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zero (ffxiv)

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WHO: Zero and you!
WHERE: The network
WHEN: Nebulous timeframe - after Krusnik's fall sometime in August.
WHAT: Zero has a simple inquiry.
WARNINGS: Possible mentions of torture and child abuse due to the subject matter. I'll label things accordingly.

[text;]

[It has been an eventful past couple of weeks and Zero is getting restless. She wanted so badly to raid the base with everyone else, but her own strength did not feel like it was enough, and then she thought about how her friends might become concerned if she went missing suddenly during all this.

Though she isn't there, she wants closure, too.]

Is that man dead?

I want to know everything. Did he suffer? Did he beg? Did he even understand that what he did was inexcusable?

I don't need to see proof. I just want to know.

Am I finally free?

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I was not there.

I was among the captured.

Those who came to save us saw the building razed to the ground.

They showed no mercy to those who imprisoned us.

I would imagine the same was true of him. No quarter was given.

They will not be back to haunt you again.

They should not have laid their hands on you. I regret that you know firsthand what we have gone through.

You aren't even of this world. What did Krusnik think they could accomplish?

They were all fools. It is good they are dead.

[a pause]

... Thank you. We are both free now.

I do not know what they were thinking, but I imagine they had their just desserts. I seldom celebrate the passing of others, but in this case, I feel it is warranted.

[a pause on her end, as well]

I suffered greatly, but only for a short time. I'm sure you've been through much worse. Would I need to, I wouldn't hesitate to burn their base to the ground again. From now on, the world should be much kinder to you.

[And Rose will help make that happen, if she needs to.]

It feels... strange. I am relieved. Beyond that, I don't know. It's difficult for me to say.

It isn't a contest. Still, I am... grateful. We must have been friends in my past life, whether we recall clearly or not. We are also friends in this one.

I would also burn their base down for you, if asked. Perhaps even if I was not asked.

The world is kinder for their absence.

I am also grateful for your presence. I am grateful you are still with us.

For all that I've suffered this past week, the city seems like a brighter place this morning. To know that such monsters will never again see the light of day fills me with relief.

Have you thought about what you'll do next?

[She feels something... in her chest when she reads that. Something twists, and it's painful, but also warm.]

I don't know. I am trying to find where to begin.

There is still so much I don't understand about myself and about this world.

I need some time.

I daresay after that operation, time is now the one thing you have in spades. There's no rush.

This is probably a silly question, but would you like to go shopping with me sometime? I find it's an excellent way to explore the city. It can help to take your mind off things, as well.

Then I will take my time. Even I have grown weary these past few weeks.

Shopping? I am not accustomed to shopping with other people. Is it... fun? Would you teach me?

I think it's fun, at least. And I'd be happy to teach you.

While we're out, we can sample different foods, too. There are crepe stands, coffee shops; a lot of places to enjoy.

It's not limited to just clothes or accessories, either. I'm sure we could find a bookstore or two for you to look through, as well.

You are kind.

I see... Then, I would like to try those things with you.

I would like to experience the things that bring my friends... happiness.

And I would be happy to have your company.

But don't be afraid to seek out happiness yourself, you know? If there are things you like, do them. You're more than anything that's happened to you in your past.

That is... I don't consider what happened to me to be "my" past. It is a past shared with many other victims of Krusnik. My true name and my origins were taken from me. My life did not begin until I was free.

I am still learning what activities I enjoy. Things such as hobbies, leisure time, and eating good food were alien to me until only recently.

My future is blank much like my past, but I am content with that.

That is a good way of looking at things. Dare I say it, I think I could learn something for you.

I would be happy to help you learn, if you would have me. To try different things with you. The future may be blank, but that doesn't mean you need to walk into it alone.

Why would I deny you? We are friends.

[Simple.]

I... remember. "Not nothing, but the beginning of something."

That is what this is.

That is good to hear, thank you.

[She doesn't want to say that her time with Krusnik, short as it was, left her feeling doubtful. That it left her feeling like she'd only hurt those she cared about. That she is still healing.]

[After all, her time with Krusnik was short, and Zero wasn't so lucky. So she continues.]

"Not nothing, but the beginning of something." I like that.

I think this will be the beginning of a wonderful future for you.

It was the sorceress who said that. [what was her name] Y'shtola, I believe she was called? I am unsure of the spelling.

It must be. I... also hope your future is wonderful, Rose.

Y'shtola? You know Y'shtola?

[Several minutes later.]

Actually, wait. Perhaps we should talk in person. Would it be okay if I come to you?

I do.

[Wait, she doesn't... oh.]

We can speak in person. I live somewhere else now.

[She texts Rose separately off the network with it. Jusis' place!]

I will meet you outside.

Aye, it's proper dealt with. Ain't sure what became of th' bastard in charge, but th' ground opened up and swallowed the bleedin' place.

While it was on fire.

So I'd say it's over an' done.

Edited (damn you autofill) 2023-08-07 20:42 (UTC)

The ground swallowed it up...?

[She sounds a little stunned.]

So it is done, then. Done and buried.

[Relief, almost tender, leaks into her voice.]

Finally...

Edited 2023-08-07 23:23 (UTC)

You ought t' be safe now--you n' everyone else what they gave so much trouble. Got a good deal less t' worry over.

