A Scripta

Masonry Redux: I need to speak with Lieutenant Matsumoto, please.

Masonry Redux: Lieutenant Matsumoto - oh, thank you.

Keen Stronghold raises an eyebrow.

Masonry Redux: Excuse me.

Keen Stronghold: I'm busy here.

Masonry Redux: I would like to speak with you, it shouldn't take long.

Keen Stronghold narrows his eyes.

Masonry Redux: It regards a personal matter.

Keen Stronghold: I don't think we have anything to--

Masonry Redux: (speaking in Japanese) [It has to do with something that was taken from you.]

Keen Stronghold: [Why should I talk it over with you?]

Masonry Redux: [Because it is something...that needs to be done.]

Keen Stronghold gives a small sigh.

Keen Stronghold: Where.

Masonry Redux: Someplace quiet and without interruption, if you please.

Masonry Redux: A rooftop, perhaps. Can you still fly?

Keen Stronghold: Yes.

Keen Stronghold messes with his comm. (changes his costume)

Keen Stronghold: Pick a building.

Masonry Redux: Nice suit. (finds a building)

Masonry Redux: Acceptable?

Keen Stronghold: I guess.

Masonry Redux: So tell me how Havoc came to be, as you know it.

Keen Stronghold: Who wants to know?

Masonry Redux: Me. Lodestar.

Masonry Redux: My host has a "havoc" that would need to be extracted.

Keen Stronghold: I understand.

Masonry Redux nods.

Keen Stronghold: Although I'm afraid I might not have enough information for you.

Masonry Redux: Perception is part of the inquiry.

Masonry Redux: What you know and remember - and how you felt - will be useful.

Keen Stronghold: ::dispassionately:: Alright.

Masonry Redux: I would offer a seat.

Keen Stronghold: I was on duty, and got caught in an ambush. One member of Arachnos hit me with a strange red energy.

Masonry Redux: Such as the ones usually from their weapons?

Keen Stronghold: I passed out. Next thing I remember is pummeling a hero around, and liking it.

Masonry Redux weaves a little.

Masonry Redux: Go on.

Keen Stronghold: I felt powerful. Enough to take down anyone to satisfy my... innermost wicked desires.

Masonry Redux: Did you have many?

Keen Stronghold: I'd rather skip that part.

Masonry Redux nods.

Keen Stronghold: ::looks around a little::

Masonry Redux: As you wish, though it would be helpful, as to the extent of what could possibly be extracted.

Masonry Redux: My host has enough anger to power the city.

Keen Stronghold: I lost my Captain, my wife, my normal life.

Masonry Redux tilts his head.

Keen Stronghold: I wanted them back. I set my mind to have them back.

Keen Stronghold: The anger was unbearable. I couldn't control it.

Keen Stronghold: I heard my own voice inside my head, asking things I didn't want to do.

Masonry Redux: But you liked it.

Keen Stronghold: That's correct. Yet I refused them enough.

Masonry Redux: So your own will is what changed you, but I am not understanding where Havoc came from.

Keen Stronghold: Whatever struck me, it got out eventually.

Masonry Redux: If Havoc is your darker nature, then what were you?

Masonry Redux: You forced it out.

Masonry Redux: Let me try to understand this.

Keen Stronghold: I guess I did.

Keen Stronghold: I felt like it was going to take me over, and I didn't want that.

Masonry Redux: So I am not understanding how Havoc came to be.

Masonry Redux: If he came to be before you did these things, then...your anger must be bottomless.

Keen Stronghold: When that explosion happened, I saw a red image of myself in front of me. It was burning.

Masonry Redux nods.

Masonry Redux: But if you still had anger after...

Keen Stronghold: After he appeared, I could feel no anger. Hate. Nothing.

Keen Stronghold: But... I was afraid.

Masonry Redux: Yes, yes. Go on.

Masonry Redux: Afraid?

Keen Stronghold: ... couldn't handle a gun.

Keen Stronghold: I couldn't do my job. I had no authority.

Masonry Redux nods.

Keen Stronghold: It was when an engineer, friends with my Guardian, suggested the use of force fields.

Keen Stronghold: I could use them. They meant no harm. To anyone.

Masonry Redux: So you became more passive in your abilities.

Keen Stronghold: Correct.

Masonry Redux: Hm.

Keen Stronghold: Still, I felt insecure. Weak.

Keen Stronghold: Coward.

Masonry Redux: How so? You still worked, your abilities were supportive now.

Keen Stronghold: Havoc had taken my wife hostage, and I went after him to take her back. Somehow.

Keen Stronghold: That was when... Masonry helped me on my journey.

