Scene #8441: I Hate It Too

Owner	Pose
Angela	Angela had invited Meika to visit. She honestly didn't think that Meika would take the offer and promptly forgot all about it. She didn't like the way Meika looked at her. She didn't like thinking that she was right to look at her like that. She didn't like to look at herself like that. And most of all... Well, when it turns out that Meika is actually asking to pay a visit, Angela is more ready this time than when Petra dropped by even with her having to do Malkuth's work on top of everything because before with Petra she was in a hurry and desperate but she learned some fucking lessons this time and has promptly ordered the staff to move out of her way and cleared a request for some proper SOLITUDE so she could have a fucking conversation in peace. The two instances of 'fucking' this time are on Angela's behalf because she usually goes all in in being as softspoken and cold as possible. Angela meets Meika at the exit to the artificial warpgate and dips her head to the young woman. She is finally getting to see Meika without the interference of a screen in the way. "Thank you for taking me on my offer. I have prepared space for the purposes of talking privately." Her eyes focus on Meika's red eyes first. They remind her of her mother's. Angela notes this and sets this fact aside. "I hope all is well with your homeworld." She pauses. "Home...verse? Whatever the proper nomenclature is."
Meika Kirenai	There's an understanding that the officials of the Holy Refulgence have on the reality of offworld responsibilities and commitments entailed by their sacred Knights being Paladins Chevaliers. The understanding is that 'regrettably, it will happen', and 'there are official channels to organize through, so that absences do not end in calamity'. Sister Kurokawa's influence is helpful when invoked, to soften the blows of truancy through fabricated excuses or lessened punishments- whatever that won't draw unneeded attention or concern. It wouldn't be far from business as usual to call on her, to get cleared to leave, to make sure they knew where she was, for how long, and what reason she'd found worth putting aside her duties. But Meika didn't bother with telling anyone, and especially not Kayoko, where she'd be going. She didn't bother showing up to school, despite the hours and hours between it starting and the meeting she'd been anticipating. It saves her the trouble of leaving midway, and saves everyone else the distraction of noticing that- not that they'd be surprised, though. The pleasant shock and prying comments when she actually is present, the 'where do you think she went's', and the 'where'd she get that bruise', from teachers conversing in offices and students who think she can't hear them, is almost worse than dissapointment. They don't even need to say it, for her to tell. Sometimes it's easiest to prove them right. And she really needed the distance. After all her morning responsibilities, after making sure her youngest sister was fed, and made it to school on time, she'd simply taken her motor scooter, pointed it in the direction of "outside the city", and ridden south until Kagoshima fell away to green seaside hills and heavy summer sun. Finding a warpgate outside of her sister's awareness- especially after enough time that she'd be sure to worry- took the rest of her day, but the wind in her hair on the drive helped her steel herself for the meeting to come. But with the kind of things on her mind, the feelings in her heart, and the necessity to do this, by herself, the soft flash that emenates as she actually steps through, to Lobotomy Corporation's artificial warpgate, heralds not Meika, but Chevalier Vermillion. The blades of her skates ring, ever so softly, as they rest upon hard flooring, and her balance even on their thin edges holds a practiced ease. 'Thank you for taking me on my offer. I have prepared space for the purposes of talking privately' "Yeah. Some things need to be seen for yourself. I'm not worried about being overheard, though. But..." She looks around, red eyes panning around the empty surroundings. "Thank you. That's a nice gesture." Upon Angela's second question, Chevalier Vermillion tenses, just a fragment. "It's as it always is. Home. I- we just call it home. But- um. That's the kind of thing you can ask on the radios. So first things first, here's a question that I can't." Some things need to be seen for yourself. She takes a deep breath in. "How is she doing?" A cutting edge betrays her emotions, sterner and harsher than she'd like. As if there's an answer she expects, no matter how justified. Red eyes narrow, fixed on Angela's own. "The Magical Girl of Courage."
