julius makes a sad smile of his own. It's the best thing he can do at the moment. ]

I'll be right here.

[strictdiscipline]

[She's grateful for his presence and his support in life, truly she is. It's not fully given vocal recognition, Riza tired from the roller coaster ride of their conversation earlier, but she means it in her grateful smile and the way she nods her head.]

Thank you, sir. For everything.

[But for now, she needs her rest.]

I'll update you on how I'm doing, so please don't worry.

[viscontree]

I'll try my best. No, thank you for informing me. [Even though Julius couldn't handle the truth he's ultimately grateful that Riza told her. It means she trusts him enough.]

See you again soon, Lieutenant.