Keen Stronghold: The old Mase I knew.

Masonry Redux: Yes.

Masonry Redux: ::forlornly:: Yes.

Masonry Redux: You did get her back.

Keen Stronghold: When I got to Havoc, we fought, talked. Found out he's been misled.

Keen Stronghold: He didn't want to accept it. He kept talking about his boss, his boss--

Masonry Redux: Yes?

Keen Stronghold ponders for a moment.

Masonry Redux 's tail twitches excitedly.

Keen Stronghold: I had no idea who he was.

Masonry Redux: But Havoc would know.

Keen Stronghold: So do I. But memories are... blurry.

Masonry Redux: You share memories, even separated?

Keen Stronghold: I wanted my "anger" back.

Masonry Redux: But why, if it destroys you?

Keen Stronghold: Anger is a human feeling. One shouldn't live without it. It's only natural.

Masonry Redux: Not when it controls a man.

Keen Stronghold: ... I wanted to be like I was before the whole thing.

Masonry Redux: And the man can no longer control himself.

Masonry Redux: So.. you would not voluntarily go through that again.

Keen Stronghold: Not recommend it.

Masonry Redux sighs disgustedly.

Keen Stronghold: Even so, I don't know who was the responsible for that.

Masonry Redux: Havoc may know.

Keen Stronghold: That's unlikely. He only remembers his boss' voice.

Masonry Redux: Hm.

Keen Stronghold: ... Oranbega... when he was there... with Eri.

Keen Stronghold: He couldn't see him.

Keen Stronghold: It was only a voice.

Keen Stronghold: He was just... a flunky.

Masonry Redux: Times like these I wish I could do magic...

[Help] Spiney Peace: recharge enhancements slotted into powers

Masonry Redux: Oh, I see.

Masonry Redux: That explains much of his demeanor.

Keen Stronghold: When Havoc gave me back my... "anger," our memories had sort of a connection, but we couldn't share it when we did it for the first time.

Masonry Redux: I understand.

Keen Stronghold: We decided to try it again... recently. I have some of his memories now, but they're inconsistent.

Masonry Redux: Then you may not be certain.

Keen Stronghold: Perhaps.

Masonry Redux 's tail twitches again.

Keen Stronghold: Havoc was able to live, using the magic essence he's made of.

Keen Stronghold: But it's only enough to keep him standing, so he can't really do much of magic.

Masonry Redux: This, what is extracted, should not be allowed to "live".

Keen Stronghold: His anger was also toned down, but it's still there.

Masonry Redux: I have seen it.

Keen Stronghold: ... of all things, he's just myself. I don't have any intention of... eliminating him.

Masonry Redux: That would be you, yes.

Masonry Redux: The issue is of not only would it extract my host's anger...but mine as well.

Keen Stronghold: ... yours?

Masonry Redux chuckles, sounding like low tones.

Keen Stronghold: Oh. I see.

Masonry Redux: Do you not think I can be angry as well?

Masonry Redux: My host's anger is slowly affecting me also.

Masonry Redux: If it is extracted...

Masonry Redux: Then we will be at peace.

Masonry Redux: ::quietly:: And dead.

Keen Stronghold frowns inside the mask.

Keen Stronghold: Lodestar. I'm going to be honest here.

Keen Stronghold: When I was under this "thing's" possession... I felt like it was swallowing me.

Keen Stronghold: I didn't feel it was going to be released. It happened because I struggled.

Keen Stronghold: I fought it out. I didn't want it. I had people to care about. I was hurting them.

Keen Stronghold: I can't *even* imagine Mase being taken by that.

Keen Stronghold: ::quietly:: ... he doesn't need any kind of evil magic to hurt people.

Masonry Redux: Which is why it needs to be removed.

Keen Stronghold: It would just make things much worse. Not just to him.

Keen Stronghold: Mase has succumbed to many... pitiful things.

Keen Stronghold: Like vengeance.

Masonry Redux: Yes.

Keen Stronghold: If I didn't struggle, Havoc wouldn't have been created.

Keen Stronghold: ... I'd become him.

Masonry Redux: He won't struggle, Hisagi, that is the problem.

Keen Stronghold: This is what you want?

Masonry Redux: I want him to be happy.

Masonry Redux: But not at the expense of others' lives.

Keen Stronghold: ::annoyed:: ... you're sounding like Daisuke.

Masonry Redux: He is my bondmate. I love him too, after a fashion.

Masonry Redux: He takes the lives of innocents and I should draw the line, but I don't.

Keen Stronghold: ... what kind of friend are you?

Masonry Redux: What do you mean?

Keen Stronghold: You "love" him enough to go havoc - and I'm not talking about magic here.

