a_sin_for_him | IC Contact

That's... I can't even imagine.

[There's a moment's pause again, as he tries to take it in. He had never even been able to bring himself to properly fight Lust, even when she had been actively trying to kill him. But their mother...

And that that bastard had even dared to bring it up... He's done with Envy. For good. No more chances, no more lenience. He doesn't give a damn what Lust says.]

If your brother gives him any more trouble...

I'll speak with Envy.

When he's calmed. Considering the news that Alphonse dropped on him, I can't entirely blame his volatile emotional reaction.

Al would never have had such a reaction unless he deserved it. Envy had no reason to bring up Sloth.

[He, of all people, knows how dirty that move is.]

He should have seen it coming, anyway. This is on him.

It was an awful thing to bring up, but I can understand why he did.

[Better than she'd like, honestly. She sighs, trying to think of how to explain it in a general sense and a way Scar can understand.]

You see Alphonse as a friend. Envy doesn't. I don't think he was trying to hurt Alphonse with that outburst, but he wasn't giving any thought to Alphonse's feelings. As what we are, it's a sensitive subject, that one of us was ended by the alchemists that made her. That that is how responsibility was taken.

I'd likely have stronger feelings on it myself, if Sloth hadn't needed to be taken out anyway. It wasn't simply because she was a homunculus, but I doubt Envy knows all the details. I never offered them.

Say what you want about Envy's thoughtlessness, that was fully intended to hurt.

Those boys have seen hell because of you people, regardless of your intentions or misguidance. You just said yourself that Sloth tried to "wipe away" any trace of her old life. They had no choice but to end her.

In the sense that he was lashing out, not that it was a cold and calculated attack.

I know. I'm also fortunate enough to be privy to the finer details of that situation, and understand there was more to it than appears.

But look at it from our point of view. The implications of what happened...

It's bad enough knowing we're failed mistakes. Any one of us could have been destroyed by our makers. We know we're wrong, we know we're unwanted. You and I realize the Elrics did what needed to be done. I'm sure Envy sees them as committing murder upon a person they didn't want to take the responsibility of claiming because it's easier to kill us than try and care about us.

Then correct him.

[It's simple enough, to Scar. Set Envy straight. But then there's another pause. This discussion has just become far more personal, in Scar's eyes.]

Don't assume that you are unwanted simply due to your nature. And don't tell me what's easier. I would sooner die myself. You know that.

[That comes out... surprisingly gentle. Even to Scar. Sad, if anything.]

I plan to, I said as much. When he's calmed enough to listen.

Scar...

[Lust's voice softens.]

I was speaking from Envy's point of view on a general belief regarding homunculi and the alchemists that create them, not my own. My experiences have been different than his, my viewpoint is different than his. And I'm not sure why you're suddenly defending yourself. You've never created a homunculus. That's what matters so much in this instance, why there are so many deeper implications to it.

Your repeated use of "we" led me to believe otherwise. Like it or not, this is all more closely connected than any of us could have known even a year ago.

I'm not defending myself. There is no excuse for my actions or words. I just...

[He's struggling with how to phrase this, or if he should even be saying it at all.]

I don't want you to think that... you're fundamentally a mistake. Or something wrong, or something to be fixed. I don't care about Envy.

No, I only meant the collective species 'we'. Homunculi. This isn't one of those conversations where I'm talking about one thing and mean another.

I don't consider myself something that needs fixing. But factually... I'm not the intended finished product. I know that. I know why I was originally created and I know in that sense, I'm a mistake. But that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with my existence. Plenty of people are conceived in error.

I do care about Envy. I'm only trying to explain his reactions.

I understand his reactions. And why he would be led to think so. But that does not mean I will forgive him or quietly pretend that he isn't a threat to Al.

Edited 2014-08-19 19:34 (UTC)

I'm not asking you to forgive, just understand.

But honestly...whatever's between them, it's not our place to cast blame or forgive or not. There's clearly a great deal of personal issues there, and I doubt we know everything.

I can promise you that Envy won't pose a threat to Alphonse. Not when he's calm. I'll see to it myself.

That is not how this works. I care about Alphonse. I'm not about to sit back and let some lunatic lash out at him because it's personal.

Alphonse seems perfectly capable of lashing right back out himself.

There's no physical danger. There's no reason for you to involve yourself any further than simply being there if Alphonse wants to speak on anything. Some things are more personal than others, you know that.

And none of this is in his nature. He's dealt with all of this enough already.

Just... make sure Envy doesn't give him any trouble.

[Scar knows it isn't Lust's responsibility, but if Envy does cause anything, he'll be answering to Scar.]

I don't think either one of us knows him well enough to make absolute statements about his nature.

I'll speak with Envy. I do like Alphonse, Scar.

And I don't think you know how much time I have spent with him. All I am saying is that there is likely a damn good reason for him to be this angry.

That's mostly what I was saying, Scar. We don't know what happened, we don't know what befell to cause this reaction.

I just...have the feeling that it's a a minefield full of unpredictable reactions and consequences, should someone try and intervene without invitation.

[She wishes she could just explain why she feels Scar should keep to himself beyond perhaps offering an ear to Alphonse, but even she isn't supposed to know all that she does.]

I am not about to intervene on anything unless I am given reason to.

But I don't want Alphonse to do anything he's going to regret.

Only Alphonse can decide and determine what he regrets or doesn't. I know that he's young, but as you've pointed out, he's been through a great deal. He's lived and experienced enough to fight his own battles and stand on his own feet.

That doesn't mean he is to simply be left to his devices. Especially in this new and unfamiliar place.

Of course not. I just mean when it comes to him and Envy.

He isn't going to be thinking rationally about this if it's as personal as you expect it to be. I will interfere if it feels necessary.

Then don't go any further than suggesting that perhaps Alphonse is getting too emotional and would be better served by ending the discussion and stepping away.

I'm only trying to help everyone involved, Scar. This isn't our fight, and we have no right to make it ours.

As long as neither of them gives me reason to, I will do nothing more.