A Scripta

Nathan looked up from his breakfast tray to see Providence storm into the room. He shared his room with three other Kheldian heroes, one who had an insane Kheldian like he had once (this Kheldian happened to like his host think he was constantly covered over with assorted items such as bugs, blankets, flowers), one who fought off depression because he couldn't save a citizen from a Circle of Thorns ritual, and the last was slated for release as soon as his cousin finished accomodating his home for a wheelchair.

"Prov, surprised to see you here this--"

"Thou lying dog! Thou mewling harpy, thou milk-livered puttock, thou excreable miscreant!"

Nathan blinked as she continued her tirade and tried not to laugh. Finally she took a breath to look at Nathan as he had put his hands to his mouth stretched into a broad smile. "Now," he said, "What was all that about?"

"Thou liest." She slipped into French, which she knew he understood, because Lodestar could translate for him. "You told me that Ben is the one who wanted to kill E-VAC and Fyre Hex, and they told me last night that it was you who wanted to. Why, Nathan, why?"

The smile disappeared. "How did you see E and Fyre?"

"I went on patrol with them, and Emerald, and Starwyng, but it doesn't matter."

"It does matter. It matters because if they went looking for you--"

"They were looking for you but you were here. You're changing the subject again. Why did you want them dead?"

"I did want them dead but I don't anymore," he protested. "But they push me and push me." He looked down. "I push back and it makes it worse."

"They still care about you or they wouldn't ask you to go with them, Nathan. You should give them the same respect."

"I try, but something comes out..."

"You try, but you can't forgive them."

"Forgive them? Why should I? I've tried to keep them alive, at the risk of my own life--"

Providence slapped him on the head. Nathan jumped up, toppling the tray to their feet. He slapped aside the tray holder, sending it into the next bed. "I'm getting sick and tired of getting hit by everyone I have a conversation with."

"Then grow the fuck up!"

He stopped his advance. First E swore at him, now Prov.

"'Tis not all about thee, Nathan, 'tis not! Thy friend E doth carry radiation sickness, 'tis getting worser and all thou careth for is how thou canst help him, how thou canst save him, truly? "I shalt help thee, and thou shalt owe me and worship me." "Oh, thank you, Masonry, my hero!" Fie, upon such a thing - thou art a hero and shouldst not expect such reward. Thou hath hurt them, thy true friends, thou hath hurt them both. What hath they done to thee?"

"They tried to help me. They tried, and I hated them for it." He looked at the tray on the floor, and saw the orderlies at the door. He called, "Get me a bucket, I'll clean it."

One of the larger ones shook his head. "Too late now. Come on, Mase."

He hung his head down, and Providence said, "Nathan."

He looked at her.

"Go hence proudly. Accept thy mistake and go."

He looked at the orderlies. Accept thy mistake and go, echoed Lodestar. He raised his head and followed the orderlies out of the room.