Keen Stronghold: You protect him, but don't stop him.

Keen Stronghold: If I was on his case before he got into the FBSA... he'd be rotting in jail.

Masonry Redux: No, I . . . because at that moment...

Masonry Redux: Truthfully, as well he should.

Keen Stronghold: Sorry, Lodestar. This is just a bad idea.

Keen Stronghold: I'm not supporting it.

Masonry Redux: What do I do, Hisagi?!

Keen Stronghold: In fact, I'll make sure it doesn't happen.

Masonry Redux: How so.

Keen Stronghold: ::sternly:: Going against you, if I need.

Masonry Redux sighs.

Masonry Redux: That, I do not wish...

Masonry Redux: Then we must take the other route.

Keen Stronghold: Whatever it is... I probably won't b--

Masonry Redux: I had hoped for a permanent solution.

Keen Stronghold winces.

Masonry Redux: Hisagi?

Keen Stronghold looks around suspiciously.

Keen Stronghold: ::mutters:: ... there's someone here.

Masonry Redux: I see no one here.

Keen Stronghold: ... I need to go...

Keen Stronghold looks thoughtful and confused.

Masonry Redux: Hisagi...

Masonry Redux: If you need help.

Keen Stronghold winces harder.

Keen Stronghold: ... I do not!

Masonry Redux: ::sternly:: Which you do. :

Keen Stronghold: ::muttering:: Where's it coming from?

(begins to fly off, flies very high and crashes)

Masonry Redux: Hisagi!

Masonry Redux bends to the body.

Keen Stronghold: ... ungh-- Leave me alone...

Masonry Redux: Hisagi, yes you do.

Masonry Redux cradles him.

Masonry Redux: What is wrong?

Masonry Redux: Where does it hurt?

Masonry Redux: ::slowly picks him up to stand::

Keen Stronghold: ::can't get up on his own::

Masonry Redux: ::holds him up against him::

Masonry Redux: ::the two stand together, Mase holding Hisagi up::

Keen Stronghold: ::grabs his own chest fiercely, tries to say something but fails, eyes glow red as he winces again::

Keen Stronghold: ::a vulture in robes is nearby::

Masonry Redux: ::sends healing energy to Hisagi as he looks around::

Keen Stronghold: ::the healing makes it actually worse::

Keen Stronghold: ........ I feel it-- ::grunts::

Keen Stronghold: ..... no, not again--

Masonry Redux: I have you.

Keen Stronghold: .... that doesn't... HELP!

Keen Stronghold: ::yanks away::

Keen Stronghold: ......... you're... full of hate...!

Masonry Redux: ::lets out a breath::

Masonry Redux: No!

Masonry Redux: No he's not.

Keen Stronghold: :;the vulture goes away, he recovers slowly::

Masonry Redux: ::watches something retreat from the shadows::

Masonry Redux: Hisagi...

Masonry Redux: ::touches his shoulder::

Keen Stronghold: ... I felt it... again.

Masonry Redux: ...something controls you, still.

Keen Stronghold: I don't know.

Masonry Redux: ::looks down and away::

Masonry Redux: That part of you has never completely left.

Masonry Redux: Otherwise, you would accept Nate and Daisuke.

Keen Stronghold: That "part" has always been there, Lodestar.

Keen Stronghold: It's my own feeling to feel... hate towards Masonry.

Masonry Redux lets out a small gasp.

Masonry Redux: I. I am sorry.

Masonry Redux: I am sorry he has done this to you.

Masonry Redux: But--

Masonry Redux: You have the feelings that you say are human.

Masonry Redux: If your will was able to control it, it can do it again.

Keen Stronghold: Humans can only forgive so much, Lodestar.

Masonry Redux: He does not expect you to forgive him.

Masonry Redux: He hopes you would forgive your brother.

Keen Stronghold: I don't intend to.

Keen Stronghold: Daisuke knows better what he does.

Masonry Redux: He is young and trusts too much.

Keen Stronghold: He's a damn adult.

Keen Stronghold: He's blind - but because he doesn't *want* to see it.

Masonry Redux: Because of the same reason I am here, Hisagi.

Masonry Redux: We believe there is something good in there.

Keen Stronghold: I believed, too.

Masonry Redux: He is trying, and no one sees it.

Masonry Redux: His killing of innocents changed your mind.

Keen Stronghold: Pointless killing of innocents.

Masonry Redux: And his want to do so again.

Masonry Redux: He must be stopped...I had hoped by taking the anger it would stop him.

Masonry Redux sighs.

Masonry Redux: I suppose I must try my luck with shock therapy.

Keen Stronghold: He won't be able to live without anger.

