animus_network | 4th Sand Coffin [Audio/Action]

I would rather not discuss it.

[He actually looks a little upset. Nothing is going right and he's pretty much about ready to give up on it.]

[He frowns, feeling bewildered. He isn't used to seeing Elian like this.]

...What is it?

[He drops his shoulders. So many disappointments lately...]

I... can't run very well. My feet are too big. If it's not the balance, it's the grace, and I lack it.

And this upsets you.

[His gaze hardens with determination.]

Being proportionately accurate isn't a requirement for combat. You simply have an additional obstacle to overcome.

Do you intend to give up already?

No. I want to learn. I don't have the right teacher. It's not entirely upsetting. More like disappointing.

[He's keenly aware that proportions have nothing to do with combat but it does help. He just needs a little more help than others.]

[His lips press together for a brief moment, and then he just cuts to the chase.] If not for lack of effort, then is your current instructor inadequate?

I think he has too many students.

[It was the best answer he could come up with that would logically explain the situation.]

He's fine with children, I'm simply not a typical child. I lack the boisterousness of those in my age-group and my enthusiasm is not on par with my peers. I think too much.

I see.

......

If you are willing, I can instruct you. [He's only had one student before, but he did manage to turn Matsuri from a timid, shy girl into a more boisterous kunoichi.]

[ Ishtar took a moment to pick her words before replying. ]

We need to talk Gaara.

[Elian may never be boisterous, but he will be a focused and driven student and his confidence will take a turn for the better.]

That would be most appreciative.

[It was perfect to Elian. Not only is he teaching Gaara English, he's learning from Gaara which to him is the perfect trade.]

[A shadow passes over his face, but he quickly chases it away and nods in response.]

...Yes. Is there somewhere we can meet? Privately.

I have only received and given ninja training. [A warning, of sorts.] This won't be as simple as civilian training.

We will need to arrange a consistent schedule. If your training isn't constant, then it will be difficult for your body to attain improvement.

Do you want to come over to my room? There is no one here right now.

[ Ishtar didn't want to say anything right now. She wasn't mad, but she certainly didn't want to reveal much over the network. She wasn't sure how secured it was, even with a filter. ]

Very well. [Brief pause.] Where is your room?

[That was smart, considering they didn't even know that filters wouldn't work for the entire month.]

Understood. My schedule has changed some since the last time we spoke. I have a job now that requires me to work from five in the morning to 1 in the afternoon. Language training will not be effected. After five in the evening, I will be available for physical training.

[As long as he's in bed by ten, he really doesn't care.]

2-13. I can wait outside if you want.

[ Ishtar had no idea and was still trying to get rid of the groggy feeling from all the sleep that she had last week. ]

I'll see you soon.

[Have an Reno with his eyebrow raised]

Hope you're not talking about me, Elian.

I don't want to be a burden to you when my schedule has changed, Mr. Reno. I wish not to inconvenience you further. My apologies if I made any comment that may have been an offense to you.

[He's being absolutely sincere about it. With everything that has been going on, he's unsure where he stands in most of what's going on. With that failed filter, it's proof that the Administration is in charge.]

If you were havin' problems you should have come to me.

Yes, I should have, though I didn't feel at the time that I was obligated to talk to anyone about my choices of instructors. Again, I apologize for not informing you before hand as a courtesy to you. That was my failure.

[Gaara casts the stranger a cool glance. This must be his current instructor.

He says nothing, and lets them talk it out.]

Very well. Then we will begin tonight, after the language lessons.

[He had tried to look for the princess, but couldn’t find her. For some mysterious reason. It was like she had gotten kidnapped or something.]

…Yes.

[He turns off the computer and takes a brief detour, before finally ending up in the hallway outside her room. He walks over to Ishtar and presents her with a handful of flowers that he had picked up from the field, earlier.]

Understood.

Your choice, kiddo. Hope you have better luck with your new instructor.

Thank you.

[ Well, let's put it this way. She was kidnapped for her safety, so she couldn't really say much about her situation.

It took her a while to get out of there too, seeing how she was suffering from a minour headache from all of it.

With a nod of her head, Ishtar turned off the computer and made her way to her room. When she was there, she waited for him. Not soon after her appearance, she saw Gaara approaching her.