Angela	Angela says, "Of course I cannot guarantee absolute privacy--that is something that scarcely exists in this world--but we can get close to it." The trip to the Records floor where she can at least count on Benjamin to not show up with smarmy (hi Binah) comments is one Angela is accustomed to so she already turns to make her way over to the elevator. It's actually Chevalier Vermillion, of course, but Angela doesn't seem to think twice about that. It only makes sense to wear one's EGO GEar when moving into potentially hostile territory. What if someone tried to murder her? It's been known to happen when you show up to places alone. Angela has no desire to pick a fight. How is she doing? Angela stops. The clarification is needless, there's only one person Vermillion could be speaking of. "Names have meanings don't they? ... In your religion, Vermillion Rose is a symbol of the Virgin Mary but it is not the only belief structure that makes use of it. In invesigating other religions, we've discovered it a color pertinent to Shinto as well--a color that wards off evil, a blessed color at least twice." Angela turns back to look into Meika's eyes, her expression as placcid as ever. "She remains under observation. Beozzi and Rose take turns visiting her. She seems stable, but we cannot know for sure if a permanent change has occured. One of her counterparts, the Queen of--Ah, you'd prefer the Magical Girl of Love... She tends to relapse so we have to consider that a possibility here. But so far it has not happened again. If you'd like, I can add you to a visitor's list for the branch office where she's located but I'd ask for you to wait a few days so I can settle this matter with Malkuth." She then turns and starts heading toward the elevator.
Meika Kirenai	Following Angela along, Chevalier Vermillion walks, instead of slides, with her boot's ice skates. Metal double-clicks, toe to heel, echoing slightly. "Don't worry. If I don't want something I say to be overheard, it won't be. Close to privacy is good enough." She doesn't elaborate on how, but a small smile does invade her face, for a moment. 'Names have meanings don't they?' "That's kind of a silly question. Of course they do. They- they mean a lot. Especially to how you need to be." A short pause. "Twice-blessed... that I'm- that I get to be this, Chevalier Vermillion, is the blessing. To.. me, and to those I protect. Everyone deserves my strongest and best... s-so, if even the color's blessed, that's for the better." She sounds more like she's rattling off a script, than speaking from the heart. It's a messier color, a messier name, than just that. It's angry, and it's bloody, too. It's harsh to look at. But I'm doing my best. I'm trying my hardest. 'Queen of--Ah, you'd prefer the Magical Girl of Love.' Chevalier Vermillion's teeth grit, ever so slightly, behind tight-pulled lips. "Why do you insist on using other ones for them? It was so cruel, what you all called the Magical Girl of Courage. It's really no wonder she had trouble staying-" A sudden cutoff, and her lips purse. When Angela looks back to her, she turns away, instead of holding her gaze. Eyes find the floor instead. 'If you'd like, I can add you to a visitor's list for the branch office where she's located' "..Yeah. I'd like that. Thank you. We.. said we'd try and help her, I'd hate to make her think we betrayed that. But it can wait." A slow, exhale. Just not too long. "A problem. If it's in the way, is it something you could use- something you need help with?" The mid-sentance change comes with a tiny flinch, and Chevalier Vermillion pauses, after she's finished, opening her mouth ever so slightly, considering something. Whatever it was, she instead just follows Angela to the elevator. "What do names mean, to you?" A similar sharp tone follows this question, but even Chevalier Vermillion is quick to throw an apologetic glance at Angela, for it- seemingly it carries unintended emotion.
Angela	"Ah, pardon me--I've been raised to start on base principles. I did not mean to insult your intelligence. There is at least one matter we agree on, after all." Why does she insist on using the other names for them? She is so cruel. She has become so cruel. She is not who she used to be. No, they don't even remember what she used to be. This is just what she is now. "I cannot take responsibility for what occurs. For good or ill. Please exercise caution." She sounds like she's more worried for Meika than the Abnormality but that's because she is, really. It is uncharted territory even for her so she doesn't know what could happen and she's been taught to expect the worst. Does she require help? "If I said no, would you think I simply did not wish for you to save more Abnormalities? ... Even in the best of circumstances... Hah... I suppose it doesn't matter what you think of me." She steps onto the elevator and will beckon Meika on. It's a simple gesture, so simple so far. What do names mean to her? Angela doesn't need to wait a moment to answer this one. "They're titles to tales. Even my creator gave me one, if under duress. He almost chose Angelos but ultimately settled on Angela." She pushes a button and the Elevator takes its time to go to the Records Department. She rests her hand against it ofr a moment. She's thinking. There isn't actually a visitor's list and in fact the Manager of that facility stopped responding and the whole system is operating automatically but it has been one of the more efficient labs and there is no replacement so she has let it be for the moment. "You know, Miss Kirenai. Vermillion. Do not take this the wrong way but I had initially thought of you as unreliable. You seemed like someone who couldn't even voice her opinion when it mattered most to her. Someone like that, I thought, I couldn't even trust them to enter the L Corp facility because it would eat them alive. But then you 'saved' the Magical Girl of Courage." She uses the name Meika has insisted on without hesitation this time.. "And you shone as brightly as any Star of the City in that moment. You were able to do that, despite seeming so unreliable before. I realized then you are not the sort of person who does not speak up when something is important to them, you are the sort who only speaks up on matters that are truly important. Therefore, when you were struggling to consider whether or not you should say anything--you were actually weighing the importance of speaking up on a scale to see if it was time to. That is what my analysis tells me. You are free to disagree."