Keen Stronghold: He'll feel like... dying.

Keen Stronghold: ... like I did.

Masonry Redux: Yet you live.

Keen Stronghold: I got *it* back.

Keen Stronghold: I *have* my evil instincts back.

Masonry Redux would stomp his foot in frustration if he had one.

Keen Stronghold: I can hold a gun again.

Masonry Redux: So you believe taking the anger would not only stop him but kill him?

Keen Stronghold: He'd sink deep into a hole of depression.

Keen Stronghold: If he doesn't have willpower, he'd never get out of it.

Keen Stronghold: Seeing the facts, I'd say... he has none.

Masonry Redux: He has no willpower now!

Masonry Redux: What else can I do?

Keen Stronghold: Are you looking for a salvation?

Keen Stronghold: ::quietly:: I wonder if there's one.

Masonry Redux: We are trying...

Keen Stronghold: ... for HOW long?

Masonry Redux: *He* is trying... drugs.

Keen Stronghold: How many lives it's going to cost?

Keen Stronghold: How many friends hurt?

Masonry Redux: Do you suggest I kill him like a rabid dog?

Keen Stronghold: Drugs?! That was what got him into all of this to begin with.

Masonry Redux: And shock therapy.

Keen Stronghold: ... does he even believe in God?

Masonry Redux: No.

Keen Stronghold: ::mutters:: Not that it means anything.

Masonry Redux: Your will, the love for your wife is what brought you out of it.

Keen Stronghold: I'm not fond of shock therapy. It looks like a last resort.

Masonry Redux: Do you think I enjoy it?

Masonry Redux: I try to hide but I can't fully...

Masonry Redux: Some Kheldians have died under this.

Keen Stronghold: What's your task as a Peacebringer, regarding your host?

Masonry Redux: Mostly Nictus, but still...

Masonry Redux: I am to protect him, save his life, and to guide him.

Masonry Redux: I cannot and will not "drive" him forever.

Keen Stronghold: ... sorry, I am blaming you again.

Keen Stronghold: But one can deny guiding, and Masonry does it rather well.

Masonry Redux: ::gently:: If it will make you feel better.

Masonry Redux: Yes, he can.

Masonry Redux: By force if necessary.

Keen Stronghold: Force hasn't been working on him.

Keen Stronghold: You can tell.

Masonry Redux: ((Oh, sorry, misunderstood that other sentence))

Masonry Redux: Then what do you suggest?

Masonry Redux: Please be honest, Hisagi. ::quietly:: I think I know the answer.

Keen Stronghold: Removal from society. At the very least.

Keen Stronghold: But that's me.

Masonry Redux: You believe he is irredeemable.

[Broadcast]Lord Valentine: LF Positron TF

Keen Stronghold: ::dispassionately:: Correct.

Masonry Redux: And the removal of the anger could kill him.

Keen Stronghold: I don't think he'd get to that stage.

Keen Stronghold: I don't see it being "extracted." He'd just... take it for himself.

Keen Stronghold: And use it for his own willing.

Masonry Redux weaves back and forth, agitated.

Keen Stronghold: And *that* I won't let happen.

Keen Stronghold: He'd not... hesitate to kill anyone on his way.

Masonry Redux: I know.

Masonry Redux: I know too well.

Keen Stronghold: Do you think *we* can take that risk?

Keen Stronghold: Who would he kill?

Masonry Redux: You don't want to know.

Keen Stronghold clenches his teeth.

Masonry Redux: Anyone.

Masonry Redux: You, me if he could.

Keen Stronghold: I can't let this happen. I was hoping to count on you, too. But now I'm not really sure.

Masonry Redux: I guide, Hisagi.

Masonry Redux: I make suggestions.

Masonry Redux: And heal the body when it is hurt, and heal others if they are hurt.

Masonry Redux: I cannot tear him out. We've tried that.

Masonry Redux: The fury makes him strong.

Keen Stronghold: And enhancing it is *not* an option.

Masonry Redux: No.

Masonry Redux: He finds his own excuses.

Keen Stronghold: I know.

Masonry Redux: Then, Hisagi, I am sorry I have taken so much of your time.

Keen Stronghold: No problem, I guess.

Masonry Redux: But something controls you, and I wish to see it.

Keen Stronghold: I'm afraid you won't.

Masonry Redux: I wish to help you.

Keen Stronghold: It doesn't concern you.

Masonry Redux: You are a stubborn man.

Keen Stronghold: ::grins:: No kidding.

Keen Stronghold: Take care.

Masonry Redux: Sayonara.

Keen Stronghold: ((Jack will meet someone else. Or rather, feel his presence.))