heaven / marcoh

[midway]

Comments

[boxcar]

... No. I don't know.

Some things I recognise, like the tree. Others, I don't. This is not what the afterlife would be like, I thought.

But revealing its ugly underside, maybe I wasn't so wrong after all.

[midway]

Wrong about what?

[boxcar]

... That wherever I go after I died, it could not be a pleasant place.

[midway]

...

Now why would you believe something like that?

[boxcar]

The same reason that I might need anything like "redemption".

[midway]

You did a lot of things you believe are pretty terrible, huh?

[boxcar]

...

A murder trial... witch hunt, hits a little close.

[midway]

[ ... ]

Is it something you were expecting to come your way eventually?

[boxcar]

...

[ He grimly stares out into the hot spring waters for a bit. ]

I killed a man who didn't deserve it.

[midway]

[ Well, he'll take a sip of his wine. ]

Did you want to?

[boxcar]

No. Of course not. Not him.

[midway]

What caused it to happen then?

[boxcar]

...My sister was being threatened.

[midway]

What else could you do then?

[ other than kill that guy ]

[boxcar]

I don't know.

[ It really does, and really was, the only choice he seemingly had. But it was a bad one. ]

[midway]

And reasoning to yourself that you had no choice doesn't make him any less dead.

[ He's aware that isn't making anything better to say that, but... ]

[boxcar]

...

I don't like it. The long trials in the church.

[ Underneath all those lights. It's a lot of pressure. ]

[midway]

Well, I can tell you that you're not alone in that, my friend.

Ever feel the urge to tell everyone they should vote for you instead?

[boxcar]

[ Pause, and then a shake of his head. Good lord, no. He's not stupid. ]

I know it is not what I've done that we're there for. And I can't get expelled. I need to return.

[midway]

Ah. For your sister's sake?

[boxcar]

[ Nods. ]

[midway]

Well, that's a relief at least!

[ Momentary cheer!

Before going back to being somber. ]

You're very cool-headed during the whole thing, despite how much you hate it.

[boxcar]

[ Well he definitely was starting shit in w0's trial and he was definitely on edge by the end of w1's, but. ]

...It helps to stay busy. Try thinking of other things.

[midway]

[ Well! That's fine! ]

Or else...? What are you worried will happen?

[boxcar]

[ His brows furrow. He doesn't like how loaded that question is. ]

Nothing is going to happen.