Angela	Angela looks into Meika's eyes. Her golden stare is as cold as metal. "You do not like how we treat the Abnormalities here. You do not like our treatment of them enough that you are willing to forgo your typical reticence and speak up. I have said again and again that you shouldn't take the Magical Girl of Courage as a rule but as an exception... And I cannot say I was lying. But all the same..." "...I agree with you. I hate it too, you know. Nobody should be imprisoned for being what they are. The Abnormalities did not ask to be like this, it is not a product of their choices. They were created like this. They should not be punished for being what they are, even if what they are is ''Hungry''. But if that is true..." "...Pardon me for I am a novice in this arena, but Berislav said that 'harmful' desire was to be curbed. And he is an expert in your religion, is he not? Perhaps it is different because he is from a separate world but... According to this belief system, you should be... Repressing these Abnormalities not performing Attachment work, am I correct?" Angela believes this is the time to allow herself a faint smirk--so she engages it freely--she has endured Meika's judgement for some time now and wishes to extend her only little piece of it now. Her lips twist slightly upward and those cold eyes get a miniscule bit brighter with amusement like she's the Queen of a Dark Kingdom. This may teach Meika some or all of the following as she acts like she just destroyed Catholicism in a single tweet. Angela may be clever and perceptive but she has literally never touched grass (well until a few days ago which is probably fueling her know it all attitude right now). There are discrepancies between Angela's public persona and her private one. Angela genuinely believes that everyone who goes to Catholic school must be those who see themselves as Catholic.
Meika Kirenai	'I cannot take responsibility for what occurs. For good or ill. Please exercise caution.' "Yeah. It's not on you. For good or ill. But if I have to get hurt, to help, so be it." The eventuality of danger isn't close at mind, when it comes to the Magical Girl of Courage. Someone lashing out is different than an uncaring monster you're just in the way of. Even if the hurt is the same. 'Hah... I suppose it doesn't matter what you think of me.' Chevalier Vermillion clutches armor-clad fingers against her bared shoulder. "Yeah. Why would it." It's the kind of muttering that ought to stay under breath, or in one's mind, but Chevalier Vermillion doesn't hold her tongue- not right now, and not where so few others might hear. "I hope that's fine to hear as a 'yes, help's fine'. It's what I'm taking it as." She puffs air out of her nose, deflating, ever so slightly. As if off in the distance- impossible, for a facility like this, it sounds almost as if faint thunder is crashing. Metal skates clink, as she steps into the elevator, and the faint rumble is overridden. 'They're titles to tales.' "Then what are they, to tales nobody gets to know?" Vermillion avoids looking at Angela as she speaks this. She lets it hang, quiet, as the elevator starts to move. '...I had initially thought of you as unreliable...' I am. '...I couldn't even trust them...' Maybe you shouldn't. 'But-' As Angela had spoken, Chevalier Vermillion's expression, even if not her composure, started to turn slightly distant. But the 'But', and the shift to her performance in that struggle, causes her to flinch. 'You are free to disagree.' "It matters more when it's for others. The ends and the means." She mutters. She's not quite disagreeing, but the cold, sterile gold of Angela's eyes, if she cares to, might pick out fragments of guilt in Vermillion's red ones. 'I agree with you. I hate it too, you know.' Chevalier Vermillion actually takes a step back, surprised. Metal armor clinks against the elevator wall she's backed into. "You do? If you agree, then- then why do you... keep doing what you do? If they're-" She falters. '...Pardon me... 'harmful' desire was to be curbed.' She's quiet for a moment. "Everyone is made to seek and find goodness. It's- It's best to guide back, to that. Attachment and Repression... I don't think I know what you mean, by those. M-maybe.. some think they need to be punished, for failing that. Maybe they'd be right. But I want to believe they're not destined to fail. That trying can still matter." She wilts, under the smirking glare. "Do you think that? That... they were made that way, evil, and... that even trying is a waste?"