You alright? S' a lot of news to be contendin' with.

[What does "alright" even fucking mean? She has no idea.]

I don't know.

I don't know how to live like other people. As if I am not running away from something...

I was always running.

Ain't no time like the present to start learnin'. Even if it's a right terrifyin' prospect.

How...? Where does one begin?

[Zero. Not 'nothing', but the beginning of 'something'.

Will those words hold true in this life, too? She wonders.]

Mm...well, I've found when the worst's over and the dust's settlin', takin' a bit of time to focus yourself is a good way t' start.

It ain't much, but every time I got a bit a' quiet I'd find somewhere with folk I cared about an' trusted. Just spend a lil' time with 'em, see what they were doin'. Have a chance t' feel the wind and sunlight on my face an' know me and mine were all still around t' do the same.

World's a big place. S'nice to just...live in it, sometimes.

[She breathes out slowly as she tries to take Scintilla's words to heart.

Spending time with those she likes, and just existing in the world? She could do that.]

... I like to come to the park and read on the bench. I haven't been able to do that in weeks because of the danger. If you are not opposed to it, perhaps we can also spend some time together?

[A beat.]

I still remember the first time I felt grass beneath my feet. It was cold and wet and strange, but it felt—

It felt wonderful. I wondered if I could walk on the ocean I had only read about. I wondered if it would feel the same...

Y'know, there's a beach at the end of town--if y'want, we could go take a look around there. Or just the park by the lake, if that's more what you're up for doin'. I could stand to get some fresh air myself, so I'd like that.

...My home's on the ocean--city alway smells of salt n' a cool breeze. The sand at the shores're warm under the sunlight, an' day or night y' can see ships comin' an' goin for miles out.

You are from a place on the ocean? I see...

Then let us walk the beach. It will be enjoyable for both of us. There will be fewer ships than the colorful port in my memories, I imagine.

Good ol' Limsa Lominsa, aye. This world don't seem like they're much for ocean travel--shame, it's fun.

But I'd like that a lot. Can tell you 'bout home if you like, or we don't have t' talk much if you don't want.

Limsa Lominsa? An interesting name. It rolls off the tongue nicely.

[This would be a date if Zero was any other oblivious lesbian.]

I would like to know more about your home.

The situation in my past life was not all that different from my circumstances now. I was liberated from a prison, and found myself in a world I did not understand or comprehend.

I remember that world was beautiful, as this one is also beautiful.

[sometimes you just arrange a beach walk with your gal pal. platonically. scintilla may also have shades of useless lesbian to her at times.]

It is, aye. Beautiful, wide, with countless places an' things just waitin' to be discovered. I've seen a good bit of the world, but there's a lot even I ain't traveled to just yet. If y' want to hear it, I'd be only too happy t' tell you plenty.

[Hydaelyn help them both.]

I would listen.

[There's a note of amusement to her voice.]

Adventurers are rare in this day and age.

Sure seems it. Right shame that is--it's a fun life more often n' not. World as nice as this one, be a crime not t' wander here an' there as the wind takes ya.

I wasn't around for whatever they did to the creepazoid running the show- but from what they said he for sure is dead as a doornail. IDK if he begged or not, but he sounded like a pathetic little B, so probs?

They've not got anywhere left to work from at least? We torched that place and Zhongli buried it. It's gone with a capital G.

So yeah, I'd say you're free as a bird, Girl.

[Bless you, Zulius, she never understands half of what you're saying.]

Free as a bird...

I never thought this day would come. I thought I would be pursued unto the ends of the earth.

Surely there are still remnants of them elsewhere? I did not burn down the facility that imprisoned me. I barely escaped with my life.

But with Weissmann dead, they should not be able to rebuild the way they wanted to.

[And this is how it will always be, sorry Zero, you don't deserve this.]

Exactly!!!

Not anymore! Those assholes are deffo dead. IDK about any of them not in the city. But there's none HERE. There's nothing for them to go back to. We were all pretty pissy about the thing so, yeah.

[Just. So much murder and arson. So much. ]

Not a chance. The whole operation here reeked of pathetic desperation. I SERIOUSLY doubt if any of them are left they can get a foothold anywhere again.

Right. The city is safe now... and it will stay that way.

[...]

Did it feel good? To see the building burn?

It sure flunking is. You don't have to worry about them coming near you again.

You know, it REALLY did. SUPER cathartic.

[More importantly:]

How are YOU feeling about it?

Edited 2023-08-08 21:07 (UTC)

[She thinks about this a while.]

I don't know. The world seems the same as it did yesterday.

Everything is still... unresolved. The emptiness I feel in my breast has not changed. Perhaps it will always be there. Perhaps I must do something.

... I don't know.

That's fair. This is a BIG thing, it's gonna take time.

[It might NEVER get better. He knows as well as anyone that some wounds will never heal. Not properly.]

You've gotta give yourself time for that. Figuring out what'll make this suck less. But if you need help with it, lemmie know, okay?

[She knows he's right. In some ways she's only just begun.]

Thank you.

I will let you know if I need anything. For now, I should be able to return to work.

Literally any time.

Great. Glad to have you back, Honey. The catwalks haven't been the same without you.

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