Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian shook his head. "I...if things came to another incident...I promised myself that I'd take steps to prevent you from killing anyone else again...you wouldn't want anyone to go through that pain, but I don't think you could blame me. You would blame yourself for being unable to act sooner. From preventing something you had no chance of knowing about." Obsidian's hand went to his wrist again. "But I can tell you that I don't blame you...and that they wouldn't either. They were much better people than me, after all."

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna chuckles. "I suspect they'll be after good stiff drinks instead. Poor Siegfried, being stuck in there."

Lance's eyes are drawn to Obsidian's wrist, but he doesn't say anything. "How can you not blame me?"

[accalia]

"Siegfried was holding his own when this one left. He's stronger than most give him credit for. One believes that if he wanted to he could out stubborn both masters. hmm.... if they'll be after stiff drinks one had better get some of the brandy chilling."

Echo is talking animatedly, and apparently half to himself and half to Rosanna. He finishes his small meal and puts his fork down. Unlike previous times where he cleared his own place setting as soon as finishing the meal Echo simply sits, his eyes half closed and his expression distant and unfocused.

[CalamityJade]

"Because...you had no control over your body. You probably didn't even realize what happened till the next day." Obsidian looked back towards Lance "Even before that...the thing that attacked you...it was a large beast, right? More looking like a bear than a wolf?" He chuckled darkly. "And then I remembered all those stories I told you...about when I was younger and fighting off a mountain lion with a knife, right?"

[yamikuronue]

"I remember what I did," Lance practically whispers. "It seemed.... it didn't feel... but I remember it. I didn't black out. I was there. I didn't recognize them. All I knew was I was starving and they smelled like food. But if I'd have kept my head, if I'd have been stronger..."

Rosanna finishes up her slice of roast. "That Siegfried's a strange one. I remember when Jackie adopted him. He was a quiet little thing, very serious, but after a few months he started opening up. Used to have a real thing for practical jokes." She chuckles to herself.

[accalia]

"A strange one, yes. And a very nice man too. Sad then that he has no one to share his life. Maybe as the Master gets better he will have time to find someone..."

[CalamityJade]

"Damnit, do you realize that the fact you're still somewhat sane is fucking amazing?! Everything I could figure out made me think you'd...that there'd be nothing left." He frowned. "And you're still the same hard-hedded kid from then! The hell, if you had been stronger. It's the only reason you're even sane NOW!"

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna chuckles. "Someone like the Young Master, you mean? Aye, they'd be a good match."

Lance raises his head a little, looking at Obsidian's face again. "...nothing?"

[accalia]

Echo focuses suddenly on Rosanna

"hmm... this one had not thought of that... then earlier, your comments.... were you trying to matchmake this one with Siegfried?"

[CalamityJade]

"You wouldn't be...you, as aggrivating as hell as you are to deal with right now. I was...actually afraid I'd come here and know. Know that whatever it was that looked like you wasn't the same, that it was just wearing your face."

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna blinks. "You weren't aware? Oh! Goodness. Yes, that's what I was hinting at."

Lance looks at his hands, slowly unclenching them. "So... there was no choice? I couldn't have..."

[accalia]

"This one was not aware. This one has not thought of oneself in that particular light in... too long. One supposes one should move on, but the memory of that last day.... the last moments... No this one barely bore that once, never again."

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian looks away. "There was nothing...nothing short of knowing before all of it happened that could have changed anything, and even then...I don't know if I'd have had the stregnth to do it..." He'd wrestled with that for ten years...and it still tasted bitter in his mouth. He wouldn't have been able to do it...and he couldn't have prevented it.

[yamikuronue]

Rosanna sighs. "Don't you start. Look, I'm not going to tell you what to do. It's your life. Date, don't date, so be it. But don't bore me with sob stories about how you can't date. Siegfried's done that enough of late -- he can't date because the Young Master needs him, blah blah blah. At least own up to your choices, you know?"

Lance looks at his shoes. "I don't," he says, quietly.

[accalia]

Echo blinks and looks directly at Rosanna in surprise.

"yes, indeed. You would not want to hear my story, just as this one does not relish talking about it. You are remarkably strong willed an independent, If it would not be construed as prying might this one inquire why you serve here?"