Angela	What are they to tales nobody gets to know. "I never said they were evil." Angela says. "I said they were Hungry. Harmful. All I see are entities free to act according to their nature. Perhaps the harm come from mistreament--perhaps it comes from nature--but in this they are no different from humans. In fact, Abnormalities--even the machines, even the ones that are animals or something indescribable--are essentially human. Distorted, perhaps, but human all the same. But even though I agree with you, it is not my job to sympathize with the abnormalities or help them or even destroy them. As mentioned, our purpose is to exploit them for energy. And yet..." Angela's smile fades as she realizes her CHECKMATE isn't as much a checkmate as she hoped. She can't complain. She declared her victory prematurely. The doors open to the Records department and it is strange. The structures are greyscale in entirely, you can even see something resembling a SKY in the distance--or an illusory one perhaps. Melting pipes like one might expect from an organ sprout from the floor and numerous clocks--including one that looks like one gestalted with a Seraphim--adorn the sky. None of them are set to the same time. Angela steps out with little fanfare. Doe she feel a little twist inside her at seeing Meika wilt. She does. She was not lying when she said she fundamentally agreed with her but her desire to win is causing problems as always. She wants to fulfil every desire and she suspects not even an orange will satisfy her completely. What are they to tales that nobody gets to know? Those words stick with her and she's not sure why. She certainly doesn't comment on them yet because she has an obligation of truth to Meika. The outsiders get to know things Agents don't. She sees guilt in Meika's eyes when she mutters. She pulls back for now. She doesn't need to torture anybody beyond who she has been given the duty of torturing. "Attachment is--the sort of work you did with the Magical Girl of Courage. You empathized and listened. You provided some repression as well--both in terms of violence, though repression need not be violence, and rejecting how she had come to see violence. Attachment and Repression are two sides of a coin. One is empathy with the attitudes of the Abnormality, the other is rejecting them. Both are neccessary for Abnormality Management. Too much empathy can kill you here." But the important question is...
Angela	Why do you...keep doing what you do? Angela has stalled long enough as she walks through the cold halls of Records. "Because it is what the script tells me to do." Angela says. "You see, Vermilion... The Abnormalities are not the only prisoners here. Everyone, even the Agents, are prisoners here. I am a Warden that cannot leave." She stops suddenly, turning to face Meika. Her expression is cold to the point of burning. It's that kind of cold. "If I am kind, if I do not obtain the quotas of energy we require, if the Sephirah do not go mad and revolt the system will eventually automatically boot us back to the beginning with all our work wasted. So long as we do not meet our quotas, the system will not let me leave. It will not let the Sephirah leave. It will not let the Abnormalities be wholly free of this prison either. Even the Magical Girl of Courage will revert to the Servant of Wrath if time is rewound to the beginning." "Everyone will forget everything. Everyone except me. I have been doing this fr a thousand years--ahh, but I perceive time more slowly. In truth, it has been one million for me. I suppose by your belief system's countenance--I have been given the role to be the Devil of this place--by my creator." This time Angela doesn't have an evil smirk or anything like that. The only thing in her eyes is tired sympathy as she recognizes something in Meika that she sees in herself. "A warden, just like you. Struggling against unending odds despite knowing that freedom from your burdens will never come. You battle on and on, knowing that if you fail--everyone will forget--everybody except you. So they do not forget, Vermilion--that is why I do what I do." Angela sighs. "And just like with me, there is no end in sight for you either."