She glanced at the flowers as he offered them to her. ]

What are these for?

[Princesses clearly exist just to be kidnapped. It’s in the rulebook.

At her question, his gaze shifts off to the side. He feels unsure about this, and it shows.]

For you. …I’ve read that flowers accentuate apologies. [Oh, if only he wasn’t so socially retarded. He can’t just apologize like normal people.]

[ Not all princesses. In this case, she was the one doing the shady business here!

Ishtar waited patiently for him to speak to her. She didn't exactly understand his actions but she tried. ]

...Uhmm...thank you?

[ She mused taking the flowers quietly. ]

I see. You're so sweet, but it's not necessary.

[ She replied with a nod of her head. ] You know this isn't important, but the thought is sweet.

[She's breaking the stereotype! Oh no!]

......

[He'll just keep standing there, looking awkward. Ironic how he can deal with all different kinds of fighting situations, but put him in a social dilemma, and he's at a loss.]

I'm not certain... what is expected of apologies.

[He looks at her cheek to see if it still has a cut from where he last struck her.]

[ That's right. She's breaking all kinds of stereotypes! ]

[ Ishtar just smiled at him, seeing how awkward it might have been for him to even give this to her. She would appreciate it all. Ishtar liked flowers too, so it wasn't like she'll throw them away. ]

A typical 'I'm sorry I worried you,' would have been perfectly fine, Gaara.

[ She chuckled. ]

But this is fine too.

[ The cut mostly healed itself when she got back to her feet. Ishtar didn't need anymore scars on her body. ]

You're forgiven by the way, just in case you haven't realized by me laughing.

[ She mused. ] Plus, it was a lot of things I shouldn't have told you right away.

[He had to read some books to figure out how to properly apologize, and this is what he got. Oops. He didn't think she would want him to die to show how sincerely sorry he was.]

I'm not apologizing for that. [He makes a small gesture toward her cheek.] I hurt you. I did it intentionally. [And at the time, it felt good. He would have done more if she managed to find her way back into the room.]

Thank you. [Short pause.] May I enter your room? This subject isn't... one that we should discuss publicly.

[ Ishtar didn't think he needed to die to apologize! ]K

What are you-

[ Oh that. She just looked at her face. ] Are you serious Gaara? C'mon, why would I be upset about a cut or two. It happens. You were unstable and shit happened...it's no big deal you know.

[ She replied patting his head without really noticing. ]

Ahaha, you're welcome and sure.

[ She removed herself from the door and deeper into the room so he could enter. ]

[Come on, Ishtar. When is he not serious? Really.

He waits until they are both inside and the door is closed before he continues speaking.]

It might not be the only time. [He doesn't mind the head pat. Though, it reminds him of... No, this isn't the time to think about him right now. It will just make him feel pain again.] I'm not... the same as I was before, at the facility.

You shouldn't feel apologetic for telling me, Ishtar. I need to know the truth. [He briefly looks down at his hand, clenched into a tight fist.] Only, now... I don't know who I am. Simply what I am.

[ Gaara, you really need to stop doing this to her. Your seriousness really makes her worry.

Ishtar released her hand after stepping aside, allowing him some room. She was used to giving comfort in strange awkward ways. It wasn't going to change now either. Ishtar strolled over to her bed and sat down, patting the spot next to her. ]

It's fine. Like I said, it isn't the first time I've been hurt.

[ She shrugged. She knew he was serious and all that, but she couldn't bring herself to get upset at him. ]

Yeah, you can say the same about me here too.

[ She looked down. ]

Yeah, I know...the truth hurts. I wished I waited to give it all to you.

[ She replied watching his hand. ]

Then make a name for yourself. If you don't know who you are, or what you are, then just do that. It's not healthy to dwell on it, but I know it's not as easy as it sounds.

[ She added quietly. ]

[Seriously? But he’s always like this. When was the last time you saw him cracking a smile?

He takes her invitation and sits down next to the girl, folding his hands neatly in his lap. The more uncomfortable or unsure he feels, the more he falls back on formal and proper behavior.]

…Have you ever died at the facility? [It was something he had been wondering ever since he saw some of her new scars. Death seemed to come much more easily at the facility.]