Meika Kirenai	'I said they were Hungry. Harmful.' 'Perhaps it comes from nature--but in this they are no different from humans.' 'It is not my job' "It's everyone's job to care for people. If they're... human all the same. Even people who are- who aren't- who don't-" A tangled-up ball of emotions blocks out her trachea. "...I'm sorry. But I'll- I only know what feels right. Even if it's not. And I'd like to hope their nature is to.. be able to be good, in the end." Chevalier Vermillion follows close behind, into the Records department. Her eyes scan the room, the faint click from her footsteps echo around the area, the rebounding sound giving her a feel for even the surroundings she isn't locking at. 'Attachment and Repression are two sides of a coin.' 'Both are neccessary.' A faint, anxious sigh slips past her lips- utterly silent, but the motion is visible. "It worked. I knew what I was doing. My empathy wasn't.. blind. I didn't want to hurt her, but it'd hurt her more to let her... hurt others." That assumption, however, is blind. "I didn't reject her. She rejected that herself. She knew what she needed to be." 'I am a Warden that cannot leave.' Vermillion does meet Angela's eyes, on this. Cold gold is faced with a soft and pained red. 'Everyone will forget everything. Everyone except me.' A sparkle of wetness builds in the corners of her eyes, as she listens. "...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that that's been placed on you. That you have to do, to- to be what you hate. For everyone." A million years is thousands and thousands of years longer than Chevalier Vermillion can even imagine. But the loneliness, she can. Even if not quite the same way. Her breath hitches, and she feels a sinking dread. "...You're.. brave, to care." Even if it's out of self-interest, even if it's painless for everyone else. She says it- 'I have been given the role to be the Devil of this place--by my creator.' 'Because it is what the script tells me to do.' 'A warden, just like you.' -And flinches. The noticed recognition is heavy in the air, like a weighted net. "...Why do you liken it to that.. as your role?" She stays quiet for a long, long moment. 'And just like with me, there is no end in sight for you either.' "...Yes, there is." With the girl's hushed tone, the resignation in it, it's clear that no freedom is to come from the whispered-of end.
Angela	Angela says, "...Perhaps it ''is'' everyone's job to care for people." She closes her eyes. "But that is not a job I appear to be skilled at. Perhaps I am the one who was simply designed to be 'evil'. Or perhaps I simply ended up that way through my own choices. I suppose for me, there is little difference in the end." Those eyes are closed once Vermillion seeks out those eyes. Angela doesn't want to see the sympathy, the pain--another lash of the scourge has thrown out just for some simple understanding she can't have enough of. Maybe it would have been better if she never told her--it's betteer if nobody knows but she's hungry too. ''But it'd hurt her more to let her...hurt others.'' Angela's head dips quietly. Is she... "I am no Magical Girl of Courage. I have stopped caring for my charges ages ago. There is simply no reason to leave them in prison during my escape--not that I expect to manage it but I do admit I have more motivation now. Perhaps I was brave once. Now I am resigned. I wonder if you will be too. Not today, certainly, or even tommorow. Maybe not for years and years..." Hate me, she thinks, you should hate me. That glare in your eyes, it should be your truth. You were absolutely correct the whole time. I can't say I'll like it but I can't say you're wrong. She opens her eyes finally though it's slow, like she's forcing them open. "There was even a time I enjoyed seeing them suffer because of how much I loathed them. Of course, in the end, even I am bound to be bored."
Angela	She barely knows why at this point she's trying to get Meika to hate her and to despise her. Maybe she just wants to believe there's someone out there who acknowledges the wrongness of it all, to acknowledge HIM as wrong for creating this scenario. God or A, it doesn't matter. Why does she liken it to that? "The Sinners I look after--the Sephirah as I call them. My chief purpose--and my chief obstacle--is to sublimate their flaws so that they may evolve. This process is neccessary for the experiment to end and for our duties to end with blissful and eternal sleep. It is my purpose to force that out by ''Accusing'' them in a variety of ways to force them to confront these elements of themselves." Not even Lilian knows what comes at the end. Not even Persephone. If they do, they did not hear it directly from Angela. She tells Meika because she does not believe Meika can stop it, she tells Meika because she sees herself in her--that part of her that she hates for losing to the version of her that exists now--but even this version of her wants to see it--if only it wasn't in the way of her goals. That's the tragedy of it. She is kind of rooting for her but if she truly succeeds, she'll be damned forever. "The process refines the energy we collect into the form we require for some plan I care little about other than seeing it to fruition." Angela turns her head aside. She doesn't want to walk anymore. "...That is why I refer it as such. I hope you manage to achieve what you whisper of but pardon me if I lack the ... Faith. But I need no 'Faith' to be His Agent." She avoids looking into those eyes. She doesn't like looking into those eyes. They remind her of her. But they also remind her of her mother. "I hope I was able to answer your questions. If you wish to assist, I will not stop you but if you impede my escape..." She quietly pleads for Meika not to.
Meika Kirenai	'Perhaps I am the one who was simply designed to be 'evil'. Or perhaps I simply ended up that way through my own choices.' Chevalier Vermillion listens, but doesn't interject. She knows the canned response, she knows what answer people smarter, more trustworthy, and better than her could say. Blades tap against the floor, arhythmically and anxious. 'I have stopped caring for my charges ages ago. There is simply no reason to leave them in prison during my escape.' "If you don't leave them, if you let them go... that's still help. That's still care, right?" 'Maybe not for years and years.' Despite everything, despite the wetness in her eyes, Chevalier Vermillion fails to stifle a one-breath laugh. More of a snort. Immediately she wishes she'd succeeded. 'Of course, in the end, even I am bound to be bored.' She tenses, hearing this. The anger and bitterness, the want to see someone, something hurt. Her veins run cold. Quietly, she speaks up. "...It's easier when someone's hurt for it. Or to blame for it. Or... or worth hating for it." It makes her queasy, to hear that sentiment from Angela, but her response- it's not the anger it should be. She can't imagine the feeling directed outwards- there's too much of a recursiveness to its internalization, that outward hate makes inwards worse. Nevertheless, her reaction is soft and quiet, once more meeting Angela's open eyes. 'My chief purpose--and my chief obstacle--is to sublimate their flaws so that they may evolve.' '...To force that out by ''Accusing'' them...' "...To guide them somewhere better?" She pauses, thinking, and hesitates right before she can rub a gauntleded hand over her eye- the metal would do little for her welling tears, except hurt and poke. She lowers her hand. "...If the end balances out the means... if you help them confront sin, help them be good, does it matter why, and how? If you try, a purpose like that can still..." She trails off. Hypocrite. Liar. It does. You know it does. Good ways being hard isn't the excuse for bad ones that are easy. Telling her it's okay just hurts everyone. It should come naturally. It's supposed to. If it doesn't, that's your fault. Chevalier Vermillion's teeth clamp around the skin on the inside of her cheek. A sour, bitter twitch comes to her eyelid, even as she looks towards eyes that won't look back. She tastes blood. A warden, just like me. I'm sorry for that. Maybe someday you'll get out. Regardless of that purpose. 'I hope you manage to achieve what you whisper of but pardon me if I lack the ... Faith.' "I don't. It's not something I want. Magical Girls don't last forever. Someday I'll- I'll just... forget. Like everyone else. It's an end, but it's..." The rest of the thought, whatever it would be, goes unsaid. 'I hope I was able to answer your questions.' "...You've been more than generous with answers, Miss Angela. You shouldn't have had to bother. But.. I do want to help you." She fidgets, prying at her opposite hand's armor plating, metal scratching against metal with a faint, ugly screech. Chevalier Vermillion winces. "...With the matter you mentioned... um, Malk.. something. Or with..." A silence follows, that doesn't need elaboration.
Angela	Vermillion laughs. Angela wonders finally if her assessments of Meika was incorrect. That's fine, she tells herself. She can feel like a fool later. How much of the Meika that she knows is performance? How much of Lilian is true? Or is it both true? Contradictions clashing against one another to forge people. That gaze grows cold again. Though she tells herself it's fine that she can feel like a fool, the truth is Angela hates the idea of it. If there is one thing Angela feels she can take some degree of pride in it is the power of her intellect. While she doesn't expect to be a mind reader, future teller, or omniscient or anything like that--she is the sort of person to prefer to say nothing until she is absolutely certain rather than throw the dice. But it's been strange times for her. And worst of all, Meika isn't hating her. Maybe she didn't want it enough. If only she was like Binah and could always know the right whispers to invoke distrust, rage, and hate. If she isn't hated, then that past version of herself she laments--was she really just a naive fool? "Akin to purgatory perhaps. I am ... I am speaking metaphor, please understand. I am not seeking to literally claim theological portent--I simply thought it would be an easier method. I did not give myself the name Angela." She prefers it to the original 'Angelos'. She doesn't particularly hate the name either but she doesn't really have A's instinct for this theological symbology. But there is no real escape. Just rest at the end. An eternity of darkness to pay for seven days of light. But irrespective of how Angela may have misjudged Meika--the part that is important to Angela does at least aim true. They are wardens, in the end. And Vermillion will retire eventually, she says, and maybe she even does forget. Angela's envy rises up and she pushes it down. She's troubled Meika enough foro ne day with her character flaws. It's an end, but it's... Not the end? "...I won't stop you. But I cannot ask you to help with this. Malkuth's meltdown is the easiest to deal with. We usually fall apart by Gebura's." And they've never ever gotten past Binah or Hokma. "But even this will be a far departure from what you seek. Even in the best case scenario." She makes her way back to the elevator and stops short for a moment. "In private I can be frank like this. But in front of them I will play my role." And then an almost convincing, "My apologies." She slinks back in and will wait for Meika before riding all the way back up top.