It’s… becoming harder to control. [He admits quietly, though his tone is void of shame.] The urge to cause harm.

[He shakes his head.] Don’t feel regretful. Had you waited, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.

......

I am... a clone. An actual clone. These memories are false. And yet, they are all I know.

[His fist unclenches as he looks up at his friend.] You have changed… At least, a little. Have you realized who you are yet, Ish? [Oops, that little mental nickname just slipped out. You heard nothing.]

[ She will make him smile one day. It's a future goal for Ishtar. Gaara needs to be happy sometimes.

She ran a hand through her hair as watched him sit the way he did. There was a rather loud sigh before she spoke. ] You know, we're not strangers. You don't need to be so stiff around around. Relax.

[ That proceeded with a rather firm slap on the back. She became quiet at what he asked. She never told anyone about it. Even some people weren't aware of what had happened to her. ]

Well, you hate being lied to right?

[ She knew that she had a hard time telling Duzell about it, but he obviously saw through her lie clearly. He was already pissed. She didn't want to piss off another friend of hers. ]

To cause harm....to people?

[ She mused after a moment of silence. ]

No it wouldn't have, but maybe it would have been a little more bearable. [ Ishtar shook her head. ] Clone or not, we're still human one way or another. It doesn't change.

[ She looked at him with a small smile. ] Yeah? I guess after three and half years, people do.

[ she shrugged, and chuckled at his use of her nickname. ] I'm Ishtar for now, but I'm not the same Ishtar that's at home. I am different from her. I've strayed from the original Ishtar. I can say that I am my own person at this point. The real Ishtar would never end up like this right now, even if she shows up.

[ She totally heard it. ]

[She has probably made him smile before… once or twice, back at the facility. Maybe.

He was happy before. He had some happy moments, but now, he isn’t sure he can ever be happy again. He lost his lover, his siblings, and his identity. What does he have to be happy about?]

…All right. [He looks a little less tense, but other than that, not much of a change.

…Only to fall forward when Ishtar slaps him on the back.] …! [Wide turquoise eyes stare at the princess with confusion.]

Yes, I do. I would appreciate your honesty. Please.

[He nods in response to her question. He knows how accepting Ishtar is, but she doesn’t know exactly how he is… The more she realized, the further away he would be pushing her.]

…No. [He shakes his head.] I doubt I could have ever been… adequately prepared for something of this nature. [He turns his face away.] I am not human. I am not one of you.

[YOU HEARD NOTHING.]

It doesn’t feel that long to me… [Gaara lifts his chin, eyes staring blankly up at the ceiling.] But you are stealing someone else’s identity, are you not? How will you live your life now? When you return, will you still become queen? Pursue your bodyguard romantically? Maintain the same bonds… that you thought you had?

[ Ishtar probably couldn't remember all the times she had done that for him. She knew that he smiled rarely, and she hoped she could change it up. ]

Seriously, Gaara...we're friends here.

[ She replied shaking her head a little at his semi-tense form. He wasn't relaxing enough. ]

What?

[ She grinned sheepishly and shamelessly before changing her expression. ]

Yeah, I died once.

[ Ishtar mused in a soft tone. She didn't know how else to put except bluntly. ]

Does it matter if you're not human? You're still a living person right?

[ The tone in her voice sharpened a little. ] It doesn't matter what you are...human, demon, or clones. It honestly doesn't make much of a difference to me. We're living in the same world.

[ Totally heard it! ]

Yeah so? She can be Ishtar, and I can be Ishtar. We may look alike and may share the same memories, but it when it comes down to it, we're different as day and night. I'm not gonna be someone's replacement, so if I have to stamp my feet and demand respect, then I'd do it.

[ She replied with a serious look. ]

It depends on them...though, the people I know. Will they be able to accept it, or not? To me, it's not all that bad. The bonds might change but maybe for the better or for the worse, I don't know. It's not the end of the world. If I get rejected, well I'll just prove that I'm ten times better than the original. I'm make sure my name's known throughout the world.

The queen thing, maybe not, but as long as I still have Phelios' blood in my veins, I'm still related to the royal family. I can be something other than a queen if I wanted to...plus it's not like I was waiting to be the queen anyway.

4th Sand Coffin [Audio/Action]

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